Kizer's Towser K, designed by Azo, is not what most people imagine when they hear either "pocketknife" or "EDC." This is my second one though; my first was copper and is also a remarkable knife. (I gifted a copper one also, so this Serape Series one is actually the third I've bought.) There's scarcely room to criticize anything about the knife. The blade arrived, and remains, fiercely sharp, the action is smooth; the lockup is 100% sound. Easy access (for righties) to the liner lock, however I carry this on my support side and can operate it with as much ease left handed as right. It's one knife that is completely satisfying to me. I ordinarily buck at blades with only one opening mechanism, but even the thumb studs are perfect. I believe I'd use them most often even if I owned the button-lock version. It flies open and the lock-up has no play. Same as its fluid opening, its closing is something to be wary of: it is guillotine-like when the blade drops shut. Steel liners not only balance the knife's hefty cleaver-style blade, but reinforce the G10 handle such that there is zero give. Prior to this I bought the Kizer Original in 154CM and G10, but its handle had no liners and I found myself just shy of comfortable when I would squeeze it and feel that slightest bowing. This knife is another story. I am not proud, but I do confess that once or twice I've thrown this knife in its open position (not because of anything about the knife) and it stuck both times. To my astonishment and to Kizer's credit, these actions caused no harm to the knife: the tip didn't bend even a micrometer, the DLC coating didn't scuff, and the entire knife remained as solid as any fixed blade - that was the first thing I noticed when I, with shame, reached to pull loose what I was certain would be a compromised tool. I've never had to disassemble this or even re-lube the pivot. I've scarcely had to hone it or tweak the pivot screw a hair tighter or looser, despite using it each day. The company included for the Serape Series (a limited run I'll miss very much) a pouch of accessories: the pouch itself is about the size of an old 35mm point and shoot camera bag, with some useful pockets and quality construction. There's a G10 bead for making a matching lanyard, and a luggage tag/zipper pull. Kizer also (and I wish more companies would do this) includes a full set of replacement screws. Someday perhaps I'll need one, but as much as I carry this and use it, I don't know how or when, unless I drop one on that future day when I need to disassemble it. It's a meaningful gesture for a company to do this; I hope they know though how relatively small the need is for these spares with a knife of this quality. There are small spots of wear on the black-coated hardware, allowing the metal to peek through, both from friction. The coating that is so resilient on the blade seems a little thinner on the black hardware, and I have a little bald spot on the pivot head and on the curve of the pocket clip. These are reasonable spots of wear, but noticeable, especially with the aesthetic of the knife, which brings me to my only piece of feedback that I sincerely hope Kizer sees: please do the Serape Series again, but with your wonderful micarta. It is themed after a Mexican blanket, after all. The G10 is quality. I think that touch would have been the differenct between a 9.9 and a 10 on this knife. I've recommended the Towser K to so many people. It and Azo's designs are truly special in the world of "everyday carry" knives. If you get a chance to pick one of these up (literally, pick one up), do so. If they're in stock when you see this, consider adding it. At the time of this review, the copper-handled version (a slug of metal more than 6 ounces!) is under $50. It's worth twice that. Even if it were a lower tier steel than 154CM, it would be worth more than that. I hope this feedback is helpful, and whether the Serape Series returns or not, for many of the reasons stated above, I believe the Towser K is destined to be a knife that collectors will someday chase.
