Wilson Combat vs CRK UNUMZAAN

jmclfrsh

jmclfrsh

Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,379
I am buying a new Unumzaan, and am torn between the regular CRK and the Wilson Combat version.

I just bought a Wilson Combat Eagle, so I have a starburst Wilson Combat-handled knife already.

In CRK, I have a lefty large Micarta Sebenza, a righty Large Micarta Insingo, and a 25 which only comes in right handed version right now of course.

If I get a regular CRK Unumzaan, then except for a Mnandi and small Sebbies, I'll have one each of his large folders. I prefer that size.

The Unumzaan does come in a Wilson Combat version as well of course, with a starburst handle.

I'm leaning toward the regular to complete my collection, and because I kinda like that handle design a little better but am still somewhat torn between the two.

If you had the choice between the regular CRK Unumzaan and the Wilson Combat Unumzaan, which one would you choose and why?

Thank you for helping me make this decision!
 
As somewhat of an Umnumzaan nut.. :D I own one of almost every type.. I prefer the original Umnumzaan.. nothing wrong with the Star-Tac I have one of each of them as well but I just like the original design the best.. personal preference nothing more.. The Star-Tac looks great!! And other than the design on the handles there is no difference.
All the best, Dave
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I chose the WC Zaan because the star pattern is cool as all get out, it has more grip than the reg. zaan and has that awesome lanyard bead. The reg. zaan is on my list next to have in the LH version. The good thing about being a lefty is that WC has them in stock
Either version will do you right
 
I had a Umnam in Regular design. I would go with it. That is the way Chris designed it. I love the starburst, but my Wilson Combat was released before they did their cooperative releases. I'd like to get one in a trade some day.
 
I have decided on the regular handle. Now I will have the complete set.

I found a lefty in two places; I'll call tomorrow morning (5 hours away, actually) and see if either has an old pivot available since it is a lefty. Probably not, but doesn't hurt to ask.

I'll be happy with the new pivot if that is what is available. Same as on my 25, that's cool with me as I already have the pivot tools from my 25.

Thank you for your input! I truly do appreciate the care that goes into his knives. I'm a perfectionist myself and they are the closest I've found to being consistently stellar right out of the box. The hype truly is right.
 
Mikepapa1, are those 5 in the center identical, or are they slightly different in any way?

Very impressive, I might add!
 
I would go Star-Tac all the way. It was my first and just feels right to me. I am with Mikepapa1 that in any form its a great knife. Buy one of each and then sell the one you don't fall in love with or do as Mike did and keep them all.

You cant go wrong either way, its the best knife I own and always finds its way into my pocket.
I also really like the 25. check that out to
 
If i was you i'd get the regular Umnumzaan, the non starburst one i mean, that is if we are talking about the new pivot. I actually like the way the regular umnumzaan looks with the new pivot more so than the Startac with the new pivot, i think i like the regular umnumzaan with the new pivot more than the old pivot too. For the startac the one with the old pivot looks amazing.

I think the reason i feel that way is because the new pivot with the original design gives it a plain/bare but really cool look, the feel is better suited to me too, like it almost feels more spacious in the hand because the pivot takes up less space on the outside since it's smaller. For the Wilson combat one, i think i like the old pivot matched with it because the wilson combat is already an ornamental looking knife, nicely decorated with the starburst pattern, and the fancy looking pivot just complements it nicely.

Right now i only have a startac with old pivot but i look forward to getting a new pivot regular umnumzaan in the future for the reasons i stated, it's a very cool knife in it's own right.

I hope you were able to follow me lol
 
Shootman31, the 25 was my first CRK. That got the ball rolling. Good call, I know it catches some flak but I think it's an awesome knife in its own right. Very stout.

And Frank_N, I agree totally with you. The old pivot on the Wilson looks beautiful, but the new pivot just doesn't do it with the starburst like the regular handle does IMO as well. I found it plain, which is sad.

Thankfully I have a Wilson Combat Eagle that looks great, actually two (I'm going to sell one) so I have a really cool starburst Wilson, and a new pivot regular Zaan on the way, a lefty that should arrive tomorrow, and just got a PM on an old pivot CRK Zaan. I'm planning to get that one as well.

