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Review: Kizer Sheepdog with Clutch Lock

By on July 8, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Kizer’s Sheepdog series, one of their best-known knife lines, is characterized by bold and functional sheepsfoot-shaped blades. There are several great knives in that series but I think their Clutch Lock models are the real standouts. You could say they are standout knives in a standout series.

Specs

  • Overall Length: 7.60″/193mm
  • Opener: Thumb Stud/Thumb Hole
  • Blade Style: Sheepfoot
  • Blade Length: 3.15″/80mm
  • Blade Thickness: 0.11″/2.8mm
  • Blade Material: 154CM
  • Handle Length: 4.45″/113mm
  • Handle Material: Aluminium
  • Pocket Clip: Reversible Deep Carry
  • Weight: 4.76oz./135g
  • Lock Type: Clutch Lock

Observations from Use

If you like big, bold knives, you’ll like the Sheepdog. I happen to think it is a great-looking design that makes a statement (especially with the purple scales). However, the Sheepdog series isn’t just wild for the sake of being wild. This is actually a practical and useful knife. The blade stock is thinner than you would expect, though still plenty stout given the height, at .11″ thick. This coupled with a very tall flat grind, a useful point, and slight belly to the edge means these knives excel at utility work and cut aggressively.

I haven’t tried every crossbar-style lock but I think, in general, Kizer is doing them best of what I have put hands on. For one, their Clutch Lock is adjustable which is a meaningful feature for this knife. The blade has a lot of mass so being able to set a stiffer detent is great. They also seem to get great action from their Clutch Lock knives, taking the time to polish bearing surfaces. This VERY strong lock with fidget potential is very fitting for this design.

Most, if not all, of the Sheepdog series have multiple opening methods. I particularly like the setup on this version of the full-size Sheepdog. It has color-matched thumb studs, a large opening hole, and a fuller. Some models of the Sheepdog have a flipper tab but this one does not, which I prefer. It is already a wide knife in pocket so it is nice to forgo the extra width of the tab.

If you have never tried a Sheepdog in hand, you need to. They generally have flat scales but deeply curved handle shapes that are very comfortable to hard use. The handle is large enough that it should be very well suited to those with larger hands. I also want to call out the finish that Kizer uses on their aluminum scales. It feels great in hand.

If I could change a few things, I might make the fuller just a bit wider which I think would make flipping it open off the fuller even easier than it already is. The deep carry pocket clip is secure and stable but seems like it could be trimmed down a bit. These are clearly nitpicks on a great knife.

Wrap Up

Maybe you want a large, hard-working knife that is well suited to utility tasks. Maybe you just want an EDC that makes a statement. Maybe you just like sheepdogs. If any of those apply, you ought to check out something from Kizer’s Sheepdog lineup and, as I said, I happen to think these Clutch Lock models are the pick of the litter.

The Clutch Lock Sheepdog models are available at a host of price points with various blade steels and handle materials. You can view the whole range at Kizer.com.

Watch the Kizer Store on Amazon for sales: Kizer Sheepdog C01C at Amazon.com

Review: Vosteed Raccoon Cub

By on June 28, 2024 in Bargain or Just Cheap?, EDC, Knives, Reviews

One of the more exciting new knives to be shown at this year’s Blade Show was the Vosteed Raccoon Cub. The design was instantly recognizable as a scaled-down Raccoon (the model that Vosteed may be most known for) but it was also clear that this knife was going to take on established designs in the fifth pocket or little-big-knife space.

Now that I have spent time with a review sample and pricing has been released, I can say it delivers. In fact, I’ll say that I think this is best-in-class.

Specs

Blade Length: 2.34″ | 59.50 mm

Overall Length: 5.57″ | 141.60 mm

Blade Width: 0.98″ | 25.00 mm

Blade Thickness: 0.098″ | 2.50 mm

Blade Material: 14C28N

Blade Grind: Flat

Blade Style: Drop Point

Hardness: HRC 60±2

Handle Length: 3.23″ | 82.10 mm

Handle Width: 1.00″ | 25.50 mm

Handle Thickness: 0.41″ | 10.50 mm

Handle Material: G10

Weight: 2.04 oz | 58.00 g

Opener: Thumb Stud | Front Flipper

Lock Type: Liner Lock

Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

Pocket Clip: Reversible | Stainless Steel

Carry Position: Tip-up

Knife Type: Manual Folding

Thumbstud Material: Aluminum

Designer: Yue

Observations from Use

I am a big fan of this type of knife. I usually carry a fixed blade knife so it is nice to have a compact folding knife that is small enough not to be burdensome but large enough to be useful. This little-big-knife or fifth pocket knife segment is growing and competitive. That is good for me because I am fully on board.

The Raccoon Cub has exactly the sort of ergonomics you want in a knife like this. It has a large, useable finger choil in the blade to allow a full and comfortable four-finger grip if you choke up while also remaining very compact when it is folded. It is a well-established formula that is well executed in this design.

