This is a beautiful EDC knife. I already have maybe 40 EDC type folder knives ranging from a couple Chris Reeves and Reates to Spyderco, Kershaw etc etc.-- but always room for another-- I may not be able to resist this one. . Thanks for the review-- looks great.
Doctor Frunkey fyi frunky.ferrum forge is offering custom anodizing for the crux and falcon,many options for blade and handle... If you didn't know already...
I've been more than happy with 6 of the 7 Kizer knives that I purchased. To me, they represent the value proposition among the upper tier Chinese manufacturers.
Decorative pivots are fine but Jesus. We, Keizer and zt. They take great designs and then spend extra money to put a custom pivot screw that totally fucks it up. My zt 0452cf.... what the fuck is that. I actually took a blueing pen and made it all black. Much better now.
Thanks Doc. People who haven't yet tried a Kizer or six. I feel, are really missing out. Would you say, that the scales on this Gemini, are as slick as on the Mjolnir? My Mjolnir, is extremely slick. I'm going to have it blasted, and then stone washed. To gain some traction.
Similar finish to the Mjolnir. But the larger handles of the Mjolnir make for a better overall grip. The Gemini is still very nice in hand, but not made for heavy duty use.
The pinwheel pivot went from an occasional joke to a serious determent in the last 6 months. Maybe because I've suddenly gotten a bunch of Kizers. But Looking at the knives that don't have them, I wonder what it takes to just ditch it altogether? Did the CEO's daughter think it up? The Sheepdog looks so much better without it. The Mjölnir could look world-class if it were MIA. I didn't mind on this design when it came out - perhaps that's when they fell in love with it? _Something_ is up when I get a ♥ on IG from Kizer for dissing the pivot. Maybe it really _was_ the CEO's daughter? Oh, great consult, the audio wasn't _too_ bad!
I've seen quite a few comments where people have said that the Vanguard version was better than the Bladesmith version . I bought a liner lock flipper and i like it because i just take it out and flip it open , doesn't matter where my fingers are , there's no Death lock from touching the lock bar like on the ZT 0450 and 0452 .
My main gripe with Kizer is that they all just mush together. Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti.....I know they have a few models with colors and G10. But when I think Kizer I think Flushing Sink Pivot Screw (Gonna be nice about it) and a sea of gray. I got a Nomad V2 with the Flamo Ano because I am a sucker for big persian blades, but despite liking a few other models, I'm just too meh about them overall.
Kizer runs a shop on Aliexpress and will every so often drop the price down to $135 shipped (or so). Took about a week and a half to get to me in the US.
Probably my favorite Kizer. They also make a left hand model. The only difference is that the screws aren’t blue on the lefty model. You really can’t beat that knife for $125 the normal price is $170.
I must have v1, they upgraded the clip and my back spacer isn't blue. Since the company is in China I don't see many sending a knife in for warranty work? I don't know if the US contact will help much. You better like this knife straight up and not look for much support. You can't disassemble it. That kills the warranty. I like it but will probably be the only Kizer I buy. Street price is $170 Thx for the video !
@111111111Tiger, I was researching Kizer and it sounds like they have you send the knife to a California address and from there they send it to China. This particular person (I read this post on Blade Forums) received a replacement knife in less than a month. Not bad as far as service and warranty work from what I saw anyway.
I've sold most of my kizers because of the pivot screw. If only they went with the sheepdog or Theta pivot screw, I would reach near production perfection
My Gemini had TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE steel in the blade, so bad it must have been counterfeit. Wouldn't hold and edge at all and sharpened far too easy... not necessarily blaming Kizer, but they need to do some serious QC audits on their suppliers!
I don't know what it is about kizer. but I don't like them. I don't know what it is. and its not because they are Chinese. I have a we. and I've had and love a lot of other China knives. everything about this knife makes me want to get one. then I see kizer and I'm like meh. and I hate the logo lol
That is the worst makers mark I've ever seen .... it's like you've bought a used knife off a "ray laconico" who felt the need to engrave his name into his knife.
Just got one for Christmas. What a sweet knife extra crisp. Makes me think of my cold steel voyager when it was new.
This is a beautiful EDC knife. I already have maybe 40 EDC type folder knives ranging from a couple Chris Reeves and Reates to Spyderco, Kershaw etc etc.-- but always room for another-- I may not be able to resist this one. . Thanks for the review-- looks great.
I'm pretty late to the party - but just ordered one. such a nice looking, clean knife and I love the blue ano titanium clip and screws
Love my Kizer Gemini. The contoured titanium is just so comfy in my hand.
Where's the custom green anodizing?
Jay c not my knife!
Doctor Frunkey fyi frunky.ferrum forge is offering custom anodizing for the crux and falcon,many options for blade and handle...
If you didn't know already...
Had one. Sold it. Miss it. I still have the Vanguard version. That's a great little knife.
I've been more than happy with 6 of the 7 Kizer knives that I purchased. To me, they represent the value proposition among the upper tier Chinese manufacturers.
One can only assume the owner of Kizer designed that pivot. What else would explain its persistence?
Mitchell Delmar cheap to use across the line. Just grinds my gears.
