Tangram Knives are a subsidiary of Kizer Cutlery Inc. A high grade knife manufacturer out of China using materials primarily imported from Japan and the US. Kizer is one of those manufacturers that is changing the perception of “China-made knives” by producing an excellent product with great materials and executing a high level of QC. These practices are prevalent through their Bladesmith series, their Vanguard series and now into their budget friendly Tangram knives.

Today were looking at the Vector. Tangrams version of a button lock folder as previously seen in knives like the CRKT Tighe Tac Two, Schrade SC60B, and Boker Kalashnikov. I have not personally owned any of the aforementioned button lock blades, so the Vector is a first for me.

First things first; you can’t talk about Tangram without talking about packaging.

While it doesn’t affect the functionality of the knife, having nice packaging does add a level of class and refinement to your purchase that makes it really feel like you got a lot more for your money. While other manufacturers just give you a knife in a plastic bag stuffed loosely into a thin/ flimsy box, Tangram takes it up a notch with a thick trifold with a stylish string latch that slides neatly into another cardboard sleeve. The sleeve also has a cutout for the tangram logo as well as some gold embellishments.

It also comes with a nice microfiber like the ones you get with the rest of Kizers offerings.

Now for some specs:

The Tangram Vector measures out at a total length of 6.79″ with a blade length of 2.89″. With the blade being just under 3″, this blade is legal just about everywhere. The Vector weighs in at 3.3oz which is a little heavier than some of the other 7″ knives on the market, but only slightly. It’s still more than light enough for daily carry.

The pocket clip on the Tangram Vector is in a right hand tip-up configuration only (Sorry lefties) on aluminum handle scales with skeletonized stainless steel liners. This knife features a drop point blade with a very slight recurve.

The blade on the Vector is made with Japanese ACUTO440 which is a modified 440C with a higher level of chromium and vanadium for better edge retention than 440C. The blade is on phosphor bronze washers which gives it an extremely smooth deployment action that only gets smoother with time as the washers break in. You can even deploy the knife with a flick of the wrist while depressing the button lock. It’s no axis lock, but with a little practice, you can get a nice opening action this way (though it does not swing closed. at least not yet)

The big talking point of the Tangram Vector is the button lock.

While other -$50 edc knives tend to go with the standard liner lock, the Vector steps it up a notch with this classy, easy to use button lock. You get a solid lock up with a simple release and without having to put your finger in the closing path to disengage the liner lock. Plus… it just looks sexy. It’s not often you see a button lock on a knife. It’s a nice break from all the liner lock/frame lock/back lock knives on the market.

Kizer is really changing the game when it comes to production knives, Made-in-China or otherwise. With arguably the best value proposition on the market, QC standards that rival many domestic manufacturers in its class, and new design collaborations with notable bladesmiths popping up regularly; Kizer is only getting better. Their new Tangram line is evidence of this. Not since the Rat series from Ontario have I seen knives that were worth so much more than they are charging for them.

If you’re looking for a solid knife on a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice style and action, check out the Tangram Knife line by Kizer Cutlery.