Is It the Best Kizer Knife? A Look at the Kizer Towser K Button Lock

Every so often, there’s a knife design that shakes things up. While many are content to produce the bread-and-butter “Buck” and “Mora” patterns of the world, others are better suited for rocking the boat a little.

Jesper Voxnaes did it with the CRKT Pilar, a pocket cleaver that has received wide critical repute, customer acclaim, and general appreciation. Perhaps most importantly, it has inspired (spawned, even) several offshoots.

Users love the stout, thick, all-steel design and heavy sheepsfoot-style blade and frame lock, both of which can take a beating.

But this short piece is not about the CRKT Pilar. It is about another similar blade – the Kizer Towser K Button Lock. 

But is it the best Kizer knife? Most reviews will bestow that honor on the Begleiter. We have something else to say.

Kizer’s Answer to the Voxnaes’ CRKT Pilar

While the Kizer Begleiter tops most “Best Kizer knife” lists, the Begleiter is in many ways a typical pattern. The Kizer Towser K offers something new.

Also, for clarity, we’re looking specifically, at the Towser K with “Chocolate Glacier” Richlite scales and a 3V blade, available online at WhiteMountainKnives.com. (The Towser K is available in many configurations).

First, it offers something new, even over the Pilar. For one, it’s substantially larger, at 8” overall, open, with a 3.42” blade. It’s also much heftier, at 4.2 ounces.

This Kizer knife does offer a similar profile to the Pilar in terms of the blade shape and the ambidextrous thumb hole opener, but as a pocket knife, it is a bit bigger and tougher.

The Richlite scales are also a surprisingly pleasant departure from the Pilar’s all-steel aesthetic, as these synthetic scales are tough and durable, yet somewhat lighter than steel, while offering a superior tactile sensation in the hand.

The 3V steel offers a nice premium edge over the stock Pilar’s basic 8Cr13MoV, which is a nice alloy, but not great, By contrast, the 3V, with almost 8% chromium and 3% vanadium, and just less than a percent of carbon, is hard, tough, and corrosion-resistant. One reviewer commented that this steel sharpens and behaves similarly to D2. We have to believe it scores better on corrosion resistance, though.

The ergonomics of this knife are similar to the Pilar in terms of balance and handling, which is something that those familiar with pocket cleavers will appreciate, too. It features the same basic profile and thumb scoop, as well as deployment. The knife carries via the aid of a reversible tip-up pocket clip.

One big – and welcome – divergence comes in the presence of a button lock that takes the place of the Pilar’s frame lock, and the classic Towser K’s liner lock.

There were some mixed comments on the button lock but overall reception has been positive. It is a trend that other knife manufacturers, like CJRB and CIVIVI, have been quick to hop aboard.

And there is merit to it. The button lock is not only highly ergonomic but very strong. It is easy to deploy, and perhaps most importantly, is unlikely to unintentionally disengage, while also keeping the blade’s path of travel out of the way of the user’s fingers while closing.

So, all-in-all, we have a very solid Kizer in this Towser K – and it definitely could make a strong showing for the title of “best Kizer knife.”

Where Can You Learn More?

Interested in picking up one of these Kizer Towser K button lock knives for your collection? Visit White Mountain Knives at WhiteMountainKnives.com. They carry the Kizer Cutlery EDC knife variant mentioned here as well as many other pocket knives, and all at great prices.

Plus, they offer free shipping in the United States, piling on the savings on quality knives and tools.