Kizer folders

[Korean Hog]

Just ordered a Kizer from ebay because they sound good, look good, and seem to have decent reviews. G10, Vg10 steel, extended tang flipper etc. has been great on other folders, but what are y'all's opinion on Kizer folders? Are they nice?

 

[Shorttime]

Kizer is doing good things, just by the fact that they are a company from China which is enlisting the help of well-known makers, and trying to do things that are original.

I purchased a Gemini, because I'm a Laconico fanboi, and my impression is positive. Fit and finish seem to be on-par with anything Kershaw is doing. Although if I were to be completely honest, it feels like they haven't quite made it to Spyderco's level.

For now, their G-10 handle knives seem to be priced about right, and the Titanium slab versions are a little overpriced. If they continue to enlist the help of prominent makers, they may be able to make a go of it.

 

[Lapedog]

I have seen that with Kizer knives they have a variety of quality. However you always seem to get a fairly good deal for what you pay for. Like their cheaper end stuff is not as high quality as their higher end stuff, but is very good for its price.

 

[evilgreg]

I like my Kizers a lot, my 4423, 3404, Gemini and Guru in particular are my most used models.

Kizer is doing good things, just by the fact that they are a company from China which is enlisting the help of well-known makers, and trying to do things that are original.

I purchased a Gemini, because I'm a Laconico fanboi, and my impression is positive. Fit and finish seem to be on-par with anything Kershaw is doing. Although if I were to be completely honest, it feels like they haven't quite made it to Spyderco's level.

For now, their G-10 handle knives seem to be priced about right, and the Titanium slab versions are a little overpriced. If they continue to enlist the help of prominent makers, they may be able to make a go of it.

I'm curious, what titanium framelock bearing flipper with superior fit and finish to a Kizer Laconico Gemini would you recommend at that price point (~$170 new)?

I have seen that with Kizer knives they have a variety of quality. However you always seem to get a fairly good deal for what you pay for. Like their cheaper end stuff is not as high quality as their higher end stuff, but is very good for its price.

That's true, but also true of most companies, isn't it? I don't expect a $40 kershaw to be as well made as a $240 ZT . . .

 

[RamZar]

Kizer has come a long way the past three years. My 3404 models had proprietary pivot, washers and no steel lock bar insert. Even those were pretty good for the $120 price.

Overall quality is good to exellent.

Since then, they've included a lot in their titanium frame lock flippers. That includes ceramic bearings & detent, steel insert for lock bar, standard torx screws and titanium clips (some sculpted).

Their Vanguard series flippers give you a lot for your money with VG-10, G-10 and liner lock for $50-$90.

Kizer has a large stable of designers from all over the world.

They also do a premium line with M390 which has gone through a lot of fine-tuning. For instance, my Mini Intrepid is one of the very best small flippers out there comparing with many at nearly twice the price.

 

[goldie]

I have 3 kizers they are great . I'm really looking forward to the new toro model,the matt diskin design.2 of my kizers are the same,the klecker model with orange g10 on top of black g10 with compound grind blade. the cutting edge of these blades is amazing,and the price was even more crazy,one was 123.00 the other 80.00 for s35vn, titanium liners, flipper.cannot recommend this brand enough, and their secondary market price can be an absolute steal considering the materials and quality.

 

[evilgreg]

Kizer has come a long way the past three years. My 3404 models had proprietary pivot, washers and no steel lock bar insert. Even those were pretty good for the $120 price.

After I flipped the clip on my 3404 it became one of my favorite small flippers. Mine flips better than any washer flipper I've ever flipped and I've flipped a Shiro 95 on washers.

If you keep mentioning that mini intrepid you're going to make me end up buying that one too, like you gradually did with this one:

 

[bikerector]

The few kizers I've had have been a good buy. I think the vanguard series is offering some good stuff for the price and their higher end stuff is pretty solid. They do seem to have a ton of ti flippers, which isn't my preferred choice but many they're popular for a reason. I really like the collabs models kizer has though I've only owned one of those so far.

