Kizer Knives

marsalla

marsalla

Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
279
I was wondering if there was any way to prove that Kizer knives are actually made of s35vn steel. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.
 
I suppose that question could be directed at any maker and/or steel to be fair.
 
A Crucible Steels Rep also confirmed this in a previous thread too.

I don't recall for sure, but it might have been in at least two previous threads too.
 
I don't think all of the big online dealers would carry this brand, if this important detail hadn't been researched and confirmed. I was concerned that the Chinese were manufacturing the blade steel in-country, to increase profits (cut corners). The Kizer Rep did confirm that the S35v was purchased outside of China.
 
Thank you for all your feedback. Now the other question; I wonder about their heat treat process.
 
Without even a rock well tester so mainly subjective.

I used my Kizer tomcat (bladehq version) in the garden the other day.
I cut through a bunch of strong plastic irrigation hoses, not the smallest ones but the next size up.
I also cut about 2 feet through cardboard and cut a wedge into redwood. Now that's not super extensive but in the wood I tried to bend the edge on purpose but it didn't. Nothing on the edge apex reflects and it still shaves hair without putting pressure.
Afew weeks ago I did the same with a BM Barrage (154cm) and it also was still sharp but lost its hair shaving properties. Cut only about 10 percent of hair with more pressure
Lots of variation of course from different edge shape down to me doing the barrage grind and the Kizer still having the factory grind.

My Kizer was smooth how it came, however the pivot hole had a few sub millimeter nick's in a regular pattern. It seemed while deburring the drill bit into the metal a few times. Still none of the nick's is proud and doesn't touch the washer.
The pivot screw wiggled lose from its nut repeatedly after I adjusted it to make it even better. But I fixed it with locktite and now it's perfect. The blade flips open from every position imaginable but also doesn't wiggle when held at half it's height and lots of force applied. When held at the very tip I can feel it move but wouldn't classify it as blade play.
 
Kizer is the chinese co that american mfrs should fear. Great knives for the pricepoint, nice designs and sold buy reputable dealers.
Mine has held a great edge, has awesome ergos and has zero lockstick.

Yet they are denied a mfr hosted site here for whatever reason.
 
marsalla said:
Thanks for the reply. I think of of us needs to buy a rockwell tester.
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About $1000, and what for? Are you planning to "prove" the RC hardness of all brands out there? If yes, please do post results. For me, word of the maker/brand is good enough, so when Kizer or BM or Spyderco says the RC hardness is between 57-59, I do accept it as a fact, don't need proving anything. :-)
 
Thanks again for the reply. I like to remain open mined regarding any manufacturer. I think they would their own marketing by having a third party perform a destructive test on one of their knives to dispell any concerns over quality.
 
marsalla said:
Thanks again for the reply. I like to remain open mined regarding any manufacturer. I think they would their own marketing by having a third party perform a destructive test on one of their knives to dispell any concerns over quality.
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I personally think kizer has done more than enough to prove themselves. If people arent satisfied yet I feel they will never be satisfied.
 
choombak said:
About $1000, and what for? Are you planning to "prove" the RC hardness of all brands out there? If yes, please do post results. For me, word of the maker/brand is good enough, so when Kizer or BM or Spyderco says the RC hardness is between 57-59, I do accept it as a fact, don't need proving anything. :-)
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And that Grand is better spent on more knives...
 
i've got a Goko Seiki hardness tester in our machine shop, it sits unused.
I finally found the instructions
It looks Greek to me.
In principal I understand how to work it, but I have to spend some time to make sure I trust the results.
 
This has become a lively discuss and I for one will enjoy my Kizer knives once they arrive. Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.
 
I tried to get more info on one of the Glen Klecker models, but nobody apparently had any experience with one, so I've decided to order one next payday and hope for the best. I generally would not pay $100+ for a Chinese knife, but I'm genuinely curious what Chinese companies are doing to better their reputations, especially in terms of QC and original designs. If a Kizer knife is truly on the same level of my ZTs and Benchmades of similar prices (or slightly higher, considering US construction) then I'll consider it money well spent.
 
Inazone said:
If a Kizer knife is truly on the same level of my ZTs and Benchmades of similar prices (or slightly higher, considering US construction) then I'll consider it money well spent.
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Honestly i probably wouldnt go that far yet. The chinese have been getting better. But even as probably one of if not thee loudest supporter of chinese produced knives i would be flat out lying if i said they were on the level with usa produced rivals. The problem i am finding is precision and tolerances. And nearly 100% of the time i wouldnt uncover these flaws until sometime after owning them. And even then i had to take them apart to figure out what was up. I still feel china has a good future in knives. But they still have a bit to go. And since i am seeing prices out of china rising quickly and matching our own i dont think they represent the value we once thought they held. And if they cant make a better folder cheaper than us i dont see too many people sticking with them if they no longer represent value. With that said of the major chinese players i believe kizer is doing the best work.
 
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I love how much scrutiny Kizer gets just because they're from China... I don't see people demanding HRCs from mid-tech and custom manufacturers, even though some (coughBRITTONcough) have proven dishonest about their usage of steels in the past.

Also, it would behoove all of us to stop referring to China and all Chinese knifemakers as if it were one organization that is "getting it together". It's a country, not a company. These are individuals at Kizer making these knives, not the entirety of China. It's ridiculous to say things like "China is stepping up their game" when it's really just one knife company. There's still a huge variance and variety of manufacturers and manufacturing prowess.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't like people giving all of the credit for their work to the entire nation of China. Kizer, and a select few people in it, made the effort. China is just where it happened.
 
It sounds like most of us are supporters a rising company and want it to succed. I do as well and will purchase their productes in the future. I will report what my experiences are like with my two Kizer samples after they arrive.
 
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