What makes the Tomb so intriguing is how it manages to mix these fun and slightly spooky design cues with the feel of a real tool. There is a certain playfulness here, from the coffin shaped handle to the subtle little touches that give it personality, but it still feels intentional rather than gimmicky. It is the kind of knife that makes you smile when you pick it up, yet it hints that there is more beneath the surface than just looks. As I spent time with it, I found myself appreciating the balance Kizer struck between form and function, and that made me want to dig deeper. Is the Tomb just a conversation piece, or does it have the chops to earn a permanent place in your pocket? Let’s take a closer look.
The handles on the Tomb are undeniably striking. The textured PEI has won me over more than I expected. It offers just the right amount of tactile feedback, giving a reassuring grip without ever feeling too slick or too aggressive. I will admit, I was one of those people who brushed this material off at first, buying into the internet chatter that called it little more than piss plastic. It has been polarizing, no doubt, but the industry has embraced it, and it has steadily worked its way into all corners of the market. In the right design, like this one, it shows off its strengths as both a functional and aesthetic material. Here, Kizer pairs it with steel liners, skeletonized in a playful way that reveals a ghostly pattern through the translucent handle. It is this element that gives the Tomb its charm, making it a fun and visually interesting knife to carry. But is it just for looks, or does it hold up when it comes to comfort? That’s where things get complicated. Ergonomically, this is not my favorite. While I will absolutely keep this in my collection and put it into rotation, it is not something I see becoming a go-to for daily tasks or anything resembling hard use. The grip, while unique, feels a little unnatural in hand. The handle shape, though straightforward at first glance, forces my index finger into a space between the blade tang and the top of the coffin handle, creating a divide from the rest of my grip. It is clearly designed this way, so I know it is not just me holding it wrong, but it never quite settles comfortably. Of course, this is purely my take. Someone else might find the feel just right for their hand. But after handling more knives than I can count over the years, I would have to rank this one lower on the comfort scale.
The blade on this ghoulish guillotine, however, brings things back into balance. Kizer executed the drop point shape well, giving it enough tip for precision tasks like draw cuts or tracing, while still providing a bit of belly for general use. It is not going to excel at rocking cuts like you might do when processing food, but in a pinch, it could get through lighter kitchen tasks. Where it shines is in slicing, thanks to the high flat grind. I found it handled breaking down boxes and tearing through packaging at work with ease. The dark coating keeps in line with the knife’s spooky aesthetic and has held up well with no noticeable wear so far. Deployment is front flipper only, and while it works well, I have struggled to get that snappy flick I usually enjoy. The handle shape makes it tricky for me to find the right leverage point, and that keeps it from feeling as fluid as I would like. A rear flipper tab might have brought symmetry to the design and solved the issue, but as it stands, it does the job. The button lock is simple and functional, releasing with a press of the black button, though I do wish they had found a way to tie that element more cohesively into the skeleton motif. The pocket clip? Solid. It is centered, deep carry, and does exactly what it should, going in and out of the pocket smoothly without snagging. No drama there.
At the end of the day, the Kizer Tomb walks a fine line between playful novelty and practical everyday carry. It is a knife that grabs attention with its bold design choices and spooky charm, but it does so without sacrificing the quality and materials we expect from Kizer. While the ergonomics may not be for everyone and it is not the most natural fit for hard use, it still brings enough functionality to earn its place in a collection, especially for those who appreciate something a little different in their rotation. For me, it is not a daily driver, but it is absolutely a knife I enjoy carrying when I want something fun and conversation-worthy. The Tomb proves that a knife can be both a little macabre and a little magical, even if it does not quite dethrone the workhorses in my pocket. And honestly, sometimes that is exactly the kind of character a collection needs.
