Kizer Expanding into Unfamiliar Territory with Three New Models

Today, Kizer revealed three new models slated to be available as early as the end of the year. Kizer is expanding into new territory with the Zip Slip, their first slipjoint, and the Urban Protector, a tactical neck knife. Kizer will also contribute to its core offerings with a new Bladesmith model, a collaboration with USN Best New Maker 2016 winner Nick Swan.

Kizer Zip Slip
Kizer’s David Sun says the goal of the Zip Slip is to appeal to as many geographic markets and carrying situations as possible. “Swiss Army Knives look innocent, and that’s why they’re probably the most carried knives in the world,” Sun tells us. “That’s kind of what we’re going for with this.”

This is Kizer’s fourth collaboration with Michael Vagnino, and the production Zip Slip carries over the Ever Flush mechanism seen on his custom originals. Ever Flush construction ensures the back spring never protrudes when opening and closing the knife, as it does on traditional slipjoints. Sun tells us that the Zip Slip is a way for the company to dip its toe into slipjoint waters. “We have multiple slipjoints in the works – we want to find out what works best.” The Zip Slip will be available in titanium and S35VN in the Bladesmith line, and G-10 and VG-10 for the Vanguard series.

Kizer Matanzas
Fresh off of winning the award for Best New Maker at the 2016 USN Gathering, Nick Swan is rolling out his first production collaboration in the form of the Kizer Matanzas. The Matanzas is a slim and trim frame lock flipper, with a 3.4” blade (either tanto or bowie) that folds up neatly. “It is very smooth, and fits into the pocket extremely well. The blade completely buries into the handle,” Sun tells us.

The Matanzas will have a full-sized show side inlay, the largest that Kizer has ever attempted. Swan has yet to decide on a material for the inlay but Sun says there are multiple possibilities. “Micarta, G-10, carbon fiber – these are all options.” For now, Kizer only has plans for a Bladesmith version of the Matanzas.

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Kizer Urban Protector
“People see this one and don’t know what to think at first,” Sun says about the forthcoming Urban Protector. Once its magnetic carbon fiber sheath is uncapped, things become more clear. “It’s a gentleman’s shiv,” says Sun with a laugh. Designed by knife maker Bobby Branton, the Urban Protector is a last-ditch self-defense tool.

A sleek cylindrical carbon fiber sheath houses the 3” titanium spike. “Because it’s a spike, there’s no edge orientation. No matter where or how you pull it out, you always know where the point is,” Sun says. “It’s obviously not meant to be used every day,” he continues. Sun anticipates that most users will buy it for the novelty factor and the appeal of the materials. “It’s really meant to be a piece of man jewelry.”

Knife featured in image: Kizer Matanzas