 

[RamZar]

After I flipped the clip on my 3404 it became one of my favorite small flippers. Mine flips better than any washer flipper I've ever flipped and I've flipped a Shiro 95 on washers.

If you keep mentioning that mini intrepid you're going to make me end up buying that one too, like you gradually did with this one:

Both of my Kizer 3404 (3404A1 and 3404A3 for $115 not $120) have held up well and flip well on washers. My point was that Kizer listened and addressed issues like non-priprietary pivot, ceramic bearings & detent, steel lock bar insert and titanium clip.

Congrats on the Mini Bodega. I have that exact model. Expensive at $445 but I love both of my Mini Bodegas. Definitely, my favorite of all-time.

That Kizer Mini Intrepid seems very expensive for a Kizer at $253 considering Gemini TI is $170 and Guru flipper is $182. I vacillated, eventually got one and I'm so happy I did. Remember they're limited edition (mine is #235 of 500). It's so smooth in every way that you know it has been hand tuned. It has M390 instead of S35VN. It's also classy but understated. I'd say it's my second favorite after the Mini Bodegas but consider that the MB is $445 for S35VN although it has a lot of expensive milling and the Mini Intrepid is "only" $253.

 

[abbazaba]

Kizer is really doing great things right now, and I'm a big fan. The Vangaurd Intrepid I have is a great knife and an amazing value, but the Ursa Minor is still my hands down favorite (and has better action than any knife I've owned). I added machined clips to all my Ti Kizers (Ursa Minor clip on Gemini, Guru clips on both the Intrepid and Mini Intrepid):

After I flipped the clip on my 3404 it became one of my favorite small flippers. Mine flips better than any washer flipper I've ever flipped and I've flipped a Shiro 95 on washers.

If you keep mentioning that mini intrepid you're going to make me end up buying that one too, like you gradually did with this one:

Agreed about the 3404, and agreed about the peer pressure!

Oh, and apparently its all part of the master plan...

 

[evilgreg]

Both of my Kizer 3404 (3404A1 and 3404A3 for $115 not $120) have held up well and flip well on washers. My point was that Kizer listened and addressed issues like non-priprietary pivot, ceramic bearings & detent, steel lock bar insert and titanium clip.

Congrats on the Mini Bodega. I have that exact model. Expensive at $445 but I love both of my Mini Bodegas. Definitely, my favorite of all-time.

That Kizer Mini Intrepid seems very expensive for a Kizer at $253 considering Gemini TI is $170 and Guru flipper is $182. I vacillated, eventually got one and I'm so happy I did. Remember they're limited edition (mine is #235 of 500). It's so smooth in every way that you know it has been hand tuned. It has M390 instead of S35VN. It's also classy but understated. I'd say it's my second favorite after the Mini Bodegas but consider that the MB is $445 for S35VN although it has a lot of expensive milling and the Mini Intrepid is "only" $253.

Oh no argument on them advancing (and moving to my preferred clip orientation as well). I was just saying that I have literally not flipped a washer flipper that flips better than my 3404A-whatever does, and I've flipped a 95 on washers.

I'm going to have to just buy a Mini Intrepid. Thanks for making me buy the Mini Bodega, it was money well spent (it's a nicer knife than the last two customs I bought, one of which set me back over a thousand dollars). Did you notice the background of the shot? I do seriously blame you for the purchase.

 

[RamZar]

I'm going to have to just buy a Mini Intrepid. Thanks for making me buy the Mini Bodega, it was money well spent (it's a nicer knife than the last two customs I bought, one of which set me back over a thousand dollars). Did you notice the background of the shot? I do seriously blame you for the purchase.

I just noticed the background! Too funny!

The Kizer Mini Intrepid is a keeper and weighs just 3.05 ounces. First you tell yourself that $253 is way too much for a Kizer and when you get it you'll say this could easily cost twice as much. I think you also like understated knives so you'll really appreciate it.

Kizer has a few more of these limited edition Mini flippers with M390 for around $250 (Mini Dorado, Mini Flashbang, Shoal 3.0) but they either have narrow handles, recurve or in the case of the Shoal drilled holes for the clip on the presentation side!

