Why Should I Buy A Umnumzaan ??

nyefmaker

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Sep 29, 2008
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I have many CRK and have yet to pull the trigger on the Umnumzaan. I EDC my Large Regular "NCIS" engraved Sebenza. I know of the advantages ( new bushing system ) and such. The Ceramic Ball Detent looks kinda funky.

I would like to hear from those of you that have both, A Large Sebenza AND A Umnumzaan. Let me know what you think ??? Pros, Cons, ??? It looks like one hell of a knife and even more durable than the large Sebenza..............
 
I have both, but to be honest (and probably against the grain) I like carrying my Large Sebenza. The Umnum is a great knife and if I didn't have my Sebbie I'd definitely carry the Umnum. The reasons I like the Sebbie better is that it's not too big and not too small. While the Umnum is just a little bigger than the Sebbie, that little bit is one of my reasons. I find the handle of the Large 21 to be more comfortable than that of the Umnum. Finally the blade shape on the Umnum is a little too much for me. I'm not a fan of the extra hump on the spine of the blade and the swedge, while nice looking, offers nothing to the knife on any other level than looks.

I know that some are going to come here and tell me that the extra hump is for the thumb and that the swedge lightens the blade a bit, but I'll say that the jimping and first dip in the blade is enough for me as far as my thumb goes and that the blade would be even lighter without the swedge altogether.

Overall, the Umnum is an impressive knife, but I'd rather carry a Large Sebbie.
 
I have both, and I'm torn. I've mostly been carrying the Umnum now, mostly cause it's new but more and more because I think my hands are slowly falling in love with it. I still carry the Seb now and then. It's hard to say which is truly superior, or which will be the dominant EDC in a few years. The Umnum is a new knife yet.

All I can really say is that when I'm carrying one, I miss carrying the other. (And carrying both seems somehow nuts.)
 
I have both My Ums are way smoother action and I am wondering if the Seb maybe tweaked or something cause the Mnandi I have is smooth like the Um but my Seb feels like a new Strider in its action. Anyway the Ums ceramic ball engagement was weird to me too but disengaging it is so much smoother than any frame lock I have ever owned. I do feel the Um is overall better. I also like the spine of the Um for different choked up grips and the swedge for scraping stuff that I don't want to dull the blade with. In my honest opinion I think Sebs have a certain loyalty to them that although deserved keeps peeps from giving the highest marks to the Um
 
I have both also. My first CRK was an Umnumzaan, so unlike most of you The A to B comparison is actually a B to A one lol. That being said I have not EDC'ed the Sebbie as they just don't compare! In fact since I got my Umnumzaan I dont EDC any of my other 1 handers anymore. Its either my Umnum or a slippie.
 
I have many CRK and have yet to pull the trigger on the Umnumzaan. I EDC my Large Regular "NCIS" engraved Sebenza. I know of the advantages ( new bushing system ) and such. The Ceramic Ball Detent looks kinda funky.

I would like to hear from those of you that have both, A Large Sebenza AND A Umnumzaan. Let me know what you think ??? Pros, Cons, ??? It looks like one hell of a knife and even more durable than the large Sebenza..............

For cryin' out loud, nyefmaker -- I've seen some of your most excellent collection :)! Of course you need an Umnumzaan -- you're not complete w/o one :D. Now, will you prefer one over the other? That is another issue entirely, and it will be interestiing to hear your thoughts!
 
I have over 50 sebenza's....i rock a zaan most of the time these days.

Fooj said it....what are you waitin 4. :)
 
I have over 50 sebenza's....i rock a zaan most of the time these days.

Fooj said it....what are you waitin 4. :)

Bigmark408 -- I think we need a breakdown description and pictures of what must be an amazing Sebenza collection!
 
I switch them out, whenever the mood strikes..... UM/Seb...... Seb/Um.... love them both no preference, but...... you gotta get an um!!!! What's the holdup! Bart1
 
For cryin' out loud, nyefmaker -- I've seen some of your most excellent collection :)! Of course you need an Umnumzaan -- you're not complete w/o one :D. Now, will you prefer one over the other? That is another issue entirely, and it will be interestiing to hear your thoughts!

