sebenza 21 vs umnumzaan action and blade

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ribeyemediumrare

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Oct 5, 2018
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I'm thinking about getting a chris reeve knife and I would appreciate if any of you guys with experience with both of these models could provide some input for aspects I haven't seen discussed. Which one has a smoother better quality feel when opening and closing, does one have a more solid lock "snap"? Does the ceramic ball lock face and rubber o-ring of the umnum or the pivot bushing of the sebenza provide a better feel? Comparing the drop point versions, is the sebenza a much better slicer? Also while I have found I prefer larger knives because they fit my hand better, I think it would be good to have a quality 3 inch blade for light clothes, office environments, and travel to places with stricter knife laws. Aside from the different dimensions, does the small sebenza 21 feel like less of a knife and is using it comfortable? I know this is a lot of questions but answers to any of them would be helpful.
Sebenza 21 pros:
-pivot bushing (I like being able to just tighten it down and not worry about getting it just right to balance smoothness and blade play)
-classic design, more people friendly, I like the rounded spine
-the lock bar cutout possibly makes closing it easier
cons: the sterile look might get boring

Umnumzaan pros:
-more visually interesting
-I like the blade swedge and unique look of the blade
-Can be flicked open fast, combined with the orings possibly makes for better fidget factor while being less annoying to people around
-The thumb studs are less in the way for things like sharpening and not interfering during use
cons: The lock bar look very uncomfortable to disengage, regular washer and pivot mechanism that is on a bunch of other knives
 
Post your question in the CRK forum. You'll get answers to your questions from guys that edc CRK's.
 
The model 21 is 0.125"...the Zaan is 0.140" in blade-width.
The Sebbie (large only for me) is the better slicer.
The Zaan has a nice tactical look and is heavier-duty.
They are very different knives.
 
The biggest difference for me is the comfort in hand. I don't like the Umnumzaan handle at all. It's has too many hot spots and the 0 rings annoy me.

However the blade is gorgeous but I still prefer the hollow grind on the 21 as well as the handle shape.

Have you not considered the Inkosi as well ?
It's also very comfortable and a comparable platform to the Umnumzaan.
 
The Umnumzaan is my favorite CRK; in fact one of my favorite knives period. Sebbie's are awesome, but I frankly see no slicing advantage, and would actually go so far as to say the Sebenza may be more "heavy duty" than the Zaan as the the tip (on the Sebenza) is more robust, while the Umnumzaan's tip is more "pointy". I find the Zaan (and Inkosi line) to be easier to service, as there is no real chance of pinching a washer, which is pretty easy to do reassembling a Sebenza. All hands are different, but mine are more comfortable with the Zaan.
 
Despite both being CRK's, they are quite different. The Um feels more elaborate, beefier, bigger. The Seb is more svelte, streamlined. They are both top notch, but the Um is a bit over the top and in my opinion not really practical as a user.

Either way though, they are both tough as nails and will serve you well. Just handle them both and choose the one you like. If you are a CRK fan you will probably own both anyway.


-Freq
 
I really like the way that pivot tension on the Umnumzaan can be tuned so that when flicked open, the blade lands open with a soft but firm O-ring muted thug. There’s nothing quite like it (that I’ve found).

They are all great knives . As such, my best advice is to get the one you find most visually appealing. You want to see it in hand and think to yourself, “Man, this thing is cool!” For me, the blade contour and grind on the ‘Zaan does it every time.

Be forewarned though, Sebenza thumb/Umnumzaan thumb is real! Many people go through an acclimatization peroid with their first CRK—there’s lots of forum threads about that.
 
I , for one , really enjoy the sound and feel of the Sebenza's opening action/detent as the lock bar slams into place with a satisfying "thwack".

The Umnumzaan is sweet too. But the quiet lock bar action (thanks to o-rings) is not for me.

I vote Sebenza. Plus , all the nice handle design options on the Sebenza (CGG , Micarta , wood) make it more appealing to me.

I'd like to try out an Inkosi soon too.
 
4mer_FMF said:
I really like the way that pivot tension on the Umnumzaan can be tuned so that when flicked open, the blade lands open with a soft but firm O-ring muted thug. There’s nothing quite like it (that I’ve found).

They are all great knives . As such, my best advice is to get the one you find most visually appealing. You want to see it in hand and think to yourself, “Man, this thing is cool!” For me, the blade contour and grind on the ‘Zaan does it every time.