I got my Kizer Guru due to your thread and it's a nice one. A couple of small issues. Like you mentioned the handle is too large for the blade. They could've placed the lanyard hole differently to reduce the handle length. Also, the blade stock is thicker than I like for EDC and I try to keep my 3" flippers under 4 ounces. My heaviest is Mini Bodega at 3.75 ounces and the Guru weighs 4.14 ounces.

 

[shaving sharp]

I have four or five of them. Great knives!

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

their quality is great, the only issues ive had is a few of the ones i bought had weak detents, i would ask the dealer you are ordering from to inspect the knife for you before sending it out

 

[G. Scott H.]

their quality is great, the only issues ive had is a few of the ones i bought had weak detents, i would ask the dealer you are ordering from to inspect the knife for you before sending it out

I keep hearing about the weak detents, which is what's kept me away. I like a lot of their designs, but I can't adequately put into words how much I loathe weak detents. I wonder if the detent issue is just hit-or-miss across the board, or does it tend to exist only in particular models?

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

I keep hearing about the weak detents, which is what's kept me away. I like a lot of their designs, but I can't adequately put into words how much I loathe weak detents. I wonder if the detent issue is just hit-or-miss across the board, or does it tend to exist only in particular models?

yeah i hate weak detents too, i hope kizer looks into this because the knives are otherwise really high quality, just as good as ZT or any other popular american brand and they employ lots of american designers. if you like a particular model just contact the dealer before you buy and ask him if he can make sure to send you one with a good detent or to check if all the ones in stock are like that. i have 5 kizer knives, 2 of them had the detent problem, one of them was so weak it was almost non-existant on the particular one i received. the knife would easily fly out the handle.

im personally really looking forward to the upcoming kizer diskin though, will make sure to get one of those with perfect lockup, no play, and strong detent

 

[BadMotherFlipper]

I just noticed the background! Too funny!

The Kizer Mini Intrepid is a keeper and weighs just 3.05 ounces. First you tell yourself that $253 is way too much for a Kizer and when you get it you'll say this could easily cost twice as much. I think you also like understated knives so you'll really appreciate it.

Kizer has a few more of these limited edition Mini flippers with M390 for around $250 (Mini Dorado, Mini Flashbang, Shoal 3.0) but they either have narrow handles, recurve or in the case of the Shoal drilled holes for the clip on the presentation side!

I got my Kizer Guru due to your thread and it's a nice one. A couple of small issues. Like you mentioned the handle is too large for the blade. They could've placed the lanyard hole differently to reduce the handle length. Also, the blade stock is thicker than I like for EDC and I try to keep my 3" flippers under 4 ounces. My heaviest is Mini Bodega at 3.75 ounces and the Guru weighs 4.14 ounces.

We seem to have similar taste in EDC's
I have many Kizer knives in my collection (all under $200 so far) and my Gemini is my favorite. Hands Down! For me, The perfect knife would have a blade between 3.0" and 3.25" and weigh under 3.5oz.
My next purchase will be a KIZER Ursa Minor. I like the Clip Point style blade over the Drop Point of the Gemini.
If Kizer would make the same knife with a Tanto style blade I might just drool all aver myself.

 

[GatorFlash1]

I bought a couple. The fit and finish and S35vn blade are good. The styling on some is very creative. These are all over 4" in blade length with a style that is good for dressing game. The price was very reasonable for such quality, IMHO. That said, my edc is a Gayle Bradley Ver. 1. and in the same price range.,

 

[Armadew]

The Kizer Nomad it one of my favorite recent purchases. Great knife. It isn't as snappy as some of my best flippers, but better than others.

 

[GatorFlash1]

The Kizer Nomad it one of my favorite recent purchases. Great knife. It isn't as snappy as some of my best flippers, but better than others.

I noticed you live in Switzerland. Is the Kizer brand or other Chinese branded knives respected there? What are the popular Swiss knife brands that knife knuts buy, other than Victorinox Swiss Army?