Kizer knives, what's your opinion of them?

[POCEH KOCEB]

I've handled about a half dozen Kizers, and all but one have been flawless. The issue with the one that wasn't flawless? It was ever so slightly off center. Otherwise, they have all been smooth and great.
...The bottom left knife is something that is apparently currently unavailable but will be available soon through BladeHQ, the Ki4450Ti:

I want that knife. A lot. It looks a lot like one of the knives I loved the design of but hated the quality and materials - the CRKT Mah Eraser....One of the things I like about Kizer is that they produce knives that look and function like $300+ knives, but generally cost half or less than half of that. That puts interesting and cool designs in the hands of people who will actually friggin' use them.

I don't have problem with Chinese companies that don't blatantly copy designs. I don't care if it's Kizer, Reate or whoever else, as long as they play by the rules and I can find their products readily available, just as everyone's else in the online stores we go to. Warranty and so on is necessary of course, but the important part to me is to be original or proven, without being a copy, design that will answer what I'm looking for in a folder ( in this case), decent materials and prices. I also agree with few geopolitical points that the OP and NorthenSouthpaw brought up in their opinions, I find them to be true form my contacts with some Chinese distributors ( of flashlights in my case).

Anyway, Comeuppanche, Blade HQ does not have yet any info on this model, would you keep us posted please, I want this knife bad darn it...
I've seen this MahEraser before in BF, who did the scale work, please ?

Not a big fan of liner locks and titanium handles, I have to say that I would buy Kizer knife long time ago if they had tip-up option for the clip,
I guess I'm not the only one with such "excuse" not to buy Kizer...
It was a tanto shape blade with liner lock and green and black ( as another option) G-10 handle model, that I really like and would compromise the thing with the liner lock if they didn't have tip-down option only...
Don't remember the model number, I've sen it labeled as "Kizer-Shadow" but I know there is number designation, this is the knife, pic courtesy of Harris Publications

I like this knife, I like the Mah Eraser look a like model shown by Comeuppanche, I'd buy those if they have tip-up clip option regardless if they are made by Chinese company as long as the company isn't KJ, Adai and so on well known counterfeiters .
It's interesting to see if the shown Kizer have some influence from Lion Mah or Kizer was just "heavily influenced" by the Eraser model...

 

[Wavester]

Been seeing various Kizer knives popping up recently on various forums, so it got me curious. Was wondering what the community thinks about them. I've read that they are exceptionally smooth and are a nice knife, but then the complete opposite soon thereafter. Was curious on the build quality, fit and finish, and most of all: how does the steel hold up? Does it stay true to what its labeled and how's the temper? Let me know what you guys think!

Here's my take on the Kizer Ki3404A3 Knife

[video=youtube_share;NDoUirMmANQ]http://youtu.be/NDoUirMmANQ[/video]

 

[Comeuppance]

Anyway, Comeuppanche, Blade HQ does not have yet any info on this model, would you keep us posted please, I want this knife bad darn it...
I've seen this MahEraser before in BF, who did the scale work, please ?

That was done by Rival! He actually charged more for the scale work than I charged for the knives with the scales, but it was damned worth it and he did an amazing job. It's my fault on the price - emerald twill is a premium material.

Not a big fan of liner locks and titanium handles, I have to say that I would buy Kizer knife long time ago if they had tip-up option for the clip,
I guess I'm not the only one with such "excuse" not to buy Kizer...
It was a tanto shape blade with liner lock and green and black ( as another option) G-10 handle model, that I really like and would compromise the thing with the liner lock if they didn't have tip-down option only...
Don't remember the model number, I've sen it labeled as "Kizer-Shadow" but I know there is number designation, this is the knife, pic courtesy of Harris Publications

I like this knife, I like the Mah Eraser look a like model shown by Comeuppanche, I'd buy those if they have tip-up clip option regardless if they are made by Chinese company as long as the company isn't KJ, Adai and so on well known counterfeiters .
It's interesting to see if the shown Kizer have some influence from Lion Mah or Kizer was just "heavily influenced" by the Eraser model...

They've been doing collabs all over the place, so it wouldn't surprise me to find that Liong Mah was a part of that. However, I've seen a couple other knives with similar styling... So I wouldn't be all to suspicious of them if they claimed there was no influence.

I've had my eyes on that knife since Kizer debuted - and haven't purchased one for the exact same reason. I think they've discontinued it AND have also come out with t-up versions of almost all of their knives after it became clear that the number one complaint about them on this forum, aside from them being sneaky counterfeiting slave-labor foreigners, is that their knives used to be exclusively tip-down.

 

[K.O.D.]

I've handled about a half dozen Kizers, and all but one have been flawless. The issue with the one that wasn't flawless? It was ever so slightly off center. Otherwise, they have all been smooth and great.

They're setting up a booth at the moment at a show, and a representative posted this to his facebook wall. The bottom left knife is something that is apparently currently unavailable but will be available soon through BladeHQ, the Ki4450Ti:

I want that knife. A lot. It looks a lot like one of the knives I loved the design of but hated the quality and materials - the CRKT Mah Eraser.

Photo credit: ME BECAUSE I'M AWESOME



One of the things I like about Kizer is that they produce knives that look and function like $300+ knives, but generally cost half or less than half of that. That puts interesting and cool designs in the hands of people who will actually friggin' use them.

Somehow I missed this post. I had said a while ago that if kizer came out with a wharnie flipper I'd be in big trouble. Thanks a lot. I did NOT need to see this. My fiance is going to hunt you down for showing me this.

She's ok with my hobby, but thinks I don't need any more. I managed to sneak my Ki423 by her, but barely.

By the by, is that knife on bearings?

