You know how the old saying goes, why bring an axe... when you have a Chris Reeve folder.
Oh you haven't heard that? must be a regional thing.
Specifically the Umnumzaan, a $425 folder on loan from fancy knife channel Tovarish
Works.
Who has recorded a third intro, so let's see what he has to say?
Cool.
Basically when he loaned this to me he was like, treat it like a Chris Reeve- you know
like it was your own.
But before we get to that part- let's look at the dimensions- like the overall length
and weight.
The blade length and cutting edge.
The handle size and grip area.
The spine thickness and handle thickness.
Now you've seen my Sebenza 21 review a while back and enjoyed me beating the piss out of
that one... you might also remember I was a little ehhh... about that knife.- to use
a technical term.
So what do I think about the similarly sized Umnumzaan.
Well lets look closer at the blade first.
This knife can be ordered in a drop point or a tanto currently.
Tovarish bought the tanto, so good for him.
The tanto shaped blade features a hollow grind, and a stonewashed finish made from s35Vn.
The blade is deployed by thumb studs which act as blade stops when the blade is open
and closed.
Hence the rubber o-rings on the studs, there to keep you from dinging the handle.
It's an easier deploy than the 21, With a medium amount of force you can deploy it nice
and smoothly.
The blade spine near the tang has some nice tightly spaced jimping, that's neither edgy
or useless- it provides friction without creating a hot spot.
There's large phosphor bronze washers on either side of the pivot, and the knives come with
fluorite grease, to keep them lubed.
Also it has a glass breaker on the tang and it looks like a bump when closed- I'm sure
that's patented some how.
The open backed handle is made from two slabs of titanium held together at the pivot, and
with a standoff and lanyard pin.
The bead blasted titanium and grooves provide a decent amount of traction, that feels smooth
but not slick.
The interior of the handles are not milled- which is why it weighs about 5 ounces.
That said it feels to be a more solid knife than it's weight would suggest.
Knife dudes love talking about the famous chris reeve tolerances, and this one is no
exception.... there's over $400 worth of them- so that means blade centering is good.
The frame lock covers nearly all of the tang, so it's nice and sturdy, more so than most
other frame locks on knives I own.
Blade retention when closed is ok- it has a nice detent but it isn't strong enough to
keep you from flinging it open like this.
It shouldn't open in your pocket though.
The clip.
The clip is titanium and fixed into place.
It's blade backward tip up in my right pocket.
The clip is mounted into a recessed area of the handle, and the clip is nice and springy-
not too tight not too loose.
It's not super deep carry either, a little over half an inch is protruding, not including
the lanyard paracord knife art sculpture.
The knife can be ordered in a left or right handed version.
Now lets compare it to some other popular EDC knives.
First is the $60 Endura 4, it was my EDC for years before I got more expensive knives that
deployed faster, there's nothing really wrong with it.
While a $425 knife has diminishing returns in performance- but not necessarily in knife
snobbery a good $60 knife is a very sound choice for a person looking for something
called a knife- that cuts things.
Then there's my Para Military 2.
It's a very fast deploying knife with excellent ergonomics- and but maybe less of those tolerances?
Oh look there tolerances.
The handle on the Para Military two and endura is more comfortable too- the Umnumzaan has
some protrusions for the blade stops that kind of awkwardly stick out so both Spydercos
have better ergonomics.
Those must lower MSRPs Then there's my 940-1.
A great very light every day carry.
Similar blade length, easier and faster to deploy than the Chris Reeve- although the
handle is a little slicker because of the carbon fiber.
Sorry I don't have my Sebenza 21 to compare it to, but know that that knife is overall
a bit more boring but has a more comfortable handle.
So let's beat it and talk about my feelings.
Let's see if that triggers a demonetization.
Starting with the foreplay known as cardboard cutting- remember cut toward the scrotum.
Then let's uh do spine whacks, as to address things people have said I didn't do recently.
Holds up well, and no issue there.
I did notice that on my Sebenza, which I did beat on more than this, that the titanium
frame lock did have a slight deformation where the tang and lock met.
I wouldn't call it an overly soft titanium, but I've found whacking too hard isn't good
for it long term.
Ok, let's work the tip in.
The Umnumzaan has a pretty thick tip, so that means you can pry anything with it- rocks,
car hoods.
Ok maybe don't go overboard and just stick to the tasteful stuff seen in this video.
I wonder if I should start putting disclaimers, in case some people take me seriously.
How about some chopping.
You know for the cost of a single Chris Reeve Instagram use pocket knife, one could buy
a Gransfors Bruk and a good gas powered chainsaw.
Ok maybe I'm not the right guy for reviewing high end production folders.
I really cease to see much more value above $200 on a production knife.
This one included, while it's true I do like this one a bit better than the large Sebenza,
it isn't that exciting.
It is a pocket knife with materials and a build quality that you can find in a knife
less than $200.
Like the 0450... titanium and s35vn, and made in the USA- but I guess minus the $225 in
tolerances or extra QC.
But anyway, build quality is good, but it isn't that fun of a fidget knife, the handle
could be more comfortable, and you can find similarly produced knives for much less money.
Not talking about midtechs or even customs- I get why those cost big bucks.
It's just I've watched a few factory tours, and I guess I'm not convinced why a USA made
spyderco costs a fraction of a Reeve.
But hey people spend $400 on a pair of shoes made out of foam glued together by computers.
If you like this review, subscribe to Tovarish works... and a big thanks to him for loaning
me these knives to makes jokes about, not fully appreciate, and beat up a bit.
He's a good dude.
Like the video, leave a comment, and explain what I'm just not getting about Chris Reeve
knives.
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