Kizer knives, what's your opinion of them?

The Burgh said:
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

Screenshot%20-%203_10_2015%20%2010_01_07%20AM_zpsfnwi5y89.jpg


It's an $85 knife. What are your opinions? Can you think of worthy alternatives?
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That looks like a nice knife. The slant at the bottom of the handle would make it comfortable, but the lack of any choil for the pointer finger might make it feel blocky. Blade design is interesting, and it does still have a slight belly to it so you will still be able to slice and use it practically. From what I've seen of kizer so far they do an excellent job on their tips and dont thin them out, so even tho the blade comes to a fine point, I'm sure it will remain sturdy. Framelock is a definite plus too. Loves me some framelock :)
Edit: oh yeah for $85 who cares? lol So crazy they can make such a nice knife at that cost. Hell, even if you get tired of it you could always sell it for more when its discontinued or use it in a trade
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
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... :D
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

Kizer-shadow-folding-knife2.jpg


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... :D
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http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Cutlery-Ki401A-Frame-Lock--25640
This is the model you want for Tip-Up carry. It only comes in the black G10 scales. It's currently out of stock at BladeHQ, but you might be able to find it elsewhere. Please note, the part number showing in the link is wrong...you are looking for the Ki403A2. As far as I know, it's the only variant of the "shadow" knife that comes tip up.
 
I'm a bit leery still but members whom I usually agree with on here have had some really nice things to say, probably will have to pick one up sometime.
 
Hackenslash said:
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Cutlery-Ki401A-Frame-Lock--25640
This is the model you want for Tip-Up carry. It only comes in the black G10 scales. It's currently out of stock at BladeHQ, but you might be able to find it elsewhere. Please note, the part number showing in the link is wrong...you are looking for the Ki403A2. As far as I know, it's the only variant of the "shadow" knife that comes tip up.
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Thank you very much for the info, I was looking exactly for the one with "tactical" - black G-10 (it's a joke... :D ) scales
I'll put it in my BHQ wishlist, thanks again !
 
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Gah. Can't legally carry that size in my state(s) Was looking forward to trying one out while I waited for the 0808 and 0450. Oh well. Does anyone know if they announced any other new stuff at IWA?
 
suitaroh said:
Gah. Can't legally carry that size in my state(s) Was looking forward to trying one out while I waited for the 0808 and 0450. Oh well. Does anyone know if they announced any other new stuff at IWA?
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What state? and what is the size restriction?
 
Live in Ohio where the laws are kind of weird and ambiguous, so I could probably get away with carrying it, not worth the risk to me though. But, I spend a lot of work hours in West Virginia which is 3.5 inches or over is illegal. Granted, I've never been stopped by a cop about a knife. And the ones I've talked to mainly just say don't tote around an auto or balisong.
 
About that Blade HQ exclusive Ki4450A1: It says "Designed in USA by Tomcat Knives"
Tomcat Knives ? I couldn't find their website...
 
suitaroh said:
Live in Ohio where the laws are kind of weird and ambiguous, so I could probably get away with carrying it, not worth the risk to me though. But, I spend a lot of work hours in West Virginia which is 3.5 inches or over is illegal. Granted, I've never been stopped by a cop about a knife. And the ones I've talked to mainly just say don't tote around an auto or balisong.
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Damn that sucks. Stuff like that is irritating. Wtf happened to our 2nd amendment rights? Many men have fought and died to protect those rights, and many more will continue to fight and die to protect them. Taking them away or putting false restrictions is like going to Arlington and taking a sh** on every grave there. Anyways, off topic, but its something I feel strongly about and is our birthright that we lose gradually every day.
PS funny fact: most knife experts are currently advocating the use of smaller 2in blades, saying that 2in is more than enough to wound and kill any human assailant. So yeah....
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
About that Blade HQ exclusive Ki4450A1: It says "Designed in USA by Tomcat Knives"
Tomcat Knives ? I couldn't find their website...
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Yes, good point. I couldn't find their website either.

It looks like they have done two collaborations with Kizer now. A Clip and a Sheepsfoot.
 
W
Wavester said:
I didn't get into too many specifics - but I did a recent video on the Kizer Ki3404A3 Knife you might want to check out :D

[video=youtube_share;NDoUirMmANQ]http://youtu.be/NDoUirMmANQ[/video]
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I picked up that model today. I like a fairly plain knife, and this fits the bill for me. I could see the utilitarian Kizers really making a big hit as relatively low cost but high quality users.
 
[video=youtube;D3xswudBtAs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3xswudBtAs[/video]
 
Goosey said:
"tomcatknives.com" ;)

http://www.tomcatknives.com/Home_Page.html

Not much information, maybe it's just a new brand name they are trying out.
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I'm sure it is...So it says that Tomcat Knives are manufactured by Kizer.
The site is almost non-functional, there is little info about the steel they use and contact form.
They say "Blade materials are S35VN or VG10 around 50 RC hardness." Isn't this little bit low number for those steels ? I was under the impression that their target hardness is closed to 60...
 
At RC 50 a mill file will bite. Easy to test if a typo.

POCEH KOCEB said:
I'm sure it is...So it says that Tomcat Knives are manufactured by Kizer.
The site is almost non-functional, there is little info about the steel they use and contact form.
They say "Blade materials are S35VN or VG10 around 50 RC hardness." Isn't this little bit low number for those steels ? I was under the impression that their target hardness is closed to 60...
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POCEH KOCEB said:
I'm sure it is...So it says that Tomcat Knives are manufactured by Kizer.
The site is almost non-functional, there is little info about the steel they use and contact form.
They say "Blade materials are S35VN or VG10 around 50 RC hardness." Isn't this little bit low number for those steels ? I was under the impression that their target hardness is closed to 60...
Click to expand...

That could be a typo on the RC hardness. The official Kizer site has always been plagued with typos and errors. I've always relied on Blade HQ for the most accurate info on models I was considering for purchase. I've never seen them incorrect on Kizer stats.

This creation of Tomcat knives is a curious twist. Is a Chinese manufacturer that sells through an American based distributor any different from an American manufacturer that sells Chinese manufactured knives? This, in a way, puts them right into play with companies like Kershaw and Spyderco except Kizer consistently beats them both on price/value (although I think the new Kershaw 1776 link is a total home run!). I'll be watching to see if Kizer develops a viable warranty plan that can be administered and serviced through Tomcat...

On a discouraging note, it does seem that Kizer might be aware of their growing popularity...it seems as though the price point on their knives is creeping up. The new Blade HQ exclusive 4450 seems a little pricey (by Kizer standards) for a G10 scaled, liner lock, S35VN knife.
 
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