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Kizer Ki4473 GPB1 Titanium Folding Knife

Kizer Ki4473 GPB1 Titanium Folding Knife

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Product Description
The GPB1, otherwise known as Gray’s Pocket Brute, is a John Gray–designed folder that packs a serious punch. The stout modified wharncliffe blade is super wide, with the edge positioned below the handle, giving you plenty of leverage and power for tough cuts Read More

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nnelgttam
2
Feb 23, 2018
I am a Canadian who joined this drop and was not certain if I would receive my knife. I read many blog posts and watched several YouTube vids warning not to buy a knife because of the change in CBSA policy regarding knives. I rolled the dice and went ahead regardless. I can happily say that my Kizer G.P.B. 1 arrived today. I paid about $25 in duties/taxes after all was said and done which I don't mind as it was partially expected.
It's a true beast of a knife in hand but still a beauty to look at. I relate this closely to my ZT 0561 in size and weight. Initial impression is quite good. Have to say though the detent is very heavy. It is a bear to open one handed. Truthfully have had to use two hands to open it properly 9 out of 10 times. Once you get it past that detent bite there is a very smooth action waiting for you.
Cheers Massdrop, stoked on this new addition to my collection.
Kavik
5531
Mar 24, 2018
nnelgttamI know I'm way late seeing this, but are you sure it's the detent? I ask because my detent is weak enough that I can whip it open.... However, i do have a very hard time opening with my thumb because I can't keep my fingers from pressing on the lock bar in that position
Try middle finger flick, holding the knife with the pivot pinched between thumb and forefinger, ring finger not used, and pinky just resting against the side of the pocket clip to keep it from rotating. That's what works easy and consistent for me every single time
DougFLA123
1404
Feb 11, 2018
Isn‘t this knife supposed to have John Gray written on the spine of the blade? Mine does not have that. Every video I’ve watched shows John Gray on the spine of the blade!
Vinx
0
Mar 5, 2018
DougFLA123Bladehq has the version with the name on the spine and Knifecenter got this massdrop version. The ‘X‘ side of the pivot screw is also different
DougFLA123
1404
Feb 7, 2018
Mine is impossible to open with one hand. How do you flick it open right handed without pressing on the frame lock with your fingers? Mine came with the screw head facing the show side as well.
DougFLA123
1404
Feb 11, 2018
I did take it apart, cleaned it and “Nano-Oiled” it (not sure why Nano-Oil is so expensive...the “creator” of it could be selling Wesson oil for all I know). The lighter I hold the knife with my right hand, the easier it is to open. Its actually easier with my left hand because I’m not squeezing down on the frame lock like I am with my right hand. I’ll keep practicing! : ). I do love the knife...incredibly sharp, perfect centering, very smooth opening and closing (once I can get it open), etc, etc.
Kavik
5531
Feb 11, 2018
DougFLA123Never tried nano oil myself... Some day. I've been using Hoppe's No. 9 lubricating oil. Haven't been using it long enough to say about how it holds up, nor have I used enough other oils to compare it to, but so far it feels nice, has been an improvement over the factory oil on everything I've put it on
Bertfoxx
2
Feb 7, 2018
Mine is also assembled backwards but, it is so smooth and good looking I will leave it alone.
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Blunderbuss
2
Feb 7, 2018
Did anyone else's pivot come installed with the screw head facing the show side instead of the lock bar side like this? Sharp edges on the cutout are really a bummer since everything else about this knife is silky smooth. Easy fix for both if voiding the warranty wasn't part of the process... I'll hold off a few weeks before I disassemble it and take a small round file to the pivot cut outs. Best $100 knife I've held regardless.
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tacdrvr
30
Feb 8, 2018
BlunderbussYep mine too. I kinda like the big cross hatch and this thing has such smooth action that I don't I really wanna mess with it.