I see myself thinning the herd to only my CRKs and a handful of unique other knives for specialty use. That actually needs to happen. Thank goodness they are all LNIB with the boxes and paperwork, admired and not used at all.

Question: Are all the old pivot Zaan later models hard to open with one hand, or just some of them?

The frame lock tab cutout was modified on some models to open it up more, was it not?
 
I have had both and for me, its the regular all the way. I love the look of the WC version, but those grooves are super sharp when holding the knife snuggly. Many members have confirmed this with me though PM and emails. The WC sebenza has more spaces in the grooves, while the WC zaan has them closer together and near the spine where they all converge, they are pretty sharp. That is the sole reason I sold mine. Its a beautiful and great knife, just not comfortable for me. I bought mine as soon as they came out several years ago. The design of the zaan has changed slightly, but the sharp grooves still remain.
 
nyefmaker said:
I have had both and for me, its the regular all the way. I love the look of the WC version, but those grooves are super sharp when holding the knife snuggly. Many members have confirmed this with me though PM and emails. The WC sebenza has more spaces in the grooves, while the WC zaan has them closer together and near the spine where they all converge, they are pretty sharp. That is the sole reason I sold mine. Its a beautiful and great knife, just not comfortable for me. I bought mine as soon as they came out several years ago. The design of the zaan has changed slightly, but the sharp grooves still remain.
Click to expand...

Mine is not sharp at all, i have the oldest one from 2010.

jmclfrsh said:
Shootman31, the 25 was my first CRK. That got the ball rolling. Good call, I know it catches some flak but I think it's an awesome knife in its own right. Very stout.

And Frank_N, I agree totally with you. The old pivot on the Wilson looks beautiful, but the new pivot just doesn't do it with the starburst like the regular handle does IMO as well. I found it plain, which is sad.

Thankfully I have a Wilson Combat Eagle that looks great, actually two (I'm going to sell one) so I have a really cool starburst Wilson, and a new pivot regular Zaan on the way, a lefty that should arrive tomorrow, and just got a PM on an old pivot CRK Zaan. I'm planning to get that one as well.

I see myself thinning the herd to only my CRKs and a handful of unique other knives for specialty use. That actually needs to happen. Thank goodness they are all LNIB with the boxes and paperwork, admired and not used at all.

Question: Are all the old pivot Zaan later models hard to open with one hand, or just some of them?

The frame lock tab cutout was modified on some models to open it up more, was it not?
Click to expand...

In my experience the older umnumzaan's are the easiest to open because the detent was not a hole in the blade, it was just a divot. The later newer ones where a little stiffer to open since the detent ball had to come off the hole in the blade, but it's always been easy to open one handed for me on all umnumzaan's. I think closing the knife has been more of an issue for people. Ironically I've always found the oldest one's easiest to close, despite the lockbar lip being extended for more purchase and meant to aid in closing. I didn't think there was anything wrong with the original, that being said the new ones are still fantastic knives they just look a little different.
 
I prefer the looks of the Startac and the new pivot myself with the newer jimping...color me weird. If it didn't have the friggin LBS it'd be perfect, but I can deal with it. I'm actually looking around for a Startac myself now. :)
 
I have both and much prefer the WC Star Tac. I also much prefer the older square jimping and old pivot, either model. If I had to go new pivot, most definitely would be a Star Tac, which I think looks a LOT better with the new pivot than the original Zaan - I really dislike the look of the new pivot on a Regular.
 
I just recently picked up a Startac to rplace a Zaan I sold several years ago. I'm not a collector and use the shirt out of my knives and really couldn't care less about how the old Zaan looks compared to the new (pivot, lock bar etc.) But in this case aesthetics did play a role in me opting for the Wilson ;) Can't wait for the scales to get pocket wabi so I can do the sweet looking 2 tone treatment to her :^)
 
Sending back the new Eagle for a right-handed StarTac tomorrow.

Will still have one Eagle, and now both the new pivot Zaan, left hand, and a new pivot StarTac, right hand.

So I guess I could not decide, ultimately...and had to get them both.

Darn. ;)
 
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