The Kizer Microbe earned its nickname before most knives earn a product page. Launched as a rounded, almost playful little folder with a 2.19-inch blade, it quickly became one of Kizer's most recognizable designs - and, thanks to a steady stream of new variants, one of the brand's most collectible lines. If you are shopping the Microbe family for the first time, the number of options can feel overwhelming: micarta, G10, aluminum, Fat Carbon, a circuit-board edition, even glow-in-the-dark canvas micarta. This guide walks through every current variant, what each one costs, and which Microbe fits the way you actually carry.
Kizer Microbe specs: the platform behind every variant
Every Microbe shares the same compact platform, so the differences between variants come down to handle material, blade steel, and finish. Here is the common spec sheet:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.19 in |
| Blade shape | Drop point |
| Overall length | 5.33 in |
| Lock | Kizer Button Liner Lock |
| Opener | Thumb hole or thumb stud (varies) |
| Standard steel | 14C28N |
| Premium steels | M390, CPM Rex45 |
| Weight | 61.5 g - 80.7 g depending on variant |
The size is the whole point. At 5.33 inches overall with a sub-2.2-inch blade, the Microbe is built for the fifth pocket on a pair of jeans - the small coin-and-watch pocket most knives are too big to use. Kizer even names several variants "The Fifth Pocket" outright. If you are new to the concept, our EDC knife pocket carry guide explains why small blades in dedicated pockets disappear into your daily routine.
The lock deserves its own mention. Kizer's Button Liner Lock uses an enlarged semi-circular button that spreads pressure across a bigger contact surface, which Kizer says reduces pressure per square inch and makes the open/close action smooth and low-effort while keeping lockup secure. It is a one-hand-close design in the same family as the locks covered in our button lock vs clutch lock vs top liner lock comparison.
The entry line: 14C28N Microbes from $55.99
The core Microbe line pairs the compact platform with 14C28N, a well-regarded budget stainless steel that takes a fine edge, sharpens easily, and resists corrosion well enough for daily pocket duty. We covered where it sits against other budget steels in our 14C28N vs AR-RPM9 vs Nitro-V vs S35VN comparison. These are the variants to look at first:
Micarta with Vortex Pattern - $55.99
The Kizer Microbe Micarta Vortex is the standard bearer: micarta handle with Kizer's vortex pattern, stonewashed 14C28N blade, thumb hole opening, and a light 61.5 g carry weight. Micarta is a resin-impregnated fabric composite that gets grippier when wet, which makes it a low-drama choice for everyday use.
Norplex UltreX Micarta - $55.99
The Norplex UltreX Micarta Microbe keeps the same $55.99 price with a different micarta formulation and a satin-finished blade. UltreX is a high-pressure industrial micarta known for consistent texture and dimensional stability - in practical terms, a slightly different feel in hand at the same weight (61.5 g).
G10 - $55.99
The G10 Microbe swaps micarta for G10, a glass-fiber laminate that is stiff, tough, and available in vivid colors. This one comes with a thumb stud instead of a thumb hole, satin blade, and a slightly heavier 70 g carry weight. If you like the idea of a thumb stud flick over a thumb-hole roll, this is the entry pick to compare against the micarta models - the thumb hole vs thumb stud guide covers the difference in feel.
Aluminum - $59.99
The aluminum Microbe trades composites for a machined aluminum handle at $59.99. It is the heaviest of the standard line at 74.4 g, which gives it a more solid, substantial feel in hand, with a stonewashed blade and thumb hole opening.
The Fifth Pocket - $60.60
The Fifth Pocket Microbe is the 14C28N variant with the most character: a black-finished blade, thumb stud, and a slightly different handle contour at 66.3 g. It is the same platform, dressed differently - a good example of how far $60 goes in this line.
GID Canvas Micarta: the glow-in-the-dark Microbe - $65.93
The GID Canvas Microbe takes the rugged texture of canvas micarta and infuses it with glow-in-the-dark pigment. Charge it under any light source and the handle glows after dark, which is a genuinely useful trick when you are digging around in a bag at night - and a fun one. The blade is 14C28N with a black PVD coating, and at 64.4 g it stays close to the light end of the family. It is the pick if you want the same reliable mechanics with a handle that doubles as a tiny flashlight.
Copper Foil G10: texture with a metallic shimmer - $65.98
The Copper Foil G10 Microbe is part of the newer "foil G10" collection, which layers metallic foil into the G10 for a shimmering, textured finish. This variant also refines the ergonomics: a micro-arc handle contour and an integrated finger choil that Kizer says supports a comfortable four-finger grip despite the small size. The blade is 14C28N with a black PVD finish, and the knife weighs 68.9 g. An aluminum foil G10 sibling sits at the same $65.98 price if you prefer a cooler, lighter metallic look.
