Kubey Tityus Review: Titanium That Makes the Difference

The Tityus I reviewed in October 2024 measures 8.15 inches overall with a 3.39-inch 14C28N blade and a 4.76-inch handle. The fully contoured titanium handle is about 0.510 inch thick at its widest point. That combination is what makes this version so interesting to me: a good budget steel paired with a handle that feels considerably more expensive.

The titanium model uses a frame lock and a right-hand, tip-up clip. The older G10 budget version has a liner lock and can be set up for either hand, so left-handed buyers need to pay attention to that difference.

Weight is 5.05 ounces, compared with 4.91 ounces for the G10 model I had beside it. They feel virtually the same weight to me. In fact, the titanium one somehow feels a little lighter in hand, although the scale says otherwise.

The important comparison at the time was $50 for the G10/D2 knife and $125 for this titanium/14C28N version. I thought the budget knife was already a great deal, but the extra $75 bought a surprisingly big improvement in how the knife felt. Those are the prices of my October 2024 review.

Next to the CIVIVI Conspirator and Kizer Sheepdog, it is clear that the Tityus is a good-sized knife. It has a broad handle as well as plenty of length, and that width feels amazing in my hand.

If you liked the ergonomics of the budget Tityus, this version really deserves a look. For me, the contouring multiplies what was already good about the original handle. I think it is probably Kubey’s best in-house design, and this upgrade makes it even more appealing.

What I love is the idea of improving a budget design without taking it all the way into an expensive premium-steel price bracket. I personally consider 14C28N a substantial improvement over D2. Combining it with this titanium handle is a very attractive middle ground.

The G10 knife already had good action, a useful flipper tab and a good detent. I was impressed that Kubey kept that feel just as good, and to me even better, when it moved to the frame lock. I have a love-hate relationship with frame locks sometimes, but I like this one.

The real transformation is the fully contoured titanium. The milling is visible, but it also gives the handle texture I can clearly feel. It feels fantastic in hand.

My G10 handle measured about 0.521 inch thick wherever I measured it, excluding the clip. The titanium handle was about 0.510 inch through the middle and thinner toward the ends. At the extra milled area near the front, I measured about 0.362 inch. This is a difference I can feel: the handle slims down where my fingers meet it, making the knife feel slimmer and better in hand.

The forward choil has the same basic outline and width on both knives. Changing the handle around it makes the difference. The G10 version is usable, but I feel more of a chunk against my finger. The contoured titanium makes that area feel smoother and less bulky.

The quality of the milling and texturing is fantastic. There is also internal milling to help manage the weight. At 5.05 ounces against the other knife’s 4.91 ounces, there is very little weight penalty, and the titanium version feels much better balanced to me.

I’m surprised by just how much more I like this version. I love the concept and would like to see Kubey apply it to more of its popular designs. The Pike is one I would particularly like to see get this treatment, and it made me want to check out the titanium Momentum as well.

For someone who has enjoyed budget knives and wants to find out what a well-made titanium knife can feel like, this is an enticing step up. The overall feel and execution remind me of much more expensive knives I’ve handled from WE, Kizer and Reate. That is my impression of the build and handling, rather than a claim that all of those knives perform identically.

You still have a budget-priced steel, but it is a steel I like. That tradeoff is a big part of the appeal. I get a premium feel without paying for a more expensive blade steel that would push the price higher.

The ergonomics are bordering on perfect for me, and the action is phenomenal, whether I’m using the flipper or middle-finger flicking it. The details in the handle make this one of the best knives I handled in 2024, especially at that $125 price.

I can think of plenty of excellent CIVIVI and Kizer knives below $100, but this brings something different: the enjoyable parts of a budget knife combined with beautifully executed titanium contouring. To me it felt like a $250 knife for half the price. I’m very happy to see Kubey doing this, and I hope it continues. Our budget pocket knife guide gives you some less expensive alternatives to compare.