Kizer Defies Expectations with a Wild Fan-Favorite Blade Shape and Tactical Flipper Knife Combo

Discovered in the 1600s and driven to extinction less than 80 years later, the large, flightless Dodo bird has served as a longtime reminder of the importance of environmental and animal conservation.

So, what, then, does it have in common with Kizer’s latest affordable workhorse folding knife? Honestly, very little.

However, the Kizer Dodo does have plenty going for it, including an unconventional combination of a classic tactical knife style and a fan-favorite blade shape.

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The way of the Dodo

Kizer’s Dodo gets its name from the unique shape of its blade. Like the dodo bird’s beak, the blade is chunky and thick. It’s actually a combination of a couple of styles.

Overall, the blade is similar to the fan-favorite cleaver shape: broad and roughly rectangular. That makes it great for chopping, as the broadness of the blade boasts plenty of strength.

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But there’s another element to it: the edge is slightly concave, more like a hawkbill (also bird-inspired). That gives it a good piercing tip and potential tactical, self-defense applications. That shape also makes it good for maintaining longer, steadier cuts.

It’s also worth noting that, across all three Dodo configurations, that blade is made from hard-working Nitro-V steel. Plus, it boasts a flipper and a large thumb hole (as well as a fuller groove) for three times the deployment options.

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Give ’em the bird

Obviously, the blade is only half the story. The other half is in the handle. But this is where the Dodo gets really interesting.

While cleaver-style blades are typically found on more EDC-friendly folding knives, this one is applied to a much more unconventional style. With its curved, ergonomic handle and tail-mounted finger hole, the Dodo is technically a karambit knife.

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Based on tiger-inspired Indonesian farming implements turned tactical tools, these knives typically have an aggressive curve to them and are meant to be gripped upside-down (with the blade emerging from the bottom of your grip instead of the top near your thumb). This knife boasts the same shape and format, including the finger hole on the tail.

The chief difference between the three configurations lies in its handle scales, which are available in Richlite, G-10 or PC. All three have the same liner lock, styling and grip. (As a bonus, that finger hole doubles as an emergency glass breaker.)

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Available now

All three Kizer Dodo configurations are now available on the brand’s site. Depending on which one you choose, they retail for $70 to $75.

Kizer

Kizer Dodo

• Starts at $70

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