Which would you choose and why?

johnhere

johnhere

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Dec 18, 2010
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Which scenario would you go choose and why?

1: Large 21 w/ insingo blade AND small 21 w/ drop point blade

or

2: Large 21 w/ drop point blade AND small 21 with insingo blade

Again, which would you choose and why.

Ok, go...
 
I would get a Large 21 with a drop point and small with insingo.

This would be the best combo because you have a small, utility knife with a large, do anything knife.

BTW, I just ordered my Large 21 Lefty on sunday, Cant wait until it gets here!
 
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bd51 said:
I would get a Large 21 with a drop point and small with insingo.

This would be the best combo because you have a small, utility knife with a large, do anything knife.

BTW, I just ordered my Large 21 Lefty on sunday, Cant wait until it get here!
Click to expand...

This would be my vote as well.
 
Although I personally have little to no interest in the 21s I would also go with choice #2.

I'd go with the Umnumzaan and a Mnandi if I was me. :):thumbup:
 
I'm having troubles figuring out the differences in uses between a large Sebenza and an Umnumzaan. How do you see them being different?
 
There is really nothing one could do that the other couldn't at the end of the day. To pick flys though, the Umnumzaan has a glass breaker that the Sebenza does not. It also has a semi sharp swedge, I use the swedge as a sacraficial edge for fero rods or scraping at stuff etc. There is also the different lock bar set up with the ceramic ball for the contact area that is not on the Sebenza. I personally much prefer the ergos of the Umnumzaan over the 21 too, and have found the Umnumzaan has pretty much totally taken over my Sebenzas now.
The one thing that does let the Umnumzaan down is the special tool needed to dismantle the knife. I have found you don't really need to use loctite on the pivot screw but it is perhaps better if you do, again that would be a let down over the Sebenza IMO.

All in all there is not a great deal between them but I personally have been won over by the Umnumzaan. For the record I have always rated the Regular Sebenza over the Classic/21 so I have never really been of fan of the later. :):thumbup:
 
johnhere said:
Which scenario would you go choose and why?

1: Large 21 w/ insingo blade AND small 21 w/ drop point blade

or

2: Large 21 w/ drop point blade AND small 21 with insingo blade

Again, which would you choose and why.

Ok, go...
Click to expand...




Yeah I would agree with what has been said earlier...I'd go for the large drop point, and a small insingo. Again depends on what you are using these blades for. If you want the little guy to be a dress up knife then get it in drop point and you could get embellishments with it too Its all personal choice in the end. I say start with one and then move on to another....

I got a small lefty micarta 21 and I couldn't be happier....I do want to get a plain Jane large 21 in the future, but for now I will stick with what I have.


They are great blades and can handle a lot of work. The small insingo has a near wharncliff blade on it so that will be useful for things like opening packages and the mail. Also quite useful for food prep.
 
Thanks everyone for all the feedback. After getting the large Insingo and the small drop point, I kinda thought I should have gone the other way. I'm "correcting" that now. I've got a small insingo on the way from knife art will get the large drop point, or maybe a soon. Maybe an Umnumzaan, but I really like the simplicity of taking the Sebenza down. Not that the Umnumzaan is hard, but it is harder from what I gather.

Thanks again everyone for all the comments.
 
johnhere said:
...I really like the simplicity of taking the Sebenza down. Not that the Umnumzaan is hard, but it is harder from what I gather.
Click to expand...

There's a detailed three-part video on Youtube discussing the Umnumzaan and showing a full takedown. Doesn't look too tough.
 
xtal said:
There's a detailed three-part video on Youtube discussing the Umnumzaan and showing a full takedown. Doesn't look too tough.
Click to expand...

I'll be honest, I've watched about a tenth of a number of videos on the Umnumzaan has I have about the Sebenza. I'll go watch a few more. I'm sure I've seen this series come up, or ones like it, but haven't watched it yet as I've been a little too focused on the Sebenza. But, I did watch, just tonight, a video by Solo where he talked about the action on the Umnumzaan. Looked nice.

And, at least I can spell Umnumzaan now without having to look it up each time, I couldn't do that this morning! [John thinks to himself, "Boy, I hope I spelled it right in this post."]. I learned at least that one thing today!
 
