:thumbup:
I initially purchased this knife for a few reasons but namely for one: To see if the Chinese had finally designed, and executed a great folder using modern materials all in the promised $100-$200 value. Plenty of companies have had knives made in China to good quality levels but I had yet to see a Chinese made, Chinese designed, Chinese Company try to hit the USA Market as hard as Kizer.
While I do appreciate American labor, and while we will briefly ignore the controversy regarding Kizard/Mr. Britton (until proof is brought on) I just had to give this knife a try.
The folder is following pretty time tested designs mixed with modern technologies/materials. The basics, it has a spear point blade, with a curved handle to mimic the hands contours. A framelock, thumb studs, and a pocket clip are present in the knife.
The materials are what can be accepted as high end (provided craftsmanship is there to back it up). S35VN (claimed by Mfr) and Titanium along with steel/aluminum for the hardware. As far as I can tell this particular model (3404-A3) is not being accused of copying anyone's design, and according to Kizer Cutlery they are licensing the LBS from Rick.
First thing is first. I promised an edge retention result. That will have to wait until next week. The factory is unfortunately too buffed to be cutting manila rope (it is VERY sharp). I will reprofile or resharpen it to give it an adequate edge.
The knife out of the box is impressive. If you see any scratches that was me from taking it apart.
I could not find any flaws in the high degree of fit and finish apart from a slightly off center blade.
The tight tolerances are seeing through out the knives. No piece of the knife just fell off when the screws were removed except for the LBS by design (the LBS and screw are held together, so when the screw is removed so is the LBS). The pocket clip, handle scales, stand offs, and blade stop are all held in place by the handles via friction even when the screws are removed (albeit for the stands offs one them favored one scale while the other 2 favored the opposite). I could not remove the stand offs nor blade stop with my hands, they are pretty tight in there.
The countersunk (inlayed) pocket clip is a nice touch. The sharply chambered screws are a pleasant surprise (I am tired of seeing garden variety rounded screws). The pivot is also a nice change (whether it's Britton or not is not for discussion here). The single point drilled detent hole is also a high end touch (only one side is drilled, and is not drilled through). The EDM lock bar really looks cleaner than the wider gap knives, this is something I wish were more common in knives (ZT has pretty much adopted this cut out method a while back and I like it).
The lock bar, when the knife is closed, also sits close to match the rest of the handle's level so it is does not feel weird when holding. It is not perfect at all but I can see where they paid attention to it in the design room. Smooth touch.
The lockbar geometry makes it lock up solidly and securely while lockbar face carbidizing keeps it from sticking. Yup you heard right it's got a carbidized lockbar face. The ceramic detent ball as well as the narrow but thick bronze phosphor washers help smooth out the action. I hate to say this but after breaking it in, it is now dangerously close to smooth as the sebbies I've owned. (after cleaning, lubing using M-Pro 7)
The flipper works well and can be engaged with either hand (I am heavily right handed yet can deploy the knife with my left hand with consistency). The lock bar is smooth to disengage with 0 stick and no friction. The knife has 0 blade play.
The blade profile, and tapers are all done to classic standards. Hollow ground classic spear point. Great for stabbing, slicing, and ease of maintenance. The handle contours well in the hand in multiple grips. The flipper, apart from giving you a 2nd mechanism to engage the knife, helps add a sense of security knowing your hand will not slide over the blade's edge when the blade is open. Gimping is done well. Not too rough, not too smooth with a good bit of track.
Overall this knife represents the Chinese seriously into getting in the USA market for high end knives. However in my opinion it will not last long (or at least in this price point). The price point of $100 (even with Chinese labor, and low cost of titanium in China) there has to be something going on that we are not being told or are being lied to. My best as a jack guesses are: They are not using S35VN, OR they are selling them at cost or at a loss (or both). Crucible rep confirmed they have bought their steel.
Let's get a brief break down as to what I can guess is being done at the Kizer factory. I will exclude my pending investigation theories of having magical elfs or oompa loompas or having USA made knives imported to China then branded as Chinese made to my self.
Titanium frames Surface grinding, 3D Machining (drill/cut outs and contours), EDM Cut out for the Lock bar, carbidizing the lock bar, sand blasting (or bead blasting)
Standoffs: Machined then polished up
LBS: Machined then rounded/chambered then polished
Pivot: Machined
Blade: Machined then probably hollow ground via two wheels. Stone washed, and heat treated in-house to 58-60 hrc (at least per Kizer's claims)
Blade stop: Press fitted (possibly machined)
Detent: One side drilled, ceramic ball, likely done on the CNC when the frames are being done.