Kavik
5531
Feb 11, 2018
BlunderbussThat's too funny, I just came back here to pull up the pic I posted here because I thought I remembered my screw head being on the show side, but didn't have the knife with me to verify.... And instead I find all these posts about the same issue
Kavik
5531
Feb 6, 2018
Mine just arrived today I knew this was going to be a big knife, but holy hell! Lol
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(pictured with the MD/FF/WE Falcon and the Bestech Goblin...my current S35VN/Titanium family)
Agreed, definitely something that's too big for the average edc, nothing I would pull out anywhere in public. Again though, knew that going into it Build quality though, it's pretty damn nice! Out of the box the blade is ALMOST shaving sharp, easily push cuts paper. Very minor overgrind on about an inch before the tip on the back side of the blade, but not enough to bother me (the paperwork says they sharpen by hand, so not a huge surprise. And I'll be doing by hand on diamond plates as well, so it won't hurt anything, not like missing the angle on a guided system)
Blade centering is close to perfect. Action is silky smooth (even when still a little cold). Chamferring on the lock bar makes releasing the lock very comfortable, but is wide enough that I don't feel like it will cause me to slip. Detent is strong enough that I have no fear of the blade opening accidentally, flicking open takes a little effort even. But with the weight of the blade I can shake it open with a whipping motion, something to consider if you have to worry about gravity opening laws. I also measure the cutting edge at 3 5/8". The advertised 3 1/2" is the length from the tip to the furthest forward part of the handle, near the spine. If 3.5" is the legal limit for folders in your area this may cause some issues. Wholeheartedly endorse Maxwell's closing statement. On first impression it seems like a heck of a knife if you need something this size, but I'm having a hard time thinking of any practical uses I'll have for it personally lol
Only 2 complaints I can think to add at the moment:
1) the edges of the Phillips cutout in the pivot are rather sharp, needs a small chamfer
2) 'Use and Care' mentions keeping your knife clean and properly lubricated.......warranty is voided by 'unauthorized disassembly'
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Kavik
5531
Feb 9, 2018
Wow.......I just looked through the gallery on their site. Incredible looking options! But yeah, that's a bit rich for me.
I'm finding more and more lately that I'm appreciating smaller knives. Easier to carry, less judgement, and they still do everything I need on an average day
MD had the Imp for around $130 a couple weeks back, but it irked me that it was more expensive than its bigger brother (the Goblin), and i didn't own any Bestech at the time, so couldn't justify making it a $250 gamble on 2 small Chinese knives. If you REALLY want one they have it for around $160 in stock at BladeHQ. But i'd like to see it back here closer to $90 or 100 based on what the Goblin cost.....in the end, it's only 2" of s35vn and a small chunk of titanium. Could probably make 3 or 4 of them with the material that went into this Kizer that went for $100 lol
KavikFor the moment I'll hold off until it pops back up on MD. I've been on more of a "G10 for EDC" kick lately. It just makes sense that the knife I carry every day should be something I'm okay with using and abusing on a daily basis. I can easily replaces a $50 Kizer, but I can't ever get another first production Bestech Tercel.
I got mine today and within 5 minutes of having it, it was disassembled on my desk. It's a combination of PB and teflon washers. They have a pair of Teflon washers on the scale side with PB on the blade side. The action out of the box was pretty bad, but that might have been because it was exceptionally cold. After disassembly and lubrication with 10 weight Nano-oil it runs quite well and due to the weight of the blade has a quite nice fall shut. it does seems to suffer from a fair bit of lock-stick but I'm sure it'll wear in.
So far pointer finger flick and thumb flick are the easiest ways to single hand open. Pretty sure you can middle finger flick but it might be difficult.
Ever-so-slightly the blade favors show-side, barely enough to notice without staring at it. (After tweaking the pivot tension it's now completely centered)
I would absolutely recommended this for anyone that needs a larger knife for heavier tasks. I would definitely say it's probably too much for most people to EDC.
DougFLA123
1404
Feb 13, 2018
I do have his name on the back of the blade like yours. The videos I’ve seen show the name on the spine of the blade, not on the back of the blade, so they may have just decided to move the name to where it’s more easily seen, like on ours. Whew!
MaxwellDemonic
838
Feb 14, 2018
DougFLA123Yup, mine has the text in the same location on the side of the blade.
