Legion by Knife Research

Mistwalker

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Dec 22, 2007
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Some time back – not remembering exactly when, but it has been some time – I saw a photo of the Legion that Gianni posted somewhere on the internet. I inquired about it, and I learned it was a Molletta designed knife being produced by Lion Steel for a company called Knife Research. So, then I set out to find someone at Knife Research, and learn more about it. After a while I made contact, we worked out the particulars, and waited. Well, a couple of months ago the knife made it across the Atlantic, and I have been playing around with it ever since.

Upon arrival, I loved the presentation of the knife, and the obvious national pride. Very classy.










The specs are, as taken from the Knife Research website:

Blade Length: 170mm (6.7")
Total Length: 300mm (11.8")
Blade Thickness: 5.6mm (7/32")
Weight: G10 410g (14.5 oz) - Micarta 390g (13,76oz)
Blade Finish: Satin or sandblasted
Handle: G10 in various colors and Micarta Loveless green
Steel: Sleipner
Hardness: 60HRC


The sheath is obviously tactical in design, and very well thought out for that role. Very solid, well thought out, and well executed. The knife fits nice and snug with no movement, and has good drainage. It is set up for multiple attachment options on a belt or a MOLLE / PALS type vest. It has webbing straps on the front for attaching a pouch, and loops on the sides to hold the supplied ceramic sharpener. There is a thigh strap supplied with the knife as well as the hex key to tighten the binding posts. The same hex key fits the other binding posts as well, and the sheath can easily be changed from right to left hand draw. It is without a doubt one of the better tactical knife sheaths I have seen on the market.

















The knife itself has very nice clean lines, superb fit and finish, and excellent grinds, and feels really good in hand.













The balance point is just forward of the first finger.





It came with a very nice edge.










At 5.6mm thick it is a very stout blade, well suited to hard work. The mass and forward weight allow the knife to chop very well for a blade of only 17cm. The handle is not overly aggressive, yet easy to keep a grip on while chopping, even in a rearward three-finger hold.









So far, from my experiences with using it – not all of which have been captured in photos – I have to say I like the simple understated elegance, and it is a very well functioning design. It does handle very well for a knife of this size and thickness, and performs even heavier tasks very well. I really like the knife itself and the sheath very much, and as a total package it is one of the better ones I have run across. I really look forward to using it in the projects for which it was chosen.
 
Excellent review!

I've rarely heard of this company, it's really nice to put a face to the brand. As a fan of all things Italian I'm happy to see such fine craftsmanship too.

I'm not in the market for such a blade (unfortunately!), but if I were I'd absolutely be taking a closer look. There is so much in the way of high quality competition so price would be one of my first concerns, but given its point of origin I'm guessing it's not inexpensive.

I'm not an outdoorsman nearly as frequently as I'd like, but that looks like a solid overall package. I don't know anything about Sleipner steel, which I'm going to remedy as soon as I'm done writing this. The only other thing I wonder about is the sheiths sharpener holder. I'd probably be more inclined to use it for a fire steel since it doesn't seem to offer much protection for the ceramic? What do you think?

Well written and photographed. :)

Thanks for the review!
 
pretty -- like the looks of that a lot.
handle looks comfy even for big hands.
 
Thank you for the great review. Thats one good looking knife for sure. And the sheath looks excellent to say the least. Thanks again for the write up. :thumbup:
 
But you have seen Mr. Moletta's work before. IIRC, he designed the big monobloc Lion Steel folders among others. Sleipner is supposedly kind of between D2 and A2. It supposedly has the good edge holding of D2 but toughness closer to A2. I think that the chromium content is around 8% so not quite as "semi' corrosion resistant as D2, but tougher. I think another reason that some of the European companies like it is that it is a very good tool steel that is also reasonably priced because it is a cast steel. They have a couple like that over there with Sleipner and Niolox.
Excellent review!

I've rarely heard of this company, it's really nice to put a face to the brand. As a fan of all things Italian I'm happy to see such fine craftsmanship too.

I'm not in the market for such a blade (unfortunately!), but if I were I'd absolutely be taking a closer look. There is so much in the way of high quality competition so price would be one of my first concerns, but given its point of origin I'm guessing it's not inexpensive.

I'm not an outdoorsman nearly as frequently as I'd like, but that looks like a solid overall package. I don't know anything about Sleipner steel, which I'm going to remedy as soon as I'm done writing this. The only other thing I wonder about is the sheiths sharpener holder. I'd probably be more inclined to use it for a fire steel since it doesn't seem to offer much protection for the ceramic? What do you think?

Well written and photographed. :)

Thanks for the review!
 
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, I thought so when I first saw it.


Excellent review!

I've rarely heard of this company, it's really nice to put a face to the brand. As a fan of all things Italian I'm happy to see such fine craftsmanship too.

I'm not in the market for such a blade (unfortunately!), but if I were I'd absolutely be taking a closer look. There is so much in the way of high quality competition so price would be one of my first concerns, but given its point of origin I'm guessing it's not inexpensive.

I'm not an outdoorsman nearly as frequently as I'd like, but that looks like a solid overall package. I don't know anything about Sleipner steel, which I'm going to remedy as soon as I'm done writing this. The only other thing I wonder about is the sheiths sharpener holder. I'd probably be more inclined to use it for a fire steel since it doesn't seem to offer much protection for the ceramic? What do you think?

