Hey, everyone.
David C. Andersen here coming at you from the KnifeCenter, and today we’re taking
a look at the best EDC and tactical pocket knives that you can get from Kizer in 2019.
Let’s check ‘em out.
Although manufacturers have been turning to Chinese factories for quite some time, it
wasn’t that long ago that there weren’t any high end Chinese brands that sold their
knives in the U.S. Kizer is the brand that changed all of that, collaborating with some
of the biggest name designers in the business, and building the knives to a degree of precision
that could go toe to toe with some of the best production companies in the world.
This was the model that really kicked in the door: The Gemini, designed by Ray Laconico,
and this knife was a shot across the bow to every other maker of a titanium frame lock
flipper out there.
The Gemini is the essence of what this style of knife should be, showcasing impressive
quality, and it’s perfect for EDC.
It checks all the right boxes.
We’ve got a ball bearing pivot, a milled pocket clip, a lock bar insert with an overtravel
arrestor, and the titanium itself is nice and contoured.
It’s ready to be gripped and put to work.
This is a nice contrast to the typical flat titanium slabs you see, and it makes them
that much more comfortable and impressive to behold.
The flipper itself is perfect: Kizer uses high tech wire EDM machines to cut out their
pieces, essentially using electrical discharge to get their parts.
This method is slower than using a laser or a water jet, but the precision it allows them
to get is even higher, allowing them to achieve very tight tolerances with their knives.
The drop point shape of the blade on the Gemini is simple and classic, and we see stonewashed
S35VN here with a full flat grind, but Damasteel versions are also available.
Making this knife even more attainable, Kizer has a budget friendly line that they typically
have the word “Vanguard” in front of, and the Vanguard Gemini has G10 paired with
N690, all for less than $100.
Next up is the Sheepdog, designed by Chris Conway, which has ridden near the top of the
pocket cleaver wave ever since it was introduced, and while multiple sizes are available, the
Mini version has actually proven to be the most popular with the most variants, and even
when it’s small, the blade is still big, bad, and full of attitude.
Like the Gemini, we get a sculpted titanium frame, as well as the same type of lock bar
insert, a milled clip, et cetera.
Additionally, we get a few cutouts on the front of the frame; it removes a little bit
of weight and adds a little bit of grip, too.
The edges are nice and chamfered with no hot spots.
Like the Gemini, also, we get the option of a Damasteel or S35VN blade, as well as G10
versions with more affordable steel.
Going beyond the Gemini, we also get more colors as well, with available gold or blue
anodization.
Next up we have the Gunhammer by Darrel Ralph, and we’re getting into even more advanced
construction here.
We have options for this clip point blade, which has a straight clip and a minor amount
of recurve, but it’s a pretty subtle clip.
It almost gets into drop point territory.
Additionally, we have an option with a heavily recurved tanto blade with compound grinds:
hollow here, and flat at the front, and both of these blades feature stonewashed S35VN
steel.
Now I know I said the action on the Gemini was perfect, but somehow the Gunhammer is
even better, and I think that’s thanks to the weight of these blades.
It has an awesome, substantial feel in the hand, and a satisfying noise when you deploy
it.
The star feature, though, on this knife is the combination of machined straight lines
and arcs on the titanium, and they form a spin on a classic diamond checkered pattern,
showing precision and making them nice and grippy.
We’ve got some cool machined arcs on the pivot itself, making it look like it’s spinning,
as well as the signature Darrel Ralph hoop on the flipper tab.
Although this next model is available in high end titanium and S35VN variants, I actually
prefer the TomCat Knives designed Splinter in its affordable Vanguard version.
The slender wharncliffe blade makes it a fearsome cutter, with full-flat N690 stainless steel
with a stonewashed finish.
This blade style is good for scoring or for other cuts where you’re dragging the tip,
and regulars of this channel will know that I love a stonewashed finish, especially on
knives like this that you’re not afraid to actually use.
The natural scuff pattern means that scratches won’t stand out as much when you use this
on more abrasive material.
Cardboard immediately comes to mind.
And speaking of cardboard, the wharncliffe blade definitely shines here, because as you
move through the range of motion for your arm, the tip’s less likely to slip out of
your slice, letting you cut longer strokes to get the job done quicker.
The handles on this knife feature sculpted G10, either in black or the black and blue
that you see on this one.
We’ve got a strong liner lock and a reversible clip, making the Splinter all around a great
slender EDC.
Now, Kizer have also tried their hand at more traditional mechanisms, but they’ve put
their own modern twist on them.
