Why can I just not find a replacement for my Izula?

G

glubse

Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
146
I've been carrying this little knife on me every day for the past two years. It fits perfectly in the front pocket, you barely realize it's there because it has no handles, you can comfortably hold it in any grip and the blade size is sufficient for 99% of the everyday tasks of a knife. Not to forget the great sheath.

What I don't like about the knife is the skeletonized handle, the choil (just a design thing IMO) and it could be slightly beefier.

Have any of you found a valid replacement for it?

Thanks guys
 
Have you tried wrapping the handle with paracord? It makes one hell of a difference in how it feels in-hand.
 
Can't help you here, brother. I consider the Iz to be a perfect knife.
 
Have you taken a look at the Blackjack Necker knife? I havent heard much about it but it looks decent and comes in 154cm.
 
I've had 3 Izulas with different grips and sheaths. One has the factory micarta grips that I use with the factory sheath plus Tek-Lok. Another has custom G10 scales with matching firesteel and the other has a paracord wrapped handle that I use with either a kydex neck sheath or a leather pocket sheath. I'm not normally a big fan of cord wrapped handles but the Izula really takes to that treatment well offering a secure grip and fit nicely in a pocket. For front pocket carry I would also suggest that you consider a paracord wrap. There are many videos and photo tutorials out there that can help you do a professional job of it.

As much as I like the Izula there are some alternatives that are excellent in their own right. The Bark River Bravo Necker CPM-3V and the Fallkniven WM1 3G are two of my favorite smaller fixed blade knives about the same size as the Izula but a much higher cost.
 
glubse said:
What I don't like about the knife is the skeletonized handle, the choil (just a design thing IMO) and it could be slightly beefier.

Have any of you found a valid replacement for it?
Click to expand...

Which choil would that be - the Izula doesnt have a choil?

The handle:
Wrap your handles with paracord like mine here:

IMG_1981.jpg


Inner tube on top of paracord works for some. I tried it:

IMG_1990.jpg


Even better, get the handles. I did - its an improvement:

IMG_1972.jpg


Even better get the Izula II with scales.

Other alternatives: EskaBar and SwampRat Warden - here shown with the Izula:

EsKaBarIzulaSwamRatWarden.jpg


The Izula rocks!

IzOrig.jpg

IMG_2063.jpg
 
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are you obsessed with wrapping? because these look awesome.

By choil I mean the unsharpened area between cutting edge and finger guard, isn't that called choil? Am I really the only one who's annoyed by that? If so, it really must be me.

The only valid alternative I've found so far is the Bark River Mini Fox River, roughly the same size and now available in 3v. However, the fingers are not that well protected and it costs 4 times as much as an Izula.
 
glubse said:
are you obsessed with wrapping? because these look awesome.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Only the solo Izula pics are mine. The pic with three knives are not mine how ever - I should have stated this.
I had a paracord fase, but am over it. Paracord wrapped handles are tough on the hand, if you use the knife for hard work.
The Izula is of course not meant for splitting wood, but I had to try.
I prefer scales in any case after having used cord wrapped knives for quite some time.
Paracord also gets messy and has to be taken off often, washed and rewrapped if used on a skinning knife for example.
Its a drag, if you have to do it every time, you've used the knife. But bits and gunk gets in every where in between the strands of cord and its just not hygenic.

glubse said:
By choil I mean the unsharpened area between cutting edge and finger guard, isn't that called choil? Am I really the only one who's annoyed by that? If so, it really must be me.
Click to expand...
I would call the area where you could rest a finger forward of the ricasso/guard and before the edge starts for a choil.

I would not call the Izula a choil design. These knives have a choil:

choil3_zpse096dd1f.jpg


choil2_zpse4d8ccdd.jpg


No, you are not the only one, who dont care too much about choils. The knife community is divided on that one - like on almost evey other topic, lol.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of choils.
 
If you don't like the izula as it sits. Make one or have one made similar but to your taste . I made some in a similar style. I have never owned or held an izula but made something along those lines in a variety of patterns and sizes and handles and gave them away at Christmas. :)
0E889F50-9F68-4684-9839-058C3D13EB86-6420-0000044161F36988.jpg


11F47B43-EF15-4E8B-96E6-DF0E2682F06A-2632-000003D2C46C9AC3.jpg

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There are plenty of alternatives to the Izula. If you don't believe me, venture into the maker's market here. You will be surprised what you can get at very reaaonable prices. Production-wise, I have been looking hard at the Blackjack 155. Might be worth a look for you.
 
Spyderco Street Beat replaced my Izula for daily carry. The Izula stays on my BK2 sheath now.
 
Blackjack Necker is a great substitute for the Izula. 154CM Stainless, convex edge and clean lines. also somewhat reasonably priced. For a pricier option you can look at the BRKT Mikro Canadian II series. I have been EDC'ing this blade for almost a year now and am always amazed at how useful this little tool is. Subtle, but elegant in design. Good luck in your search.
 
I still have my Izula, but after buying a Busse Game Warden it does not get carried very much. IMHO the Game Warden is better all round. That said, it is A LOT more $$$.
For the price, the Izula is kind of untouchable.
 
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