How does Tim Britton's knives compare to the similar looking Kizer's?

jac_solar

jac_solar

Joined
Sep 1, 2013
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There are already lots of threads about the issues between Tim Britton and Kizer, and this isn't about that. I'm just curious how the knives are, quality wise, compared to the Kizer's?
 
Hmmm I have owned two Britton's, and still own one. He is USA made. Kizer is Russian? Britton's fit and finish is excellent. I can't say much about Kizer.

I don't actually know the issues you are referring to, nor care. But I would support the USA made knife, because, well, I try to support my country and again, Britton knives are great :)

Hope you get some more answers from Kizer users too.
 
It's really hard to address your question without bringing the drama into the response. But as it last stands, insomuch as I have read, Tim Britton buys knives from Kizer and then does additional finishing work to them. Which essentially equals a midtech (Britton) vs a production (Kizer).

There was a video on YouTube at one point that compared the Tango, it looks like it has been taken down though. From what I recall of the video, the finishing work was better on the Britton Tango than that of the Kizer Tango model. Which makes sense, because he get them an then does some tuning and finishing work.

Hope that answers your question without throwing too much fuel to the fire. But it comes down to a production vs a midtech when comparing the two. The midtech should always win and have a higher price to justify it.
 
Since the last anyone heard (and no one has proven otherwise) is that Tim Britton knives ARE Kizer knives with a significant markup, I'd just skip the middle man.

Kizer knives are made in China but they use top notch materials and are well made. I have 3 of them, a 3404, a 404 and a 403 and I've been very happy with them for the money.

Sloth is thinking of Kizlyar Supreme which is Russian and totally different.
 
So I have heard of Britton and like his knives but unclear on the topic. So he buys from a Chinese manufacture and pimps the then calls himself a knife maker? Sorry if this has been answered but I am confused.
 
Yes, Kizer is Chinese (my mistake).. And supposedely Kizer STOLE the Britton design, and is getting robbed basically.

I would bet that Britton is telling the truth, as how many knife makers steal a Chinese design and call it their own?

I like my Britton, and the one I had, and the quality was obviously NOT production, it is much better.

I'd avoid knockoffs, and DO. Chinese companies don't seem to have any scruples when it comes to stealing designs..

I still and will continue to support Britton knives, avoid the cheap knockoffs or not.. YOUR CALL.


edit: search youtube for "kizer britton tango"...
 
dasknife said:
So I have heard of Britton and like his knives but unclear on the topic. So he buys from a Chinese manufacture and pimps the then calls himself a knife maker? Sorry if this has been answered but I am confused.
Click to expand...

If you search Tim Britton you will find a lot of eye opening posts on the subject. Personally, I wouldn't give him a dime.
 
I recently purchased 3 Kizer knives out of curiosity. I returned 2 to the online retailer, they just weren't my cup of tea. Nothing wrong with them, one was a little too small, the other was a too flashy with the splashes of anodized color all over. I ended up keeping the plain Ti model that started all the drama with Britton. The fit, finish, and quality was unbelievable, I simply had to keep it. It flips beautifully, the satin finish on the blade is flawless. I can usually find something on/about a knife that bugs me, I simply can't with this knife. Very curious to see where this company goes in the future.
 
Lost Cosmonaut's got the right idea. His prices have lured me many times, way before the current controversy. But then I just do another search and get cold feet...there are a lot of other makers and not enough money.
 
sloth357 said:
Yes, Kizer is Chinese (my mistake).. And supposedely Kizer STOLE the Britton design, and is getting robbed basically.

I would bet that Britton is telling the truth, as how many knife makers steal a Chinese design and call it their own?

I like my Britton, and the one I had, and the quality was obviously NOT production, it is much better.

I'd avoid knockoffs, and DO. Chinese companies don't seem to have any scruples when it comes to stealing designs..

I still and will continue to support Britton knives, avoid the cheap knockoffs or not.. YOUR CALL.


edit: search youtube for "kizer britton tango"...
Click to expand...

If that's the conclusion you've reached after reading everything on the topic, I'm not sure you've been reading the right stuff.

Kizer's story is quite a bit more believable, particularly considering that they've already produced documentation at least once.
 
evilgreg said:
If that's the conclusion you've reached after reading everything on the topic, I'm not sure you've been reading the right stuff.

Kizer's story is quite a bit more believable, particularly considering that they've already produced documentation at least once.
Click to expand...

And they don't respond to questions with name calling and rhetoric.
 