Kavik
5531
Jan 12, 2018
Final word on the pivot: The Ki4473 uses washers, per Wendy at Kizer. (no comment made on the fact that retailers advertise it as bearings) Email screenshot:
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So;
Now we know what to expect to receive. Now we know when we get a knife with washers it's not corners being cut for the Mass Drop. And now we know that MD, along with the majority of major retailers, are advertising this incorrectly
Sefali
190
Jan 12, 2018
It may not detract from the functionality of the knife, and may be a plus to some due to the weight of the blade. That doesn’t change the fact that, when marketing a knife, Teflon washers are “good”, phosphor bronze is “better”, and ball bearings is “best”. That’s why ball bearing pivot is mentioned in the listing - it’s a selling point. It’s a lie. I don’t really blame Massdrop for the false adverrising, but I do blame them for not joining the discussion and making the correction. It’s happened with other drops where serious mistakes were found, why not here? As a bonus, I fully expect that the description will be the same when the drop returns. Hopefully they prove me wrong on that one, and I’ll probablly buy it the next time ($100). As it stands, whomever you choose to blame, people will not be receiving what was advertised and paid for. We can debate wether the difference is really really a negative, or wether the knife is still a good value, but it really doesn’t matter. The bottom lines is people will not be receiving what was advertised and paid for.
Kavik
5531
Jan 12, 2018
SefaliI'm not knowledgeable enough to speak directly to the bearings vs washers for all applications. Some people here say they prefer the washers for this heavy of a blade.
But i do agree on everything else. As a matter of principle the incorrect advertising is an issue, and the mistake certainly is advantageous to sales, as it does increase the perceived value of the knife.
I also agree that they should be correcting it if they run this one again. Though I don't know if it's practical to expect them to catch every issue in every discussion, and who knows if anyone reached out to an MD rep directly.
And yes, you're right, people won't be receiving the item they paid for. On an individual level they are going to have to decide for themselves if they're okay with that, or if they want to insist on a refund for not receiving the item as described.
Again, I'm personally taking it as it is on this one, based on the deal we got and the fact that it still gets great reviews as is and I don't expect it to be a problem. But I'm not saying that's the right choice for everyone. Realistically, either option is a perfectly valid one if others are bothered by this. (and maybe if they start getting a bunch of returns/cancelations for this reason, they may be forced to start doing some fact checking before just throwing up cut and pasted descriptions)
tacdrvr
30
Jan 11, 2018
Ok I've spent two whole days watching all the videos (including the ones that needed subtitles) and reading all I can about the "Brute", "Thuck", GBP1 or whatever you want to call it on the interweb. I've got a weak spot for beastly knives and I couldn't resist any longer and joined the drop. For me a $100 isn't a drop in the bucket for a knife so I do my research and think this is too bada$$ a blade to pass on, especially at this price. I hope anyone on the fence gives it full consideration and doesn't disregard it after all the discussions on bearings, thumb studs, warranties, etc. I think it will certainly exceed my expectations once it's in hand.
Kavik
5531
Jan 16, 2018
Thanks for the additional input :)
SeadonkeyLove
150
Jan 17, 2018
That’s definitely on my list, grab score.
nextcity
Jan 11, 2018
Dozens of you keep responding to my comment that this has washers, not bearings, yet no one has commented on the most important point I originally made...I RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT BUY THIS BECAUSE THE THUMBSTUD IS NOTORIOUS FOR FALLING OUT. AND GOOD LUCK GETTING ANY ASSISTANCE WITH KIZER THROUGH YOUR WARRANTY.
MaxwellDemonic
838
Jan 11, 2018
nextcityYup, what @kavik said. You've yet to provide evidence that this is actually an issue with the production line and not just the specific one you bought 2nd hand.
tacdrvr
30
Jan 11, 2018
nextcityI also haven't found anything mentioned anywhere about this issue, so possibly it was related to abuse by the prior owner of the knife you purchased. If that was the case I'd be tracking that person down for selling you damaged goods. I also would believe that if there was an issue Kizer would correct it. Albeit it could need shipped to China, but I would guess there would be a return process or even possibly a US based service location they deal with. Not too many people would spend $300 - $500 on their products only to have to pay $50-$100 to ship it to China for servicing.
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