Sebenza Vs. Umnumzaan

[mav]

Hey folks. As some of you are aware, I purchased a new Sebenza a while back. http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/knives-bladed-tools/65167-got-new-folder.html This knife has been my daily carry and I have really enjoyed it. The Gadsden snake and motto have been a conversation starter on numerous occasions. I get to give people a brief history lesson and then transition the conversation to why I like Ron Paul.

Anyway, I made following comment to Mac in my Sebenza thread:

Believe it or not, I would normally never spend this kind of money for a knife. You can get regular and fancy Sebenzas day in and day out. However, you will pay for them, and it is more than I want to pay for a knife.

It appears that I can now add knives to the vices that make me do things I wouldn't normally do, guns and women are the other two. I recently picked up a new Chris Reeve/Wilson Combat Umnumzaan/Star-tac. I want to give a few thoughts on the two.

As far as the specifications, the knives are very similar.

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]Large Sebenza

[/TD]

[TD]Umnumzaan/Star-Tac

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Blade material:

[/TD]

[TD]S35V

[/TD]

[TD]S30V

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Blade hardness:

[/TD]

[TD]58-59 RC

[/TD]

[TD]58-59 RC

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Blade length:

[/TD]

[TD]3.625â€

[/TD]

[TD]3.675â€

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Blade thickness:

[/TD]

[TD]0.125â€

[/TD]

[TD]0.140â€

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Overall length:

[/TD]

[TD]8.335â€

[/TD]

[TD]8.450â€

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Handle material:

[/TD]

[TD]6AI4V Titanium

[/TD]

[TD]6AI4V Titanium

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Weight:

[/TD]

[TD]4.7 oz.

[/TD]

[TD]5.0 oz.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

The quality and price of the two knives are the same. The quality is top notch and both knives are relatively pricey.

I really love the Sebenza. It has a classic and elegant look and is built like a tank to endure hard use. I believe it is one of the best folders on the market. The other nice thing about the Sebenza is all the custom work you can have done to the knife. You can really make a Sebenza into a work of art with damascus blades and fancy graphics or inlays. The graphics on my Sebenza make it really special for me. It is one knife that doubt I will ever get rid of.

If I compare a regular Sebenza 21 to the Star-tac, I believe the Star-tac is the hands down winner. I view the Star-tac as a tactical Sebenza. The Wilson Starburst grips look really great, but they also serve by giving you a much better grip on the knife. While not as elegant as the Sebenza, the Star-tac still looks good enough to carry in more formal settings.

I have read several threads on other forums where people complain about the awkward opening the Umnumzaan. I find nothing awkward about the opening. In fact, I can open the Umnumzaan easier than I can the Sebenza. The Umnumzaan is one of the smoothest operating folders (non-spring assisted) I own. The smoothness reminds me a lot of the Zero Tolerance 0500 "Mudd" knife desiged by Grant and Gavin Hawk, which is understandable since Chris Reeve got permission to integrate the Hawk's shock absorber concept into the Umnumzaan.

The last thing that gives the Umnumzaan a slight edge is the integral glass breaker. It could come in very handy someday. While I will not get rid of my Sebenza, it will be cleaned and boxed up for storage. I may carry it from time to time, but I now have a new knife that will become the primary in my EDC rotation.

Here are some pics of both knives:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[willis68]

Eric

I am glad that you like the Umnumzaan I had one for a couple of weeks and just did not like it. It is all a matter of personal taste. I will get a Ti Lock one of these days but for me anyway the Sebenza hands down is better than the Umnumzaan, nonethelessless that is nice pick up and great review!

[Major Kong]

Actually Eric, I think you're absolutlely right. I'll take that Gadsden Sebbie off your hands so you won't have to deal with it anymore.

Seriously though, I've owned both knives (traded the Umnum away last year) and I'd be happy to carry either one. You really can't go wrong with Chris Reeve.

[mav]

Seriously though, I've owned both knives (traded the Umnum away last year) and I'd be happy to carry either one. You really can't go wrong with Chris Reeve.

If you don't mind me asking, what made you get rid of the Umnumzaan? I really like mine.

Next week will be interesting. I will get to compare some of my flippers to the XM-24. Thanks to Steve's advice, I manage to get one of those the other day. I will be interested to play around with it.

[Major Kong]

If you don't mind me asking, what made you get rid of the Umnumzaan? I really like mine.

Next week will be interesting. I will get to compare some of my flippers to the XM-24. Thanks to Steve's advice, I manage to get one of those the other day. I will be interested to play around with it.

I traded it plus some cash for a custom Busse. Mainly it was the best trade bait that I had at the time and I really wanted the Busse. I imagine I'll have another one at some point. Just waiting for the right deal on the Exchange.