The Kizer C01C has long been one of the brand's most recognizable silhouettes: a wide, wedge-shaped blade with a sheepsfoot profile that borrows as much from kitchen cleavers as it does from pocket knives. Chris Conaway of Sheepdog Knives drew the original, and over successive generations Kizer has expanded the line across steel and handle combinations. The latest flagship variant, the Ki4488A4, finally gives the design the materials it deserves: a CPM-S35VN blade and a skeletonized titanium handle for $122.40.
Cleaver Attitude, Sheepsfoot Geometry
The C01C is best described as a cleaver-style folder with a sheepsfoot edge. The blade is a thick 0.16 inches, with a tall, broad face that gives it the visual heft of a mini cleaver while the sheepfoot-style nose keeps the tip high and safe for scoring cardboard, opening packaging or pushing cuts through dense material. Kizer's listing calls it a heavy-duty design, and the proportions back that up: 3.25 inches of blade on a 4.50-inch handle, with a 7.75-inch overall length and a substantial 6.17-ounce weight.
Deployment is handled by a thumb hole rather than a flipper, riding on a ball-bearing pivot that the product page describes as smooth and effortless. Thumb-hole openers suit this kind of wide-bladed design particularly well, since they keep the spine clean and let you flick the knife open from almost any grip position.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade steel | CPM-S35VN |
| Handle material | Skeletonized titanium |
| Overall length | 7.75 in |
| Blade length | 3.25 in |
| Blade thickness | 0.16 in |
| Weight | 6.17 oz |
| Lock type | Titanium frame lock |
| Designer | Chris Conaway (Sheepdog Knives) |
| Blade style | Sheepsfoot / cleaver-inspired |
| Opener | Thumb hole, ball-bearing pivot |
| Price (MSRP) | $122.40 |
| Status | Listed October 2026; availability varies |
CPM-S35VN: The Working Man's Premium Steel
CPM-S35VN sits in the middle of Crucible's premium stainless lineup, and for many enthusiasts it is the most sensible choice in the family. Compared with its predecessor S30V, the addition of niobium refines the carbide structure, delivering noticeably better toughness at a similar level of edge retention, with corrosion resistance that shrugs off humid climates and sweaty pockets. For a broad, work-oriented blade like the C01C's, that combination is ideal: the tall edge takes plenty of abuse in package duty and food prep, and S35VN resists the micro-chipping that thinner, harder steels can suffer in the same roles.
The skeletonized titanium handle keeps the weight in check despite the knife's bulk, drilling out the frame's interior without sacrificing structural integrity. Kizer describes the result as top-notch durability in a lightweight frame, and the gray titanium finish gives the knife a refined, understated look that contrasts nicely with the wide blade.
Where It Lands Against the Competition
At $122.40, the C01C Ti/S35VN sits above the standard production tier of cleaver folders but well below boutique custom cleavers, which routinely run two to three times as much in similar materials. Buyers comparing it with other titanium-frame S35VN folders will find the C01C's appeal is chiefly its silhouette: very few production knives offer this much blade face in a pocket-friendly package. If you prefer lighter carry, the same model number family includes more affordable 154CM and micarta versions that preserve the geometry while trimming the price.
The Verdict
The Ki4488A4 is the definitive version of the C01C for enthusiasts who want the full experience: premium powder-metal steel, a titanium frame, and Conaway's unmistakable cleaver attitude. It is heavy for an EDC by modern standards, but that mass translates to confidence in hand and a satisfying, planted feel during use. Check Kizer's official product page for current availability, as the brand's titanium variants tend to cycle in and out of stock.