Is The Chris Reeve Umnumzaan Still A Great Knife? - 2022
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- A "Re-Review" of the iconic Chris Reeve Umnumzaan.
Shop ALL Chris Reeve knives - dlt.link/2FqhofC
Chris Reeve Umnumzaan - dlt.link/3sKw3p3
DLT Trading New Arrivals - dlt.link/2OOHSc9
Blade HQ New Arrivals - shrsl.com/36fac
Crane's Cutlery New Arrivals - cranescutlery....
GP Knives New Arrivals - shrsl.com/3bzf4
River's Edge Cutlery New Arrivals - riversedgecutl...
Shop Flytanium! Custom parts for your favorite knives! - shrsl.com/333ql
Check out these other GREAT retailers! - linktr.ee/MCalt
--------‐----------------------------------------------------------
My MOST RECOMMENDED KNIVES all in one place! - linktr.ee/Meta...
--------‐----------------------------------------------------------
Metal Complex stickers! - www.redbubble....
--------‐----------------------------------------------------------
The tools, lubricants, flashlights, sharpening equipment, and knife storage I use right here on my channel! - www.amazon.com...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
--------‐----------------------------------------------------------
SUBSCRIBE TO KNP! - / @knifenutspodcast
My Patreon - / metalcomplex
Follow me on Instagram @metal_complex
Become a Member of my channel! - / @metal_complex
--------‐----------------------------------------------------------
#METALCOMPLEX #chrisreeveknives #knifereview
**DISCLAIMER** This channel's content is meant for educational purposes only, and encourages the proper/safe use, handling, and understanding of tools.
My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex
Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex
MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u
Just a quick tip about your speech: try not to say "right?" so often.
@@dylanbond1627quick info for you, I grew to be one of the largest knife channels in the history of youtube and said "right?" Over the course of 4300 uploads. That's just not something I'm willing to change and it clearly doesn't matter. Thanks though 👍
@@metal_complex lol okay sorry i didn't realize you know everything and feedback is of no value
@dylanbond1627 this particular feedback is of no value*
✌️
I have a zaan. I carry it literally every day. Best folder I’ve ever had. I also beat the crap out of mine. It has so many war scratches.
Inkosi is far superior in my opinion. Had one of these for a while because of the hype and quickly decided I didn't want to keep a knife that I have to position my hand in an exactly perfect position to just be able to open it. Not only is the thumb stud/stop pin placed in an extremely awkward position, if you so much as breathe on the lock bar while trying to do so, not going to happen. Forget middle finger flick. Then there is the lock bar... Inkosi has none of these issues and the same level of function. Really don't get the hype.
I waited 2 years to get a Brand New Umnumzaan, and when I got it I was so disappointed. It thrashed my thumb, destroyed my hopes and dreams, I could not believe I waited so long for such a crappy deploying knife. Now I understood why all my buddies that had one, sold them within the month. Well I waited one month and one day, I didn’t strengthen my thumb and I was just coming out of 5 surgeries on both hands. Today, and 7 months later, my Umnumzaan is the ONLY knife I carry, and has pretty much “un-pocketed” everything else I own. I carry it to work, and I carry it off duty. It’s not a knife you get used to, it gets used to you. I think people don’t give it a chance, and if it’s uncomfortable, get rid of it now. MC you know your thumb won’t be thrashed like that in a couple more weeks. Your body will evolve to opening and closing the blade. And once you get past the “newness” of it all, you too will fall in love.
Love CRK’s stamped clip. IMO, it’s as good as it gets.
Can’t believe it!!! I light at the end of the search tunnel has come! My local dealer has a Tanto Zaan, 1 of 3 coming in next week, reserved for me. Came out of the blue but it’s freaking awesome
Yup I just got lucky too my local dealer just got 3 Zans in and I instantly went in there and picked it up
I bought one in Feb 22. At sept 22 I have carried nothing else. I just haven’t wanted to put anything else in my pocket……. My first CRK. I was concerned about not wanting to use (like I use ) knives but I have used it like a rented mule. AND it does take 5-6 months to really break in under use for me. Give it time folks!
