The Kizer Begleiter, which is available in a number of different configurations, is consistently at the top of lists featuring one or the other as the “best Kizer knife.” Even where it doesn’t make the top spot, it is frequently featured in “tops” listicles, and user reviews are even more favorable than critical reviews.

One of the top-selling Kizer knives in our collection is the Begleier with blue G-10 scales and a VG-10 blade.

We have to say, our customers didn’t get it wrong. It is a great knife, even though it’s not going to win any contests for innovative design.

Here’s a high-level view of what Kizer did right with this knife.

Why VG-10 Steel?
Here’s the first thing you need to know about this knife. As practical, ergonomic, and durable as it is, there is nothing about this design that’s really unique.

There are a billion and one flat-ground, straight-backed folders with liner locks and synthetic scales, and then there are another half dozen. Now, the XL Sheepdog, that’s a unique design, so it’s no wonder it’s a fan favorite.

That’s not a mark against the Begleiter. It is a proven, timeless design, and it works. What it means is that Kizer had to score on other features, and one of these is the blade steel chosen for this knife.

This top-selling, dare we say best Kizer knife in our collection boasts a VG-10 steel blade. Let’s break down what this means.

VG-10 steel is a premium Japanese steel that has a relatively unique chemistry. You may have heard it said that there are three chief principles of a quality knife steel: hardness (and thus edge-retention), toughness, and corrosion resistance.

You may have also heard it said that you can choose two - but it’s impossible to get all three.

Sentiments like that come from the days of 1095, which is hard and tough but lacks corrosion resistance entirely, and the 440 series of stainless steels, which are corrosion resistant, but soft and fairly weak. These prejudices do not apply to the world of modern knife steels.

VG-10 is the perfect illustration of that.
This knife steel contains up to 15% chromium, which gives this alloy very high corrosion resistance. But, where high chromium content has previously been a cause for concern because it made the steel too soft, this knife also contains about 1% carbon, on par with alloys like 1095.

This gives VG-10 both good corrosion resistance and edge retention when it is heat-treated properly - two of the three pieces of the puzzle. But what about toughness? High carbon content can make a steel brittle (think cast iron), so what does VG-10 offer on this front?

The secret lies in a delicate mix of vanadium, cobalt, and molybdenum, all of which are tough, dense, heavy metals, that, when included in a steel alloy, can increase toughness by several orders of magnitude.

In short, this is an alloy that resists rust, holds an edge, and is unlikely to chip or snap. It will more likely roll, which means it also can be resharpened with relative ease.

Now, steel is the biggest bonus this Begleiter has up its sleeve, but it’s not the only one.

What This Knife Does Right
On top of their use of a (borderline) super steel, Kizer does a lot of other things right with this Begleiter.

Their choice of G10 for the scales is another great choice because G10 is grippy and impervious to corrosion. It’s also basically immune to abrasion and it is immensely strong. It won’t absorb moisture and it stays tactile even when wet (and to a certain degree, when greasy). At least it won’t absorb oil. Also, the bright blue gives it some flash.

Deployment is fluid and lockup is sound. There are stronger locks on the market, but this liner lock works fine and it’s easy to engage and disengage with one hand, which is precisely what you need for EDC. The thumb studs are ambidextrous and not recessed so far as to make deployment difficult.

Other than that, the knife has a few other nice features, including a pocket clip and a lanyard hole. The design is also wildly utilitarian, and there’s not much you can’t do with a straight back and a flat grind. It’s slice-y, dicey, and all-around just a practical knife.

It’s No Fixed Blade, but It’s Tops for EDC
While it’s still bound by the limitations of its status as a folder, it’s still a great knife, and perhaps the best Kizer knife at White Mountain Knives. Plus, for the price, we guarantee you can make it your main EDC folder and you will definitely get accustomed to it.

What can we say, it’s a high-end Chinese knife - but there are other Kizer pocket knives that would make equally great choices for an EDC knife. Choose a Kizer Mini Sheepdog with a flipper tab or one of the Kizer Vanguard series knives. They’re all highlights from this knife maker, as are countless others which boast equally impressive features like carbon fiber scales and S35VN steel blades.

While we can’t recommend this highlight from Kizer cutlery enough, if you’re looking for a different personalized recommendation from the ranks of this knife company, get in touch with us at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com and we will be more than happy to help.