I own a LionSteel TRE G10, a Kizer Gemini (both the Bladesmith and Vanguard versions) and an original ZT0450 that I've modified with a carbon fiber scale. Let me break down each knife for you with my thoughts.
LionSteel TRE G10 is probably my least favorite knife of the three, but these are three of my favorite knives out of the ~360 folders I own. When I place this in third place, it's still better than around 325 other knives. From a materials standpoint alone, the TRE should win hands down. The M390 steel is theoretically better than the S35VN on both other knives. The G10 on the presentation scale is nicely milled to provide a bit extra needed traction. The knife fits well in hand, although I'd say it might be a bit on the small side if you have medium-large hands. The blade has a very utilitarian drop point profile with a full flat grind and a nicely rounded blade spine. It really is a remarkably executed knife...with one exception: it's not a fantastic flipper. I think when LionSteel designed the TRE they pushed the envelope of innovation, but perhaps too far. Designing a knife that can deploy by flipper or thumb disc ended up being a compromise. The G10 versions are decent flippers as they were made with fixed flipper tabs, and I understand they've improved the full, convertible TRE models...but a lightweight flipper needs to flip. There should to be a blur of blade motion followed by a satisfying lock sound. The TRE G10 is kind of a lazy flipper, unless you give it a little wrist.
The ZT0450 probably would have been in second place, maybe even third, until I made a modification to mine. As it is, it's now my favorite of the three so we'll come back to this one.
The Kizer Gemini is an incredible knife. What Kizer has done in these collaborations with American knife designers like Ray Laconico is simply amazing. The blade shape is a highly functional full flat grind on a classic drop point. I think the Kizer is probably the best slicer of the three. It definitely is THE best stock condition flipper of the three. The blade fires out and locks securely with almost mechanical precision. The sculpted Ti handle slabs fit very well in hand, in fact this would be the best option of the three if you had a larger hand; the other two would be just too small. Logically, the knife should be ranked number 1 but unfortunately I find it boring. The knife world has become so flooded with blasted or stonewash gray Ti framelocks, I almost don't want to look at any more. This knife is so excellent it deserves some special treatment: scale options, blade finishes, custom hardware...anything to change the drab appearance. The blue hardware helps a little, but not much. Everyone and their brother is using colored hardware these days. So there it is. The Kizer Gemini is the best knife of the three but loses out due to a boring and overused appearance genre. The knife screams "pimp me"...and maybe I will.
Now the enigma of the ZT0450. I got mine shortly after release and liked it quite well. When the 0450 first released, it got a fair amount of negative response. Many people had trouble deploying the blade effectively. I suspect that those people who had trouble with the blade got rid of them and moved on. This helps with the much more positive response from 0450 owners now. The handle is so slender, one must be very careful to not apply pressure to the lockbar when deploying. Some people just couldn't adapt to the modified grip, others did and came to love the knife. I only bring this up because the 0450 is a knife that can be a miss for some people. Please be forewarned if you happen to be one of those.
The slender blade profile and high (rather than full) grind make it the least effective slicer in the bunch. Nevertheless, it's still a great slicer. The narrow handle might be uncomfortable for long term cutting tasks, but it's deceptively long allowing a full four finger grip. It suffers the same, tired "Ti Framelock Flipper" look as the Gemini but only to a degree. The sweeping lines of the 0450 keep it interesting. I really liked my 0450, but I wasn't in love until I changed out the scale. I pulled the Ti presentation scale and added a matte finish CF scale. Then I replaced the clip with the deep carry clip from the 0560/0561 series and I fell in love. Swapping scales shed only a little over half an ounce, but somehow that made a huge difference in the entire feel and balance of the knife. With the deep carry clip, it disappears weightlessly in dress pants, yet can clip securely to jeans or cargo shorts. I'm not sure how it happened, but changing out the scale made the knife a BETTER flipper. It's now one of my best, better than the Gemini and equal to some of my Reates. This little ZT0450 is now one of my favorite 5 knives and I'd replace it if I ever had to.
Of course, you can pick up a ZT0450CF, but that one just doesn't do it for me. I'm almost as sick of Blackwash knives as I am of plain Ti framelock flippers! YMMV, of course but here's what I suggest...
Grab a ZT0450 from USA Made Blade. Pick one of their free, anodized models to personalize your blade. As soon as able, add a CF scale from Nyfestyles and never look back. As soon as you can after that, pick up a Kizer Vanguard Gemini if you've never tried one of their excellent offerings.
Sorry this was so long, but I had a lot to say about each of these knives!.