Thanks MC for this video. I have an Umnumzaan and a Large Sebenza 31, both 2021 builds and both I love... for different reasons. My Umnumzaan is all you said it is, it's quirky lock bar disengagement tab is not the most comfortable, but the rest of lock bar design and functionality is amazing. The knife functions correctly and identically 100% of the time. It never fails. In contrast my Sebenza 31's lock bar disengagement couldn't be more comfortable. It too functions correctly and identically 100% of the time! These things are amazing and both are keepers.
I would be sold on a mini version of this for every day carry 👍🏼
Hi @grandprixgtpjy , but have you actually tried carrying an umnumzaan in your pocket. I’m 165 pounds and i enjoy a lightweight, compact knife too.
The umnumzaan carries so much smaller and lighter than you expect. It feels about as small and light as a Spyderco para 3.
Also carries surprisingly smaller/lighter than a large Sebenza 31
Don’t dismiss it because it looks big in videos, try get one in your pocket.
Best edc knife ever made…
(I love a para 3 too btw but the zaan feels very special)
I’d too!
I freaking love my ZAAN!! Bought it brand-new stiff as hell and overtime with cleaning and use I've turned that action into butter. People give up on the knife too quick...but stick with it and your patience will be well rewarded. Great review MC!!!
I feel that, but most people when spending that much on a knife, it's an investment and they want it to be smooth right out the box without having to do a bunch of stuff and use it a bunch to get it to be smooth. That being said, they should just get a different knife if that's how they feel about it witch is why I don't get why people whine about it when they can easily just not buy one lol. Hell I won't complain if less people bought them and saved some for the rest of us who do like them lol
@@josephlilley9249 I agree. CRKs are meant to be slow rolled. Everyone who knows anything about high end knives knows that.
@@markp4401 amen to that!! Every time I slow roll her it gives me goosebumps...lol. And to be honest it's my favorite deployment method.
Just got a brand new Spyderco Pm2...And funny thing is I spent 200 hundred dollars!...And there was nothing I had to do to it!...I did not have to take it all apart and do this and that and wait a year for it to break the F..K in so to speak!...Matter as fack I ended up purchasing three knives for the price of one CKR knife and all three blow any CRK knife out of the 💧 water!
@@MyRaven7 sounds like you're just not far enough along on your knife Journey yet.. I'm 100% confident in the fact that you've never owned a CRK- if you say you have I'm not going to believe you. And that's okay man.
All good, I was at the point you are now several years ago...
Just so you know, Chris Reeve Knives are probably the main knife out there that you don't have to do anything to, so that point is null & void... you rarely see any modded crk- Thank God
Also, it takes about a week or two to break in...not that long..
And every crk I've ever bought brand new I've been able to thumb flick within 2 days on the Inkosi and right out of the box on the sebenzas...never owned an Umnumzaan.
I don't know if you made this point, but if you did I'm with you on the fact that it's just ridiculous on how hard the Umnumzaan's are to get. It's absolutely ridiculous for production knife that's been around a decade to be that hard to get...
For example, I got an email recently from a company that had just gotten a restock listed. 12 Umnumzaans.
My email was open and I was in my inbox when the email came through. Went to purchase, successfully added it to the cart, and before I could enter my credit card information they were already sold out... happens like that every. single. time.
You have my permission to remove the lanyard. MXG Gear has replacement pins that won't fall out.
My OP from ‘09 was 395.00. I think that was the price when they dropped in ‘08.
Also- I beg to differ about them being fidget toys. I fidget with mine all the time.
I was considering selling my umnumzaan 10 minutes after opening the box because of the issue with disengaging the lock. But once I figured out to use the side of my thumb versus the middle of the pad, like with every other frame lock, it wasn't so bad. Now I love it and it's one of my most carried knives.
Mad i got a crk now im thinking ab a sebenza 31 in micarta or bog wood
11:08 The hard-won knife education I’m here for
Hands down-top 10 knives.
I visited CRK HQ a few weeks ago. They took me on a full tour. It was fantastic. Excellent company. Love my Zaan!
