Some knives go down as all-time classics – knives that never get discontinued, that constantly have new versions being introduced, that never stop being recommended, and never go out of style. Kizer Knives has produced several of these types of knives like their Begleiter series, Sheepdog series, and more recently, the Drop Bear series. This review will take a look at the original Drop Bear version that started it all.
Specs
- Model Number: V3619C1
- Overall Length: 7.15″/182mm
- Designer: Azo
- Opener: Thumb Stud
- Blade Style: Drop Point
- Blade Length: 2.97″/76mm
- Blade Thickness: 0.11″/2.8mm
- Blade Material: 154CM
- Handle Length: 4.17″/106mm
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Pocket Clip: Tip-Up
- Weight: 3.68oz./104g
- Color: Black
Observations from Use
The Kizer Drop Bear is a great example of what can happen when a company gets the little things right. There are so many little touches that elevate this knife.
Comfortable, Nuetral Handle – The Drop Bear’s handle shape is comfortable in every way you might want to hold a knife. The ergonomics are subtle in that there are just some gentle curves but they get the job done well without forcing any one grip.
Unique and Useful Blade Shape – The blade shape is unique. At first glance, it looks like a Kephart-esque spear point with a reasonably tall flat grind but when you look closer you see that Kizer has dropped the point down below the midpoint of the blade. The result is something in between a sheepsfoot and a spear point. It’s a great all-around shape and something that I think really steals the show in this design. You get a knife with a tip that is easy to access while also having plenty of belly and a long straight edge for powerful cuts. Kizer also added a GREAT swedge grind to make the tip even more useful without sacrificing strength.
Jimping – Kizer clearly put a lot of thought into making the tip of this knife useable which is why it is so nice that they ran jimping all the way out to the swedge grind. That means you can rest your index finger out near the tip to control it in precise cuts. Details like this matter!
Action – I don’t think anyone gets better action from their crossbar locks than Kizer and that is impressive because this is the knife on which they introduced their version of the lock (Clutch Lock). It is end-user adjustable for tension meaning you can dial it in to your heart’s content but mine came snappy and soooo smooth, right out of the box.
The Drop Bear series is available in several variations now to suite any taste or budget. The version I have with 154CM steel and aluminum scale is the original but it now sits in the middle of the line with options for more high-end blade steel sitting above it in price. More recently, Kizer has also introduced new, more budget-oriented versions with Nitro-V blade steel making this a GREAT time to try something from the Drop Bear series.
Wrap Up
The Drop Bear may be relatively new to the scene but it is already a classic. It isn’t flashy but, if you go looking for them, the details abound. This knife is a true all-arounder that can slide into dress slacks, everyday jeans, or work pants thanks to impressive attention to detail, compact proportions, a strong lock, and a great blade shape.
See the whole Drop Bear series at KizerKnives.com
The Drop Bear series is also available on Amazon with frequent sale pricing: Kizer Drop Bear on Amazon.com
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