I did give Britton a dime. More in fact unfortunately. Years ago at a gun show I bought what was supposed to be a custom folder in BG42 from him. I later saw the knife on knife kits and recognized it as what he sold me. He did some grinding on the blade to change it and called it a Britton custom. He did sign it. :)

So I have an BG42/AUS8 kit knife/custom Britton.

Buyer beware.

He can do nice work. Or seems to on his slippies but I'd never trust him at his word. Ever.
 
Um guys?...
This was supposed to be a knife to knife comparison. The OP made clear his awareness to the whole controversy and is asking what the difference is in the knives. I was also since all I've seen of either are photos. Not only did it not make one page without someone bringing up the dirt. It didn't last one post. So please can we stay on topic here?
 
It can't avoid the controversy since the controversy is about who is really making Tim Britton's knives.

Lost Cosmonaut said:
Since the last anyone heard (and no one has proven otherwise) is that Tim Britton knives ARE Kizer knives with a significant markup, I'd just skip the middle man.

Kizer knives are made in China but they use top notch materials and are well made. I have 3 of them, a 3404, a 404 and a 403 and I've been very happy with them for the money.
Click to expand...
 
sloth357 said:
Yes, Kizer is Chinese (my mistake).. And supposedely Kizer STOLE the Britton design, and is getting robbed basically.

I would bet that Britton is telling the truth, as how many knife makers steal a Chinese design and call it their own?

I like my Britton, and the one I had, and the quality was obviously NOT production, it is much better.

I'd avoid knockoffs, and DO. Chinese companies don't seem to have any scruples when it comes to stealing designs..

I still and will continue to support Britton knives, avoid the cheap knockoffs or not.. YOUR CALL.


edit: search youtube for "kizer britton tango"...
Click to expand...

I have to disagree and stand with Kizer here. When Britton came on here and started throwing hissie fits and slinging mud and calling names and being entirely childish Kizer stepped up and explained their side, including showing documentatiom supporting their arguments. Britton came in, threw a tantrum and stormed off once he found out no one believed him. Add to that the people like The Mastiff who have been ripped off buying knives he completely lied about and misrepresented all the way around, I wouldn't believe Mr. Britton if he told me the Earth was round.
 
We'll then... I guess I will look into this more. I don't want to supports liar, nor do I want to support thieves. Which is which, I'm not sure.

I know when the innocent is falsely accused, they often become quite upset and end up ruining their chance of being believed.

If that isn't the case, then that beings the total to 3 makers I need to avoid. "USA makers". I try to avoid all overseas makers to try and keep some money in communities. At least start the spending here to some extent...
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Um guys?...
This was supposed to be a knife to knife comparison. The OP made clear his awareness to the whole controversy and is asking what the difference is in the knives. I was also since all I've seen of either are photos. Not only did it not make one page without someone bringing up the dirt. It didn't last one post. So please can we stay on topic here?
Click to expand...

Yep -- thanks. It just seems like whenever someone starts talking about this, it devolves into insults and comments that gets the thread locked.

Here are the models that are similar;

Tim Britton's T10:

T10.jpg


Blade Steel: BG42 or s35vn (According to his site.).

Kizer Design:

ki4412.JPG


Blade Materiel: CPM-S35VN

Tim Britton's Tango:

IMG_4029_opt.jpg


Blade Steel: S35VN

Kizer Design 1:

DSC_3693.jpg


Blade Steel: CPM-S35VN

Most of Kizer's knives (Found picture on the net.) :

0_17757b_80d13ff4_XXXL.png
 
sloth357 said:
Yes, Kizer is Chinese (my mistake).. And supposedely Kizer STOLE the Britton design, and is getting robbed basically.

I would bet that Britton is telling the truth, as how many knife makers steal a Chinese design and call it their own?

I like my Britton, and the one I had, and the quality was obviously NOT production, it is much better.

I'd avoid knockoffs, and DO. Chinese companies don't seem to have any scruples when it comes to stealing designs..

I still and will continue to support Britton knives, avoid the cheap knockoffs or not.. YOUR CALL.


edit: search youtube for "kizer britton tango"...
Click to expand...


Britton complains of being copied but when confronted by another knife maker who he was coping Tim blew it off......Britton knives will never see a dime of my money as long as he copies other makers and sells production knives as customs.......Proof is in the pictures


Shane Sibert Custom Featured in blade



Tim Britton Boomer Copy

 
I've got 2 Kizer GTi's, the original green/satin and the new all black version. Quality is very high, can't say enough good about them.
 
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