This Gorgeous New Pocket Knife Is a Minimalist Masterpiece

Designed by the great Ray Laconico, Vosteed’s quietly elegant Vallhund boasts function to match its form.

Published October 15, 2024

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If and when you think about sheep dogs, you probably don’t picture a compact, swift and potent package. (The old Looney Tunes character Sam Sheepdog doesn’t really boost the brand identity here.)

But the reality is, sheep dogs come in dozens of breeds, and should you happen to Google “vallhund,” you’ll see a real beauty.

To be honest, the Vallhund is fidget-friendly as hell, so much so that at this morning’s editorial huddle via Google Meet, I had to mute myself when not speaking so as to spare my colleagues the zoosh-thwap-click sounds of repeatedly deploying and closing the knife.

A Swedish sheep dog bred to assist with cattle herding over 1,000 years ago, the vallhund is a pint-sized, sharp-looking, athletic beast that on a competitive level can excel in dog agility trials and herding events.

All of which is to say that the latest knife from Vosteed, a collaboration with ace designer Ray Laconico, is in fact quite aptly named.

Vosteed Vallhund Frame Lock Knife

$179 at Vosteed

Release the ‘hund

That’s because, while this gent’s pocket knife is styled more for the boardroom than the backcountry, the Vosteed Vallhund has much in common with the canine for which it is named. The silhouette is streamlined, it looks fantastic and when it comes to the tasks for which it is designed, it’s adept.

No surprise, really, given that it’s the brainchild of Ray Laconico. A veteran custom knife maker based in Visalia, California, the man has built a rep for knives boasting minimalistic aesthetics, premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship.

vosteed vallhund half folded — The Vallhund’s shape, materials and weight add up to a knife that’s incredibly well balanced.

All those qualities are on display in a knife with an overall length of 6.9 inches and a weight of just 2.61 ounces. The Vallhund’s 3.02-inch S35VN clip-point blade offers a winning combo of edge retention and corrosion resistance. A precise point, full belly and spine jimping assist with all manner of everyday piercing and slicing.

The deployment via ambidextrous thumb studs or front flipper is manual, but it is so smooth thanks to ceramic ball bearings, it feels assisted — and addictive.

vosteed vallhund thumb stud — If you get this knife and you’re like me, that thumb stud is about to get a helluva lot of use.

A sturdy frame lock holds the blade in place, and what a frame it is. The beautifully contoured ergonomic titanium handle invites a confident grip while tip-up titanium pocket clip makes stashing convenient.

All these elements add up to a knife that is remarkably satisfying to hold, deploy and use.

vallhund diptych — From the 3D-milled titanium pocket clip to the geometrically angled S35VN blade, the Vallhund is truly a looker.

To be honest, it’s fidget-friendly as hell, so much so that at this morning’s editorial huddle via Google Meet, I had to mute myself when not speaking so as to spare my colleagues the zoosh-thwap-click sounds of repeatedly deploying and closing the knife.

Probably not as loud as a jumpy Swedish sheep dog might be, but no doubt equally charming.