Using my Umnumzaan?

iainfm

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Dec 15, 2009
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I was wondering what your guy's views are regarding using chrisreev knives. I find it hard to use the umnumzan everyday. Though I love it a lot, it is expensive, and the value would be immediatey killed if it got marks on the blade. If I dont plan on using it, do you guys recommend on keeping it? Will it lose value over time?
 
Value of regular production CRKs do not depreciate very much even if the blade is used.

For example, NIB small Seb 21's go for $330. Used [not abused] small Seb 21's go anywhere from $280 [good deal] to around $300 from what I have seen.

Sure others will chime in with similar ranges.
If you don't plan on using it I would sell it to someone who will!
 
Either it's a safe queen or it's not. If you wanna use it but are scared that it loses value, don't use it. Buy a knife that you feel comfortable in using without having to worry about its value.
I own a Sebenza and use it every day. I don't care what it looks like, and I don't care what it might be worth. Other people like a knife like that to fondle and look at. That way it stays pristine.
It's up to you.
 
You really have to use the knife to appreciate it. I own 2 small sebenzas, a small CGG and a small 21. Both get used. :thumbup:
 
I use all my CRK folders and only fairly recently got a few extra one piece knives as keepers because of them going out of production.
 
It's still a production knife (not discontinued), so keeping it in the safe won't get you any extra $$ anytime soon.

Use it, or sell it and buy something you will use. No need in having $400 tied up in something you can turn around tomorrow and buy easily for the same amount.
 
If I own a knife, I use it. I even use my Korth Stinger #127 that many would consider a safe queen.
 
I bought my first sebenza 9 years ago when I was 23. The next day I went on a hike in central Texas and immediately at the trailhead I began carving sticks... These kind of high quality knives are certainly meant to be used, so like others have said, nobody is suprised or let down or surprised by buying a used Umnumzaan or Sebenza that has been "pre-loved!"

I have a few less expensive knives (Spyderco Military, RAT RC-3, Strider WP) for times when I think I might do a lot of cutting or semi-abusive cutting, but I pretty much never carry them... so my Seb sees all. A few days ago I used my lg 21 to bevel 8 x 16 foot baseboards to give them a rustic look... a few strokes on the Sharpmaker and she was back to a razor... CRK's s30v is simply excellent... USE IT!!! (Otherwise when you sell it, you won;t ever know what you are actually missing!)
 
I would say do what makes you happy. If you are happier locking it away, do that. If you bought the knife because you have a genuine need for it ( I think everyone has a need for at least one quality knife) then use it.

Ultimately it is your money and your peace of mind. While I don't abuse my blades I do use them. I know other people that don't use their higher end blades and enjoy simply owning them.

I look at it this way. I would feel dumb, personally, if I needed a good knife and owned one but did not have it with me.
 
I have carried my sebenza just about every day for 5 years and used it. It still looks great and as I bought it to be a dependable user I'm certainly not disappointed. My umnumzaan is showing itself to be an excellent edc and again I have no qualms about using it. It's why I bought it.

I'm not rich enough to buy expensive knives to just sit in a drawer.

With that said because I wanted to use my knives I decided to buy both used here at BF and save some money on that initial scratch.
 
I carry mine every day, it's one of my favorite knives. I don't see why you'd take a production knife and tie up money in it by not using it. Unless you just had to have one minty fresh. :)
 
the way i see it is the knife is extremely high quality, it was designed to be used and perform really well. my only CRK is a small sebenza, see avatar, and it is used. i find that the scratch's are a badge of honor of sorts.

the short version: use it :D
 
There isn't anything wrong with collecting knives you like, but I have a hard time not carrying and using a knife I've paid good money for. Granted, if I'm planning on some real muck and mud I'll probably grab an endura or BM 710 or something, but that's just because I wimp out and not because the knife isn't capable. CR makes his knives to be used, especially the Umnumzaan.
 
I can easily see some of the fancy sebenzas being safe queens. Unique graphics, fancy woods, mammoth ivory, no one wants them to get ruined during use. I have some unique sebenzas that are not used and are safe queens. So I can see that, even though I should use them...........As for the umnumzaan, its built to be used and used hard. Unless its one of the fancy limited edition zaans costing $1800, USE IT. If this is your first expensive knife, its always tough to get a scuff on it, but you will get more enjoyment using it than admiring it, believe me. Admire it WHILE you use it.. The regular umnumzaan is readily available, is only available in the regular present version. A MINT one will not be worth more than the $400 and unless your a dealer, you woud probably not get $400 for a mint one anyways. I see used zaans going fopr $325 all the time and thats a good price for a used one I think for what your getting. I use mine for everything under the sun that you "Should" use a knife for and there are virtually no marks on it. The zaan is a true workhorse and should be used.
 
like others have said, its not like its a discontinued knife and becoming a valuable collectors piece. Its still in production. You owe it to yourself to see how a quality knife handles in use.
 
Well you already lost $50 to $70 by buying it when you figure tax, shipping, and the loss you will take on resale.

You see, whether you use it or not when you sell it's not new from a dealer so you won't get a dealers NIB price for it. A NIB one sold by you may bring $350, and a used one sold by you may bring $330, so for the approx $20 you now stand to lose I say USE IT!

I carry and use my Umnum for whatever comes my way, and I don't worry about resale because it's not going to be sold :)
 
Use it, use it, use it.

Knives are tools meant to be used, and CRK are no exception.

If Chris wanted them to be collectors he would have used exotic scale material, precious and semi-precious gems, leather braided lanyards with sterling silver beads, etc.

You get my drift...

If you want to make money there are many things that have a better chance of appreciating than production or semi-custom knives.
 
I use my micarta Sebenza every time I carry it (1-2 a week). It shows a little marking, but I have decided not to sell it ever, a conclusion that allows me to use and be proud of the marks I put on it because my kid will see those when it's his! They are expensive, but that is because they are well made (made to use). As stated above, either put it in the safe or use it. You will most likely not be able to sell it for much over the retail price because CRK has a history of making the same knife for a very long time.
 
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