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
@@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 👍
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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. 🤷♂️
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.
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.
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!
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 🤣
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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 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.
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 have been in the knife collecting community for almost a year now. I have watched your reviews and have become a collector of the more 'higher end' knives just recently. I just got a hold of my first Chris Reeve knife yesterday and the one that I have been after for a while, which is really the only version that I wanted, the Umnumzaan Tanto. And I am very pleased. Everything about the knife I love. True the lock disengage is hard, but like said in another comment, I have learned to use the side of my thumbpad vs the top of my thumbpad and it is much easier in my opinion. This knife I was chasing for a while and now that I have it, it will be in my lineup for daily users.
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.
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.
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)
When I get one some day. I'm gonna mod the hell of it. Remove and chamfer down the lock bar, remove the bill near the tang, so I can choke up to the blade really close, make some jimping on the blade where the glasbreaker is so I can front flip it
my large 31 was so uncomfortable i had to smooth out the hard edges on the fore lock side on a leather belt with compound. then all the screws fell out.... can't use this knife without loctite thats for sure. however it is buttery smooth and cuts like a scalpel. mixed feelings - though i have several now
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.
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.
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.
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.
I’d love to have one, no doubt. But-if I ever did have like $500 and was going (or able) to buy a knife with it.. I’d have to buy 2-3. I feel like you get diminishing returns beyond about $250 or so. Enough people are buying these where eventually I’ll stumble on an old used one for a couple hundred bucks. It’s one of a handful of knives I’ve never heard a complaint about. The only people complaining are the people that don’t have one like myself lol. If you can make and sell a ~$400 knife at-least, and have people lining up for them for 30 years.. you’re doing something very right. I watched the tour of their factory with the owner and how OCD and smart he was made me really comfortable weirdly.. you know someone like this isn’t letting anything but the best leave his shop. But $400-500 I can’t swing.. that’s like a third of rent around here so doesn’t sound like much but for a single item it’s a lot.
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
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
Had a Zaan and an XM-24 in my hands at a show a few months ago, should have bought both...wasn't in love with the Zaan. Couple weeks later found a large Inkosi Tanto and it spoke to me a bit better, so it became my first CRK. Glad I waited. I would be interested in seeing you re-review the SHF - I bought a Royal Flush at Blade Show, and I like the action after break-in better than the Inkosi...and I haven't had to disassemble the SHF twice to get great action. Keep bringing great content! You da best!!
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.
Been carrying and using my tanto zaan literally everyday since I got it in September of 2019. Drove over to Monkey Edge and picked it up cause I used to live like 15 minutes from monkey edge haha. I threw an A. Purvis v1 timascus clip and j2h dragon skin v3 backspacer. She’s perfect!
I continue to struggle using high end knives due to the price, but the zaan is one I had no issue using from day one. Love the content! Keep up the great work.
CRKs are the only high end knives I don't struggle using at all - I have several. With their free Spa treatment you send in your heavily used and beat-up knife and they make it look and perform brand new again (I've done this to two of them - they come back pristine). And people continue to complain about the prices. I would too if I bought an expensive knife and put it in a drawer. Nothing is worth it then.
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
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
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
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 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.
The Fox Revolver was my first DECENT knife... Oh boy!! Never got to appreciate enough what a freat action is until i got the next.... And could not hold a candle against it, it was then when I realised that not every knife has a mind-blowing fall-shut action
, I love my Umnumzaan, but I’ve replaced the lanyard with the CRK spacer that they sell. So worth it. Also, I polished the PB washers on my strop until it became reasonably smooth and flickable. I lost my drop shutness that I finally had attained after sending it back to get glass bead blasted, but got most of it back after polishing the PB washers again. I plan to change the detent because it is too strong. Also, I have their clip that looks nice but is not the most comfortable. My hope hope for future versions is that the clip is not right on the framelock. One other nice touch is to put clear 6mm o-rings on in lieu of the black ones.
@@TheMillieSmalls So I used a leather strop with the white polish making figure 8’s to ensure a smooth even polish. There are other ways with polishing compound and super high polish stones. I felt most comfortable using the leather strop. You can see me do that in my blue Bugout video and one other one on the Doug Ritter or my aluminum & M390 Bugout videos, I believe and if you care to check out my little & just started channel, @Robs_Nerdy_Knives
@@Robs_Nerdy_Knives cool - I’ll definitely check it out. I’m feeling like my new Sebenza needs a little fine tuning to loosen it up a bit, but want to make sure I’m not messing it up. Will check your channel for some tips. :)
I'd actually be happy if companies would use more S45 or other steels that are easier to get good heat treats on at the HRC that is usually reached and drop the price on their knives even just $20.
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.
Here I am shaking my fist at the tanto Umnumzaan for evading me for years. Top of my list of wants. My large 31 is a user, but I really want a tanto for that extra meat.
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.
So I have a "B-09" with s30V, (blah steel)... But the lock up is still very good. Need to sand blast it again, but do keep it sharp for steak dinners at the gun club...
CRK is now doing a glass blast along with the sand blast they’ve always done. It doesn’t look very different but it has a nicer less chalky feel. I hear CRK has a spa service. They may be able to glass blast your handle making it visually and tactilely nicer.
Great video! The umnumzaan is so good, for me it totally supersedes the Sebenza. I have both, a 31 large and an umnum, to me they improved upon everything so much that the Seb is redundant…except the sharp lockbar edge. If they smoothed out that lockbar edge somehow…perfection
I think with the edge they designed it with ergos in hand in mind, at the cost of it being slightly uncomfortable to close. It doesn’t have a releif around the thumb stud like a sebenza (which gives you access to the lock bar) the zan doesn’t require the that releif because you push the stud straight up and also because the stud needs to rest on the scales when its closed