Decorative pivots are fine but Jesus. We, Keizer and zt. They take great designs and then spend extra money to put a custom pivot screw that totally fucks it up. My zt 0452cf.... what the fuck is that. I actually took a blueing pen and made it all black. Much better now.
That pivot is corny as hell, it is a shame they keep on using it. I would prefer just a simply button head screw to that turd.
I love my Gemini as well. I had a hard time choosing between the T1 and the Gemini. Blade HQ had the Gemini on sale so I picked it up.
love the design laconico is their best designer for sure like the intrepid best actually I think it's their best blade
Kizer & WE are killing the game in regards to value...
Thanks Doc.
People who haven't yet tried a Kizer or six. I feel, are really missing out.
Would you say, that the scales on this Gemini, are as slick as on the Mjolnir?
My Mjolnir, is extremely slick. I'm going to have it blasted, and then stone washed. To gain some traction.
Similar finish to the Mjolnir. But the larger handles of the Mjolnir make for a better overall grip. The Gemini is still very nice in hand, but not made for heavy duty use.
Yes, very good Doc. Thank you.
The pinwheel pivot went from an occasional joke to a serious determent in the last 6 months. Maybe because I've suddenly gotten a bunch of Kizers. But Looking at the knives that don't have them, I wonder what it takes to just ditch it altogether? Did the CEO's daughter think it up? The Sheepdog looks so much better without it. The Mjölnir could look world-class if it were MIA. I didn't mind on this design when it came out - perhaps that's when they fell in love with it? _Something_ is up when I get a ♥ on IG from Kizer for dissing the pivot. Maybe it really _was_ the CEO's daughter? Oh, great consult, the audio wasn't _too_ bad!
I like the Vanguard version better as a practical tool . The G10 has more grip and it's only 80 US . As an added bonus the pivot screws nicer .
I would honestly agree with this. This is a tool, and that version may be the better EDC.
I've seen quite a few comments where people have said that the Vanguard version was better than the Bladesmith version . I bought a liner lock flipper and i like it because i just take it out and flip it open , doesn't matter where my fingers are , there's no Death lock from touching the lock bar like on the ZT 0450 and 0452 .
Audio/Video sync is off about halfway through just fyi. Nice review!
I will get one and let you know how I feel about it. From what I have seen so far it seems an excellent “canvas” for some custom work. 😉😁
My main gripe with Kizer is that they all just mush together. Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti, Stonewash Ti.....I know they have a few models with colors and G10. But when I think Kizer I think Flushing Sink Pivot Screw (Gonna be nice about it) and a sea of gray. I got a Nomad V2 with the Flamo Ano because I am a sucker for big persian blades, but despite liking a few other models, I'm just too meh about them overall.
Where did you find it for $100?
Jay c it may have been a sale at the time I recorded this. I cannot find it at $100 at this time.
Doctor Frunkey had me exited for a min. Lol
Kizer runs a shop on Aliexpress and will every so often drop the price down to $135 shipped (or so). Took about a week and a half to get to me in the US.
Probably my favorite Kizer. They also make a left hand model. The only difference is that the screws aren’t blue on the lefty model. You really can’t beat that knife for $125 the normal price is $170.
I must have v1, they upgraded the clip and my back spacer isn't blue. Since the company is in China I don't see many sending a knife in for warranty work? I don't know if the US contact will help much. You better like this knife straight up and not look for much support. You can't disassemble it. That kills the warranty. I like it but will probably be the only Kizer I buy.
Street price is $170
Thx for the video !
@111111111Tiger, I was researching Kizer and it sounds like they have you send the knife to a California address and from there they send it to China. This particular person (I read this post on Blade Forums) received a replacement knife in less than a month. Not bad as far as service and warranty work from what I saw anyway.
Clean knife, It looks great
That anodized 0450 though! 🤤
I'll have a video on them soon!
I luv my Gemini. Snappy little guy⚡️⚡️ with great f+f 🔥🔥🍏🇨🇦
Off subject and I’m sure u saw it but Kershaw now makes the tool for your blacked out zt RJ Martin to loosen the pivot
hollow grind for me
Wait 'til you've handle a custom Gemini or a Laconico EZC.
Can't wait
I've sold most of my kizers because of the pivot screw. If only they went with the sheepdog or Theta pivot screw, I would reach near production perfection
My Gemini had TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE steel in the blade, so bad it must have been counterfeit. Wouldn't hold and edge at all and sharpened far too easy... not necessarily blaming Kizer, but they need to do some serious QC audits on their suppliers!
This one tore through some cardboard and held and took an edge like I would expect. Maybe there was a bad batch!
Far enough, no doubt some lemons get through and don't necessarily mean the knife/blade steel is always bad, but I did want to share my experience...
👏👏👏👏👍
I wish this was sub 3 just because of local laws. Darn laws save me so much money.
D E Lil Native would be a good choice there.
I don't know what it is about kizer. but I don't like them. I don't know what it is. and its not because they are Chinese. I have a we. and I've had and love a lot of other China knives. everything about this knife makes me want to get one. then I see kizer and I'm like meh. and I hate the logo lol
That is the worst makers mark I've ever seen .... it's like you've bought a used knife off a "ray laconico" who felt the need to engrave his name into his knife.