Kizer Ki4484A1 Kyre Folding Knife

A collaboration between Kizer and knifemakers David Michalik and Robert Chromcak, the Kyre is unmistakable. The first reason? The titanium scales have a soft rippling effect throughout, becoming more horizontal towards the blade. The second reason? It’s got a wide-bellied drop-point blade with a sleek satin finish. The steel is CPM-S35VN, which is arguably the best commercial steel on the market in terms of all-around performance. Deployment is smooth with a quick press on the flipper tab. The blade rides on ceramic ball bearings and locks in place with the frame lock. Carry the knife on the right or left side: it has a reversible clip for tip-up carry.

Developed by Crucible Industries (one of the leading manufacturers of specialty steels for the cutlery industry) and Chris Reeve (pioneer of the integral frame lock, featured on the Gent Select), S35VN is perhaps the most balanced blade steel ever created in terms of all-around performance. It’s made through a process known as Crucible Powdered Metallurgy, which results in near perfect consistency in the distribution of carbides. Compared to conventional melting practices, the CPM process produces a steel characterized by superior dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness.