The Kizer Ray Laconico Gemini Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ม.ค. 2016
- The Kizer Gemini, designed by Ray Laconico, is a beautifully produced and technically excellent knife, with an incredible action for a $170 knife. But, at least for me, it's let down by poor ergonomics, a weird blade and clip, and a few other aspects of the design.
If you love the look and shape of it, then pick one up, and enjoy the technical excellence and action. But if the design leaves you cold, I'd hold off and wait, because it's clear that Kizer's just getting started, and their next round of designs are probably going to blow us away.
Kizer has upgraded this knife with a milled pocket clip that matches the simple elegance of the rest of the design. They've also come out with a mirror-image lefty model. I've wanted a good left-handed frame lock flipper but didn't want to shell out the bucks for a Sebenza.
I got the lefty version and I love it. Function is perfect and I appreciate the minimalist design. The only thing on the knife that isn't purely functional is the milling on the pivot. I flip it while I'm meditating.
I just got the lefty PM2, love it. This knife will he my next purchase if anyone ever gets them back in stock!! Really want a lefty framelock.
I came here to say that about the clip. I have the copper scale version I bought from Amazon and it’s got the steel clip designed exactly like this one. I would prefer one of the newer titanium clips, may try to find one, I like the pivot screw also, as the copper one came with a plain smooth one.
I think this must be one of the earliest Nick reviews I've seen. For a second he was dropping character, but I guess this was kinda before the Nick I know came to be. It's interesting to hear. I like both.
Wow.. a norseman for $560.. today they go from factory for 900+, and over 1000 secondary 😶
I got my norseman like 4 years ago and im sad because they won't make a left hander version...gonna send me over to Kiser for a tool that suits my needs
To those watching in 2020 the knife now comes standard with a milled titanium pocket clip. Looks pretty good too.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....to me? This knife is gorgeous.
Hey Nick!!
Recently picked up 2 Kizers......a Nomad and a Corto.......they are getting MUCH better!!
I really like the design but I get the feeling my detent is a bit weak. I have to really push down before I flip, otherwise it won't open. I am not used to that from my ZT knives. If you tell me that's normal ok, but if not I gotta do something fast.
I love Laconico's designs for their simplicity. The design is really the only reason I'm interested in this knife. If I was looking at build quality, materials, warranty, and price I'd go with the Mantra without a doubt.
In my brief experience, NOTHING in the same price range, and very little above it exceeds Kizer quality, in terms of design, engineering and manufacturing. I’ve returned more knives in the $300-$600 price range, for fatal defects, than any Kizer knife at 1/2 or 1/4 the price. And I like some of the designs very much! There is always SOMETHING that could stand improvement, in SOMEBODY’S opinion, no matter how good it is. I choose good knives, most of the time, and then I like to just enjoy them, mostly, without dwelling too much on their perceived defects!
Hey Nick how did you get that pre production model i love mine!
Let us know if you find an alternative for the pocket clip. I agree the stock clip is lacking.
Detention is wicked strong on mine,to strong. Any way to loosen it? Do you have a vid of disassembly?
great vid! but I disagree : I love the design, even the handle. keep it up
Hey Nick,
Have you considered reviewing the Kizer Ursa Minor? It seems to have built on the good things from the Gemini and addressed some if the weaknesses you've pointed out here.
(better pocket clip, more interesting blade shape / thumb ramp which improves ergonomics + perhaps even better calibrated flipping action with a slightly heavier blade)
Thank you for all of your videos, by the way - it's always a pleasure!
+officialandproper Nope, I haven't. But I'd like to. Kizer comes out with so many models that it's hard to decide which, if any, to check out.
Man, really love Laconico's EZC knife. Wonder if Kizer will ever do an affordable version of it? Anyone know?
3 years later kizer came out with a production Gemini did you pick one up?
Looks like the clip is upgraded now?
