Artist Signs on with Kizer for First Production Knife Design

Knife designer Paul Munko‘s first production knife is rolling out these month under the Kizer banner. It’s called the Comet, a sub-$100 everyday flipper decked out in a trendy, eye-catching style.

With a blade length clocking in at 2.87 inches, the Comet telegraphs everyday carry. The narrow clip point blade shape, considered purely in terms of edge geometry, does things by the book, with a moderate curve across its length and a fine, capable tip. However, Munko’s linework gives it a flavor all of its own; between the narrow profile, dramatic swedge, and sweeping sabre grind, there’s almost something trailing point-ish about the Comet blade.

This is a flipper only design, with no cutout or thumb hole interfering with the blade profile. For steel, Kizer supplied 154CM. 154CM’s not a powder metallurgy steel, nor is it even a young steel, but, given the Comet’s targeted price point ($85 or $90 depending on which version you get), 154CM still makes the grade performance-wise. It’s stainless, resilient to shock, offers worthy edge retention, and sharpens up with an ease that is simply out of the realm of possibility for many of the more elaborate steels of the current generation.

Prior to creating the Comet, Munko was known mainly as a graphic artist, and his artist’s eye gives the Comet a stylish look that balances old and new visual cues. The handle has a 2/3 scale made from Micarta – either black, green, or blue denim. Then there’s a bolster, made from brass on the blue denim and green models, but copper on the black-scale’d version. A ring of micarta encircles the pivot on each model, and all three house liner lock on the off-side, a sculpted titanium clip, and a reasonable carry weight of 3.14 oz. The Blue Denim model costs $90, but comes with a denim knife roll.

Munko’s work as an artist has found an audience inside the knife world. He has created logos, stickers, and more for companies like Olamic and Flying Shark Knives. Although the Comet is the first knife Munko designed himself, his artwork has appeared on four limited edition runs from Northern Knives.

Knife in Featured Image: Kizer Comet

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