Update Versions of Rogue, Escort and Nomad designed by Dirk Pinkerton

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After discussing with Dirk, we reached an agreement to update his three designs, Rogue, Escort and Nomad. Now they come out after a few months of production. Let's take a closer look at them and learn some of the modifications.

First is the Rogue(Ki3480):
1. Add chamfer relief to the finger notch to get access to the lock bar more easily.
Update version:

Previous version:

2.Use the same pocket clip on Escort and change clip position to tip up and tip down lockside.

3.Change flat grind to hollow grind.

4.Change blade profile. Remove concave radius on forward section of spine and make straight.




Escort(Ki4481):
1. Blade sharpening choil/notch reduced in size.
2.Finger notch radius reduced on non lock side for improved access to the lockbar.

3. The shape of the flipper has been changed, the update one is without jimping.
Update version:

Previous version:




Nomad(Ki4482):
1.The milled scallop around the handle are changed, see the attached photos for the changes.
Update:

Previous:

2. Chamfer Conners/shoulders around handle that don't have scallop pattern.
3. Make pocket clip position to tip up and tip down and change the design of the pocket clip.

4.Hanlde finishes have been changed. Nomad in this run will has two handle finishes, one is stonwashed and then bead blasted, the other version is flame anodized.
Bead blasted:

Flame anodized:
 
Sounds nice though my only issue with my rogue was the fact that the edge was not straight from the factory. Th tip was noticeably raised.
Still nice to see that you constantly update your designs.

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I really like the changes, especially to the Escort. Jimping on a flipper is often useless IMO, as is a large sharpening choil that is not a finger choil. The new version looks great!

One comment: I like (and prefer) fold over deep carry clips, but sometimes they are difficult to use because the button head screws catch on hemmed part of the pocket, or don't allow full use of the clip. Using countersunk flat head screws fixes this. This may be out of the scope of your control, but I think everyone would benefit from this practice.
 
Thank you for the update.
My only gripe remains that decorative pivot pin on the Escort. Looks great on less tool-ish looking knives like the Gemini & even the Nomad, but seems out of place on the black & matte gray Escort. The Escort should have just a plain matte or brushed pivot.
And that's all I have to say about that.
I'll probably still buy the Escort, but think about the decorative pivot issue...I know I'm not the only one who's mentioned this.
 
I have been playing with the samples I received and I am very pleased!

The Nomad is flat out awesome! I re positioned the flipper and changed the angle a bit and it works beautifully! I changed the milling around the edge of the handle a bit. The first version reminded me too much of a pie crust. The relief for the finger notch is a bit more comfortable. The clip is now tip up or tip down and lets the knife ride deeper in the pocket. The clip isn't a work of art. Sorry about that. I am still trying to work up a good looking and functional clip for the Nomad.

The Rogue received less changes but noticeable. The relief for thumb stud access was something I heard from several people. I made it tip up or tip down with a longer clip. I had a hard time indexing the smaller clip and getting a good grip on it for a good draw out of the pocket. I changed the lock a bit. Also, it is hollow ground now. Much easier to get scary sharp. As to the edge not being straight....Making a straight edge knife is more challenging than people think. Especially in a production setting. We will get it sorted.

The Escort had the fewest changes. The biggest being the change to a hollow grind. The change in the finger notch is subtle but it did help. We didn't get the stone wash blade option done this time through. I believe I go that rolling too late in the process. Also, I had been thinking about a plain pivot and just completely forgot to add to the list.

I think we have some great knives here! Hopefully, on a future run we can address any little issues, stone wash blade option, plain pivot screw, etc.
 
Dirk,

I just received the original version of the Escort. I had planned to buy it for a while, but with the new version coming I pulled the trigger on the old one to make sure I got the flat ground blade. Almost all of Kizer's knives are hollow grind, I think it is a mistake to go that route with your knife as it loses its differentiation factor.

On the knife itself, I have only had it a short time, but it might be the best value premium knife I own. I have three Kizers (numerous other premium knives such as hogue, zt, lone wolf, bm, etc). All three of the kizers follow the same format, 3.5-4 inch blade, s35vn, titanium handles, large pocket knives.

Comparing the Escort to the Ki401b1, your knife is just simply better designed. These two knives are the same price, have the same blade length and similar cutting edge length. The Ki401b1 has textured titanium, thumb stud, and minor recurve blade. The Escort, is simpler, has better jimping (in fact the jimping on the flipper of the k1401b1 is just bad), steel insert, thicker titanium slabs, and blade coating. Ignoring the blade coating (to me that is take it or leave it), the Escort in my mind is the better knife. Smaller handle for the same blade length makes it a bit easier to carry.

Comparing the Escort to the Laconico Intrepid, the knives again are very similar. Both are flippers only, same materials, steel insert, etc. There are four main differences: blade shape harpoon vs drop point and hollow vs flat, blade coating, cost (intrepid is $60ish more, basically a cold steel lawman in difference), handle contours. The area where I think the Intrepid has the advantage is in the handles. They are just smoother and more "rounded". Not that the Escort has rough handles, but imo the slabs are a bit thick. This could be an even easier carry knife but still robust with 15% thinner handles.

Overall I think the knife is excellent and probably usurps the aluminum handle hogue ex-01 as the best buy for a premium knife that is still current that I have experienced. Congratulations on a well designed knife and to Kizer for excellent execution.
 
Rogue looks great!
Nomad is beautiful, but I still wish it was not a flipper. Can't please everyone of course :) Still love the lines.
 
I love my old Rogue, but this new one is calling me! Really like the new blade shape, and a hollow grind really appeals to me given the thickness of the blade stock.
 
Agartha Audio said:
I love my old Rogue, but this new one is calling me! Really like the new blade shape, and a hollow grind really appeals to me given the thickness of the blade stock.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I love both, but my eye tends to gravitate to the new blade and it spends more time in my pocket than the other.
 
Hey Dirk!! Glad to see the updates to your awesome designs!!
I've had a Nomad for quite some time now and mentioned my 2 slight gripes a while ago. Detent is a bit on the light side and there is no cut out to access the lock bar. It's uncomfortable to unlock.
Were either of them addressed??
Other than those 2 things, awesome knife!!!!
Joe
 
The Rogue and Escort have been on my radar for a while. I really like these changes, especially to the Rogue. The only issue I have is, like previously stated, the designer pivot. They just look too busy for these utilitarian models.

Any chance of posting the dimensions of the hardware so we could possibly source an alternative?
 
TurboSlaab said:
The Rogue and Escort have been on my radar for a while. I really like these changes, especially to the Rogue. The only issue I have is, like previously stated, the designer pivot. They just look too busy for these utilitarian models.

Any chance of posting the dimensions of the hardware so we could possibly source an alternative?
Click to expand...

I will get some measurments.
 
palonej said:
Hey Dirk!! Glad to see the updates to your awesome designs!!
I've had a Nomad for quite some time now and mentioned my 2 slight gripes a while ago. Detent is a bit on the light side and there is no cut out to access the lock bar. It's uncomfortable to unlock.
Were either of them addressed??
Other than those 2 things, awesome knife!!!!
Joe
Click to expand...

Thanks! The detent is much improved and the flipper is just the way I wanted it. If you look at the back of the fingernotch there is a "flared" area that permits easy access to the lock. I have been playing with my samples and it works great.
 
The updated knives look hot! Great job on listening to the customer's concerns and doing something about it!
 
got one of these nomads coming my way. be my first of this brand. im looking forward to it. hope the extreme quality i read about is there.
 
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