I'm having a little trouble with my Vanguard Gemini (a way better deal at only $80, if you ask me), and I was wondering if I could get some help. I've had it for a couple of months and the action was always pretty damn smooth until about a week ago. It felt like there was a lot more friction, so I took it apart and cleaned it, and it solved nothing. I'm thinking it might just need some lubrication, but I was wondering if there happens to be anything else I can do to get it flipping smoothly again, short of shelling out some cash for nano-oil?
Jason Blocklove put a tiny drop of lube on the detent ball. You would be surprised how much friction can be caused by the detent. Just put a tiny bit because if you over-do it, you can get lube on the lockface which can cause lock stick. Good luck!
I’ve been beating on my Gemini daily at work for five years. Still hasn’t needed a sharpening. Just bought another one today to carry in my civvies. My favourite EDC.
I love to see comments like this. The Gemini with copper scales was one of my first Kizers, and it’s got an N690 blade. Obviously it doesn’t hold an edge like S35VN, but it’s so easy to sharpen. The copper one being under $100 , I started carrying it more often because it’s a cheaper version and I have a thing for copper. Over the last 2 years, I’ve carried it more than any other Kizer, so it’s grown on me even more. It’s my number one favorite Kizer to carry now, even though I have some nicer ones. That being said, I do have one of the last titanium S35VN Sheepdogs on the way, it’s gonna be my first sheepdog, but may take this guy’s place we’ll see.
If you ever think the knife manufacturer doesn't listen to you just had this knife delivered and they put a contoured titanium contoured pocket clip on it that was your doing I'm sure great video ty sir
you can't dig on them for stupid knife laws that change over tiime.. especially when they're not a American company.. simple design = useful design IMHO..thanks for the review..
jim yocum yes you can blame them. They should be doing market research especially because it's an American designer
Contoured scales are not cheap, and they’ve done it here for $175.” Well, the truth is, that exact same shape, and blade, can be has in copper for $95. Now it will be a liner lock, which I prefer. The clip doesn’t bother me. The Gemini’s are the most perfect knives I know, especially given the price. This review is 7 years old. Maybe the knives have improved? I LOVE this knife!
You think this is ugly? You're crazy. It's a great design.
Glad I went with the Reate Dark Hills over this. While the Dark Hills is pretty thick, and seemingly a lot bigger, it has few flaws in design, fit or finish. Though it does have an up-sweep and the tip isn't exactly a Paramilitary 2.
Also it's too thick to stand up used paper towel tubes and cut them in half free standing like with a Paramilitary 2 for example.
+Maxwell Super (Atomedge Sharpening) I badly want Reate to make a knife that's not ungodly huge, so I can get a sense of their work. And you're gonna have a tough time finding a better beefy slicer than the PM2.
To me, this is the best gentleman's knife and office carry knife. Of course, that's coming from a place where knife legality isn't dependent on blade length or blade locking.
Four years later and the Kizer Gemini is still for sale.
Discontinued soon though, I hear
@@floydpots Just purchased a new release exclusive button lock, deep carry clip, S4V model so nope.
It's gotten even better
Yes, the design is simple-- but that is what allows the knife to have custom quality in a production price point. If it had intricate details it would be more expensive. And who cares if it's made in China if it has paralleled quality to a US made knife. Let's not kid ourselves-- if Benchmade made this knife it would easily sit above $200.
i bought mine from someone selling them here in the USA so im still putting my money back. we all can make money together. I hate buying things overseas though.
It's called the ti monolock, and it costs more than a sebenza
Eric P kizer buys most of the steel they use on their knives from the U.S.
Caleb Hunter this would be about 350 if it twas a benchmade
I have a custom Kizer Gemini. Fully anodized titanium and milled pocket clip. The blade has been reprofiled into a harpoon. My first kizer and the quality out trumps my Spydie and Benchmade.
I personally think that the stock knife looks better than this particular version..one mans thought.
is it still available??
i am interested...$$$?
