xm-18 vs SnG vs umnumzaan

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OD-SnG

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If you could have only one and had to keep it as your edc for 2 years which would it be and Why?
 
Umnumzaan. The other two are too fat and heavy. Umnum is thinner and more comfortable to carry, while still being a strong tough knife.
 
Isn't the XM-18 available with a flipper? If that's the case, then that'd be my choice: XM-18 with flipper.
 
I prefer hole openers to thumbstuds and flippers.
And the SnG just looks the best.

blacksng2.jpg
 
Bad picture, but I do have these knives and would not pick any for a two year EDC. :)

IMG_2728.jpg


Why?

While they are all awesome knives, and all make a fine EDC, but given a choice...

The XM, is more of a prybar than a knife. It cuts good but not as good as a thinner blade with a high hollow grind. Also a tad heavy and blocky in the pocket.

The SNG, mine is DGG so it very thin and light and very grippy. Cuts great after the reprofiling and with it's full flat grind. Better cutter than the XM, lighter and thinner in the pocket. For a two year EDC I would want a little more cutting edge.

The Umnum, is awesome and I carried it for a few weeks straight... now I carry her on and off as the mood strikes me. It's flaw? The clip is way too close to the edge of the scale, and will digg into your hand (right hand ring finger) under use. It really would be perfect IMHO if it were not or this hot spot. As it cuts great due to the high hollow grind, carrys thin, and does not weight down the pocket like a XM can.

So what would I go with for a two year EDC?

A large double lug micarta 21, not too tact-T cool looking, great grip, no clip digging into your finger, because the clip sits near the middle of the lockside scale. Very grippy, blade tip is stronger/beefy'er than the Yum-Yum zaan... While still being a good stabber, better stabber than the XM or SNG. Can handle light to med prying with ease. Also has the CRK bushing system... I love Chris's S30 heat treat (like VG-10 on roids,) gets razor sharp fast and will hold it for a while. It's not as hard as some other makers, but it will strop up faster than others, being I sharpen everyday before a knife goes into my pocket, edge holding is never a problem. (by "sharpening" I am talking a few strokes on a Spydero Ultra fine benchstone and a quick strop.. May take 3 mins from start to finish)

I just really feel like the Large Micarta 21 is the "top dawg." it's classic simple styling, ease of upkeep, and cutting performance are unmatched. :cool:

sorry for the loooong post :o
 
XM-18 w/ flipper its pretty much the best HD do any thing go anywhere knife ever built IMO. If fits in the hand like a glove and has zero hot spots and its fit and finish is flawless and Rick has some of if not the best CS in the industry.
 
carrot said:
Umnumzaan. The other two are too fat and heavy. Umnum is thinner and more comfortable to carry, while still being a strong tough knife.
Click to expand...

The SNG is not ‘more fat and heavy’ than the ‘Zaan.

Per my calipers and digital scale:

SNG handle width- 0.45 Umnumzaan handle width- 0.47

SNG weight- 3.87 oz Umnumzaan weight- 5.05 oz

And yes, I find the SNG more comfortable to carry.
 
I forgot to give my opinion, Ive had a few sng , nice knives but rather blocky and heavy in pocket, ive had a prototype umnumzaan " yes the 1600.00 one" it was just ok, a little to big for edc, and i grew bored with yet another grey handled knife. " After collecting knives by far i would have to say my grail would be a 3 inch flipper xm-18. My friend has one and the fit and finish is 100% perfect, its light, rides great in the pocket, and fits your hand like a dream, im my opinion after years of collecting ive never seen a more perfect edc than a 3 inch flipper xm-18. Its hard use like a strider , with all the fit and finish of a chris reeve knife. Now to ever find one, thats a whole other storie. The waiting list is huge ,if you can even get on one anymore.
 
Non-flipper 3.5" XM-18, Gen 2 preferably. The primary grind on the XM-18s can be on the thick side so I can see how it might turn some people off. I certainly wouldn't pick the XM-18 if thin, careful slicing was a high priority for a particular job, but for my needs (wants more like it), the XM-18 is a perfect all around EDC.

The SnG is a nice design and I hope to own one some day. One criticism about the design though, the hump at the bottom of the handle that goes against the palm when gripping it can be uncomfortable for me. I believe I've read that others have had similar complaints about it. But that wouldn't stop me from getting one if I had the means. It's not uncomfortable in all grips, just certain positions. I also think that if Strider really wanted to make them more tough, they would add a ti liner on the non-locking side.

I've never handled the Umnum, but I've read great things from the owners. I definitely want to handle one and probably own one some day.
 
I'd say x-18, but due to slim availability and higher price, I'd probably say your chances are better with the unnum.
 
Very good topic!
I have exactly that 3 knives in my mind.
I'm leaning to the DGG SNG now because i like the looks and weight and it's cheaper dan the XM-18.
I know a place with 3 and 3.5 inch XM-18 flippers in stock but there so expensive :mad:
As I'm left handed i really like the left handed Umnumzaan, there are not a lot of left handed knives around.

Ah well, another week till payday so I've got some thinking to do.
 
I don't have an XM-18 , but of the other two choices I think I'd pick the SnG by a hair. I find the ergonomics a little better on the Umnumzaan, but I prefer the blade shape of the SnG. Plus the SnG offers a few different grip choices because of its unique handle shape/choil combination.

SNG_UM.jpg
 
I think the 3" xm would be the best choice for edc out of the three. I have one and I love it. But overall I prefer a micarta small sebenza 21 for edc.
 
So-Lo said:
Bad picture, but I do have these knives and would not pick any for a two year EDC. :)




The Umnum, is awesome and I carried it for a few weeks straight... now I carry her on and off as the mood strikes me. It's flaw? The clip is way too close to the edge of the scale, and will digg into your hand (right hand ring finger) under use. It really would be perfect IMHO if it were not or this hot spot. As it cuts great due to the high hollow grind, carrys thin, and does not weight down the pocket like a XM can.
Click to expand...


If the clip is really misplaced you could screw the clip off and carry the knife in a sheath.

I think using a sheath with the other knives would be good too.
They are big knives.
I carry a classic sebenza in a leather sheath and like this very much.
The knife is better protected and you have less risk of losing the knife vs. clip carry in trouser pocket.

If i had to choose 1 of the 3 it would be the umnum.
Because i think its the best slicer of the 3.
I also like the special pivot washer of the crk knife.

I like the looks of the xm18 flipper the most and it would be the most fun to play with.

But sng is great to so tuff choice but i would say umnum as 2 year user.
 
I have all 3 as well as a large micarta sebenza, but my two knives with the most pocket time are a 3" xm -18 gen 3 with a spear point hand ground blade and then a spyderco caly in zdp -189, the others take up too much pocket for edc although i do like all of them for other uses
 
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