IMO the Umnumzaan is easier to take down and build back up than the Sebenza. It has less parts but you just need to have the special tool to do it.
 
I have pics of both knives broken down somewhere on my computer back home. I'll try and find it and post it up later, a nice picture always helps I think. :p:thumbup:
 
Thanks again, Haze. I watched a number of videos on the Umnumzaan last night and must admit to being intrigued. I watched a couple of tear downs and it doesn't look any harder than the Sebenza, just that it needs a second tool for the pivot, which really isn't a big deal.

Is the pivot finicky at all when putting the knife back together, getting the right tension on it and all that? One thing I like about the Sebenza is the bushing and just tightening down the pivot and the action is smooth right away. Also, is lock tight necessary, just a good idea, or use it if you want to sort of thing?

That swage does look really nice and useful. Again, thanks Haze for opening my eyes a bit and getting me to look a little harder at the Umnumzaan.
 
johnhere said:
Thanks again, Haze. I watched a number of videos on the Umnumzaan last night and must admit to being intrigued. I watched a couple of tear downs and it doesn't look any harder than the Sebenza, just that it needs a second tool for the pivot, which really isn't a big deal.

Is the pivot finicky at all when putting the knife back together, getting the right tension on it and all that? One thing I like about the Sebenza is the bushing and just tightening down the pivot and the action is smooth right away. Also, is lock tight necessary, just a good idea, or use it if you want to sort of thing?

That swage does look really nice and useful. Again, thanks Haze for opening my eyes a bit and getting me to look a little harder at the Umnumzaan.
Click to expand...

The correct pivot tension is not hard to find, I keep it thumb tight and that has been just fine for me. (placing the pad of you thumb on the pivot and tightening it down) When I do use loctite on the pivot I give it a bit of an extra tweek with the tool just to get things nice.
IMO you don't need to use loctite but the pivot can back out on you if you don't. The thread is quite long so you would really have to have your mind on other things to actually lose the pivot screw. :):thumbup:
 
Hmmmm, the Umnumzaan vs. the Large.-) I prefer not to put in the vs. as they are both sweet, sweet knives. I just got my first Sebenza (large 21) today and have to say I am pleasantly hopeful this could take the place of all other pocket knives in my ever-so small collection. The Umnumzaan was my first pick and kept it for 2 weeks then turned around and ended up selling it. Here are some of the reasons I chose the Large Seb over the Umnumzaan in hopes it might help you decide for yourself which one would be the better one for you:


Some great things about the Sebenza (large) - smooth Ti slabs, simpler takedown (no tool), a little thinner and smaller overall (not by much though), lighter weight, easier closing one-handed

Some great things about the Umnumzaan - grippier (if you like design and big knurling effect), buttery-smooth operation, easier to "flick" open (though not recommended by CRK's), useful swedge, glass breaker



Some of the most important factors to were me the smooth handles, the easier-one handed closing, and most of all a lighterweight and slightly smaller footprint. For me it was tricky to use my thumbnail to engage the lip for one-hand closure and wasn't the most comfortable on finger nor fingernail (to what I have left ') But the deciding factor for me was the overall weight. I got used to carrying lighter knives (ex. - para2) and I notice the extra .something ounces in difference. Although the glass breaker is a cool feature I could only see myself using it in an emergency or something. However, the swedge was nice. I will miss that feature the most as it is great for scrapping anything or opening something not worth dulling your blade. Overall, the Umnumzaan felt a little more substantial (maybe because of the weight) but who is to say.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on
 
With so much input from Mr. Haze (thank you) I decided to order an Umnumzaan yesterday. It should be delivered on Saturday. I think the thing that put me over the top and made me decide to order it was the swedge. I like the bit of swedge on the insingo blade, and I think I'll like it even more on the Umnumzaan. I guess I'll see tomorrow which I like better and if I can decide to keep just one, or if I'll be keeping both the large Sebenza and the Umnumzaan.

Thanks again everyone for the input.
 
bd51 said:
I would get a Large 21 with a drop point and small with insingo.

This would be the best combo because you have a small, utility knife with a large, do anything knife.
Click to expand...

That would be my vote. :thumbup: Although I would prefer the Umnum to the 21...
 
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