The Zaan is such a divisive design. People seem to either love it or hate it. I agree with you about the lockbar shape and I replaced my lanyard pin with another standoff backspacer. CRK sells them. They are transitioning from S45VN to MagnaCut and bumping up the hardness even more, so I see little to no reason to complain about steel choice going forward.
Yes I agree on it being divisive. Im def a hater, I just really dont like the way it looks. But to each their own
I disliked it since it came out. With all the recent hype I decided to pick one up to see if I was wrong. Nope. I hate it. lol
@@JAREDGRAF8181 what do you dislike about it, I just got one and I love it
I only hate the fact that I will never own one.
Not because I cannot afford it mind you, but because so many people are vying for it that the Umnumzaan literally disappears within minutes of it dropping.
And I’m on several mailing lists, so don’t think that I’m not doing what I can to obtain one. 🤷♂️
The compliment: I just watched you opine for 34 minutes on a knife I own. Getting into TNP territory 🤣
This is my "If I only had one" knife. I love the quirks & the lockbar got better after I pulled the pocket clip off it a little.
Here's the thing about the Umnumzaan: I'm not a spiritual guy. I don't imbue inanimate objects with human characteristics or spirits. This knife is different. I call it "both tool & talisman". Something about it changes my mood & attitude when it's in the pocket. It has an air of invincibility that (literally lol) carries over. More so that any other knife I've experienced. Call me kooky. You've called me worse 🤣
I completely agree. These knives (knifes' for MC 😉) seem to have a "bearing" about them that you just don't get with almost all other knives.
Such a great and articulate comment. Talisman and tool, well said.
I feel the same way but could never describe it as well.
Sebenza, xm-18, nothing holds a candle to “the boss”.
I got mine new 3weeks ago and it’s “my one”. I never experience honeymoon period love for knives so its not that, its the knife. It’s it!
MC's a salty boy today with the fact checking! I use my umnumzaan regularly when switching off from my microtech socom elite.
I love my SOCOM elite. Beast of a knife that doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Functionally it can hang w These big, more expensive boys.
Yep, lefty checking in. I love how easy it is to grab left handed hinderers and crks 🥳
I love Chris Reeves Knifes!
Especially the Sabenza..
I would love to get my hands on one, ordered a large Sebenza in February 2021
I've been wanting one of these for so long but they're never in-stock when I have the money for it
This is the Toyota land cruiser of knives. Let me repeat. This is the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series. Durable reliable recognizable will go down in history as one of the best knives ever just like the Land Cruiser.
The blade is just so perfect looking. Thanks MC!
Zaan FTW. Disassembly ...... At ease.... Great knives. Love my Zaan
I’ve never cut the lanyard off I always untie them when I take them off of my CRKs.
Hands down the best CRK. I got a zaan and sold my 31 within a couple weeks. I can flick it open every time (although I couldn't at first) and It is hands down the beefiest, sturdiest, most badass knife I own. I also had the s45 professionally sharpened by a local shop on a wicked edge and it got an edge that tested close to a new utility blade in sharpness. I can also really admire its simplicity. One body screw, big pivot, and no stop pin. I definitely do not use the tip of my thumb to disengage the lock bar. If you use the pad of your thumb close to the joint it's really a nonissue for me. Needless to say I'm a fan and I regularly carry it to work and use it.
Yes, I'd like seeing the classics re-reviewed. It's interesting to look at something again when you've moved deeper into the subject.
Def prefer the inkosi over this knife. Part of the CRK experience is the extremely satisfying sound of the opening and closing!
Im my experience, it does not devalue the knife on the secondary by removing the lanyard... at all.
Best pocket clip ever
Nice knife. I have one with old big pivot s35VN
Re: the disengage, to anyone who says you just need to get tougher thumbs or get used to it…sure.
But.
The 21 came out around the same time as the Umnum and the disengage is luxurious. Generous cutout, comfortable and consistent. We know they can do it!
Then they may only sell one knife to someone rather than 2. Like myself, I will end up owning both at some point.
Very solid take! I view my Sebenza in a similar light. The thing about the lockbar falls into the same category as other gripes I have at this price range: On it’s own it’s not a big deal, but there’s no excuse for it to be that way when far less expensive knives can do it better with similar reliability.
