Which to buy: Kizer Gemini or ZT 0900?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
5,094
I want a nice smallish titanium flipper. Both of these are high quality while not being super expensive. Which would you choose and why?
 
[table="width: 500, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]Kizer Gemini[/td]
[td]ZT 0900[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Steel[/td]
[td]S35VN[/td]
[td]S35VN[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Weight[/td]
[td]3.65 oz[/td]
[td]4.30 oz[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Blade length[/td]
[td]3.125"[/td]
[td]2.75"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Blade thickness[/td]
[td].12"[/td]
[td].16"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Handle thickness[/td]
[td].44"[/td]
[td].52"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Handle length[/td]
[td]4.125"[/td]
[td]3.875"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Price (BladeHQ)[/td]
[td]$170[/td]
[td]$192[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
Specs taken from BladeHQ

I'd pick the Kizer Gemini.

I only own one Kizer (their new G.P.B.1, which isn't a flipper) and I've owned countless ZTs (0560, 0454, 0801, 0804CF, etc). The Kizer quality is definitely on par with ZT. Some would argue the US made vs Chinese made point, but quality speaks for itself.
 
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MaxFactor said:
[table="width: 500, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]Kizer Gemini[/td]
[td]ZT 0900[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Steel[/td]
[td]S35VN[/td]
[td]S35VN[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Weight[/td]
[td]3.65 oz[/td]
[td]4.30 oz[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Blade length[/td]
[td]3.125"[/td]
[td]2.75"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Blade thickness[/td]
[td].12"[/td]
[td].16"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Handle thickness[/td]
[td].44"[/td]
[td].52"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Handle length[/td]
[td]4.125"[/td]
[td]3.875"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Price (BladeHQ)[/td]
[td]$170[/td]
[td]$192[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
Specs taken from BladeHQ

I'd pick the Kizer Gemini.

I only own one Kizer (their new G.P.B.1, which isn't a flipper) and I've owned countless ZTs (0560, 0454, 0801, 0804CF, etc). The Kizer quality is definitely on par with ZT. Some would argue the US made vs Chinese made point, but quality speaks for itself.
Click to expand...

Yeah if you are ok with supporting China you can't argue blades made over there are high qaulity for the price
 
I'd take the Gemini. If I don't have terribly strong feelings one way or the other I'll always opt for better cutting geometry. After all, what's a knife for?
 
I have a VG-10 Gemini, and the blade is very much in the Spyderco full flat ground mold. The one advantage of the 0900 is that it is 2.75" while the Gemini is 3.10". Sometimes, it is good for the blade to be under 3".
 
I have the Gemini and really like it. Looks, fit and finish, smooth operation, all get high marks. (I have no more trouble with Chinese workers feeding their families than I do with French, Italian and, of course US workers (I own knives from all) feeding theirs) I can't comment on the ZT because I never found one I wanted though there seems to be no doubt about their quality.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
I have a VG-10 Gemini, and the blade is very much in the Spyderco full flat ground mold. The one advantage of the 0900 is that it is 2.75" while the Gemini is 3.10". Sometimes, it is good for the blade to be under 3".
Click to expand...

Sounds like you already have your mind made up.

If you're trying to stick to sub-3" blades I'd recommend the Spyderco Techno or Spyderco Dragonfly 2.
 
MaxFactor said:
Sounds like you already have your mind made up.

If you're trying to stick to sub-3" blades I'd recommend the Spyderco Techno or Spyderco Dragonfly 2.
Click to expand...

I will get the Gemini. It feels much better in the hand than the 0900. My Techno will be it for my nicer small knives.
 
knives_in_nature said:
Yeah if you are ok with supporting China you can't argue blades made over there are high qaulity for the price
Click to expand...

Either way profits are going to either China or Japan. I like domestic support, which I believe is not in place for Kizer yet, so I'd go ZT as both are great blades for the $.
 
I really like the blade better on the gemini. I had 0900 for about a month and never warmed up to it.
Russ
 
Kizer Gemini TI. It's more practical with the FFG blade and classier. At $170 nothing touches it. A lot of value for your money.

  • 3.1" S35VN FFG stonewashed blade (only 0.12" thick)
  • Titanium frame lock with steel lock bar insert
  • Blue anodized hardware
  • Titanium clip
  • Titanium backspacer
  • Titanium handles with bead blast finish
  • Flipper with ceramic ball bearings
  • Under 4 ounces
 
I have both (Gemini Vanguard and ZT 0900). I just got the Gemini yesterday and I'm seriously impressed. I LOVE my ZT's and the 0900 is no exception. That said, the $80 Gemini is a steal. I'm no help here so I'll give you the usual "buy both". Honestly, you won't go wrong with either one.
 
The Gemini looks more refined overall of the two. I'd try one for free. But I have yet to buy anything there besides a tenacious.
 
Last edited:
I'm not ready for Chinese folders...not yet. Maybe some day. Yes, I love my Taichung Spydercos, but that's a different story.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
I have one already.
Click to expand...

then a zt 0450cf maybe? :D

I have both the 0450 and the 0450cf and for some reason I prefer the 0450. I'm a cf nut but I just don't like the black blade as much as the stonewashed/polished on on the 0450.
 
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