The premium Microbes: M390 and Fat Carbon - $139.99
For the premium end of the family, Kizer drops M390 into the same 2.19-inch platform. M390 is a high-alloy stainless powder steel with very high wear resistance - we ranked it against other premium steels in our M390 vs S90V vs Elmax vs CPM-20CV comparison.
The M390 Fat Carbon Microbe is the flagship: an Ultra DLC-coated M390 blade, thumb stud, and a Fat Carbon handle. Fat Carbon is a colored resin composite reinforced with carbon-fiber weave, which gives every handle a deep, gem-like pattern that is never exactly the same twice. It weighs 70 g and lists at $139.99.
There is also the M390 Camo Carbon 80's edition at the same $139.99, with a retro camo pattern and a thumb hole. As of this writing it is listed as a pre-order, so availability will vary. Both premium variants exist to turn a $56 utility knife into a pocket-scale piece of material art.
The geek edition: Rex45 PCB Microbe - $129
The Microbe PCB is the strangest and most collectible variant: the handle is a fusion of resin and a real printed circuit board, with every trace and node frozen into the scales like a miniature map of a motherboard. It is matched with a CPM Rex45 blade - a high-speed steel that sits above 14C28N in edge retention and takes a very aggressive edge, at the cost of being less corrosion-resistant than the stainless options. Black PVD coating helps on that front. At $129 with an 80.7 g weight, it is the heaviest and most specialized Microbe, aimed squarely at collectors who want their knife to match their desk setup.
How to choose your Microbe
- Best value: any 14C28N micarta variant at $55.99 - the Micarta Vortex and Norplex UltreX are the lightest and cheapest.
- Best everyday all-rounder: the G10 Microbe at $55.99 if you prefer a thumb stud, or the aluminum version at $59.99 if you want more heft.
- Best for night use: the GID Canvas Microbe at $65.93.
- Best premium pocket jewelry: the M390 Fat Carbon Microbe at $139.99.
- Best collector piece: the Rex45 PCB Microbe at $129.
- Lightest carry: the micarta variants at 61.5 g.
If you are weighing the Microbe against other compact knives in this size class, our Vosteed Corgi vs Kizer Microbe vs CIVIVI Mini Elementum showdown is the direct comparison, and the wider best compact EDC knives under 3 inches list shows where it fits in the category. For office-friendly carry specifically, the Microbe's small, non-intimidating profile makes it a natural fit for the picks in our best EDC knife for office and desk jobs guide.
Care notes for the Microbe
Small knives get neglected because they seem low-stakes, but the Microbe's button liner lock and small pivot benefit from the same basic maintenance as any folder: keep the pivot clean, add a drop of light lubricant when the action slows, and wipe the blade after use - especially on the Rex45 and M390 variants if you cut anything wet. Our cleaning and lubricating guide walks through the whole routine in a few minutes.
FAQ
What steel does the Kizer Microbe use? The standard Microbe line uses 14C28N stainless steel. Premium variants use M390 (Fat Carbon and Camo Carbon editions) or CPM Rex45 (the PCB edition).
How much does a Kizer Microbe cost? 14C28N variants run $55.99-$60.60, the GID canvas micarta and foil G10 editions are $65.93-$65.98, the Rex45 PCB edition is $129, and the M390 Fat Carbon editions are $139.99.
Is the Microbe a fifth pocket knife? Yes. With a 2.19-inch blade and 5.33-inch overall length, the Microbe is sized for the small coin/watch pocket on jeans - Kizer names several variants "The Fifth Pocket" for exactly that reason.
What lock does the Kizer Microbe use? Every Microbe uses the Kizer Button Liner Lock, an enlarged semi-circular button lock that spreads finger pressure for a smooth, low-effort one-hand close.
Which Microbe variant is best? For pure value, the 14C28N micarta variants at $55.99. For a premium daily carry, the M390 Fat Carbon edition at $139.99. For collectors, the Rex45 PCB edition at $129.
Verdict
The Microbe is one of the few knife lines where the budget tier, the premium tier, and the collector tier are all worth owning. The 14C28N versions deliver a genuinely useful fifth-pocket knife at a price that makes impulse buys easy, while the M390 Fat Carbon, GID, and PCB editions turn the same platform into something you carry because it makes you smile. Start with the $55.99 micarta if you just want a great small knife - and be prepared to end up with three of them.