Kizer 3404A3- Pictures/Observations

Kizer Cutlery said:
1) We do not OEM our knives, we make them in house so if there is a problem, we can go make the changes needed without the extra wait.

2) The subject of the steel has been debated back and forth and even Crucible has replied on this topic. We stand behind our knives and components. If you have conclusive evidence that we have mis-represented ourselves, do post them here. Otherwise we are back in the arena of baseless accusations.

3) I'm not going to discuss it too much as it easily step into the political side but I want to make it clear that we treat our employees fair and well. You can meet some of us at the BLADE 2014 show which is fast coming up.

Thanks.

Kizer.
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1. Not saying you guys OEM your knives just stating something else that was off topic.

2. The steel is not performing as well as others even CRK's outperforms it, however that may just be a HT issue and other variables. I unfortunately just sold this knife otherwise I'd redo testing on film (didn't do it first time because quite frankly 3 hours of manila cutting video is NOT fun to watch).

3. Aye.

Going to save up for a Ki401B1 and see if the quality is the same there.
 
I saw a couple of Kizers recently in my blade pusher's shop. Handled them. They seemed very nice and basically sound. Good looking too. Haven't purchased one yet.
 
I actually remeber handling some kizer stuff at blade last year. Very impressive will definately checkthem out again next weekend and probably buy one
 
Well my KI405 came yesterday, and I am disappointed. It does not flip smoothly at all, and the blade is quite off center. Really wanted to like it. Felt good in hand. Back to Knifeworks it goes.
 
K.O.D. said:
Well my KI405 came yesterday, and I am disappointed. It does not flip smoothly at all, and the blade is quite off center. Really wanted to like it. Felt good in hand. Back to Knifeworks it goes.
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That's the problems I had with my 3404A3 and had given up on Kizer until I just got in the 5414 and damn it's a BEAST! It's by far the best quality knife in my collection (benchmade, spyderco, crkt etc), really a nice knife BIG but really nice.

My 3404A3 is just a waste for me, it really bothers me to waste that kind of money.
 
I've ordered a Kizer 401B which is the model I wanted in the first place.
Hope it arrives as good as this one.
 
Interesting read. I'm trying to decide on which one of these Kizer's to pick up and run a review on. I've got many knives in various steels to compare them to. I'm thinking the Kizer 4412 or the KI4403G might be good one's to run through the wringer..I'm liking the way they look and their materials listed.
 
I'm really digging the 405 model, I just seem to gravitate to the sheeps foot blades. And s35vn for under 140.00 Might have to order one.
 
After reading several reviews on the kizer I decided fo pick one up and give it a try the 401B was my choice. So it arrived yesterday, first impressions were how very light weight it is and a different decent looking design. The knife flips open reasonably well, but very off centered. And try as I might I can't get it anywhere close to center, I don't like the lack of a detent either. On my model the one postition pocket clip, was also very disappointing. The Kizer seems like an ok knife, but not a high end peice by any stretch. I just dont think this one would get a lot of pocket time into my rotation.
 
coli said:
After reading several reviews on the kizer I decided fo pick one up and give it a try the 401B was my choice. So it arrived yesterday, first impressions were how very light weight it is and a different decent looking design. The knife flips open reasonably well, but very off centered. And try as I might I can't get it anywhere close to center, I don't like the lack of a detent either. On my model the one postition pocket clip, was also very disappointing. The Kizer seems like an ok knife, but not a high end peice by any stretch. I just dont think this one would get a lot of pocket time into my rotation.
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I agree. I've had a mini grip for years that gets carried still, but I've had kizer's for a couple months and I never carry them anymore.

I've thought about selling my 2 kizer's since I just don't like them anymore. When you first handle them, they feel really well made and solid. Then you adjust the pivot and "all hell breaks loose". My 4401 was fine until I adjusted the pivot. I tried to tighten it to center the blade better, then I loosened it a little because it was too tight then. Now it just won't stay put at all. I flip it a few times and the pivot is off. Same thing happened when I anodized my 3404A3, I reassembled it and the same pivot problem occurred.

If kizer incorporated a pivot bushing, that would solve the issue. Although, many knives I own don't have pivot bushings and tighten up just fine.
 
Alright last order was cancelled. Was not aware the place I ordered from was drop shipping to their location then to me. Would take too long.
A few knives go in the way also.
Just put an order for the same knife in the OP. Decided to stick with something simple, then going to have it anodized after the Graham Razel GMT I picked up.
 
uphoto said:
That's the problems I had with my 3404A3 and had given up on Kizer until I just got in the 5414 and damn it's a BEAST! It's by far the best quality knife in my collection (benchmade, spyderco, crkt etc), really a nice knife BIG but really nice.

My 3404A3 is just a waste for me, it really bothers me to waste that kind of money.
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My 3404 is great, centered and flips like a champ. I've carried it a fair bit and it's stood up well so far, it's one of my favorite small flippers (to the point that I wish I'd bought the grey one--I bought the blue, expecting it just to be a novelty purchase, but now I really like it).
 
My 3404 is great as well for all of the same reasons Greg referred to in his post. I'm sorry some of you don't seem to be getting knives of the same quality he and I did. But based on my 3404 and another one I inspected recently at a knife store near my home, I'd continue to buy Kizers without hesitation.
 
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I have a Ki4401X and it is perfectly centered, flips nicely, and has held a decent edge to date. Excellent F&F. No complaints at all. In fact, I like it well enough that I just ordered a KI412A2 from Knifeworks.

Cool knife, IMHO. ;)
 
I'm avoiding kizer for a little while just to see where they go from here...

We truly don't know that much about kizer like we do KAI, spyderco, BM etc...
 
My ZT 801 came with a really weak detent, closed play, and wonky surface HT. My BM 581 had side play enough to rattle it. My 560CBCF had a weak detent and craptastic edge.

My Kizer which was half the price needed a cleaning and sharpening and it flips about as well as a washer flipper can, has a perfect detent, and the lock is perfect. Only slight downside is the slightest side play.

Don't expect a Kizer to be perfect out of the box. They need a good cleaning and the washers most likely will need to be polished. Getting a nearly $200 or more equivalent knife for a little over $100 gives you savings enough to justify normal new knife maintenance.
 
I didn't even bother to take my 3404 apart and clean it. A couple of drops of Nano-Oil in the pivot did the trick. Now it's a flippin' fool! The lockup on my example is tight . . . no movement in any direction . . . and blade centering is just a hair to the presentation side with no rubbing. All in all, it's a great knife, especially for the price. :thumbup: :D
 
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I couldn't resist any longer so I have a few Kizers on the way. I got a Ki404A2, a Ki3404A2 and a Ki403B2. Can't wait!
 
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