Pros: None
Cons: None
The best Gemini
Nicely done button lock. Makes a great edc knife with an excellent fidget factor. The micarta scales are well done.
Reviews and Ratings for Kizer Cutlery Vanguard Ray Laconico Gemini Button Lock Flipper Knife 3.125" CPM-4V Stonewashed Blade, Black Linen Micarta Handles - KnifeCenter Exclusive - V3471E4
(10 reviews) 3.8 out of 5 stars
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Customer Reviews
James
AlabamaJan 14, 2023
Mark
Anchorage, AkDec 01, 2023
Pros: None
Cons: None
A great knife for a great price
I love most Ray Laconico designed knives. This one is no exception & is as close as you can get to one of his custom knives with an everyman budget. The fit, finish, feel, action & overall use here are spot on. It's a great EDC with a most useful blade shape. My only niggle here is the lack of a good sharpening choil.
Willy J
Springfield, MoJan 13, 2024
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight
Cons: None
Bad reviews were anomalies I'm sure
After reading the bad reviews I had to leave my opinion. I only have 20 folders left of the 40 I had built up ranging from this knife up to $454...This one is the only one that I kept (so many great choices in this price range) because it's a great EDC for regular light/med use and the 4V gives it a bit of toughness. Mine is flawless in action & build quality for the price range. I personally prefer a larger knife but this one ends up in my pocket around town a lot. It's a fantastic little piece. It's worth it...Heck, knifecenter will let you return it if it's not your thing. Stay Safe...Stay Secure...ALWAYS have a blade
Ryan
Cincinnati, OhioDec 14, 2022
Pros: None
Cons: None
The King Of Slice!!
This knife by my measurements is about ten thousandths behind the edge!! Some of these knife companies need to take notes, you don’t need thirty thousandths behind the edge to make a knife tough. This knife is plenty tough with CPM-4V steel and it slices like an absolute boss!!
Alexei Y
USAAug 27, 2023
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight
Cons: None
Seriously Underrated
I respect KC for having a star system that rounds down, but that leaves knives like these seriously underrated. This is the best iteration of the Gemini, hands down. I was drawn to this design for daily edc, but it always seemed like something was lacking. When I found this one, I knew it was the one to get. The knife is light yet substantial in hand. The micarta adds visual interest as well as comfort to the grip. The blade steel is uncommon and tough. Furthermore, this is the best button lock I’ve ever seen - the button has a nice texture and the spring is surprisingly strong - and combined with the smooth action, this makes a perfect fidgeter. On top of all that, the price just cannot be beat. Kizer should make more like this.
B.J.
PennsylvaniaDec 02, 2022
Pros: Blade Material
Cons: None
Loctite
I've really enjoyed this knife. Out of the box shaving sharp and perfectly centered. Super handsome micarta, perfect texture.. almost smooth, but not slippery. Primary use = fidgeting :) So much so that the center pin and pocket clip fasteners backed out and required tightening/loctite. No biggie. My only peeve is the threaded/screw on button lock is also prone to backing off. I was fortunate it ended up in my pocket and not lost. Loctite fixes this issue also.
Phantomshtter
KYNov 04, 2022
Pros: Handle Material, Blade Material
Cons: None
Nearly perfect
First of all, the blade geometry is perfect for maximizing CPM-4V's capabilities and properties. Mic'd at work to find it .010bte which is ideal for both achieving max slicing capability while retaining all of 4v's desired toughness attribute. Kizer has stated they aim for a 64hrc on their 4v blades btw. Secondly, the fit and finish on this knife I've found to be 95% flawless. The ergonomics I find are very good, only capable of being better with some further scale contouring around the somewhat abrupt edges. They ARE beveled but not what I would consider contoured. My size 9.5 hands (bottom of large sizing range) fit all 4 fingers on the handle. This finished steel is simply beautiful, it looks as if it carries a clear coat at the right angles and lighting. You are finally getting a true deep carry clip on this particular Vanguard model, which to my understanding is rare if not a first on these Ray Laconico designs. The clip however would be better if not so tall off the scales and a bit broader. Skinny clips being my complaint on 90% of pocket knives today though. The button lock function and action is pretty superb. The detents work great open and close. This is guillotine drop shut OR graduating closure via using the detent and button pressure... your choice! My flipper finger is sore from the fidget factor here. It came out the box arm hair shavable sharp but not an incredible factory edge. The black linen micarta scales are quite nice looking and feeling. One of the main reasons I bought this is that they match the LOK grips I chose on my CZ75B.👍🏻 This is a gorgeous knife hands down and comes with a spare set of the liner screws that even have blue loctite already on them. Nice touch. This is a $120 knife ALL DAY LONG. I will die with this knife.
Chris
Lutz, FLMar 30, 2023
Pros: None
Cons: Pocket Clip
Decent product, awful customer service.
I bought this knife when last in October 2022. My pocket clip broke recently so I reached out to Kizer for a replacement clip. I was informed that it would be a cost to replace the ciip, and they provided me with a hotmail email address to send confirmation, etc. to. I double checked to make sure it wasn't a scam, and it was legit. I guess I am just used to great customer service from other companies and as such I will not purchase another Kizer knife.
Cborden Ii
IndianaJul 29, 2023
Pros: None
Cons: None
Great let down
The lock button is loose and wobbles when the knife is closed and jams when the knife is open. The lock button sticks out close to a quarter inch (perhaps slightly less) past the scales. I should send it back, but I have already tossed the box & receipt.
Jorge Mario
Doral, FlNov 12, 2023
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Pocket Clip, Weight
Cons: Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type, Overall Quality
SO SAD RAY LACÓNICO ´S NAME ON IT
PUSH BOTTON CAME OUT … WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF HAVING IT..
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.