Kizer Roach XL Review

The Roach XL is a knife I wish I had put on my list of older Kizers that deserved a top liner button lock. I would have sounded pretty smart, because this combination is fantastic. I already liked the earlier Roaches, and I love a big knife. This one gives me exactly the sort of substantial handle and blade that gets me excited.

The flat grind is a change from what I remember of the earlier Roach series. The linen Micarta is especially nice, with a grain and feel that I really enjoy. I love how this material develops a patina. Matt Degnan designed the knife, and the top liner button lock gives this larger blade a pronounced, snappy detent. Carry is reversible and tip-up.

At $79.99, this is a very solid price for a whole lot of knife. The Kizer Warren is noticeably shorter, and the Mini Roach looks exactly like the little brother it is. I still love that Mini, and I would like to see it get the same lock treatment. The full-size Militaw is much closer to the XL in overall length.

Unlike the Mini Roach, this flipper tab does not come off. It works very well with the forward choil, and the flipping action is crisp, so it is not spoiling the knife for me. Still, I would have liked the option to remove it. I think other people who enjoyed that feature on the Mini would appreciate having it here too.

This is a handful in length, width and height, and I love the way it feels. It reminds me of a Shaman on steroids in terms of the handle girth. The curves really hug my hand. I can use the finger choil or move back, where a little curve gives my pinky somewhere to settle. Both positions feel very good.

It will take up some pocket space. I think of the regular Sheepdog, CJRB Tundra or Double Tap as useful comparisons for the bulk. I will know it is there, but that does not bother me in regular pants. Loose basketball shorts could be more of an issue. That is where I would use a lighter knife instead of expecting this big Roach to disappear.

I enjoy the flipper and the blade cutout equally. The middle-finger flick is about as good as I could want, and the flipping action is just as satisfying. The detent feels dialed in, the movement is smooth and my blade centering is excellent. I hope this is the first of more older Kizer models to receive this lock. It makes an already enjoyable design even better for me.