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Order for my first folder Umnumzaan is here

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:55 pm
by rahul567
Hi everyone,
Thanks to reading all the posts from knife guru's like Mr. Subal Das& Rajat, I was bitten by the knife bug. Now that my collection for air guns is complete i could actively pursue my passion for all sharp and shiny objects.
I dont prefer the fixed blades as except for collecting I wont get the oppurrtunity to carry and use it much except the yearly trip to the mountains. And for that i have a tried and trusted Gerber LMF II.
After a few discussions with a couple of members the hunt began . The first folder that caught my eye was the Extreme Ratio Rao simply due to the sales gimmick videos on youtube. But pretty soon realised that the city life doesnt throw in the oppurtunities to put it to the extreme use it was constructed for. And was also told that the coating on the extreme ration knife tends to wear out pretty soon.
The research went on for a few days and the brand shorlisted were benchmade and boker. on further annalysis I felt the the Axis locking system ,though however smooth & slick, operated due to the small spring tension was surely not strong enuff . It was more for the asthetics then functionality. Beside after 10 years of manufacturing experience one thing was very clear the quality control of mass produced goods can never meet the quality of small batch production.
So a little more research on the small batch/semi custom built folder 3 knifes were shortlisted priority wise.
1) Rick Hinderer XM-18
2) Chris Reeve Umnumzaan
3) Lion steel Sr-1
On my hunt for buying the XM-18 i was shocked to realsise that there is actually a huge waiting and the used knives sell at twice the price of brand new one simply due to the huge demand. And with my level of impatience waiting endlessly was out of question.
So sincce the firts love was making me wait so much i chose the Umnumzaan from chris reeves. This is the newer and slightly improved upon version of the famous Sebenza ( as told by a fellow member and all other forums, sebenza is the yardstick by which all folders are measured). Paying that kind of dollars seemed like a crazy idea but just couldnt stop myself and after a lot of hunting finally ordered the Umnumzaan ( under transit). the ordering itself took a few days and the very next day of ordering I got a mail from Rick Hinderer that the XM-24 (the big daddy of xm-18)would be available in 10 days. MAN!!! :twisted: :twisted:
Now i have to spend twice the amount and get my hands on the firts love also before it vanishes and reaches the used market. :D :D
And to retire my 15 years old EDC swiss army knife completely from active duty, i needed a a companion for the Umnumzaan. That wasn't a tuff decision so just one day of research ordered the Phirana from PocketToolX.
Eagerly awaiting for the Fed EX guy to come knocking at my doorstop.
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Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:02 pm
by CKAY
Congrats on the order . The Umnumzaan is an award winning knife and expensive too . The RAO is built tough like a tank and also well made .I know a few RAO owners besides myself and dont think the coating wears off - may be other RAO owners on the forum could throw some light on the coating of RAO .

JK

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:31 pm
by Bruno22
It all depends on how one uses the knife. I personally do not subscribe to the 'Knife destruction tests' that are all over YouTube. Also if one uses the right knife for the right job there will be sufficient wear and tear but the knife will not sustain damage. Any which way I am all for the sub $100 knives most of the time.

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:38 pm
by rahul567
Hi JK
I am sure there are a few more owners of RAO on this forum , would be nice to get their feedback also. No doubt RAO is built like a tank , but as I said for me the city life doesn't justify the utility of RAO. Why buy a tank to kill a mouse i would say. And for me on the looks aspect also RAO fails in comparison to a Umnumzaan. Personally i rather buy a beautiful sniper rifle then a big bulk tank :D :D And since its a small personally run company I would trust there quality just a little more then a RAO which is no doubt a superb quality knife .

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:41 pm
by Moin.
What a start Rahul, with one of the very best Money can buy !! May your collection and love for all things Sharp N Shiny Grow And Grow and Grow.

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:52 pm
by CKAY
Hi Rahul ,

I like the ' Why buy a tank to kill a mouse ' part .Ha ! Ha !
So buddy how much you paid for it -or is it priviledged information ! Has the price been annonced for the XM-24 . Just curious .

JK

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:54 pm
by rahul567
Hi Moin
As per me the best would have been Rick Hinderer and now since its available I wont be able to resists not buying it. :D :D

-- Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:02 pm --

Hi Bruno , I totally agree with you , though these videos get you tempted but i would call it a silly marketing gimmick . and i am sure in the cost of Umnumzaan i could easily get 2-3 good knives but i guess my heart went out for all the 3 beauties mentioned on my list
JK the thing bout CR Knives is that if you buy it brand new from him or any other authorized reseller the price remains the same , So its no secret :D :D :D . I paid $410 plus freight .

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:57 pm
by DAN
No offence but i really wanted to ask you guys this, seriously what do you do with such expensive knives ???? :shock:

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:57 pm
by rahul567
nothing much other then what a 50 $ knife does :D :D

Re: Order for my first folder

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:24 am
by Bruno22
DAN wrote:No offence but i really wanted to ask you guys this, seriously what do you do with such expensive knives ???? :shock:
Collect, collect and then collect a few more... :D Its a disease and we all happily suffer.

Re: Order for my first folder Umnumzaan is here

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:09 pm
by rahul567
Absolutely true bruno

I just love fedex. What service , the knife was shipped on 31 august 4 am and today 10:30 am it was at my doorstep. Unbelievable .For comparison, Umnumzaan's companion Phirana from pocket tools was dispatched the same day via USPS and no clue on the tracking system till now.
First impression : nice packing , Good original calfskin cover (Think twice ,cut once written on it :D ). The pivot is as smooth as shown in the videos . one hand opening is slick. Super grippy, full titanium handle with titanium lock bar and a ceramic ball at the interface where lockbar meets the tang. The blade is super razor sharp much sharper then the blades i have seen. Tumble stone wash look of the blade is obviously for easy maintenance but adds a good character like the faded blue jeans :D . Very light for EDC. Nice Swivel pin for lanyard.
Is it worth the money . Well it only cuts like other knives but obviously a little better. But the quality, the engineering and the material used in manufacturing makes it worth the money.
http://s1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff3 ... umnumzaan/

Re: Order for my first folder Umnumzaan is here

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:59 pm
by Rajat
Hey Rahul, Congratulations!! Very pleased to see that you have received your Bentley! :D

Good selection and even better decision.

Re: Order for my first folder Umnumzaan is here

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:11 pm
by Bruno22
Awesome blade. Congrats. Are you going to EDC this baby or just take her out on sunday?

Re: Order for my first folder Umnumzaan is here

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:33 pm
by rahul567
Rajat: your suggestions palyed a key role in my research. thanks buddy
Bruno: For sure a EDC and use it at every possible oppurtunity. :D my occasionally carrying knife is also on the way :D