New pictures
I initially purchased this knife for a few reasons but namely for one: To see if the Chinese had finally designed, and executed a great folder using modern materials all in the promised $100-$200 value. Plenty of companies have had knives made in China to good quality levels but I had yet to see a Chinese made, Chinese designed, Chinese Company try to hit the USA Market as hard as Kizer.
While I do appreciate American labor, and while we will briefly ignore the controversy regarding Kizard/Mr. Britton (until proof is brought on) I just had to give this knife a try.
The folder is following pretty time tested designs mixed with modern technologies/materials. The basics, it has a spear point blade, with a curved handle to mimic the hands contours. A framelock, thumb studs, and a pocket clip are present in the knife.
The materials are what can be accepted as high end (provided craftsmanship is there to back it up). S35VN (claimed by Mfr) and Titanium along with steel/aluminum for the hardware. As far as I can tell this particular model (3404-A3) is not being accused of copying anyone's design, and according to Kizer Cutlery they are licensing the LBS from Rick.
First thing is first. I promised an edge retention result. That will have to wait until next week. The factory is unfortunately too buffed to be cutting manila rope (it is VERY sharp). I will reprofile or resharpen it to give it an adequate edge.
The knife out of the box is impressive. If you see any scratches that was me from taking it apart.
I could not find any flaws in the high degree of fit and finish apart from a slightly off center blade.
The tight tolerances are seeing through out the knives. No piece of the knife just fell off when the screws were removed except for the LBS by design (the LBS and screw are held together, so when the screw is removed so is the LBS). The pocket clip, handle scales, stand offs, and blade stop are all held in place by the handles via friction even when the screws are removed (albeit for the stands offs one them favored one scale while the other 2 favored the opposite). I could not remove the stand offs nor blade stop with my hands, they are pretty tight in there.
The countersunk (inlayed) pocket clip is a nice touch. The sharply chambered screws are a pleasant surprise (I am tired of seeing garden variety rounded screws). The pivot is also a nice change (whether it's Britton or not is not for discussion here). The single point drilled detent hole is also a high end touch (only one side is drilled, and is not drilled through). The EDM lock bar really looks cleaner than the wider gap knives, this is something I wish were more common in knives (ZT has pretty much adopted this cut out method a while back and I like it).
The lock bar, when the knife is closed, also sits close to match the rest of the handle's level so it is does not feel weird when holding. It is not perfect at all but I can see where they paid attention to it in the design room. Smooth touch.
The lockbar geometry makes it lock up solidly and securely while lockbar face carbidizing keeps it from sticking. Yup you heard right it's got a carbidized lockbar face. The ceramic detent ball as well as the narrow but thick bronze phosphor washers help smooth out the action. I hate to say this but after breaking it in, it is now dangerously close to smooth as the sebbies I've owned. (after cleaning, lubing using M-Pro 7)
The flipper works well and can be engaged with either hand (I am heavily right handed yet can deploy the knife with my left hand with consistency). The lock bar is smooth to disengage with 0 stick and no friction. The knife has 0 blade play.
The blade profile, and tapers are all done to classic standards. Hollow ground classic spear point. Great for stabbing, slicing, and ease of maintenance. The handle contours well in the hand in multiple grips. The flipper, apart from giving you a 2nd mechanism to engage the knife, helps add a sense of security knowing your hand will not slide over the blade's edge when the blade is open. Gimping is done well. Not too rough, not too smooth with a good bit of track.
Overall this knife represents the Chinese seriously into getting in the USA market for high end knives. However in my opinion it will not last long (or at least in this price point). The price point of $100 (even with Chinese labor, and low cost of titanium in China) there has to be something going on that we are not being told or are being lied to. My best as a jack guesses are: They are not using S35VN, OR they are selling them at cost or at a loss (or both). Crucible rep confirmed they have bought their steel.
Let's get a brief break down as to what I can guess is being done at the Kizer factory. I will exclude my pending investigation theories of having magical elfs or oompa loompas or having USA made knives imported to China then branded as Chinese made to my self.
Titanium frames Surface grinding, 3D Machining (drill/cut outs and contours), EDM Cut out for the Lock bar, carbidizing the lock bar, sand blasting (or bead blasting)
Standoffs: Machined then polished up
LBS: Machined then rounded/chambered then polished
Pivot: Machined
Blade: Machined then probably hollow ground via two wheels. Stone washed, and heat treated in-house to 58-60 hrc (at least per Kizer's claims)
Blade stop: Press fitted (possibly machined)
Detent: One side drilled, ceramic ball, likely done on the CNC when the frames are being done.
New pictures
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