Handle IMO is just one big hot spot. Yes I actually own one and have used it
I enjoyed this rereveiw, do shaman next please.
I 10/10 want one. Have a 21,31, inkosi, and think its the next go to
Edit. I have one now😂
Kept on cracking up along the vid. Good job buddy. I simply love mine, a keeper definitely.😁🤜🤛⚔️
I love my Sebenza 21 overall, but it's painful for a different reason. The pyramid style thumb stud is just terrible. But over time it loosens up and gets very "hydraulic" for sure, and very flick-able 👍
What's funny is my sebenza doesn't actually hurt my thumbs *at all*, and I was legitimately expecting it to when I purchased it. Lol maybe I got used to going to the side more than directly on top as a result of my zaan? Idk
@@Thexeroxed43 you can definitely get used to it, it's just never very comfortable
Your torching of imaginary complainers was entertaining. But there may be a few actual people out there that sound as ridiculous as you make them...God, am I one of them?
10:05 nice MC, I remember when you tried to guess the weight of a knife (cold steel voyager XL) and I believe you guessed 5.5-6.5oz it ended up being 8oz… that was one of the funnier moments, good times
RE: Grooves. Anyone ever looked close at the grooves on the Zaan's handle? Counted them? 8 one direction, 4 the other way, and CRK started in 1984. Cool.
Even though it wasn't your intention, I bet your videos have seriously decreased Chris Reeve sales. When you're really excited about a knife, it shows. Your lack of excitement here is palpable.
So I found out some interesting info when I was inquiring with CRK about getting a new blade for my Umnumzaan… They are planning to convert to Magnacut as their standard steel by the end of the year.
I've had a Umnumzaan on order from CRK since 3/30/21. I've asked for an update in February this year and was told "14-20 months from order..." I am going to patiently wait for perfection.
Bruh
Yeah, you can find it from authorized dealers much sooner, which CRK support 100%! I did that.
@@Robs_Nerdy_Knives Yes. These just dont seem to come up that often on dealer sites lately
Did you finally get it?
How do you like it?
I spoke this re-review into existence with my question on the shorts from a few days ago. Guilty on saying Chris Reeves haha
I only successfully thumb flick the Umnumzaan about once every three times. You ARE a technical ninja. Also, after disengaging an XM-18 a dozen times, the Umnumzaan feels like pillows. And it's not like Hinderer doesn't know how to make it lock disengagement easy - see the Half Track. Anyway... I rarely carry my Zaan, but when I want a framelock that won't fail, the Umnunzaan it is. And again, congratulations on the success of the channel.
A lot of companies don't make their knives well enough to easily assemble and disassemble them with everything going right back where it's supposed to be.
I've been wanting a left handed tanto for years now.
Honestly, I want a series on best knives for infiltrating the structure? Can we do that, please?
Rad looking blade on that bad boi
Chris R. Said his strongest blade is the inkosi🤔 i still love the unmunnzon
Who bitches about edge retention on s45vn though?? I'm sure people do witch makes no sense bc at that point they just have way unrealistic ideas for what is possible with a knife bc I have Spyderco pm2 in s45vn and it performs great for me, all I do is keep the edge touched up here and there with a ceramic rod and strop and it's does awesome. Hell I use it all the time and have had it since January and have yet to actually go ahead and do a full resharpening on it.
seriously, s45vn has fantastic edge retention just saying
Bent spring clips for the win. CRK clips = ❤
Lanyards =🧡
MC is a very patient man …. But can’t be expected to tolerate weak wristed people!! Build up your forearms before you waste his time 😂😂😂
Pls do older knives liek the zt o562 and the inkosi
Dude your sense of humor and honesty was on point in this video 🤣 great vid MC glad to be a subscriber
I have one and have the exact same complaints as you list, but still one of my favorites. I’m currently waiting for it to come back from the shop. I got one of the rarities that no matter what I couldn’t get it centered, it was just slightly off but it drove me crazy. I figured while I was at it I might as well get them to glass blast it and send a spacer to replace that damn lanyard.
I will say I found the way to disengage with a little less discomfort, push downward with the outside of your thumb. It’s not really intuitive, but once you get it figured out it helps.
