What Kizer lacks in history it certainly makes up for in quality, innovation, and unique designs. Fans have spoken, and new or not, these Chinese-made knives are gaining popularity as hard-use EDC knives with unique designs.

Looking for the best Kizer knife? That’s a tall order - but let’s start with one of our top sellers. It’s a Kizer Sheepdog - specifically, the Kizer C01C XL Sheepdog with a G10 handle and a 154CM, straight-edge blade.

There are many variants of this ever-popular model, but what gives this one the right to contend for the title of “best Kizer knife,” besides its status as one of our best sellers? We’ll take an analytical approach and review.

Basic Specs and Impressions
The Kizer XL Sheepdog is a bruiser among pocket knives, no matter how you slice it, puns aside.

●Weight: 3.17 oz
●Open length: 9.29”
●Closed length: 5.31”
●Blade length: 3.94”
●Blade material: 154CM
●Blade profile: Sheepsfoot
●Deployment mechanism: Flipper and ball bearing system
●Lock type: Liner lock
●Scale material: Black G10
●Carry methods: Tip up (pocket clip not reversible)

First thing you’ll notice: this thing is big. The second thing you’ll notice is that it's heavy. It might be a folding pocket cleaver but this thing carries and handles more like an actual cleaver. Fit and finish are good to better-than-good if not excellent, and it’s very comfortable in the hand, both open and closed. It also indexes naturally and for anyone with small to medium-sized hands, it’ll offer room for a four-finger grip. Even the largest hands will get plenty of purchase with this knife.

The scales are comfortable contoured to prevent hot spots from forming and the knife handles very comfortably, securely, and confidently in the standard hammer, saber, and reverse grips. In fact, in the latter, the thumb fits nicely into the inverted contour of the choil.

Because it’s a folder, it might not be the best choice for chopping, but with a knife like this you can carve, whittle, slice, and dice, and maybe even get in a little of prying action - just be sensible about it - knives are not made for that.

Scale Material
This version of the venerable Kizer XL Sheepdog comes with black G10 scales, although variants are available with G10 in different colors are well as with titanium handle scales.

The G10 is smooth, but not so smooth as to sacrifice the tactical sensation of having an excellent, uncompromised grip. Some knife makers machine their G10 aggressively but this knife has a refreshingly smoother facade.

One of the things you may love about the G10 is that it is utterly impervious to the elements. It will shrug off water, sweat, oil, blood, grease, salt (and other chemicals), UV light, and much more. Extremes of temperature will fail to sway it, and it is better than corrosion resistant - it is effectively corrosion proof. It’s also not absorbent and outrageously durable. You might be able to scuff it or scratch it, but good luck - that’s as far as you’re getting.

Would solid iron scales be tougher? Yes, but they’d be heavier and they’d rust away in a year or two. Our vote goes for the G10, black or otherwise.

Blade Material and Profile
This knife has a stocky, cleaver-like sheepsfoot (some would call it a modified sheepsfoot) blade. On that note, we can’t help but wonder if the profile of the blade influenced the name. Is it called the sheepdog because it perfectly represents a sheepsfoot blade or because it is an unflinchingly hard worker? You decide.

Now let’s not wax too poetic. This is a tough knife with a beautifully hardworking sheepsfoot blade and an attractively swedged spine. It’s a great pick for slicing, carving (even via the help of a maul), and thanks to its immensely strong point, for detail work.

If you’ve never heard of 154CM, get ready for a crash course. It’s not really a super high-end steel, but it deserves a few moments of your time. Here are the hallmarks of 154CM: 1.05% carbon, 14% chromium, and a full 4% contribution of molybdenum. Silicon and manganese are also present in smaller, trace amounts, but it's the carbon, chromium, and moly that make it.

The chromium adds excellent corrosion resistance (just like it does in 440C), but here, the high carbon content allows for a quality heat treatment for superior edge retention while the molybdenum adds strength and toughness. It’s really a beautiful balance of elements, especially for a pocket cleaver that’s probably going to be roughed around and used as a hybrid between a pry bar, a chisel, and a machete. All in all, it’s a great steel.

Mechanics: Deployment and Lock Mechanism
The stainless steel blade, which deploys on a ball bearing mechanism, rides smoothly and deploys readily via the flipper mechanism. You might expect to have to force a big, heavy blade like this - and you should get ready for a touch of resistance - but all things considered, it deploys readily and opens smoothly and quickly.

As far as lockup is considered, the frame lock of the titanium version might be more suitable (in terms of structural integrity) for a pocket cleaver such as this but considering that’s not really practical with G10 scales, the liner lock works just fine. Lockup is sure and solid and allows for no play in the blade. Just don’t abuse it, and you can expect it to last.

What We Love
Here are some things we love about this XL Sheepdog. Call it the best Kizer knife if you will.

●This thing is solid and comfortable to carry, deploy and use.

●There is plenty of edge to work with and the tip is stout enough to handle some abuse.

●The ergs are excellent; the edges of the scales are not rough and you’d have to really try to force a hot spot.

●The G10 is basically bombproof.

●The steel is excellent, considering the price point.

●This knife balances the aesthetics and function of a lighter EDC knife and a heavier pocket cleaver beautifully. It could fill both roles.

Could It Be Better?
If we could change anything about this XL Sheepdog in order to make it the “uncontested” best Kizer knife (if such a thing could be said), they would be these:

●Kizer should alter the model to allow for the pocket clip to be reversible, allowing for carrying on both sides as well as tip-down carry.

●A beefier sub-frame lock or liner lock is in order for a knife of this size. Considering the heft, a lock back might actually be the best option.

●We wouldn’t mind seeing a lanyard hole, especially on a knife of this size.

●There’s nothing wrong with the scales, but a little extra texture wouldn’t hurt.

●Squaring off the spine and adding jimping and a thumb ramp would make use more comfortable and make it possible to use this knife for striking sparks and shaving tinder.

Is It the Best Kizer Knife? Are There Alternatives?
If you don’t love this Kizer XL Sheepdog or think it’s the best Kizer knife, we have plenty of alternatives. For those of you that love the design but would like to see some similar alternatives, check out the following knives:

●The CRKT Pilar (and Pilar variants): Slightly smaller but still beefy, the CRKT Pilar (especially the original) is an ergonomic masterpiece that can chop and slice, despite its smaller dimensions. Plus, it has an exceptionally strong frame lock, which we like to see.

●The CJRB Maileah: This is the far smaller analog to the Sheepdog. It’s almost too small - but, it has a similar blade shape and is made with AR-RPM9, an awesome budget super-steel that takes and holds an edge for a while.

●The Gerber Tri-Tip: Not a folding knife, but similar in blade design and function.

Love Kizer but want to see some other (different) best sellers from the brand? Consider the following:

●Kizer Mini Sheepdog
●Kizer Domin Mini
●Kizer Begleiter
●Kizer Uli Hennicke
●Kizer Intrepid
●Kizer Gemini
●Kizer Fire Ant (Similar aesthetics, design, and function)

We Have Your Pick for Best Kizer Knife - Whatever It Is!

There’s a reason that Kizer Cutlery is respected as one of the top producers of quality knives. Among knife designers, they utilize premium materials, CNC machining, and other proven, consistent production methods, and most importantly, deliver consistently novel, interesting pocket knife designs.

The Kizer XL Sheepdog is just one of the best of them. Kizer Knives are renowned for durability and ergonomics, just the same. If you have any questions about this specific model or would like us to secure a different Kizer knife that you don’t see on our website, please contact us at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com.