+Gevork Katrandzhyan Nope! Sold within a week or so of this going live :)
How's the disassembly?
very easy... i've taken mine apart and back together several times. All perfect and good to go! Definitely use blue loctite on the pivot, I'm thinking about selling mine though (too many knives and can't use them all) :)
Keizer should send you more free knives because I just bought this. Don't let me down Nick,I want a great ti flipper.
who did the acid stone wash??
+Gevork Katrandzhyan No idea! I bought it used with all the work done. They did a decent job.
Nick, now I'm starting to get past your Gilbert Gottfried voice, I'm revisiting some of your older videos. With the Kizers you REALLY need to put a disclaimer about what you are saying about their warranty because it's just not true - except the abuse part. And even then they'll try and accommodate customers as much as possible just like every other good knife company out there.
It's fair enough to review the good and bad points but I've yet to see any reviews where you have talked to the designer to see if they are fixing any of the problems or the things you didn't like. Most of these designers are in the USA and only a phone call away. Give them some feed back. I talk to Liong Mah in Florida on a regular basis and he is always happy to talk. I'm sure Ray Laconico would be too.
To me a well researched review gets in as much info as possible - not just your personal opinion. And when are you going to start cutting stuff in your reviews? (although that is not just you - EpicSnuggleBunny and a bunch of other reviewers don't do it either)
Thanks! I do not like pocket clips, and i do not care if the design "speaks" to you.Even more: i couldn't care less about where in the US this knife is legal to carry. So in essence, what you are saying is that this is the best value knife out there for me. Nice review!
I don't think Spyderco has to worry. The Mantra is about the same price and it's better in almost every way, in my opinion.
+36trooper I agree that the Mantra is better designed and in a better steel, but the action on the Gemini is worlds better than the Mantra. If Spyderco could dial in a detent, they'd be sitting pretty, but as is, if Kizer gets a good designer willing to give them their best work, Kizer's gonna drink their milkshake.
Spyderco can make some very *good* flippers, and each generation is improving, but you're right, so far, Spyderco hasn't made anything truly great in the way ZT and Kizer have.
Man, if they put a sculpted titanium clip, that would have been a real showstopper.
+Joshua Jacob Yeah, that was a real missed opportunity. But at the same time, to make a knife which is that technically good at that price point, they've gotta cut somewhere!
+Nick Shabazz That's true. I can appreciate Kizer's determination to bring a high quality product for a low cost. In regards to just that, they nailed it.
Do you know if the Velox 2 clip fits on the Gemini?
No clue, sorry. But good luck removing the clip without stripping the damned screws.
i have an oncoming kizer ursa minor full sculpted titanium clip for the gemini but already sold my gemini. anyone interested let me know. i ordered it 2 weeks ago from them in china so it should be here shortly.
this knife reminds me of the kershaw amplitude. Which I had a bad experience with. but this knife is kinda 2 plain for me for the price point. I mean it's fit and finish is nice, but it's nothing to "flip" over.
Thumbs up for math :D
Ahmad Javed i read ur comment just as he said 1.25
Things better than the sebenza
great honest review as usual. wish this knife rocked my boat, but it don't (yawn).
Had you been drinking haterade?
Love the knife but i just cant buy a chinese knife no way
As an owner of this knife it is painful to look at that one all distressed from the acid wash.
Take that clip off
If they dont like something, you'll get EVERYTHING in chinese what's concerning communication 🤣🤣🤣
If you wanna get rid of it I'll take it off your hands.
+Glen Williams It's long-gone, sadly.
+Nick Shabazz :(
Your family still there I hope 🥴🥴
I think the knife is simply beautiful, but to bad made in China. Won't get it.
I'm not saying I won't buy a knife in China. I'm saying I won't buy an expensive knife in China.
This knife I have it and is insanely awesome. For a daily knife is one of the best you can buy for the money nothing beats it. This guy has a lots of knives but no action 😮
Let us know if you find an alternative for the pocket clip. I agree the stock clip is lacking.
+Les Boyer I've actually sold the knife now, but if I see anything, I'll let you all know!