The Kizer Hare is a stout new fixed blade from Kizer that splits the difference between EDC and outdoors. It might also represent an exciting new direction for Kizer fixed blade offerings – the introduction of stainless steel options.
Specs
- Overall Length: 7.00″ / 177.7 mm
- Designer: Azo
- Blade Style: clip point
- Blade Length: 3.14 “/ 79.70 mm
- Blade Thickness:0.157 “/4.0mm
- Blade Material: Nitro V
- Handle Length: 3.86 “/ 98.0mm
- Handle Material: Micarta + G10
- Weight: 4.22 oz/119.5g
- Hardness: 59-60
See full specs at KizerKnives.com
Observations from Use
I want to start this review with a shout to the Hare’s designer. This is yet another knife design by Azo who is responsible for designs like the Drop Bear, Begleiter, Towser K, and more. His utilitarian yet stylish designs are a huge part of Kizer’s success.
The Hare has everything you want from a knife that can do it all from EDC to outdoors. The blade is an all-around useful drop point shape with a stout tip. The blade stock is not too thick and not too thin at 5/32” thick. The tall flat grind ensures the cutting geometry is on point. The handle is generous with room for all four fingers. The Nitro-V steel takes a fine edge is quite tough and stainless.
Speaking of Nitro-V steel… If you follow Kizer at all, you’ll know that they generally only use D2 steel for their fixed-blade knives and very occasionally 3V. Neither of those are stainless steel. The Hare is one of their first fixed blades to be offered in stainless steel and I am glad to see it. I hope that this is a new direction for them that continues with future releases.
The way various parts of this knife are finished is very unique. For instance, the spine is crowned for comfort but there is a short section left sharp for scraping a ferro rod. This scraping section is located between areas of jimping (one near the scales, one near the tip), making it feel very intentionally integrated into the design. The butt of the knife also features a slightly exposed section of steel that can be used for hammering. Other niceties include a dual finish on the blade (rubbed on the flats and stonewashed on the primary grind), a machined texture on the excellent canvas micarta scales, and contrasting color handle spacers. The details are incredible.
If there is one area that lets this knife down just a little, it’s the sheath. It isn’t that the sheath is poorly made. That isn’t it all. The sheath is real, heat-formed kydex and quite well made. It is just that a nice compact knife like this would have been better served with a more compact taco-style sheath in my opinion. The included sheath is well made and ready to carry out of the box thanks to an included compact Tek-lok-like belt attachment.
Wrap Up
The Kizer Hare offers incredible value and very thoughtful features. The finishes are well beyond what you would expect from a knife in this price range. It seems like every decision on the design and materials of this knife was made to maximize the all-around usefulness of it.
Learn more at the Kizer Store on Amazon.com.
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