Home / Knives / Morgan Koens Rolls Out First Production Knife with Kizer

Morgan Koens Rolls Out First Production Knife with Kizer

September 22, 2017

Morgan Koens is teaming up with Kizer for his first production collaboration, the Salient fixed blade. Fashioned for tactical purposes, Koens says this refined fighting knife can go beyond its intended role and flex into camp chores too.

A standout feature on the Salient is its sweeping, full-bellied drop point blade. Previous Kizer fixed blades, beginning with the Thumbper, have used stainless steel, but the Salient is made from DLC-coated 1095 carbon steel. Its cutting edge is just over six inches in length, and Koens tells us small details in this thoughtful blade shape cater to tactical applications. “The swedged portion thins out the spine for better penetrating,” he says. “The slight recurve and belly of the blade are great for slashing and making deep cuts.” Recurves can complicate sharpening, but Koens kept the one on the Salient mild, reducing headaches to a minimum. The easy-to-sharpen properties of 1095 should also help in this regard.

Kizer Salient

Koens’ attention to detail continues on the handle. Inexperienced users could mistake the Salient for a chopper, but Koens says its balance is calibrated for speed and accuracy – two important elements of a tactical knife. “[It’s] slightly handle heavy, so the blade is quick in the hand – unlike a chopper where the weight is forward,” he explains. An oversized handle accommodates gloved and ungloved hands equally well, in standard and reverse grips. The hole near the finger guard is a visual detail characteristic of Koens but also allows users to attach a cord between it and the lanyard hole to help with in-hand retention.

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

The Salient comes from a rare custom Koens fixed blade, only ever made in small numbers. Koens tells us that the production version puts this hard-to-find design into users’ hands exactly as he originally envisioned it. “Kizer did everything I asked and nothing I gave them on the original design was changed.” Users can choose between OD Green or Coyote Brown G-10 scales. These are removable so the Salient may see some attention from the mod community in the future. A Kydex sheath comes included and is reversible for left and right carry.

According to Kizer the Salient is becoming available now. MSRP for either coloration is $166.

Knife featured in image: Kizer Salient

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