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Review: Kizer Beleiter XL

By on June 12, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Lots and lots of blade in a super slim, easy-to-carry package… That’s what has always drawn me to the Begleiter series. That is also what drew me to the Begleiter XL, the subject of this review. I’ve owned 3 knives in this series and I keep coming back.

Specs

View the full specs at KizerKnives.com. The highlights are listed below:

  • Overall Length: 9″/229mm
  • Opener: Thumb Stud & Flipper
  • Blade Style: Drop Point
  • Blade Length: 3.91″/99mm
  • Blade Thickness: 0.13″/3.2mm
  • Blade Material: 154CM
  • Handle Length: 5.12″/130mm
  • Handle Material: Micarta
  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right or Left
  • Weight: 5.06oz./144g

Observations from Use

As I mentioned earlier, the Begleiter series is characterized by designs that minimize width and maximize blade length. That is what I have always appreciated about the series and why I have owned several. The Begleiter XL leans into that design ethos even more aggressively. It packs a nearly 4″ blade into package that is very slim and therefore very pocketable. So, the bottom line is that if need a larger blade for EDC that is still easy to carry, check out the Begleiter XL or the rest of the series.

All my other Begleiters have been liner locks. This review sample Begleiter XL has a button lock which is a welcomed finger-safe locking option and very fidgety. In my experience, Kizer is doing button locks better than most. Their button locks lock up strong (passed multiple spine whacks out of the box and after a few weeks of carry) and have a slightly sticky/clicky feel that I like in a button lock.

As long as we are talking about what Kizer does well, it has been my experience that Kizer has some of the best micartas in the game. The lined micarta used on this Begleiter XL looks amazing and feels amazing which is what I have come to expect from Kizer. The finishes on their micartas are top notch.

The action on the Begleiter XL is great. The long blade definitely helps, but this knife swings open like a rocket and falls shut the moment the lock is depressed. Kizer manages to get achieve a very strong and crisp detent from their button locks. As a result, both the flipper tab and thumb stud actions are tuned very, very well.

The blade on the Begleiter XL has everything I like in a blade. The tall, primary flat grind tapers down to a very thin edge. The drop point is strong, precise, and usable thanks to the swedge grind. It also has a long, subtle distal taper that ensures that the belly part of the blade slices extremely aggressively.

There are two things I would change if I had my way. First, I would love to see some texture on the button lock for no other reason than I just like that texture as a tactile index point. Second, it would be nice if the flipper tab was just a little more compact. It is shaped well enough that you can actually grip the knife over it, which I like, but it would be great if it was just a bit more compact.

Wrap Up

I am going to repeat it, if you like big, easy-to-carry blades, the Begleiter series and the Begleiter XL will be right up your alley. The materials are great, the action is top-notch, and I really like the cutting performance.

Begleiter Series at KizerKnives.com

Begleiter XL at Amazon.com (35% off as of the time of this writing)

Review: Kizer Drop Bear

By on May 26, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

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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