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This Vanguard series Gemini flipper is a Ray Laconico designed folding knife based on his custom Jasmine folder. The build on this production model is superb, offering great fit and excellent action. The Vanguard Gemini has a full-flat ground Bohler N690 steel blade with a fine stonewash finish. It's set on a ball-bearing pivot, which offers phenomenal action. The handle on this model is brown micarta over a skeletonized stainless steel liner and lock tab. The tip-up carry clip accommodates EDC duty.
I have wanted the Gemini for a while but didn't want to pay the high price for the Titanium version and didn't really like the look of the G-10 versions. I have been on a micarta kick lately so when this version came out I knew I had to have it. Once I received the knife it did not disappoint. It has a great action and look to it. The blade was also sharp out of the box. If I had to fix one thing it would be to make sure the scales were chamfered on the edges as they are a little sharp to begin with. I'm sure the edges will wear down over time though.
I bought my initial Vanguard Gemini when they first came out, and it gets close to half of my EDC time (OK, I carry a couple or three every day just because I can in these times). I am an enthusiast/user, and own a couple dozen carefully selected EDC folders from Kizer, Hogue, Benchmade, Ferrum Forge and Civivi. Could not be more pleased for the value the knife brings - design, quality, action, decent blade steel and overall functionality. It is slicy and cuts everything really well, holds a satisfactory edge, and is easy to bring to razor sharp on my KME. Still perfectly centered. Did I mention the superior action? I'm experienced enough not to flip it in front of my wife during TV in the evenings, but then again she goes to bed long before me so it does get a lot of enjoyable hand time. I've had the recently released S35VN blade Gemini in the marbled carbon fiber in my top 3 most desired next knives (along with the WE Kitefin and the Kizer T1). Waiting for the financial comfort moment to place an order. Not buying other knives as I wait, which is pretty challenging. Then I spotted the notification for the micarta Gemini and made the decision right then to order. Received the usual and appreciated fast shipping from Blade HQ, always appreciated. What a gem of a knife! Incredible action: close to my best, the Kizer Dukes, and my Civivi Elementum and Backlash flippers. Superb quality, attractive design, exemplary functionality. The micarta is fabulous, my new favorite over most carbon fiber. Attractive with great functionality. I was a little concerned about staining, but so far that has proven groundless. I can honestly state that I would be willing to wait in a very long line to shake Ray Laconico's hand (if and whenever that is acceptable again) for this knife - and I hate waiting in lines! I'm very, very pleased to own this Kizer knife.
I am happy to report that the description above is entirely accurate. This is a beautifully designed and manufactured knife. I really like the way the micarta is machined to provide a slightly grippy surface without being so aggressive it snags on fabric. This is an unassisted flipper but you'd never know it because the ball bearing pivot allows me to lock it open without any wrist action, which is often required in larger flippers. The overall fit & finish on mine it as perfect as I could ask for; even the grind is perfectly precise. My only complaint is they don't appear to offer the micarta scales in other colors. If they did I could easily see another Gemini entering my collection.
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