Tim Britton: The Full Story?

[Fire_Brand]

Unfortunately not, the Tango typically is just the knife in question but it appears that the T10 Mongoose is also a Kizer just looking at it. I don't know the exact model but it looks very similar to a Ki412 variant. A lot of their older models have been discontinued (such as the one that was the closest match to the Tango), that may be the case here as well.

I honestly believe you that it is a wonderful knife, Kizer makes great knives from the start and then if you have the added bonus of someone pimping it and putting in roller bearings that should improve the action even more. Really when you consider the work it takes to make some of these additions the prices he charges are still slightly high, but not outrageous. The bigger issue I personally take with Tim is that he doesn't just admit to pimping knives from China and instead tries to smear Kizer accusing them of making fakes when they are an excellent company working hard to make a good name for themselves.

I went back and re-read some of the old threads where this issue was randomly brought up then debated and found an interesting quote from Tim:

Folks never showed up....just too small an issue for ICE. Only way that copyright or patent issue could be pursued is via lawsuit, hiring an attorney in CHINA. Not that big a thing for me at this point. I'm doing what Chris Reeve, Rick Hinderer, Mick Strider, etc. have done....just keep focused on my own work. Look at my T-10 when you get a chance.....wonder how long before they ripoff this one too ?? My life goes on.....and I have a few more designs to make. Take care.

This was posted in March of 2014 and released around that time yet the Ki412 variant was available long before this. I don't think he ever counted on one of his Chinese manufacturers becoming well known and exposing him, but here he can already see the writing on the wall and is hoping that accusing Kizer of stealing a design as it is being released will help his case. You could say that the T-10 Mongoose isn't an "exact" copy and is just coincidentally the same, but boy is it quite a coincidence...

For those of you that are interested the three threads I was looking at are:
Tim's first time crying wolf.

A thread on Kizer when they were just starting full production (lots of good discussion from Tim and Kizer)

and finally

Another thread that tried to uncover the truth
This last thread has the article from everyday commentary and a few emails from Shane Sibert.

Sorry if I'm repeating some content, my thought is to have a sort of "mega-thread" that contains the different evidence fueling these discussions around the forum so that it is accessible in one place. I've also emailed Kizer asking them to weigh in on this thread if possible.

 

[d00mtr33]

I donf know if they were at blade of 201w or not but I will say this. I bought a Kizer knife on Ebay some time in August of 2012. It was stated as having s35vn at 60-62 hrc (I never tested it but it was one of the best s35vn blades I had except Microtech in edge retention) and it was makred as a prototype(they had 2 other knives up for sale at the same time). I contacted the seller since the English wasn't great and trying to offer a lower price since it wa$ 180 obo and it had a "made in china" on the back of the knife when i thought it wad a US made knife (I later found out they were refering to the steel as being US made, lost in translation). The seller told me these knives are made in China using US steel and lots of machining is put into them and they will be coming out soon at price of $200 and up. When I got the knife it had the old Kizer logo and "made in china" was stamped on it instead of a sticker plus it had no box, just wrapped in paper. It was a really nice knife, had one of the best lock ups ive seen in a sub $500 folder. It came at 20% and after a year and a half of constant flipping (you know what talking about) it was still at the exact same spot. After I polished the washers and added froglube it was one of the best flippers I ever had, barely beat out by bodega field grade on ceramic bearings and Thorburn customs on ikbs. I eventually sold the knife to my friend and I kinda regret it seeming it a piece of knife history (although not a positive one at that) p, ys it was just good knife. I gac 2 other kizer framelocks and their lock up was just as great, rock solid and cant push the lockbar over.

Again I can't say Kizer was at Blade 2012 or what happened there, all I can say is I bought a Kizer knife on Ebay in August of 2012 before I heard anything about the company. As far as Tim goes, between the Kizer mess and especially the stunt with Sibert, im amazed hes still selling knives.

