Kizlyar VITYAZ T Tactical Knife Made in Russia By Kizlyar and notes about the Ratnik 6X9 from KAMPO

 Kizlyar VITYAZ T Tactical Knife Made in Russia By Kizlyar.

Review by @BushCampingTools

Here's a knife, that when it came out (several years back), it raised quite a bit of controversy in the Russian social knife media. WHY?

Because Kizlyar were being accused? of copying the already famous KAMPO Ratnik military issue knife. See a comparison below.

The Ratnik 6X9 (that's not an "X" by the way it's the letter  "H" in English). The Ratnik 6X9 was/is a knife commissioned by the Russian government to be produced by KAMPO, who are specialists in the manufacturing of underwater dive knives and deep sea diving equipment. In other words a high tech manufacturer with strict standards. The Ratnik is the official government issue knife, the Kizlyar Vityaz T isn't.

What's not obvious from the above image is that the KAMPO Ratnik (Please note: the military issue version is NOT shown as it is bayonet compatible but the one shown (above lower image) is also NOT the civil version due to the knife guard (Russian law require a firearms license in order to purchase the above model as far as I can tell) is slightly thicker than the Vityaz T (this translates to KNIGHT , as in shining armour!). The "T" stands for taran or Latin Taurus: "To pierce"!  The Ratnik is also made from a different steel, 95X18, which features a Ti Oxide PVD coating, 

What is 95X18? This is a Russian designed knife steel.

Data and a lot of great information can be found here:

https://auremo.pro/splav-95x18.html

 I know that many famous Russian knife makers (eg AiR Zlatoust use this steel. 

But essentially the composition of 95X18 is:

So to interpret the Cyrillic language, I will help here because Google translate will translate this into some non sensical garbage:

Now reading the above table from Left to right:

Remaining % Fe, Cr 17-19, C 0.9-1, Ni ≤0.8, Mn ≤0.8, Si ≤0.8, Ti ≤0.2, Cu ≤0.3, P ≤0.03, and S ≤0.025,

The Ratnik 6X9 also features a thicker tip (it can not be seen from the side view above).  The military version comes with probably the best barbed wire/wire cutter made for any military knife, 

which is part of the sheath and unlike many western styled barbed wire cutters, where the knife actually forms part of the handle and cutting surface, the 6X9's system is independent and therefore much safer and more efficient to use!

The back of this carry system* also incorporates a diamond sharpening plate much like the high end bayonet carrying systems of the West.

*not featured on the regular civilian version, which also doesn't have a guard; this version has a leather scabbard too.

The other major difference is the steep sharpening angle found on the Ratnik's edge of 30 degrees. An edge not designed to "cut paper" but an edge designed to withstand the rigours of the battle field for longevity and durability and lower maintenance for the soldier.

BTW if you want to see a "real" test for a military knife then watch this video:

But don't blame me if you now want to run out and get one because thanks to our politicians these products are very hard to obtain!

So now we know a little about the KAMPO Ratnik 6X9, is it true that the Kizlyar Vityaz T is a copy?

Shown here above: the Kizlyar Vityaz T

Clearly NOT. However, no doubt some ideas were definitely taken from the KAMPO as there are too many gross similarities present in the Kizlyar Vityaz T.

A little bird also told me about their copying habits! But we shall not discuss this as I want to stay out of knife politics.

Let's see why.

Each knife is serial numbered and they come with a lifetime warranty- see below  (as long as the knife is treated in accordance with the usual blurb of not being mistreated)

The story of manufacturers copying things has alway been a matter of controversy in the bicycle world. Let's face it, it's very difficult to "reinvent the bicycle frame". It's basically a triangle and it works right?

Same for knives. Especially fixed blade knives.

Knife weighing in at 270gm/about 10 Oz.

There are two different physical versions of the Kizlyar Vityaz T, the one shown above, which comes with a ABS tactical -like carry system (color matched to the Elastron G grip) and one which is minus the large guard and comes with a leather sheath (which has a hard plastic liner). There are several color combinations: Khaki (as shown above), desert and black. The blades are NOT PVD coated like the 6X9 but instead have a black chrome oxide treatment. Black chrome oxide treatment is good at absorbing oil. The knife itself came well covered in light oil.

 Unlike the Ratnik there is a large steel rivet through the tang of the AUS8 blade and this helps to secure the Elastron G TPE handle to the tang. The lanyard sleeve is made from stainless steel.

The above inscription in Russian reads: Kizlyar then "Made in Russia" AUS-8. The blade has a slight hollow grind.

You will note the differences in the handle,   the Kizlyar Vityaz T,  has a different grip pattern. I don't know about the comfort of the KAMPO Ratnik 6X9 grip but the grip of the Kizlyar Vityaz T is excellent at absorbing shock and very comfortable to hold. 

Both knives feature a small "glass breaker" at the butt end. It is dubious of what this could be used for during outdoor work with exception of cracking the shells of crustaceans as I have often done with similar knives whilst camping near the shorelines around the globe.

Easy to perform many tasks within the forest.

By the way the Kizlyar Vityaz T comes very well presented in a nice padded zip closed high denier nylon pouch.

All knives are serial numbered (see below on the spine) and this number is recorded upon the warranty card.

The guard of this knife is made from food grade stainless steel and is more than likely hot pressed onto the tang as it shows zero movement.

Now look carefully at the image above and you will note a small amount of plastic scrapings on the guard. What is this and where did it come from? Stick around and I'll tell you in the very soon to come out field test of the Kizlyar Vityaz T!
BTW that guard is also made from some hardened steel as a ceramic rod barely made a mark upon it!

#Coffee #Karabiners #Carabiners and #Knives #Sterlingsilverjewellery all part of the mess on my dining room table!

Edge bevel, what is the angle?

According to a prominent Russian YouTuber, Berloga who said the blade angle was 15 degrees (in a 3 year old post on his channel) , we also measured 15 degrees for my Vityaz T purchased this year.

My knife

Synthetic clay impression of knife edge

So a quick summary of my finding regarding this very cool looking knife:

Functionality: 10/10

Build quality (as in assembly*): 8.5-9/10

Build quality (as in choice of materials): 10/10

Look/aesthetics: 10/10

Comfort: 10/10

Carry system: 8/10 (stick around for the field review and you'll see why it's a 8/10 here!

Color options: 3 Options for color in this version, there are other options, ie no guard and a leather scabbard.

HRC of AUS8 57-58 this is a great range for toughness but also easy field servicing.

* there is an ever so little, as really not noticeable space unless held to the light, on one side of where the Elastron G handle meets the guard. 

No movement can occur as the guard has been press fit onto the tang by the looks of it and I've bashed it several times and it is securely fixed to the tang. As you can see, a small sliver of 80 gsm paper can fit in this "gap". I'm probably being over picky here LOL!

Stay tuned @BushCampingTools for more info and don't forget the face Book page!

HERE IT IS!!!!!! Check my field review of the Kizlyar Vityaz T here