Kizer’s Affordable ’90s Retro EDC Knife Boasts a Weird, Sneaky-Useful Throwback Feature

While it might get me in trouble with some of the more technical knife nerds, the truth is most blades from reputable brands are pretty competent for everyday carry cutting tasks.

Few of us use our knives in ways that really push the limits of their materials. As such, the knife you choose to carry often comes down to other factors, like carryability, ease of use, and style preferences.

These can often be make-or-break factors with so many capable options presently available.

Well, if style is your thing and you’re a ’90s baby (or you like 1990s-inspired throwbacks), Kizer’s new Madrac EDC knife should probably be on your radar.

Kizer

Do a kickflip!

If you’re wondering what, in particular, gives this knife ’90s retro vibes, you should probably start with the handle scales. The Madrac is available in four configurations with slight stylistic and material differences, but all have some key similarities.

The handle scales are made from either Micarta or reconstituted wood, which means the individual units are unique in their patterns. And it’s these patterns that hearken to the golden age of skateboarding, offering looks similar to the layers of skate decks.

Kizer

Other interesting elements include either yellow or purple pivot collars, which match the blades’ thumb studs (for manual deployment), reversible pocket clips and, most essentially, reliable and sturdy crossbar locking mechanisms.

On the pointy side of the knife, the blades feature versatile sheepsfoot shapes with curved bellies and hard-working Nitro-V material — an affordable, yet highly reliable knife steel. But the knife has another sneaky element that further increases its quirks (and usefulness).

Kizer

Glow-in-the-dark surprise

If its unique handle scales, on-trend features and respectable materials were all this knife had to offer, they’d be plenty. Truly, the Madrac is a capable, stylish cutting tool that benefits from great affordability, making it a solid EDC contender.

But it also has one other feature that helps set it apart and stand out, literally and figuratively. And it’s typically a pretty overlooked element.

You see, the Madrac has a backspacer made from Turboglow, a glow-in-the-dark material, which majorly adds to its vintage vibes. But there’s even more to it: it’s not just standard green.

Kizer

Kizer offers more than a dozen glow-in-the-dark colors across the full spectrum. However, you can’t actually choose which one you get. Like the Happy Meals of yesteryear, you won’t know which color you get until you have your knife in hand. It could be green, blue, red, orange, purple and there are even a pair of extra special marbled options.

Which one will you end up with? There’s only one way to find out. Just don’t dilly-dally; the Madrac is a limited-run knife with limited stock.

Kizer

Pricing and availability

There are four configurations to choose from for the Kizer Madrac, all priced at $70. They drop today, January 26, in just a few hours, but you can sign up for stock notifications on the brand’s site now.

Kizer

Kizer Madrac

• $70 at Kizer

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