I have no reason or desire to defend Mr, Britton or to give the appearance of doing so. It certainly sounds like he is all those things. However, since I did attend Blade in 2012, I dug around a bit on my computer and found a copy of the Exhibitor List. Kizer is not on it. I suppose they could have been a last minute addition, or had someone else representing them, but otherwise I'm afraid they're mistaken.

 

[blademaker2]

My friends at a major cutlery company sent me a copy of an email from China, offering my T-10 at around $50, not from Kizer but from another company. Is there no end to this ?? Seibert"s reaction to my making a design similar to one of his knives reminds me of a rotten child jumping up and down screaming. My knives have been ripped off by the best and I've taken this as a compliment. Most of us at some time have duplicated Bob Loveless deigns....so ? I'm trying to figure how to attach a photo, of a knife by Felhoelter.....maybe Siebert had a tantrum cause he was influenced by someone else's work and got HIS hand caught in the cookie jar ??? I heard that Iwas expelled for life from the USN website I don't know a knifemaker who isn't influenced by some else's designs
Just for you KIZER lovers out there, I'd be happy to send pictures of Kizer's ripoffs of Hinderer, Strider and Chris Reeve. I saw a perfect replica of a Medford Praetorian(sp), bought it at a gunshow for $50. There was a K in a circle on the obverse side of the blade....this was one of their early marks. I won't spend much time on any forum. If you want to visit my shop or communicate with please do it. Bye for now

 

[HappilyGrim]

My friends at a major cutlery company sent me a copy of an email from China, offering my T-10 at around $50, not from Kizer but from another company. Is there no end to this ?? Seibert"s reaction to my making a design similar to one of his knives reminds me of a rotten child jumping up and down screaming. My knives have been ripped off by the best and I've taken this as a compliment. Most of us at some time have duplicated Bob Loveless deigns....so ? I'm trying to figure how to attach a photo, of a knife by Felhoelter.....maybe Siebert had a tantrum cause he was influenced by someone else's work and got HIS hand caught in the cookie jar ??? I heard that Iwas expelled for life from the USN website I don't know a knifemaker who isn't influenced by some else's designs
Just for you KIZER lovers out there, I'd be happy to send pictures of Kizer's ripoffs of Hinderer, Strider and Chris Reeve. I saw a perfect replica of a Medford Praetorian(sp), bought it at a gunshow for $50. There was a K in a circle on the obverse side of the blade....this was one of their early marks. I won't spend much time on any forum. If you want to visit my shop or communicate with please do it. Bye for now

I don't say this often... but.. I'm pretty sure you're clinically insane...

Or at the very least have narcissistic personality disorder. Here's a definition for you:

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you're not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.

Definition courtesy of Mayo Clinic

 

[JohnWE]

My friends at a major cutlery company sent me a copy of an email from China, offering my T-10 at around $50, not from Kizer but from another company. Is there no end to this ?? Seibert"s reaction to my making a design similar to one of his knives reminds me of a rotten child jumping up and down screaming. My knives have been ripped off by the best and I've taken this as a compliment. Most of us at some time have duplicated Bob Loveless deigns....so ? I'm trying to figure how to attach a photo, of a knife by Felhoelter.....maybe Siebert had a tantrum cause he was influenced by someone else's work and got HIS hand caught in the cookie jar ??? I heard that Iwas expelled for life from the USN website I don't know a knifemaker who isn't influenced by some else's designs
Just for you KIZER lovers out there, I'd be happy to send pictures of Kizer's ripoffs of Hinderer, Strider and Chris Reeve. I saw a perfect replica of a Medford Praetorian(sp), bought it at a gunshow for $50. There was a K in a circle on the obverse side of the blade....this was one of their early marks. I won't spend much time on any forum. If you want to visit my shop or communicate with please do it. Bye for now

You need to start digging up.

 

[RevDevil]

How about we leave the psychiatric diagnostics out of this. Once more, a thread that could have been avoided by a thorough search seeing as there was so much enthusiasm by the OP to begin with ended up in the toilet. Seems like some people do this kind of thing on purpose to get a rise out of as many people as possible.