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

... Thanks a lot. I did NOT need to see this...By the by, is that knife on bearings?

Ha ha ha... take a number...
I also would like to know about the bearings. Hope hes able to do some update on this knife.

Comeuppance, thanks for the info man, someone in another forum had a link with this Shadow knife to a site that sell a tip-down option model but when I got there it was already taken down,
I don't see those even listed in Kizer's site anymore which is shame, I'd get one if available... and would put it my pocket right by your Sub Hilt Vallotton...

 

[Comeuppance]

Ha ha ha... take a number...
I also would like to know about the bearings. Hope hes able to do some update on this knife.

Comeuppance, thanks for the info man, someone in another forum had a link with this Shadow knife to a site that sell a tip-down option model but when I got there it was already taken down,
I don't see those even listed in Kizer's site anymore which is shame, I'd get one if available... and would put it my pocket right by your Sub Hilt Vallotton...

I'm glad you still have that! You were pretty pumped about getting it - and now I'm looking to get another one myself now that I can legally carry one (Denver's knife laws are much more restrictive than Tulsa's... )

 

[Comeuppance]

Not as much of an update, but an indirect teaser (I say indirect, because I have just as much info as you guys do at this stage) - the G10 version. Also, a couple pics from the Nurnburg show.

 

[k_ozdragon]

I gotta say, thank god they aren't making copies, cuz honestly I love their designs. Its nice to see something so fresh and different in the market. Another reason its awesome that the quality is so great is that it will drive other knife makers to compete. I just saw a dual bevel drop point they make on bladehq... Gah! So awesome! Hell, even Benchmade dropped the original Vicar design (dual bevel drop point) in favor of a standard drop point due to not being able to economically replicate the blade during production. I think that's a testament to companies like Kizer and Boker whom both offer dual bevel knives at great prices. Spyderco makes one, but honestly its way over priced and not built exceptionally well.
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KU...-knife-s35vn-satin-blade-redblack-g10-handles

 

[jac_solar]

That wharncliffe does look amazing. I asked Kizer if they could provide some more information on their new models, and the wharncliffe in particular - I'll post it here if they do provide some information.

Based on pictures from the Nurnberg show, it seems like there are several new models with new blade shapes and designs -- in particular, the Wharncliffe that looks like the Mah Eraser, 2 other Wharncliffes, a tanto recurve with 4 holes, another new one that's right infront of the tanto recurve, a regular tanto, the "Tai Chi", and some knives that look like they have a smaller, Spyderco type of hole. The regular tanto and one of the Wharncliffes remind me a lot of Stedemon's designs. The other Wharncliffe reminds me of Randy Doucette's Jekel -- it seems to even have that small hole in the front.

 

[k_ozdragon]

Could someone please post a pic of the "mah eraser" I keep seeing on here? Multiple angles would be nice please! Would like to see it by those who know exactly what it is rather than search for it. Also, I'm sure others reading this might not be familiar as well. Would certainly appreciate it!

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Could someone please post a pic of the "mah eraser" I keep seeing on here? Multiple angles would be nice please! Would like to see it by those who know exactly what it is rather than search for it. Also, I'm sure others reading this might not be familiar as well. Would certainly appreciate it!

 

[k_ozdragon]

Awesome thanks! Wow that Kizer model really does look similar

 

[suitaroh]

Reminds me of the Kershaw Tilt and of some of Bastinelli Creations' stuff, BBR2 and Drago Tac. Great, useful shape that doesn't get that much attention, those three and the CRKT are the only ones I can think of for production knives. I'll probably pick one up if it's around $200.

 

[brancron]

I've recently heard a suggestion (at the 2015 Knife Expo) that there may be a Kizer/Mayo collaboration in the works!

 

[k_ozdragon]

Crkt drives me crazy because they have awesome designs and good build quality, but then they put Chinese stainless in all their knives - wtf?! If they would use a minimum of 154cm in all their models, we would sell them left and right. I get plenty of collectors who look at them and say "wow this is nice, who makes this?" but then the inevitable "what steel?" question pops and then its "oh... never mind..." It wouldn't cost them more to do yet its killing their business.

 

[The Burgh]

This particular Kizer is not my kind of knife, but I have seen it mentioned several times in this thread.

So, just wanted to let you know that the Tomcat is available online. (Just PM me for source.)

[Just to be clear, I have no financial interest whatsoever in Kizer nor any of their distributors/dealers.]

 

[k_ozdragon]

Hmmm interesting sloping cant on that blade. My only complaint with designs like this is the squared back/bottom of the handle. It needs to have some slope or oblique angle cut into it so it fits the hand comfortably. Without it, the lower palm has nothing to abut against plus it doesn't allow a grip that lets the wrist align with the arm for control and power. Never been a fan of square ended handles or handles that extend too long, but I definitely love a canted handle.

 

[crbauhs]

I've recently heard a suggestion (at the 2015 Knife Expo) that there may be a Kizer/Mayo collaboration in the works!

That would be amazing. More than likely it'd be right in my size range. I wish Mayo would do a collar with buck again but I'd get a Kizer and not think twice about it.

 

[The Burgh]

Need your opinions please!

I have a Kizer KI3404A3 and am thrilled with it. I have had my eye on another model, but I am torn between aesthetic appeal (beautiful to my eyes) and seemingly devoid of practical use (no justification whatsover). Blade: 3.5" Oberall: 8" Steel: S35VN Frame: Titanium (Framelock) Weight: 3.65 oz

It's an $85 knife. What are your opinions? Can you think of worthy alternatives?

 

[Scrim]

(short vid) Kizer knife, 4401x, on WASHERS... & SMOOTH!! -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3x...bpg0vucwz0sw22tdveg4xrwffvfj&google_view_type