Kizer KI5404A1 Titanium Framelock CPM-S35VN Folder

Published: 10 years ago

TO BROWSE OR BUY KIZER KNIVES ON AMAZON, SEE THE LINKS BELOW, MY TOP 6 FAVORITE KIZER KNIVES:
Ki4431T Tanto: http://goo.gl/gWtyjh
Ki4431 Drop Point: http://goo.gl/SfDD77
Ki5404A1 (The other knfie in the video): http://goo.gl/BTLPej
Ki4436 Klecker Tanto: http://goo.gl/tsHo5t
Ki3404A1 Skulls: http://goo.gl/trnz70
Ki4439: http://goo.gl/uF6xa5

Blade Length: 4.2 inches
Steel: CPM-S35VN (58-60 HRC)
Locking Mechanism: Framelock
Handle Materials: Titanium and G-10
Weight: 8.4 ounces
Made In: China
Price: $170

A lot of people requested me to check out something from this company. They sell some S35VN blades for between $120-170, depending on the size of the knife. Here is my extended report on this large folder.

Pros:

Deployment is smooth, ergonomic, and easy (with both thumbstuds and index flipper)
Lock-up is solid.
Initial sharpness is high.
The steel is very good for this price.

Cons:

A blemish on the satin finish should have been caught at the factory.
Grind near the tip was slightly uneven.
Blade centering slightly to the left.
I would prefer a simple flathead or torx pivot screw.
Multi-color finish on the titanium doesn't work for me.
The titanium lockbar does not have a steel insert.
Lanyard hole is un-tubed.

Final conclusion: This knife is certainly not perfect, but the issues are small and they are acceptable tradeoffs for this price. I feel this company will do well, as many people are fed up with the inflated prices of mid-tech knives and will therefore try out companies like this which offer the same materials for a lower price.
sovrn