- Joined
- Aug 13, 2012
- Messages
- 783
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I found zero reviews on this knife and wanted to give my initial impressions as far as I am concerned I am the only one who has bought it
Packaging was very nice and the pouch the knife comes with is cool, I can seem multiple uses for it and its good quality.
Knife is pretty light weight for how thick the blade stock is and how large the blade shape is. I was attracted to this knife because I really wanted a RADknives butcher but they start at $1500 and the wait is insane. I figured this has similar styles and materials with the cool hole cut out and would curb my urge for that a RADknives knife. If your not familiar check them out of instagram.
Pros:
The handle has Chinese characters on it that aside from being a bit different aesthetic give that scale very good traction. The scales have very fine lines that don't get picked up in photos which also slightly aid in a better grip.
The ergonomics are nice and it fits my large hands well in multiple grips. Its also pretty thin when compared to how thick the blade stock is which I appreciate. It keep bulk in the pocket down by a lot.
Thumb stud deployment is great and it flys open. Huge plus+++ unlike most frame locks I own (zt). Pushing on the lock bar and opening the knife does not hinder its deployment much if any at all. You can still easily flick it open with a thumb or flipper.
Blade shape is fun and not what I would suggest to someone looking for their first or second knife. But as a collector its very cool and I think its worth having due to its pretty different style.
Clip: I like the clip, be better if it was deep carry but its different and a fun design.
Cons:
Frame and lock bar are sharp in hand. They are radiused and at first dont hurt but, after playing with the knife for a while I find it digs into the hangs. Flipping the knife open pushes the finger into the spine and unlock in the knife ends up putting a decent amount of pressure on a very thin peice of metal causing some discomfort.
Flipper: Its not the best flipper I own or the worst but I had expect more honestly. I would say it flips as well as a zt560 which IMO is a 5 out of 10 on the flipper scale. There is almost no detente and the knife can be flicked open by a quick wrist flick. I dont think it would open in your pocket but, detente should be stoner and it should vastly improve flipping.
Sharpness: Knife was not very sharp and couldn't shave hair with it which for a $188 knife I expect it to be very sharp. I can get a $25 knife that's razor sharp out of box, I see no excuse why this is not sharper.
Lock stick: This has no steel insert like many other Kizer models and I dont believe the end of the lock tab is hardened as I do get lock sick. Actually using the knife does cause minimal lock stick. Nothing drastic but kinda annoying. I cut a piece of cheese btw. Not like I was bearing down hard into some double layer cardboard or hard plastic which I would expect it to stick. But a piece of extra Sharpe cheddar should cause a lock to stick.
Lockup: Its decent but its also brand new. It doesn't have a sharp CLICK that most of my framelocks have. It almost feels the ends was slightly rounded giving a smoother feeling of lock up.
I may return the knife if the lock stick gets any worse. I understand its a Ti lock but, for $188 I expect it to work correctly as I can get most other knives in that price range to not have those issues.
