Kizer Sheepdog in CPM-10V & Flipper Deleted: Affordable Way Into 10V

Published: 2 years ago

First up, these versions are Blade HQ exclusives.

Now, it's been quite a while since I'd had a Sheepdog in my hands, and I forgot that the handle is just a bit shorter than I'd like. The blade is quite tall that makes it seem very large, but it really is a mid-size folder.

These things have/had 6 variants. 3 original design with the flipper tab and 3 with the flipper removed and a thumb hole added. They came in 3 colors of Micarta. I chose the lightest color of the bunch (tan) as I intended to dye them.

Still gotta work on the dyeing, as it didn't take the Rit Dyemore like the other micarta's I did at the same time. Will have to try adding salt to the dye to help it set, and possibly adding vinegar incase they're using a protein fiber like wool in them.

But the main reason I picked this up was due to the CPM-10V steel. It's one I've been intrigued by due to the large amounts of vanadium carbides it has, and this was an affordable piece (sub $100).

I LOVE the removal of the flipper tab on this. I think it cuts down on the bulk a bit, allows you to choke up on the blade, and the deployment hole works great. Due to the nested liners, it's thin as well.

I still think I overall prefer the Towser K to the Sheepdog

Specs:
3.31" CPM-10V blade with 3 mm stock thickness
4.18 oz / 118 gram weight
0.47" handle thickness (Micarta)
Liner Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
sovrn