I think we have to test if that glass breaker actually works on automotive glass. That glass is way tougher than we think
Normally it requires tungsten or a very sharp metal tip
Nice review and the zaan is the best knife under $500, no contest imo.
I love my Zaan, it's a total work horse.
Remove the completely useless lock bar stabilizer and push the lock bar back a little bit to relieve some of the pressure. Reinstall the useless lock bar stabilizer LOL then you’re not I will be perfect
maybe do a piece on the old school 'big three' (strider framelock (pt/sng/smf), chris reeve sebenza, hinderer cm 18)? is this trinity still relevant? what is a modern equivalent?
The sng would be awesome. He’s done TONS of hinderer reviews even recently. He’s a self admitted hinderer fanboy though lol. He also did the sebenza 31 fairly recently.
I also did a holy trinity video (discussion and controversy playlist"
😂 love the Hank Hill voice!
“I sell Chris Reeve knives and Chris Reeve knife accessories!”
“I tell ya hwat, that action is hydraulic!”
Arno Bernard makes some amazing folders as well, incidentally out of South Africa. Worth looking at his folders if you're a Reeves fan, lots of similarities both in tolerances and fit and finish.
+1 for Arno Bernard if you like CRK
Ooooh those are beautiful knives. Definitely some design cues from CRK. Cool!
I’d be curious to see where the strider sng stacks up for you these days. But I have a tanto zaan in the original s35vn and absolutely love it. I’ve had it for 5 years now and it’s broken in amazingly well, never sent back to CRK for anything and gets at least 4 days in my pocket every week for work. This knife absolutely loves to be used hard. The tolerances on this thing are insanely tight, which adds to the solid feel. Well worth the money.
Strider does NOT. Its
More pricey than hinderer and CRK, and while hinderer/crk have competition at their price, they hold their own. Strider simply doesnt. strider looks cool and thats it
You should re review the zt0562ti!
Had three Chris Reeve knives over the years: Wilson Combat Star-Tac Umnumzaan, Prometheus Design Werx Small Sebenza 21, and a Small Inkosi with micarta inlays. The only remaining CRK knife in my collection is the Star-Tac Umnumzaan. Had it for years, bought it lightly used with box and papers for around $430 at the time, I think. I also used the CRK warranty once for sharpening- great experience. Absolutely one of my favorite knives of all time. It’s no surprise that CRK is one of the original “trifecta” of production knives (Hinderer, Strider, Chris Reeve). Just recently added a “Jekyll to Hyde” V3 backspacer and I like it even more. Well made for sure. Cheers!
I wish magnacut, m4, 3v would be used in more of the tank knives. It would be wonderful. I like to match blade designs to steels that match. Seems like that notion is fairly rare even today.
check out the Magnacut Hogue Deka 2.0
I don't get the whole "I uSe mY zAnN" bs if you have to justify the price or utility of a knife by talking about how much you use it. Its probably not a good user. Amazing high end knife but that's all it is. I hear more people talk about shoving their zann into drywall or batoning that I do of it's ergos or action/lockup. Of people genuinely cared about how tough a knife is all we would see is cold steel and zt which are as tough if not tougher for a fraction of the price.
I’m considering buying a small 31 or small inkosi as my first CRK, are they worth it though?
U are going to want the full size after... u will wish ur first was bigger. Trust me
Depends on your hand size/proportions and preference. In the smaller size sebenza all day. Way cleaner form in the hand since it’s so small
I agree on probably wanting to get the larger one, I have a large 21 and it fits my hands great.
I have small-medium hands and the biggest knife I carry is a bugout so idk if the large would be too big or in the area of size which is why I’m considering the small
@@jacobson1374 well a bugout is right in the middle size wise, so you gotta decide if you want to go about an inch smaller, or an inch bigger...
And I saw one guy cut his lanyard right as he received it!! I know I hated it, too, but I figured I’d disassemble to remove it.
Nope, my Chris Reeve and Striders stay in my knife cabinet. I have been carrying my Spyderco Military CF/52100 with a LynchNW Deep carry.
