Umnumzan Users - What are your experiences?

BMCGear said:
From Sunday:

2IaunRBICTY25suEa0iPu9YH0jvBtCFWpFCtUcrin717oIxBlg1YVcZjxNp4lKVocO7ZAnw1tsPB6BJiKmBIvm3sPA6-l-mbmqnzSb5Q1azqoyy_xfLQ1mcqjaKIfrKFkKSWltnK2Hw=w2400
Click to expand...
Darn I want one of those. Are they easier to open than the Inkosi?
 
I just got my drop point Umnumzaan today. It's pretty damn nice. I think it is not easy to open, same as my Inkosi and my Sebenza, but I am very new to CRK and these are very new knives, so not broken in. I am a little freaked out by how little sound is generated opening the knife - it's so quiet I worry the lock is not engaged properly. Handle shape is fine, I can't see it being a problem.

So, same as my other two - clean, elegant, understated, well made. And sharp.
 
jceckrosh said:
I just got my drop point Umnumzaan today. It's pretty damn nice. I think it is not easy to open, same as my Inkosi and my Sebenza, but I am very new to CRK and these are very new knives, so not broken in. I am a little freaked out by how little sound is generated opening the knife - it's so quiet I worry the lock is not engaged properly. Handle shape is fine, I can't see it being a problem.

So, same as my other two - clean, elegant, understated, well made. And sharp.
Click to expand...

When I first got a CRK I didn't think they were very easy to open. Spyderco's and Benchmades typically fly out of the handle (depending on the lock and detent). I have an XM18 on my desk right now along with my CRK and it currently has bearings and rockets out. The CRK is hydraulic and deliberate and I love that now. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: V-1
BMCGear said:
When I first got a CRK I didn't think they were very easy to open. Spyderco's and Benchmades typically fly out of the handle (depending on the lock and detent). I have an XM18 on my desk right now along with my CRK and it currently has bearings and rockets out. The CRK is hydraulic and deliberate and I love that now. :)
Click to expand...
I actually only have one flipper, so I don't mind the difficulty opening. I don't entertain scenarios about needing quick deployment and I am not a knife fidgeter. So all good. I imagine over time it will break in some.
 
Brian_T said:
You got me looking through my old pictures and I found this pitbull:

20150825%20IMG_5669.JPG


I've always wanted to love the Umnumzaan but my WC Sebenza 21 is in my pocket so often that the Umnum just never really has had a fair chance.

I don't think I even own this tanto any more but I've got a standard Lefty Umnumzaan in my pocket today and it's definitely a very capable knife with a lot going for it. I just have more of a "connection" with my old WC 21.

B
Click to expand...

I really like the semi-polished look of parts of the scale. Is that just from use? Classy!
 
My new one arrived today. Didn’t go Tanto like my Sebenza.I love it!

I have small hands and tend to push on the clip, which I think makes it hard to open the knife. I’m trying different hand grips. So far I have to choke up on the knife to get consistent ease of opening opening. It is not the knife, it is may darn small hands. Yes I tried a small Sebenza before going to the large.

Anyone a fan of a Hawk clip for this knife? Are there any custom clips that don’t lay on the lock bar? I’m sure it is just me getting used to this knife. It took me a day or two with my two other CRK’S

But what a smooth opener when I get it right. I now also own the, the Sebenza, and Inkosi. OMG, where do I go from here;). Half the fun is the knife hunt!
 
Last edited:
Glad you're liking your 'Zaan, BMCGear BMCGear . I've had my WC StarTac for a few years now and it's one of my favorite knives. Of course all my CRKs (7 larges, all different) are among my favorites. Zaans open differently than Sebs and Inkosis with a forward thumb thrust rather than the more sweeping motion of the other models and they can be tougher on your digit too. I tweak all my CRKs a little so they flick open while still maintaining that hydraulic smoothness that's such a joyous feature of their action, and while the StarTac will flick out, it takes a little mental reminder when opening to succeed.

I really like the silent opening and closing of the knife and bought a ten lifetime's supply of the Viton O-rings from the Big River Site for under 5 bucks. Having always admired @halden.doerge 's red rings, I just bought another 10 lifetime's worth of those from the same vendor as on "add-on" for a whopping $2.33. I'll be interested in how the Silicone rings compare to the Vitons in the same size.