I saw your post and just started laughing........LOL. I needed that. Thanks for the great comment. I am most proud of my collection. I have sold off almost all my other knives and went almost CRK entirely. I just have not pulled the trigger on the umnumzaan

I switch them out, whenever the mood strikes..... UM/Seb...... Seb/Um.... love them both no preference, but...... you gotta get an um!!!! What's the holdup! Bart1

I see so many posts and comments about needing special tools, people disliking the new bushing system, pivot screws coming loose, a friend that had 2 and disliked them both.....you name it......lol. But if you go through all the sebenza posts, you will probably find the same.
 
I EDC rotate two sebbies( large & small) and couple custom slippies. I really liked my Umnum but it was just to large to be a pocket carrier.... especially when wearing shorts, which happens to be all the time during the hot summer/fall months here in AZ. Lately I've been coveting a Tanto Umnum, winter must be just around corner! Perfection for me though would be a Tanto Umnum sized between a small and large Sebbie. Anyone else feeling the same?
 
I see so many posts and comments about needing special tools, people disliking the new bushing system, pivot screws coming loose, a friend that had 2 and disliked them both.....you name it......lol. But if you go through all the sebenza posts, you will probably find the same.

Hey bud, I've been seeing those too. The Umnumzaan just didnt feel unique for me coming from CRK. (Sebenza with bushing and all)

However, after extensive reading Ive found the Umnumzaan is unique after all.

1. The advanced pivot- hardly ever need to take it apart, I saw a post where the guy buried, opened and closed his Zaan in sand, and it still opened as smoothly as before. Another post was a guy putting the Umnumzaan in dish water and alcohol, after rinsing, the grease is still in the pivot to make it smooth. How great is that?

2. It is stronger than a Sebenza- thicker blade and handle. IMO, it is as robust as a Strider, if not more so.

etc.

The only thing that holds me back from going full out on the Umnumzaan is the checkered pattern, I just dont dig it.
 
I don't like the humps on the blade or the glass breaker just for aesthetic reasons. Especially the glass breaker, I mean, who asked for it?
 
I don't like the humps on the blade or the glass breaker just for aesthetic reasons. Especially the glass breaker, I mean, who asked for it?

I actually think the glass breaker is great. Not only can it come useful in emergency situations in say a car. It is also a decent impact weapon.
 
I actually think the glass breaker is great. Not only can it come useful in emergency situations in say a car. It is also a decent impact weapon.

I like the glassbreaker is good as well. I often need to apply some concentrated/focused pressure, for instance, breaking paper tape on box seams. I can take out my Umnumzaan and w/o opening it, I can score the tape with the glass breaker, and the box breaks right down.
 
i think the only thing no good compare to sebenza 21 is the frame lock ......when u try to close the blade its only a little higher than the right side !
 
I think the Umnumzaan is CRK answer to Strider and Hinderter knifes.

What I don't like is the fact it needs a take down tool for the enlarged pivot. I also don't like the synthetic -rubber gaskets on a knife. I want all Ti, bronze, stainless steel ect.

That is what I like about the sebenzas. They are simple and indestructive. Anyone can take one apart...they even include the tool to do it!
 
I had a couple of Umnumzaans.

I love the design and look. They are of the highest quality like any Chris Reeve product.

However. At my job I do alot of bending, kneeling, getting back up, climbing ladders and things. The umnumzaan kept poking me in the leg. For my daily carry it was uncomfortable. It definitely does not slice as nice as a large sebenza. I also do not like that you can push the lock bar in farther than it ought to go when squeezing the handle. I like the positive lock of the sebenza better. When it is engaged it is not going any farther in.

The bushing thing isn't a real issue to me. Strength either. Who has broken a Sebenza because it isn't strong enough?

In the end I agree with Fooj. You've got to get one already!
 
Glass breaker also gives you another opening point. I wear a ton of shorts too and find it rides perfect both in pocket and IWB guess that's a personal thing though. After seeing your collection you need a few Ums tho
 
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