Kizer 2016 new item-ESCORT(ki4481)-Dirk Pinkerton is ready!!!

Matt N said:
Just received my Escort... Nice knife, but it has a really weak detent. Barely flips and I can shake the blade out of the handle. Anyone else get one yet? How's your detent?
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Same here, I liked the look and it reminds me of the AG Russell Acies, so I picked one up and the detent is way too weak. Shakes out easy. I can flip it because, I'm used to Hinderer knives and you have to roll flip them out. But, the detent on this Escort is too weak for a bearing knife. Nice knife for 150, but come on a bearing flipper should have a detent that loads up, not a soft flipper you must roll to open fully.
 
I returned the first Escort that I received. The replacement has a better detent and I can't shake the blade out of this one, but in my opinion detent is still too weak. It will flip without wrist action, but you really have to pay attention to how you hit the flipper.
I also own a Kizer Splinter and it has lock slip from new. I defiantly won't be buying anymore Kizer knives. The quality just doesn't seem to be there...
 
The clip has absolutely zero retention also. I'd never trust it to hold the knife in my pocket. I bought this to check out Kizer and imo they are not in the same league as Reate at all.
 
jill jackson said:
I bought this to check out Kizer and imo they are not in the same league as Reate at all.
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The average Kizer price is probably a little over $100. The Escort can be found for right at $140. Current releases from Reate are $300 to $400. The price points should clearly indicate that they're not in the same league at all. You're picking the wrong point of reference.

I think there may have been a little slippage on the fit and finish of some Kizers; possibly due to a very aggressive release schedule. When you compare them against a comparable product field though, they still generally win out on value and quality comparisons. Check out the $50 Vigor V3 see how it stacks up against other $50 knives.
 
They aren't in the same league as my Reates which cost, 140 for the Hills and 179 for the Horizon B. I don't own any other Reates. Very disappointed in a bearing flipper with almost no detent.
 
jill jackson said:
They aren't in the same league as my Reates which cost, 140 for the Hills and 179 for the Horizon B. I don't own any other Reates. Very disappointed in a bearing flipper with almost no detent.
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Yes, the Hills continues to be an incredible value knife even at the current price of $170, but Hills are limited to current stock on hand and most of those available are the last iteration with the dark handle. There hasn't been a $179 Horizon since the B was released almost 3 years ago and the B has long since been unavailable. Horizons are now $260-$400. At the same time we could get a Horizon for $179, I was buying Kizers for $89. Try to keep all things in perspective.

I agree with you. Reate is a better knife than Kizer, but your point of reference is askew. Both brands came on the scene at about the same time with "look at me" pricing, but those pricepoints were significantly different.

Maybe consider exchanging the knife rather than judging an entire brand from a single specimen?
 
I would suggest buying from GP Knives and leaving a comment asking them to check the detent strength before shipment. I did a similar thing once and they actually called me to confirm it and allowed me to ask a number of questions about the knife.
 
I eagerly awaited the Escort's release and hoped that the one or two early reports of such weak detent were just a coincidence. Sort of thinking I should pass entirely, considering that this seems to be a universal issue or nearly so. Has anyone received an escort with reasonably strong or at least acceptable detent on the first try?
 
The Escort has been out for a while now. I got one of the very early ones and I found the detent to be a little weak but acceptable. It's kind of "Hinderish" where you can learn a technique that doesn't really require a wrist flick, but you have to kind of direct inertia. My detent is certainly strong enough to keep the blade in the handle. I do wish the detent was a little stronger, as that would make it a better flipper, but it's certainly functional as is. People pay a lot more money for knives with a worse detent.

My issue with the Escort was it fell apart after just a little use. All the screws seemed to loosen up, including the pivot, allowing the blade to go off center. I disassembled the entire knife and reassembled with a little loctite and it's been fine ever since.

I think Kizer might be overly ambitious to roll out a bunch of new knives. My Escort is the second recent Kizer I've bought that didn't seem to have been tightened up on the assembly line.
 
I can flip mine just fine, by a follow through method where your finger makes a following motion as the flipper tab moves. Much like a Hinderer. The rest of my bearing flippers load up and pop suddenly. The lock is solid, easy to release and the edge is even on both sides. Fit and finish are very good. I won't be bothering with exchanging it. Overall it's pretty good, besides the detent and the clip.
 
This is good information to have. The few I have had go through my hands seemed to be fine. I will be ordering more and will check them closely. This isn't a difficult issue to fix. Slight adjustment on setting the detent bearing is all.

Hackenslash, that is a troublesome thing to hear. I will make sure to pass that on. I met with the Kizer crew at Blade and the owner was very concerned that his company is producing a quality product. It was emphasized in no uncertain terms, they want to know what the problems are so they can be fixed and eliminated.
 
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I guess it just reinforces the reason to go through a reputable dealer that can either check out the knife before it ships or has a no-hassle return policy if there is an issue. I won't write the Escort off just yet, but am hoping a few more positive reviews come in before I order.
 
I worry less about a knife that arrives "loose" but can be fixed than one that comes in "tight" and can't be fixed. I still love my Escort and Rogue...don't have the Nomad yet, but the day ain't over!
 
Just arrived home from Blade Show and checking in on this forum I noticed the remarks about the detent. I have a couple of them in stock and decided to check 'm out.
The detents are pretty consistent but indeed not very strong. It flips "okay" (no wrist flick required) with the "push-button" method but also "light-switch" when you pay attention to put in the required speed. It is possible to shake the blade out of the handle but only with the right technique (holding the knife with the tip up und swinging it downward fast and then pull up abruptly when halfway down).
I will try tomorrow to put in a bit more pre-tension on the lockbar and see if that helps.

@ Dirk; it was great meeting you in person at Blade!

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It was really great to meet you as well! I really enjoyed talking to you! I hope to see you at Blade 17. Maybe sooner.

Thank you for checking the knives you have in stock. Thiso makes it more than just a few. This will be at the top of the list in my next conversation with Kizer.
 
I have just ordered an Escort. I will check the screws and the detent and make a brief comment here when I get the knife. I recently received another Kizer knife and am happy with it.

Hey Dirk, I have a knife of your design from a different maker with a similar blade shape to the Rogue. It seems as if you like that blade shape. It is a handy knife to have.

Take care
Anthony
 
anttttt said:
I have just ordered an Escort. I will check the screws and the detent and make a brief comment here when I get the knife. I recently received another Kizer knife and am happy with it.

Hey Dirk, I have a knife of your design from a different maker with a similar blade shape to the Rogue. It seems as if you like that blade shape. It is a handy knife to have.

Take care
Anthony
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:cool::thumbup:
 
My Escort arrived today. It is very nicely packaged with a pouch and a Kizer branded cloth. It is sharp and the screws are tight. The detent is acceptable but if I give the knife a downward flick I can open the knife without the flipper. The flipper works ok.
The stop pin does seem a little small for the gap between the scales is a little wide because of the width of the blade but I assume that Dirk has thought that the pin is an acceptable size.
The knife is a very handy size. I like the black blade. The ball bearings sound a little gritty but the knife opens smoothly.

Overall I like the knife.

Anthony
 
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