The Kizer Feist has been a cult favorite since the original launched: a slim, elegant front-flipper designed by Justin Lundquist that proved a small knife can feel premium. The Feist 2 brought the formula to M390 and titanium. Now the Feist 3 "Show Special" takes the next step — CPM S90V blades, UV-reactive CamoCarbon handles, and three blade shapes for front-flipper fanatics, all in a package that still weighs just about 2 ounces.
I spent time with the full Feist 3 lineup to see whether the Show Special treatment lives up to the name. Here's the review.
What is the Feist 3 Show Special series?
The Feist 3 was originally unveiled for knife exhibitions — the "Show Special" series is a limited-production run that merges the classic Feist front-flipper platform with Kizer's experimental high-end materials. It's the Justin Lundquist x L.F collaboration pushed to its limit: CPM S90V blades, titanium frames, CamoCarbon and carbon fiber handles, Matte DLC Ultra hardware, and a couple of thoughtful extras (more on those below).
Three variants make up the series, all front flippers, all frame locks, all flat ground:
| Variant | Blade | Handle | Blade Length | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Reverse Tanto, Matte DLC Ultra | Titanium (DLC) + Carbon Fiber | 2.78" | 2.01 oz | $219.95 |
| A2 | Clip Point, Stonewashed & Flat Brushed | Titanium + CamoCarbon Damtanium | 2.75" | 1.96 oz | $219.95 |
| A3 | Hawkbill, Matte DLC Ultra | Titanium (DLC) + CamoCarbon Ultimate Warrior | 2.81" | 1.99 oz | $249.95 |
Three blade shapes, three personalities
The Feist has always been a front-flipper platform, and the Feist 3 uses its three shapes to serve three different kinds of users.
A1 Reverse Tanto — precision and power
The reverse tanto's reinforced tip is built for accuracy and strength. It's the most "tool-like" of the three, with a strong point that handles piercing work with confidence while the straight edge slices cleanly. The Matte DLC Ultra finish on both blade and titanium handle makes the A1 the stealthiest Feist 3, paired with classic black carbon fiber. At $219.95, it's the pick if you want maximum tip strength in a compact package.
A2 Clip Point — the all-rounder
The clip point is the quintessential versatile blade: a thinner, more acute tip for detail work, with a belly that still handles general slicing. This is the Feist 3 for people who want one knife to do a bit of everything. The stonewashed and flat-brushed finish pairs with the CamoCarbon Damtanium handle — a pattern that glows under UV light. Also $219.95.
A3 Hawkbill — the specialist
The hawkbill's aggressive inward curve excels at pull cuts and precise work — think strap cutting, rope, packaging that you hook and slice. It's the most distinctive Feist 3 and the most expensive at $249.95, with Matte DLC Ultra on the blade and the CamoCarbon Ultimate Warrior handle, another UV-reactive pattern. If you want the conversation piece of the family, this is it.
S90V: why this steel matters
CPM S90V is a high-vanadium powder stainless steel, and it sits near the top of the edge-retention pyramid. Vanadium carbides do the heavy lifting, which means S90V holds an edge far longer than the M390 in the Feist 2 or the 14C28N you'll find in budget knives. Kizer specs the Feist 3 at HRC 59-61.
The trade-off is real: S90V is more work to sharpen than softer stainless steels, and it's not the toughest steel around — the thin, flat-ground blade geometry is best for slicing tasks rather than prying. For an EDC knife used for boxes, tape, cord, and food, it's an excellent fit. Kizer's own product pages at kizercutlery.com have the full spec sheets for the Show Special series, and Knife Steel Nerds covers the metallurgy behind high-vanadium steels like S90V in depth. If you want the full ranking of how S90V compares to other premium steels, our M390 vs S90V vs Elmax vs CPM-20CV comparison covers it, and our HRC hardness explainer breaks down what that 59-61 number actually means.
Titanium and CamoCarbon: handle tech
Every Feist 3 pairs a titanium frame with a composite scale. On the A1 and A3, the titanium is finished in Matte DLC Ultra to match the blade; the A2 keeps a brighter, classic look.
The interesting material is CamoCarbon — a layered composite with patterns that shift as the light hits them. The Damtanium and Ultimate Warrior variants add a party trick: they glow under UV light, which is a genuinely fun detail at a knife show or festival. The A1's carbon fiber keeps things understated instead.
The titanium frame serves as the frame lock, and the whole knife measures just 6.45-6.51 inches overall with a 3.71-inch handle — comfortably small in the pocket, with a 3D titanium non-reversible deep-carry clip.
