Greg Lightfoot! Hows his stuff?

Aniketos

Aniketos

Joined
Feb 8, 2003
Messages
345
I did some researching on old posts I made.. I remember when I had asked about different really high end folders and someone stated greg lightfoot.. well I went along back to his website and was flat out amazed at his knives.. really cool stuff. But ooks can be deceiving.. hows he stack as far as useability and toughness?
 
I only handled one of his fixed blades so far. It didn't exactly qualify as a display piece (fit and finish weren't top notch), but I love his designs and Lightfoot knives are made to be used. Since you're looking for both a good SD knife and a stout workhorse, I have to say that his blades are probably among the best.

I own a small CRKT Urban Shark and it's wonderfully designed. Probably the smallest folder on the market that can justifiably be called "tactical" (due to the excellent handle shape and thumb ramp).

Maybe a moderator could move this to the custom forum where it would be likely to get more qualified opinions (from people who have handled more than one of his knives).
 
I have a max velocity, left hand in D2 steel. Fit and finish are very good and the blade is wickedly sharp. It is a bad ass no nonsense knife that fits well in the hand. It seems very solid and to be honest I haven't used it very hard. My guess is this knife can take some seriuos abuse. His pricing is however on the top end. A bit pricey for what you get and that would be my only negative comment.
 
I own two Lightfoots...an M1 Stellite folder (with Damasteel bolsters) and a Lightfoot Combat Axe (LCA), both pictured below. Aside from these, I have handled many of his knives at various knife shows.

Greg's knives are not quite as big as some other customs (e.g. Crawford) but they are VERY stout (much like Greg himself :) )...think "pitbull"...fit and finish is top notch, the action is very good, and the blades are very sharp. Greg puts a lot of thought into the "design" of his knives. It comes as no surprise that his designs are snapped up by production companies (Microtech, Timberline, CRKT etc.)...in fact, Greg designed Microtech's most popular model, the LCC (Lightfoot Compact Combat).


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I've got the CRKT M-1 by Lightfoot, and the blade profile is identical to the folder pictured above.

The blade profile does not lend itself to penetrating hard objects very well (too much edge area to punch through plywood), but the very pronounced belly and slight recurve is very good for the majority of cutting task. I would also think that as a tactical knife, the problem with penetrating plywood would not be such a problem should your target be flesh and bone.

The CRKt version also has a sharkfin shaped "flipper" which also acts as a handguard when the blade is open. This handguard blends into the fingergroove in the handle very well.

As if that were not versatile enough, this knife also comes with two wide clips with the option of carrying tip up, or tip down... left handed or right handed... that's four options... AND, if you so choose, you can use two clips at the same time... switch between left and right pockets. Tuck your knife in your pocket, or on your belt without a sheath... go back and forth to any carry position you want, the clip is already there...
 
Don't confuse collaborations with the real thing. Lightfoot made knives are top quality, like fine watches with actions that are unbelievably smooth. Factory reproductions of his designs are just that, factory product, and bear no comparison to Greg's handmade product except for design.
 
1. CRKT Urban Shark
2. Microtech LCC
3. Lightfoot "Marauder"

The LCC is probably the most "perfect" knife I own (and I do own one or two. ;) ) I had a jeweler check it out under a loupe, and he couldn't find ONE flaw or blemish (at least on MY knife.)

The fit and finish of the "Marauder" is very good, the action superb. And yes, it is a bit smaller than what I was expecting, but for some reason it fits my hand perfectly! A great design for a "working" knife.

Greg is very easy to deal with; a pleasure. You won't regret getting one of his knives (my second one will be ordered asap)
 
I've got Max Velocity and I simply love that knife. What more can I say? I use it a lot so the finish on the blade is not as good as it was on the first day, but the edge is still sharp (due to perfect heat treatment I suppose). And as every single knife... it becomes even more happy with every next little scratch on the blade ;)

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