Ask collectors or industry insiders what the best Kizer knife is and you might get all different answers. Or you might hear some of these: Sheepdog, Begleither, Critical, and so on and so forth.
But there’s another that’s going to be entering the running soon, and it’s a White Mountain Knives exclusive: the Kizer Momo, this one with a DLC S45VN blade and “Purple Haze” carbon fiber and titanium handles.
What makes it the best Kizer knife? Here’s what to know.
An Upgrade from the Standard
This WMK exclusive Kizer Momo offers fans a lot to love, some of them in the same package as the original, with a few upgrades.
One is the DLC S45VN blade, which otherwise follows the austere pattern of the original.
For those that don’t know, DLC is “diamond-like carbon.” This is a finish that is exceptionally hard, and which is corrosion and wear-resistant. It is commonly applied to the bolt carrier groups of AR-style rifles as a result.
You can get it in this knife, where it will add both drip and protection to the S45VN steel – although, not that the latter would need it much.
This is because S45VN steel features a rebalanced chemistry that includes more chromium carbides, which not only boost corrosion resistance but also hardness for edge retention.
As a result, S45VN steel is one of those most often touted as a “super steel,” that is, one that offers the holy trinity of edge retention, corrosion resistance and general toughness.
On the latter front, it contains not only vanadium and molybdenum, but also a smidge of niobium and nitrogen. These four elements, some of which form carbides, balance hardness and toughness, resulting in a steel that offers it all.
Otherwise, this knife’s blade follows the pattern of the original; it is a 4.19” straight-back/drop point blade with a gently curved belly, perfect for all-purpose use.
The scales are another area of interest here. This exclusive Momo features “Purple Haze” carbon fiber scales that are strong, lightweight, and require basically no maintenance. They’re dripping with cool factor, and accented with titanium bolsters.
As for the rest of this knife’s specifications, it’s a flipper design with a liner lock mechanism, as well as a lanyard hold and a pocket clip which is not reversible.
The Original Kizer Momo Is No Slouch, Either
This Kizer knife follows in the greatness of the original Momo which is not something to be dismissed, either.
The original Kizer Momo (also available online at White Mountain Knives if you determine that you like it better) features the same basic design, specifications, and aesthetics as the WMK exclusive already covered.
The main differences are in the steel and handle scales. It sports a 154CM blade, which, by the way, is also a super steel that offers excellent corrosion resistance, edge retention and toughness, along with aluminum scales.
The blade and scales might not be as flashy, but in terms of performance and function, it’s basically on par. One might even argue that aluminum is more durable than CF.
Otherwise the two knives are similar in most other respects.
Not Sure It’s the Best Kizer Knife? Explore More
Thinking one of these is a strong contender for the title of the best Kizer knife? You wouldn’t be alone. Whether you want to learn more about either of these or some other Kizer knife, visit White Mountain Knives.
They carry many other Kizer models that might also be called the best, offer competitive prices, and orders in the United States ship free. Check out their online shop today.
