Just read on another forum that the Chris Reeve Umnumzaan is now available.
cszakolczai
09-24-2008, 18:12
off topic as hell, but I love your avatar, I'm still laughing just thinking about it.
Umnumzaan... best idea would be to compare it to Sebenza. These knives are similar at first, but when you think about it a bit more carefully... Umnum & Seb are two different animals! Which one is for you? No idea, but I can add my $0.02 to this thread :)
Let’s start with the size - Umnumzaan is a bit longer than Sebenza. But what’s more important it is considerably thicker! The blade is thicker than Sebenza’s blade and washers together. I mean you can’t insert Umnum’s blade between Sebenza slabs even without washers. So – Umnum is THICK! What is nice to see -> it is also implemented in the cutting edge, which is also thicker than Sebenza’s edge. Generally Umnum’s blade and edge is way stronger than on Sebenza. But Umnum’s penetration is still awesome due to the swedge, which could be considered “sharp”. It’s not as sharp as cutting edge, but it is not rounded in any way. It is much sharper than swedge on Pacific or Green Beret. In Poland that is not a problem at all (double edges are perfectly legal) but in some EU countries and in some states… that could at least start a serious discussion with LEO. In my opinion Sebenza’s blade is all about utility, and Umnum’s blade is thick, strong, sharp, and penetrates extremely well. Plus there is a glass-breaker (aka skull-crasher) when the blade is in closed position. But it’s not as good cutter as Sebenza, remember about that. If you believe in term "tactical folder" than Umnumzaan falls into this category.
Handle design offers extremely positive grip. I did full-power thrusts with Sebenza in the past and never had a problem with grip. But Umnumzaan is even more positive here… I can’t imagine my hand slips on Umnum’s handle. It is still thinner than most tactical knives (no scales, of course) but very strong, stout, and gives phenomenal grip! And it’s also pocket friendly (if you EDC Emersons than you know what I mean). The “mechanical system” as such is very simple. Just one screw and overbuilt pivot. It is smooth, even more than Sebenza. And thanks to perforated washers it will stay smooooooth for looooooong. Probably forever. The lanyard attachment it very slick, I like it. You remove lanyard and the “lanyard pivot” can be removed immediately, no need to unscrew anything. That is very cool. Clip is the same as on Sebenza (means good time-proven clip). What else… ah, the lock! It is positive and locks the blade 100%, no sign of blade play (but what else would you expect from Chris, right?). Anyhow, I need more time & use to tell you more. Personally I probably like the “Sebenza lock concept” a bit better. It’s simpler and I like it that way. Thumb stud works great and the silencers make the action & locking VERY silent! There is almost no sound when opening the knife.
Overall verdict? Sebenza is a great EDC and will stay great EDC, by which other knives will be judged. Umnumzaan is stronger, gripper, heavier. Sebenza’s thinner blade stock and edge cuts better, but Umnumzaan is more “Heavy Duty” kind of knife. I like both of them but I find Sebenza better suited for my everyday uses. However, I will carry Umnumzaan every now and then just for the pleasure of carrying / playing with /using it. But if you need tactical EDC folder – Umnumzaan is the way to go, for sure!
OK, let's see some pictures... first Umnumzaan alone - both sides. Than compared to my favorite Sebenza (LDC09) - opened. And than blade thickness comparison... you can see that there is an obvious difference. And both knives in closed position.
Hope you find that short review helpful... P.
Team Sergeant
09-26-2008, 16:55
Very nice knife and great post Piter! (are those your pics?)
TS
thanks! And yes, these are my photos.
BTW, I did not mention that this knife is also easy to open with either hand.
Bill Harsey
09-30-2008, 10:14
This knife has some never before done details inside the mechanism of the pivot and lock joint.
I was kind of amazed at how Chris did it.
If memory serves this knife was named "Knife of the Year" at Blade Show in Atlanta this last June.
Thanks for the report Piter.
If memory serves this knife was named "Knife of the Year" at Blade Show in Atlanta this last June.
YES! Overall Knife Of A Year 2008 - congrats to Chris again :lifter
x SF med
09-30-2008, 17:00
Damn you Chris Reeve! another knife that needs to be purchased...
Looks good, great review. Great beat and easy to dance to.:)