I've also given my knife the @Norvox mod, substituting an additional standoff for the lanyard pin, making an already really strong and solid knife even stronger and more solid. :cool: The standoff, pin, and screw have become available as a kit for a very modest price at the CRK website. I have lanyards on most of my knives and just wrap around the extra post anyway.

hB1bAMz.jpg


wCbph5D.jpg


VJ5mkOo.jpg
 
I received a drop point Zaan two days ago. No buyers remorse here. It’s excellent, amazing actually and, has exceeded my expectations which, since I’m already the proud owner of an insingo micarta Inkosi, were high. Two different knives. I like the silent opening, good ergos and, the blade shape of the zaan. But more than anything, as with my Inkosi, I just really dig the simple minimalistic design and construction and, the precision. I have reached the top of the mountain.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
-Leonardo DaVinci
 
ChazzyP said:
Glad you're liking your 'Zaan, BMCGear BMCGear . I've had my WC StarTac for a few years now and it's one of my favorite knives. Of course all my CRKs (7 larges, all different) are among my favorites. Zaans open differently than Sebs and Inkosis with a forward thumb thrust rather than the more sweeping motion of the other models and they can be tougher on your digit too. I tweak all my CRKs a little so they flick open while still maintaining that hydraulic smoothness that's such a joyous feature of their action, and while the StarTac will flick out, it takes a little mental reminder when opening to succeed.

I really like the silent opening and closing of the knife and bought a ten lifetime's supply of the Viton O-rings from the Big River Site for under 5 bucks. Having always admired @halden.doerge 's red rings, I just bought another 10 lifetime's worth of those from the same vendor as on "add-on" for a whopping $2.33. I'll be interested in how the Silicone rings compare to the Vitons in the same size.

I've also given my knife the @Norvox mod, substituting an additional standoff for the lanyard pin, making an already really strong and solid knife even stronger and more solid. :cool: The standoff, pin, and screw have become available as a kit for a very modest price at the CRK website. I have lanyards on most of my knives and just wrap around the extra post anyway.

hB1bAMz.jpg


wCbph5D.jpg


VJ5mkOo.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip on how to properly open the Zaan! It has made the world of difference. I felt like I had a high end Land Rover and didn’t know how to start it. I should be embarrassed. But it was well worth seeking advice. Thanks again!
 
Got a tanto model over the weekend and it's another high quality CRK product. Fit and finish is first rate, it's comfortable to use with a wicked edge from the factory. It's really starting to smooth out after opening and closing it for a couple days. Well, that's the wrong way to put it, it was always smooth but it's starting to glide open easier now with absolutely no blade play. Definitely fits my hand better than my large Sebenza 21, more ergonomic for me.
All in all, it's a heck of a blade.

UPDATE - Additional info added a day later.
Some thoughts after living with it a few more hours. So far I've only cut up lot's of cardboard boxes and food with it.

The handle is more comfortable than the large 21. The chamfering, milled cross hatch and drop at the end of the handle really make a difference. I'm actually surprised how much better it works (for me). The pivot seems to allow it to open smoother than my old Sebenza. It's about as smooth as my old Sebenza is after just a few days. The Sebenza has years of openings on it (and is properly greased). No blade play in any direction of course. I'm not a huge fan of tanto blades shapes on folders but I really love these grinds. I had to go with the tanto and so far, it's been pretty efficient as an EDC.
 
Last edited:
One last insight, I never thought much about the o rings. I didn't want or need a quiet opening. Not a minus for me but not a plus. Ambivalent at best.
Now my wife, she LOVES the o rings and quiet opening as I break it in during the evenings watching TV. So now I love the o rings and quiet opening - lol.
It really is a cool feature.
 
V-1 said:
I'm not a huge fan of tanto blades shapes on folders but I really love these grinds. I had to go with the tanto and so far, it's been pretty efficient as an EDC.
Click to expand...

I couldn’t agree with you more about the tanto ‘Zaan. The grind is really, really cool.
 
I popped back over here after an alert and thought I'd post my reaction to the red silicone O-rings I mentioned above and received shortly thereafter. They suck. :mad: The silicone material is too soft and compressible and the thumb studs clack against the slabs both opening and closing. That second lifetime supply has just become an eternal supply to be passed down from generation to generation. At least I still have all those black Viton rings and one pair is back on the knife. :D

If I run into an interesting color in the right size and material I may give it a shot, but I'm perfectly happy with the plain black ones. :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: V-1
Well, after writing above that I was perfectly happy with my black Viton rings I absently started looking around anyway and found a thread here that led me to the O-Ring Store. I learned a little bit about the various materials and hardnesses/compressibility and ended up buying some green and some brown rings in Viton ( Dupont fluoroelastomer) that had small minimum order numbers and ended with one of those transactions that cost a buck-and-a-half and 6 bucks to ship.

1/8" ID, 1/16" CS (material dim.), 1/4" OD, 75 Durometer (hardness), BTW.
 
Last edited:
Very useful info on the O-Ring Store. Hopefully these turn out perfect. Could you please let us know how they work?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top