The Raccoon Cub will inevitably draw comparisons to the Civivi Baby Banter – a knife that I own and that really stands out in this segment. The two knives are similar in many ways but differ in some key ways:

  • I prefer the blade shape of the Raccoon Cub with its more acute tip, something I find especially useful on a small knife.
  • The Racoon Cub also offers jumping on the spine out near that point to make it even easier to control for fine tasks.
  • The Raccoon Cub is VERY SLIGHTLY heavier but, for that weight, you get skeletonized and nested steel liners which is nice.
  • The Raccoon Cub’s handle is a little less cramped thanks to the taper at the butt and it is also easier to open thanks to better action and the addition of a front flipper.
  • The Raccoon Cub is a full $10-12 cheaper than the base Baby Banter options.

Speaking of the front flipper. I just want to mention that I normally don’t really care about them and rarely use them. However, in the case of the Raccoon Cub, it is so well executed, snappy, and easy to use that I find that it is actually useful instead of just fidgety. Some users with larger hands, may even prefer it.

The action on my review sample is extremely smooth with a very crispy detent. In fact, I can deploy the blade with just pressure from the pad of my middle finger. The detent holds rock steady until you apply enough pressure to overcome it and then the blade rockets open. It’s very satisfying.

Wrap Up

When this knife was shown at Blade Show, I recognized the potential. When I spent time with it, I fell in love. When it finally went up for sale and I saw the price, I became convinced that the Raccoon Cub is best-in-class.

This is now the best fifth pocket knife available. The value is great. The ergonomics are great. The cutting performance is great. It’s just a stellar knife.

The Raccoon Cub is initially only available Amazon: Vosteed Raccoon Cub at Amazon.com

It will be available direct from Vosteed at a later date: Vosteed.com

Review: Kizer Beleiter XL

By on June 12, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Lots and lots of blade in a super slim, easy-to-carry package… That’s what has always drawn me to the Begleiter series. That is also what drew me to the Begleiter XL, the subject of this review. I’ve owned 3 knives in this series and I keep coming back.

Specs

View the full specs at KizerKnives.com. The highlights are listed below:

  • Overall Length: 9″/229mm
  • Opener: Thumb Stud & Flipper
  • Blade Style: Drop Point
  • Blade Length: 3.91″/99mm
  • Blade Thickness: 0.13″/3.2mm
  • Blade Material: 154CM
  • Handle Length: 5.12″/130mm
  • Handle Material: Micarta
  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right or Left
  • Weight: 5.06oz./144g

Observations from Use

As I mentioned earlier, the Begleiter series is characterized by designs that minimize width and maximize blade length. That is what I have always appreciated about the series and why I have owned several. The Begleiter XL leans into that design ethos even more aggressively. It packs a nearly 4″ blade into package that is very slim and therefore very pocketable. So, the bottom line is that if need a larger blade for EDC that is still easy to carry, check out the Begleiter XL or the rest of the series.

All my other Begleiters have been liner locks. This review sample Begleiter XL has a button lock which is a welcomed finger-safe locking option and very fidgety. In my experience, Kizer is doing button locks better than most. Their button locks lock up strong (passed multiple spine whacks out of the box and after a few weeks of carry) and have a slightly sticky/clicky feel that I like in a button lock.

As long as we are talking about what Kizer does well, it has been my experience that Kizer has some of the best micartas in the game. The lined micarta used on this Begleiter XL looks amazing and feels amazing which is what I have come to expect from Kizer. The finishes on their micartas are top notch.

The action on the Begleiter XL is great. The long blade definitely helps, but this knife swings open like a rocket and falls shut the moment the lock is depressed. Kizer manages to get achieve a very strong and crisp detent from their button locks. As a result, both the flipper tab and thumb stud actions are tuned very, very well.

The blade on the Begleiter XL has everything I like in a blade. The tall, primary flat grind tapers down to a very thin edge. The drop point is strong, precise, and usable thanks to the swedge grind. It also has a long, subtle distal taper that ensures that the belly part of the blade slices extremely aggressively.

There are two things I would change if I had my way. First, I would love to see some texture on the button lock for no other reason than I just like that texture as a tactile index point. Second, it would be nice if the flipper tab was just a little more compact. It is shaped well enough that you can actually grip the knife over it, which I like, but it would be great if it was just a bit more compact.

Wrap Up

I am going to repeat it, if you like big, easy-to-carry blades, the Begleiter series and the Begleiter XL will be right up your alley. The materials are great, the action is top-notch, and I really like the cutting performance.

Begleiter Series at KizerKnives.com

Begleiter XL at Amazon.com (35% off as of the time of this writing)

Review: Vosteed Talarurus

By on June 3, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Vosteed’s new Talarurus shows off their ambitious design chops in a big way. They have had other knives with unique, compelling designs like the Corgi line or Thunderbird line but this Talarurus has a new level of cohesiveness that is very cool to see.

