Kizer Cryptid vs QSP Penguin button lock

L

Lekkim

Joined
Mar 4, 2024
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Hi you all

I'm about to buy my first real EDC knife.
At first I had layed my eyes on the Penguin with the micarta and button lock but I'm now leaning more and more towards the Kizer Cryptid.
As to my understanding the Cryptid is a fairly new knife on the market and I haven't been able to dig out a whole lot of reviews yet.

In the favor the Cryptid there is the design and weight.

Have any of you compared the two knife against each other and if so what is you opinion?

I'm greating all the input I can get. Thank you all.
 
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steelhead seeker said:
Jesus christ. If he's asking for suggestions between 2 knives as his FIRST real edc knife and he throws out 2 suggestions that are between $40-70ish you really think suggesting a knife that's upward of $250 is the right thing??
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You're absolutely right, Sebenza then 😁. Plenty of Malibus here in the $200 range. I just like to buy from and support decent American companies, especially for "real EDCs" as the OP mentioned. Personally, I would have saved a ton of time and money had I jumped straight to ZT/Protech/Spyderco when I first got into knives.
 
OP - I have several Kizers (not the Cryptid), and the Penguin. I can assume from that your budget is in the <$100 range and your preferences fall towards that type of blade design. Since you're looking for your first EDC, one thing I want to point out is grip design. One thing I don't like (and I seem to run into it in knives like you're looking at) is forward grip designs that push your index finger back away from the blade (Kizer Cormorant, EDC, several others). The Cryptid looks like it has that blocky type of grip up front.

If you're going with those two makers, I would recommend looking at a Kizer Sparrow. You can get it in 154CM with Micarta in your price range, and the modified Wharncliffe is going to be more versatile than the Sheepsfoot on the Penguin. It also gives you flip or thumb deployment and a good detent that does both well. No issues with the grip design like I pointed out earlier. The Sparrow is a great knife.

Also - I don't blame norcalAF norcalAF for bringing up the Malibu. It's good to have that in mind even if you're not interested in that price range, because I do think sometimes it's worth the wait to save a bit longer, or plan for the next one after you get a better feel for what you like in an EDC. Go for what you can afford right now, and if you want to jump to a good domestic maker in that price range later (or save up now), knives like the Malibu, North Arm, Spyderco, or TRM are worth the price.
 
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Thank you all I will have all the mentioned above in mind. Budget for now is not overly big. I hear you when you point me to a superior quality knife but I guess I'm one of those who have to learn by experience ;)
Kizer Sparrow may be an option.
Me being based in Europe I won't have a huge selection of US made knifes (just had a quick google on the Malibu and I seams that they are hard to find in EU) but Kizer, QSP and the like is fairly common.
 
Lekkim said:
At first I had layed my eyes on the Penguin with the micarta and button lock but I'm now leaning more and more towards the Kizer Cryptid.
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The Cryptid has 154CM steel, which is low-end but not bottom of the barrel.
The Penguin is available with S35VN steel, which is one of the best all-around steels on the market without being horribly expensive.
I would say the Penguin with S35VN is the clear winner. If you can only get the Penguin with D2, it's a toss-up because D2 can be pretty good or pretty bad.
The Malibu is a great knife. I have two of them. But I doubt very much that you would find it twice or thrice as good as a Penguin.
I like Civivis a lot. You might take a look at them, also.
 
I like 154CM. It is a pleasure to sharpen and all-around it seems to be a good, tough steel for my uses that I have not run into any issues with (chipping, corrosion, etc).
 
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You can buy a Benchmade Griptillian or mini griptillian for $100 on the exchange. I would consider that route
 
Thanks for all the input. The Penguin in focus has sandvik 14c28n steel so I don’t know where it is ranking quality wise.
The Griptilian looks a lot like the Cryptid but can only find it at prices starting at 160$ and up 🤷🏼
 
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Lekkim said:
Thanks for all the input. The Penguin in focus has sandvik 14c28n steel so not quite so where it’s ranking quality wise.
The Griptilian looks a lot like the Cryptid but can only find it at prices starting at 160$ and up 🤷🏼
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There's not a thing wrong with 14c28n - it's a great all-around steel for a folder.

This is your first EDC, and I might be the minority on this one, but I would recommend not getting wound up with steel specs. As long as it's a good steel that can handle your intended use, focus more on design. Get a knife that feels great in-hand, has a blade geometry that fits what you need it to do the most, and a grip, size and weight that you're happy with.

Don't get me wrong - there is a fun, nerdy space for steels, but it's a lot more important that you learn to sharpen and maintain your knife than it is to trip over super-steels.
 
Also look into the CJRB Pyrite and Civivi Elementum for cheaper button locks that hit above their price point.

Edit:

Own a few variations of the Penguin and it's a great design.
 
Within your budget, they are both decent knives and won't disappoint you. If I had to pick between the two, I'd get the Kizer in black micarta.
The only reason is because it's more aesthetically pleasing to me and I have quite a few Kizer products, all are well made.... the point is, pick whichever you like neither one is a bad knife in that price range.

And as someone mentioned don't get too hung up on the steel, 14C28N and 154CM are both good budget steels.
I have at least a dozen knives in both steels, and both perform well.
 
Honestly, get whichever options looks the best to you. QSP and Kizer both put out good products, and you’ll enjoy either. There’s no huge issues to report with either, so you’ll probably be happiest with whatever you thinks looks the best!

And, as a note, both 14C28N and 154CM will be great budget steels that will far and away outperform “cheap” Walmart and sports store knives. You’ll be happy with either!
 
Hi all.

Just to round it up.
I have today received my new knife. It ended up to be a Benchmade Griptilian Mini 555 due to weight, size, steel and axis-lock.
My initial wish was to get knife with a Micarta handle so I have purchased some cheap scales on the web just to try them out (still waiting for 'em) and if they are rubbish I may be on the hunt for some more premium ones.

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate that you took the time.

All the best
 
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