Well written and photographed. :)

Thanks for the review!

Thanks man, glad you liked the post. They had only caught my attention the first time I saw Gianni post a photo of it somewhere. I have a few knives made by Lionsteel and I have been happy with all of them. Now I am keeping a close eye on Knife Research as I like all of their designs so far, and am wanting to get an Enki model next. The sheath has dual loops, so a fire steel could maybe be put in the other. No it doesn't offer protection for the ceramic, but it is a very robust ceramic rod. Any fall that would break it thus would also break it in a pouch...but then you would at least retain the pieces for future use.


Beautiful knife. Very nice Job as usual Mist.

Thanks JTC, glad you liked the post.


pretty -- like the looks of that a lot.
handle looks comfy even for big hands.

It is rather pretty isn't it? Somewhat of a departure for most "tactical" knives these days. Yep, it extends out of my hand a half inch or so, so should even work for your freakishly large hands ;)


Thank you for the great review. Thats one good looking knife for sure. And the sheath looks excellent to say the least. Thanks again for the write up. :thumbup:

Thank you, glad you liked it. I like the simple understated elegance of the nice clean lines and uncoated blade. The sheath is one of the best I have seen yet.


But you have seen Mr. Moletta's work before. IIRC, he designed the big monobloc Lion Steel folders among others. Sleipner is supposedly kind of between D2 and A2. It supposedly has the good edge holding of D2 but toughness closer to A2. I think that the chromium content is around 8% so not quite as "semi' corrosion resistant as D2, but tougher. I think another reason that some of the European companies like it is that it is a very good tool steel that is also reasonably priced because it is a cast steel. They have a couple like that over there with Sleipner and Niolox.

Yep, the SRI and a few other Lionsteel knives are Molletta designs. Yep, somewhat similar to D2 was what I too away from the specs on the steel as well. It does certainly seem to have some corrosion resistance to it. It has been through a good bit of tree sap, and a bit of food prep, and is so far not developing much of a patina.
 
While not inexpensive (just as I thought) they don't seem to ask for too much at all. Certainly less than the Sebenza 25 that's in my pocket now. I want to say that someone offered me a Legion for trade at some point for something, but I can't remember for sure.

As for the sharpener, I'm not sure that pieces would do me much good! That's a large blade. But you're right, a fall that broke it might be enough that a broken sharpener would be my last concern. :o

Their Rasul model looks like it would be a better fit for me personally. Now I need to look up Vanadis 23! I already like the sound of rc63 though. ;)

The more I look at them the more I see LS. I've never owned a LS, but have been offered a few. The roto-lock has always been intriguing and they are very attractive for sure.
 
On the website they state they are selling it without a sheath. How did you get yours? Great looking package!
 
While not inexpensive (just as I thought) they don't seem to ask for too much at all. Certainly less than the Sebenza 25 that's in my pocket now. I want to say that someone offered me a Legion for trade at some point for something, but I can't remember for sure.

As for the sharpener, I'm not sure that pieces would do me much good! That's a large blade. But you're right, a fall that broke it might be enough that a broken sharpener would be my last concern. :o

Their Rasul model looks like it would be a better fit for me personally. Now I need to look up Vanadis 23! I already like the sound of rc63 though. ;)

The more I look at them the more I see LS. I've never owned a LS, but have been offered a few. The roto-lock has always been intriguing and they are very attractive for sure.

I have a few Lionsteel knives and have been happy with all. For me the Rasul is very nice, but it is the Enki that really has my attention.


On the website they state they are selling it without a sheath. How did you get yours? Great looking package!

Yeah, this is their new sheath design, but their manufacturer is having problems meeting their needs. I guess I had been bugging them so long I got one of the few that were available. As a side note, it fits the Spec Ops large combat master really well.
 
Nice review Mist. It reminds me of the Busse TGLB. Very similar lines. I look forward to hearing how you like it long term.

I recently received my first custom, a Sierra Scout by Nick Allen. I think you would really enjoy it and actually aspire to make a review on it similar to yours.

Cheers.
 
Nice review Mist. It reminds me of the Busse TGLB. Very similar lines. I look forward to hearing how you like it long term.

I recently received my first custom, a Sierra Scout by Nick Allen. I think you would really enjoy it and actually aspire to make a review on it similar to yours.

Cheers.

Thanks man, me too. I am really liking it so far.

That's awesome. I have been wanting one of Nick's smaller knives for a while now, ever since TKnife turned me on to his work. I need to get back in touch with Nick soon. And cool, glad to be an inspiration, and looking forward to your review. I'm quite busy and miss a lot lately so make sure you send me a link when you do.
 
VERY attractive setup! If I didn't already have a TGLB, the Legion would be on its way here already!

That's not to say I won't own one eventually anyways :P
 
Great knife! Lightweight, balanced, high performance steel, and the right size for a multi-role. I already have the old one, with a false double edge, and I'm going to buy the new version!
 
Great knife! Lightweight, balanced, high performance steel, and the right size for a multi-role. I already have the old one, with a false double edge, and I'm going to buy the new version!

It is a well thought out and well executed design. Handles great and multitasks very well. Damn, I wish I had gotten one of those!
 
I kept coming back to this thread. It's working on me. Very thought-out design on ergo and applications.
 
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