To that end here, we’ve got a non-locking slipjoint: the Zipslip designed by Michael
Vagnino, a one hand opening folder that’s perfect for jurisdictions that restrict locking
mechanisms, or for those of you that prefer the simplicity of a knife with no lock.
Now, in addition to an unconventional shape for a slipjoint, I mentioned a modern twist,
and for that we get a non-moving backspacer; they call it the Ever Flush system.
Essentially, the slip joint leaf spring is held in place by the backspacer itself.
That way it never sticks up at any point during the opening or closing.
It’s nice and flush the whole time.
The walk and talk is a little on the lighter side, but it kind of needs to be to facilitate
the one-hand opening with the small blade cutout.
It still comes with one of my favorite things to see on a slipjoint, which is a stop along
its travel, but it’s a little less than a true halfway stop.
Now, that’s a nice safety measure to make sure that the blade doesn’t close too quickly,
but in addition to that, we’ve got a nice full sized finger choil here at the heel of
the blade.
Not only does this allow you to get a full four finger grip on this knife, but because
your finger’s right there, and the blade is non-locking, if it does accidentally disengage,
it’s not gonna go anywhere.
The Zipslip is also available in different price points, either with milled titanium
and S35VN steel, or the G10 version here with N690 steel.
We’ve got black, blue or orange G10 options, and they all feature a nice subtle radius
for comfort in the hand.
The last little detail that makes the Zipslip great for keeping a low profile is a true
deep-carry pocket clip for right side carry.
It rises slightly above the butt of the knife so that it’ll practically disappear until
you need to bring it out.
Speaking of disappearing, sometimes you need a nice small knife, something that won’t
scare your office mates, but you don’t want to sacrifice on quality, either.
In that case, the Nick Swan designed Microlith; a three-finger knife that doesn’t skimp
where it counts.
Now, you can probably guess that there’s a titanium handled S35VN version.
You’d be right, and it’s quite good, but I like the carbon fiber variant even better.
It’s lighter and more distinctive.
The handle has been radiused to reveal the layers, and it creates a look that you don’t
often see with this material.
You can open the blade either with the flipper, or with the thumb cutout here.
Now, it’s a little bit on the smaller side, so I find it easier to pinch with my thumb
and middle finger to get things started, and then you can finish opening with a smooth
fluid motion.
The drop point blade itself has a fuller that exits near the front of the blade, and extends
back to the cutout, and it joins there with a small step down that makes it easy to grab
the hole when opening.
Overall, it’s a really cool knife with some premium materials, and it’s small enough
that you’re not gonna be afraid to take it just about anywhere.
Now, the Microlithe shows that sometimes bigger does not always equal better, however this
next knife proves that sometimes bigger IS better, and for that we’ve got the Elijah
Isham designed Megatherium.
Now, Isham is one of the hottest designers today, and with bold designs like this, it’s
easy to see why.
This absolutely huge blade immediately makes its presence known.
Now, as expected, we’ve got S35VN steel with a titanium frame, and this model even
features carbon fiber inlays, although you can get this whole model with coordinated
black stonewashed finishes.
The blade is a bold wharncliffe, and it works well for all the reasons we talked about when
we saw the splinter earlier, but let’s be honest: this knife is a style piece first,
and that’s okay.
But if this is too big for you, the smaller Minitherium is what you’ll want to check
out.
Now, you can open the blade a couple of ways.
You can use the flipper tab here, which opens and disappears into the frame, and they call
this the Edge Below Tab system, and it kind of makes this knife a folding santoku, great
for kitchen uses too.
With the long cutout on the blade, it can also be opened with the thumb, or with the
middle finger flip if you add a bit of wrist into it.
A really cool feature we see is the subtle faceting on the titanium, which connects to
some of the points on the profile of the frame, and that’s an unexpected touch and it’s
one of those things you only really get to appreciate when you get this knife into your
hand.
With models ranging from small pocket companions to high tech workhorses to luxury conversation
starters, Kizer has proven that they can do it all.
What do you think of our list of best Kizer knives.
Did we leave anything out?
Make sure to let us know your favorite model in the comments, and in the meantime, to get
your hands on one, you can click the link in the description below to head over to KnifeCenter.com.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for our KnifeRewards program, too.
Because, as I’ve said time and again, if there’s anything better than a new knife,
it’s getting free money to spend on your next one.
I’m David C. Andersen from the KnifeCenter, signing off.
See you next time.
The star feature of this knife ho…
Knife HO!
We’ve also got some cool machining on the pocket clip, or, you know, the pivot.
We’ve got some nice motion on the pocket…
Gerrrr…
(Can’t use that.)
Nope.
Come in to the parking lot every morning, Knife HO!!