Specs

See the full specs at Vosteed.com. The highlights are below:

Blade Length: 3.03″ | 76.96 mm

Overall Length: 7.18″ | 182.37 mm

Blade Thickness: 0.138″ | 3.50 mm

Blade Material: 14C28N

Blade Grind: Flat

Blade Style: Modified Sheepsfoot

Handle Material: Micarta

Weight: 3.42 oz | 97.00 g

Opener: Thumb Disk

Lock Type: Crossbar Lock

Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

Carry Position: Tip-up

Observations from Use

If you have seen other Vosteed reviews or own one of their other knives yourself, you already know this is a functional knife with good, thin cutting geometry. I made a big deal about the design of the knife earlier (and will expand on that more later) but this is still a knife after all. It has to cut and be comfortable to use or it sucks.

The Talarurus’ modified sheepsfoot shape has a great point that is easy to access and a subtle belly coupled with a tall flat grind that makes this knife a deceptively good slicer. The choice of a thumb disk coupled with a ramped harpoon shape makes for a very comfortable thumb rest. This would be a solid choice for everyday carry or even a work knife. This knife has some “go” to back up all that “show”.

This design stands out to me even above previous Vosteed knives for a few reasons. The most notable (and subtle) is the cohesiveness of it. Vosteed is absolutely flexing their chops here with the way that various angles of the blade shape meld into, or mirror angles in the handle. They even went so far as to run a long chamfer down the length of the micarta handle slabs that perfectly matches the height of the primary grind on the blade. That is very intentional, very precise, and very visually interesting design.

The design elements above aren’t just for decoration. They serve a functional purpose. The chamfers on the handle that match the grind of the blade… those provide additional grip or contouring to the handle so it feels better in hand. The aggressive blade shape that matches the closed shape of the handle… those angles bring the blade to a sharp, useable point.

Finally, there is some fun built into the design. Each of the color ways of the Talarus has at least one small pop of color. Most models have a contrasting, anodized thumb disk for opening the blade. In the case of the blacked-out version that I have, the thumb disk is olive green which makes for a more subtle contrast.

Wrap Up

The Talarurus would make a stylish EDC knife or even a stout work knife thanks to the blade shape and strong lock. It is a visually striking knife with intentional details bringing the whole design together. If you are interested in a classic EDC like the Vosteed Raccoon, you owe it to yourself to give the Talarusus a long look as well.

Vosteed Talarurus at Vosteed.com

Review: Vosteed Acorn

By on May 29, 2024 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Vosteed’s newest knife, the Acorn, has all the makings of the next big thing. Every once in a while, a knifemaker tweaks all the knobs just right and one of their knives becomes an instant classic – the kind of knife that becomes so easily recommendable that it seems to be on Youtube channel, every Instagram feed, and every knife related Reddit all at once. The Acorn could be one of those.

Specs

Blade Length: 2.93″ | 74.50 mm

Overall Length: 6.92″ | 175.70 mm

Blade Thickness: 0.118″ | 3.00 mm

Blade Material: 14C28N

Weight: 3.14 oz | 89.00 g

Opener: Thumb Hole

Lock Type: Liner Lock

Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

Pocket Clip: Reversible | Stainless Steel

Carry Position: Tip-up

Observations from Use

In the intro to this review, I went off about the Acorn being a new instant classic. I’ll tell you why I think that based on my time with this knife…

Function – First, and most importantly, it’s a good knife. It has a useful blade shape with a tall, flat grind that renders thin, slicy edge geometry. The 14C28N blade steel is as good as it gets at this price. The grip is ergonomic, hand filling, and very comfortable regardless of how you hold it. This is designed to be an all-around cutting tool and it shows.

Size – It has that perfect EDC size. It’s big enough to do anything you need from an EDC knife but compact and thin enough to carry any time. There is a reason so many folding knives are released with a just under 3″ blade and just under 7″ overall length… and it isn’t just legality. It’s a useful side.

Features and Fidgets – The Acorn also has a lot the quality-of-life goodies that people like on an EDC knife. It has a crispy, well-tuned detent and very smooth action. There is plenty of jimping all around on this knife including a generous amount on the spine of the blade. There are multiple opening methods including an opening hole and front-flipper. The opening hole is large and well-shaped so that, coupled with the great action, it makes for satisfying fidgeting.

Good Looks – This is more subjective than a lot of the other metrics but I think this is a great-looking knife and that seems to be the consensus opinion online. The Acorn’s organic, balanced shape along with an eye-catching new pivot design, color-matched highlights (pivot and lanyard loop), and weathered canvas micarta makes for the kind of rugged good looks that seem popular right now.

Value – Last but not least, the Acorn fits in a lot of budgets. The everyday price comes in at the lower end of Vosteed’s line but the Acorn is currently on sale for 20% off which makes this knife under $40. It is going to find its way into a lot of pockets at that price.

Wrap Up

The Acorn is a stylish, all-around EDC knife at a good price. If you can pick one up during the introductory sale, you can make that a great price.

The 20% sale on Amazon runs through June 6th, 2024. The Acorn will sell for just $39.20 during that time. It is currently only available on Amazon: Vosteed Acorn on Amazon.com

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