Action and hardware: the details Kizer got right
The Feist 3 is a front flipper, which means you deploy it by pressing the flipper tab that sits at the front of the handle spine — a more deliberate, satisfying action than a standard flipper tab, and a style we've covered in detail in our front flipper vs top flipper guide.
Two extras show Kizer thought about owners, not just buyers:
- Birth Certificate — each Feist 3 ships with one, a nice touch for a limited series.
- Extra pivot collar — in addition to the pre-installed collar, you get a contrasting spare (purple on the A1, gold on the A2/A3) so you can tune the action to your preference over the knife's life. That's the kind of maintenance-forward thinking we recommend in our knife pivot adjustment guide.
Carry and ergonomics
At 6.45-6.51 inches overall with a 3.71-inch handle, the Feist 3 is a small knife by modern standards — and that's the point. It disappears into a pocket, and at 1.96-2.01 oz you'll forget it's there until you need it. The 3D titanium deep-carry clip keeps it anchored low (it's non-reversible, so pick your pocket side accordingly).
The front flipper gives the ergonomics a particular character: there's no flipper tab sticking out of the handle spine, so the Feist 3 carries flat and slim. In hand, the knife suits a three-finger grip with the choil area doing the work — the classic small-front-flipper hold. If you've never used a front flipper, budget a few days to build the muscle memory; the action rewards a deliberate press, and the Feist 3's detent is tuned well enough that you'll get a satisfying snap once you find the angle.
Feist 3 vs Feist 2: how the family evolved
The Feist 2 review established the template: front flipper, titanium, premium steel, small footprint. The Feist 3 keeps that DNA but pushes it further:
- Steel: M390 in the Feist 2 → CPM S90V in the Feist 3, with a higher-vanadium profile for better edge retention.
- Blades: the Feist 3 adds the hawkbill and reverse tanto shapes alongside the clip point.
- Handles: CamoCarbon composites (including UV-reactive patterns) join plain carbon fiber and titanium.
- Extras: pivot collar tuning and the Birth Certificate are new to the 3.
If you already own a Feist 2, the 3 is an evolution rather than a revolution — same slim character, sharper materials. If you've never owned a Feist, the 3 is the most interesting entry point the series has offered.
Who should buy the Feist 3?
The Feist 3 is not a budget knife, and it's not a hard-use knife. It's a premium, lightweight EDC for people who appreciate small knives, front-flipper action, and limited-run materials. It suits:
- Front-flipper enthusiasts who want a collectible expression of the mechanism
- Office and desk carriers who want something refined and non-intimidating at ~2 oz
- Anyone who wants S90V edge retention without a 4-inch blade
If you're looking for something more budget-oriented from Kizer, our Kizer knives buying guide covers the full range from 14C28N to M390 and titanium.
FAQ
What steel does the Kizer Feist 3 use?
All three Feist 3 variants use CPM S90V, a high-vanadium powder stainless steel hardened to HRC 59-61. It offers excellent edge retention with the trade-off of being harder to sharpen than lower-alloy steels.
How much does the Kizer Feist 3 cost?
The A1 reverse tanto and A2 clip point are $219.95. The A3 hawkbill is $249.95.
What is the blade length of the Feist 3?
The A1 reverse tanto has a 2.78-inch blade, the A2 clip point a 2.75-inch blade, and the A3 hawkbill a 2.81-inch blade. Overall length is 6.45-6.51 inches.
Is the Feist 3 a front flipper?
Yes. All Feist 3 variants deploy via a front flipper tab, and all use a titanium frame lock. They weigh about 2 ounces (1.96-2.01 oz).
What is the Feist 3 "Show Special" series?
It's a limited-production run originally unveiled for knife exhibitions, combining the classic Justin Lundquist front-flipper platform with CPM S90V blades, titanium frames, CamoCarbon or carbon fiber handles, Matte DLC Ultra finishes, and extras like an extra pivot collar and a Birth Certificate.
Verdict
The Kizer Feist 3 Show Special is a confident evolution of a beloved design. The S90V blades are serious edge-holders, the front-flipper action remains one of the most satisfying ways to open a knife, and the CamoCarbon handles give the series a personality no other Kizer quite matches. It's not cheap, and it's not a workhorse — but as a premium, lightweight everyday folder with genuine collector appeal, the Feist 3 delivers exactly what its name promises.
Who it's for: collectors and enthusiasts who want a limited-run front flipper in a high-edge-retention steel, and office carriers who want a sub-2-ounce knife that looks like jewelry and cuts like a much bigger blade. Who it's not for: anyone who needs a tough, do-everything work knife, or who prefers flipper tabs and thumb studs to the front-flipper learning curve. For that crowd, the standard Kizer lineup has plenty of options — but for the right buyer, the Feist 3 is one of the most interesting folders Kizer has released this year.