Be forewarned though, Sebenza thumb/Umnumzaan thumb is real! Many people go through an acclimatization peroid with their first CRK—there’s lots of forum threads about that.
Click to expand...

Agree on all points. The Inkosi also has the benefit of pivot "tunability", but is no where near the thumb flicker the Zaan is.

Another plus is the harpoon swedge makes a great impromptu scraper; I even use it to cut shrink film and adhesive tapes that I don't want gooing up my edge.

Wolverine666 said:
I , for one , really enjoy the sound and feel of the Sebenza's opening action/detent as the lock bar slams into place with a satisfying "thwack".

The Umnumzaan is sweet too. But the quiet lock bar action (thanks to o-rings) is not for me.

I vote Sebenza. Plus , all the nice handle design options on the Sebenza (CGG , Micarta , wood) make it more appealing to me.

I'd like to try out an Inkosi soon too.
Click to expand...

You can take the O-rings off if you want to hear the lockup; they do not effect lockup other than sound.
 
I have both, carry/use both. I like the Umnumzaan for work, the 21 for everything else. If you're planning on slicing paper thin tomatoes, neither one will without practice since they're hollow ground blades. You'd be better off with a FFG. Since the 21 is a thinner blade, it's a better slicer, it makes sense. I don't flick knives open, but I'd say that since the Umnumzaan has an adjustable pivot assembly, it would be a better flicking knife.
You may want to look at a Inkosi also. Don't know why, it's by far the smoothest, least break in time CRK I've had so far and that's right out of the box. It also has an adjustable pivot.
 
4mer_FMF said:
I really like the way that pivot tension on the Umnumzaan can be tuned so that when flicked open, the blade lands open with a soft but firm O-ring muted thug. There’s nothing quite like it (that I’ve found).

They are all great knives . As such, my best advice is to get the one you find most visually appealing. You want to see it in hand and think to yourself, “Man, this thing is cool!” For me, the blade contour and grind on the ‘Zaan does it every time.

Be forewarned though, Sebenza thumb/Umnumzaan thumb is real! Many people go through an acclimatization peroid with their first CRK—there’s lots of forum threads about that.
Click to expand...
Based on your advice I definitely find the Umnumzaan the most visually appealing by far, I still really like the clean lines of the 21, but the blade shape, milling, lock bar stabilizer, makes it much more cool looking.
 
Ajack60 said:
I have both, carry/use both. I like the Umnumzaan for work, the 21 for everything else. If you're planning on slicing paper thin tomatoes, neither one will without practice since they're hollow ground blades. You'd be better off with a FFG. Since the 21 is a thinner blade, it's a better slicer, it makes sense. I don't flick knives open, but I'd say that since the Umnumzaan has an adjustable pivot assembly, it would be a better flicking knife.
You may want to look at a Inkosi also. Don't know why, it's by far the smoothest, least break in time CRK I've had so far and that's right out of the box. It also has an adjustable pivot.
Click to expand...
Ive kinda looked over the inkosi because of the finger grooves and some other features but Ill look into it more if you say its the smoothest. Ive seen both knives flicked easily and even if its not something I always do with knives its nice to have options for deployment, as far as the pivot adjustment I guess ive just given the edge to the sebenza since ive read the pivot bushing system is something that needs to be experienced
 
Officer's Match said:
The Umnumzaan is my favorite CRK; in fact one of my favorite knives period. Sebbie's are awesome, but I frankly see no slicing advantage, and would actually go so far as to say the Sebenza may be more "heavy duty" than the Zaan as the the tip (on the Sebenza) is more robust, while the Umnumzaan's tip is more "pointy". I find the Zaan (and Inkosi line) to be easier to service, as there is no real chance of pinching a washer, which is pretty easy to do reassembling a Sebenza. All hands are different, but mine are more comfortable with the Zaan.
Click to expand...
I havent heard about the washer pinching issue until now and just looked into it, seems pretty avoidable but it does kind of make me lean away from the sebenza since I was under the impression it was a much more simple system since you can crank the pivot down and youre done
 
Zaan is hollow grind, it's a better slicer than a standard Sebenza.

FW3dMAY.jpg
 
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Imho the small 21 actually produces the sweetest lockup sound of any knife I own. Even nicer than the large 21.

If your finger is just lightly touching the lockbar as the knife locks open the lockbar actually sort of chirps. It’s pretty hard to describe and I’m not sure if all small Sebbie 21s do it.
 
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