You’re missing out man
Thanks for another excellent review of a classic. I love how you take the air out of the hater's balloons before they can ever start blowing hard. I ordered one of these 6 months ago. The wait time is still another 12 months away! So much for poor CRK not being able to design a knife that people want!
The wait times for some CRK models ordered directly are exceeding 2 years!
So I finally sprang for Umnum..mine has the Magnacut Tanto blade..took a while to get the opening compared to my Sebenza..
It does look like one of the great 'knifez' 🤣 out there but currently I'd rather pay for my vacation instead. lol (he says, while having just received his brand new rosewood rex-45 shaman that he paid $510 for on eBay) 😖
The addiction is real...
Nothing worse than being a late-to-the-party junkie because everyone already snorted most of the stuff in and what little remains is 30-40% more expensive. 😠
I love your channel, but anytime I’m looking for a quick answer I end up listening to your videos and thinking of myself. Oh my I need more time in my life.
Wow That is a Special Knife!! Congrats on 100K 113K Actually! How long did it take to get there?
Can’t stand the deployment on this knife. Love everything else CRK makes but I traded a Vero Isotope for one of these a while back and couldn’t stand it. I want my isotope back 😂
Thanks for the awesome review! I personally love the CR clips.
It’s tight because looks like it’s never been carried or used
No. It's tight because it's an Umnumzaan. That's how they are
To me, the blade looks absolutely ugly. That shape on top… But then, I love how Spydercos look, so take my opinion with that in mind 😅
That is an awesome knife.
Disengage it with the side of your thumb, instead of the meat of your thumb , then you will be fine . I’ve had mine for years and it’s very flickable
If a knife comes from the factory like CRK with a lanyard it doesn’t bother me. It has no negative impact on my usability of it. However, i wont go out of my way ever to lanyard up. But to each their own.
Zaan is the goat. If I were to be dropped in the middle of nowhere and told I could take only 1 knife it'd be the zaan. It reminds you what the purpose of a knife is when it's in your hand.
It is technically Chis Reeve’s Knives BEFORE they are sold. Because they are still technically property of CRK at that point. 🤓
It’s still a great knife. I’ve had one since around the time they were released. It still hasn’t hurt my fingies or my little thumbsies.
The stiffness of the lockbar doesn’t bother me. That’s all. Im not gonna brow beat anyone who would like it a bit more slack.
Well he wasnt lying about how hard it is to get us made knives are already more expensive here and still paid a 100 euros extra on the second hand market to get one because the official seller had it sold out in one night but ik glad i finnaly got one
If you relieve the tension on the lock bar some all of the issues you mentioned go away
Really like all of the crk knives. But how cool would it be to have cruwear on all there blades. I'd own more than I do if it was cruwear.
Hey new Inkosi tanto vs new umaaaaaaanzaaaaan?
large Inkosi sebenza 31 yesss 👍 as for the Zann not for me ,my opinion felt was not easy for me to open or close....
Honesty, the glass breaker near the pivot makes more sence. You're not poking yourself in the hand with it when you take it out if the pocket.
I disagree with the fidget part. I probably open mine hundreds of times some days without any issue whatsoever. You just need a little time to get used to it. The lockbar also gets alot softer with use
when i was 15 my dad @bladecentered got an umnumzaan and i could deploy it with no wrist... cmon now😂
Love mine, I have an s45 and it's been fantastic (yes, I've used it lol)
Only really have two complaints, one is brand new it was TIGHT. Like, legitimately hurt my thumb to open it a single time kinda tight. Like, barely could open it at all. If I wasn't so stubborn I'd probably have sold it. But, after a bunch of opening and closing and a few cleanings, it's gotten way, way, waaaay better.
Second is the lock bar shape. Lol it definitely could be a little rounder or something. You do get used to it, but it does take a little time and some stubbornness lol
I have one of the original pivot models, still one of my favs. I will say though the best thing CR did was the recent intro of magnacut.
Great review best one today. And not trying to be a wise guy either. And it wasn't too long no never. Yes there's a very big knife Community I'm sure you've gone tonight shows
Just order another stand-off and body screw set from CRK to replace the lanyard pin. Easy peasy.👌