You guys happy with your Umnumzaans?

Chris_Himself

Chris_Himself

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Apr 8, 2010
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I've owned a few Sebs, wanted to try something different... care to share your thoughts on this one? I just bought this one blindly out of curiousity... haha.

It's the Wilson Combat Star-Tac by the way.
 
I don't know many people at all that have not been happy with the Umnumzaan. It has been my EDC for a couple of years now and I have never had any problems at all. The only thing I could say am not happy with is the handle texturing, I just don't like it, but it's not stopped me carrying and enjoying the knife. :):thumbup:
 
Thrilled with mine - it's earned a permanent place in my ever shrinking edc rotation.

Very comfortable in hand, great slicer, and versatile.

Unlike Haze, I like the handle texturing - I just wish CRK took it a little further down the scale towards the lanyard pin.
 
I'm with Toyz, texturing would be nice the full length of the scale. But I like what is there. I have a Sebenza too and the differences are personal taste. Me, I like the zaan better.
 
Love it! I liked it but not enough to buy it for a long time, sticking with Sebs, but once the S35vn ones started to come out, I jumped on the first in S30v I saw at a reasonable price in the exchange. I did not realize at the time how nice the ceramic ball interface on the lock bar is, nor that I would come to carry it just about every day after the purchase, but that's what happened!
 
The Umnum took a while for me to love.

There was no doubt that when holding the knife, I was holding something well thought out, and carefully made; a serious piece of hardware.

However, the concept of the opening the knife via pushing the thumbstud straight up and not outward was confusing to my muscle memory, along with the fact that it was tip up carry, versus all of my previous models which were tip-down carry, compounded by the low profile, versus my previous which rode fairly high in a pocket.

But those are just details. Small, trivial factors really, much like carrying a different gun. The lock-up is extremely solid, and gives me no reserves in its ability to perform.


My only complaint, real complaint is that my thumb has taken a serious beating from the lockbar, disengaging it. A lot of people do not have this problem, just a few, me being one of them. I don't consider myself to have super rough hands, but I also don't think I have the softest either. I just wish the lockbar was dehorned a little bit more, and larger.

The newer models had a little bit of difference in the frame lock, allowing for easier access for gloves users.

I really do love my Umnum though. Simple, clean design with beautiful lines, and solid performance. Its certainly an eye pleaser when I take it out (among people who like knives. It still has yet to win over the wide-eyed crowd.)
 
The overall thinness of the Zaan, length in blade and handle and CRK perfection in build quality make it one of the best EDC folders I have ever carried. It's probably not an uber hard use knife, although it would probably take a good beating. Any knife's ability to slice or cut aside, as a super high quality, general EDC folder goes, there aren't many knives out there that compete with it as far as I'm concerned. I still wish Chris would reconsider how he heat treats his blades but I can't see avoiding my Zaan just for that reason. I'm not hard on my EDC's anyway and I like to strop and touch up my blades frequently.
 
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I don't like the clip. I almost lost my umnumzaan once when it clipped the the cardboard box of a six pack. It about gave me a heart attack.
 
I've got 2 and it took me a while to warm up to them, but the more recent arrival has earned a spot in my EDC rotation. It's a really well made knife that can handle anything that I'll throw at it.
 
ARMYOf1 said:
I don't like the clip. I almost lost my umnumzaan once when it clipped the the cardboard box of a six pack. It about gave me a heart attack.
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Good point. With each of my CRKs I squeezed with pliers the bend closest to the screw hole to make that first gap thinner and to get the middle dip closer to frame. That makes it quite a bit tighter (how tight depends on how much you squeeze it, so you can choose what you like if you do it) and really locks in the thicker material along the edge of a pocket. Next, I bend up the other end a bit to make it slide onto pants easier and not press on the lock bar as much. Usually I'll pull that end up until it doesn't touch the lock bar when it's locked, then bend it back down so that it's just barely touching; this way it basically puts no pressure on the lock bar yet doesn't make a clink sound when gripped that comes with having a gap between the clip and lock bar.
 
My main concern is getting used to the deployment... I'm so used to pushing the studs towards the pivot, versus up and out
 
Chris_Himself said:
My main concern is getting used to the deployment... I'm so used to pushing the studs towards the pivot, versus up and out
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That's how the Umnum is designed to open, per CRK.

The correct way to open an Umnum is by pushing the thumb studs "up" with the tip of your thumb. :)


This was posted by Ann Reeve:

Umnumzaan: slide your thumb straight forward, parallel with the handle, pushing the lug with the top center of your thumb.
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The proto's had the full texturing on the ti.
But alas there were only 20 made and they go for a pretty penny...(1300;( )
I had one and loved it. It outshines my other edc choices but when times got tough I had to let it go.;(
I going out for a promotion at my current job and I hope to pick one up again from the '08-'09 range like the one I had.
They really are just great!



Tjc591 said:
I'm with Toyz, texturing would be nice the full length of the scale. But I like what is there. I have a Sebenza too and the differences are personal taste. Me, I like the zaan better.
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The Umnumzaan is really a unique knife. Following the Sebenza it definitley had a lot to live up to and I think it definitley stands on its own two feet.
Ive had a few umnums including the normal checkered one, the tanto, and finally just got the one Ive been wanting all along which is the Startac
version. I think your really going to love this knife and dont be surprised if its kicks the sebenza out of your pocket.
 
snowreaper1 said:
The Umnumzaan is really a unique knife. Following the Sebenza it definitley had a lot to live up to and I think it definitley stands on its own two feet.
Ive had a few umnums including the normal checkered one, the tanto, and finally just got the one Ive been wanting all along which is the Startac
version. I think your really going to love this knife and dont be surprised if its kicks the sebenza out of your pocket.
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I feel the same way. It is so similar to the Sebenza, yet so different. Neither is a substitute for the other in my opinion.

Both are awesome knives.
 
Ankerson said:
I have 2 of them, I really like mine. :)
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Ahh yes someone I can verify actually uses their knife.

I was worried that I could possibly just be getting "OH it's awesome, you will love it!" from people who open bags of chips and stuff and are happy that it still locks up tight.

I actually am recarpeting a house and I wanted something that could cut up carpet and drywall and still come out good haha.
 
Chris_Himself said:
Ahh yes someone I can verify actually uses their knife.

I was worried that I could possibly just be getting "OH it's awesome, you will love it!" from people who open bags of chips and stuff and are happy that it still locks up tight.

I actually am recarpeting a house and I wanted something that could cut up carpet and drywall and still come out good haha.
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It will hold up fine I am sure. :)
 
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