Spotlight: Kizer Sheepdog

The Kizer Sheepdog series, designed by Chris Conaway, comprises a wide range of EDC knives designed for a variety of applications. From daily use around the house, your kitchen to a showpiece for your display case. The Kizer Sheepdog collection has it all.

About the designer and creation of the Sheepdog

The Kizer Sheepdog was designed by Chris Conaway, founder of Sheepdog Knives; a company making custom, handmade knives in California. Chris is known for his daring, unique, striking designs that are as practical as they are stunning. The Sheepdog is one of his most recognizable designs, originally introduced as a 'custom-only' handmade knife. Later, however, Kizer got permission to make this knife available to a larger audience.

The collaboration between Kizer and Chris Conaway dates back to 2016, when Kizer first added the Sheepdog design to their Vanguard and premium lines. This made the Sheepdog accessible to a larger audience and more affordable than the hand-made version, of course.

Features of the Kizer Sheepdog series

The most important feature of the Sheepdog knives are their sheepsfoot blades, similar to a cleaver style. The name ‘sheepsfoot’ refers to the use of this blade shape mainly in agriculture and animal husbandry, especially when tending sheep. The knife was used to tackle hoof problems or to cut away felted wool without injuring the animal. These practical origins laid the foundation for the versatility the blade offers today.

The straight cutting edge of a sheepsfoot blade shape makes it easier to mark straight lines or cut through materials. This comes in handy, for example, for marking things in wood while doing DIY tasks. The rounded tip reduces the risk of accidents, making it an ideal shape for applications where safety is a priority (for example on ships or in medical environments).

The Sheepdog collection includes different sizes for different purposes, each specifically designed and adapted for particular cutting tasks. For the blades, Kizer uses 154CM for the Vanguard series (Kizer's budget line) and CPM S35VN for the ‘premium’ models. Both American steels retain their sharpness very well and both are highly corrosion resistant. A good choice for EDC pocket knives!

Every knife in the series has an ergonomic handle with the signature finger groove for the index finger, which ensures a good grip and improved precision for detailed cutting tasks. For the handles, Kizer uses a variety of materials. For example micarta, titanium or carbon fibre. There's something for everyone!

What makes the Sheepdog collection so popular?

The Kizer Sheepdog stands out with its striking design and excellent functionality. The cleaver-style blade is not only visually impressive and imposing, but also ideal for multiple tasks. From cutting your ginger for your ginger tea, cutting thick rope or tie-wraps to more detailed cutting tasks, the Sheepdog excels in ease of use, performance and aesthetic design. There are few knives that look as unique yet have such a cohesive design as the Kizer Sheepdog series. And all of that without compromising on functionality. This makes the Sheepdog a popular knife among collectors and knife fans.

Different versions of the Sheepdog series

The Sheepdog collection includes both small versions of the knife and larger ones. The smaller versions are more suitable for EDC use (Every Day Carry). The XL, or 'full-size', versions are more popular among collectors. The larger ones are just as functional as the smaller versions, but much bigger.

Discover all Kizer Sheepdog pocket knives here.