Lion Steel "Roundhead" Euro-Barlow

Mr.SATism said:
*Please keep in mind that these are first impressions*
So I opened my WCF yesterday, and it's a very beautiful knife. In my opinion, the white doesn't look like it pops out at you, giving it a more subdued silver look. I tried the walk and talk, and considering that this is (officially) my first traditional, I think that its very well done, and you have to be definitive about how you open and close it. The knife fits in my hand very well, I get a 4 finger grip and although it doesn't make me melt into it, I'm not afraid of any hotspots. What I noticed when trying it after school is that when my hands get sweaty, this knife gets slippery, so using this in front of pretty girls is a no go haha. This knife is almost perfect for me except for two things, one is that I HAVE to open carry it in my state, so I am looking into buying a sheath with a pocket clip (if this is a wrong choice, please lead me to the right product), and the other is that I now need to get a super steel strop because although the knife is sharp, it is not as sharp as I would have thought, so I want to advance my poor man's strop (cardboard/ green compound) to a more advanced setup (leather/ diamond compound). This knife is great, and I certainly can't wait to carry it and use it!
Edit: the left knife handle seems a little taller than the right on, but because I am a righty, I will not have to worry about that, because it will dig into my finger meat oh so nicely!
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You have to open carry a small non locking folding knife? That doesn't make sense. Never heard of that.
 
Pomsbz said:
You have to open carry a small non locking folding knife? That doesn't make sense. Never heard of that.
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This is my interpretation of Virginian law as I’ve seen online and even here. From what understand, in my home country (Israel), carrying my Roundhead would land me in places where I wouldn’t want to be. I am very happy for the flexibility and opportunity that my new home gives me and I will happily and appropriately carry my Roundhead ☺️
 
Could it really be that strict? Their list of prohibited concealed knives is mostly fixed blades, I don't see how a slipjoint folder could be construed as a switchblade (if they define that as automatic opening). Kind of crazy.
 
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Mr.SATism said:
This is my interpretation of Virginian law as I’ve seen online and even here. From what understand, in my home country (Israel), carrying my Roundhead would land me in places where I wouldn’t want to be. I am very happy for the flexibility and opportunity that my new home gives me and I will happily and appropriately carry my Roundhead ☺️
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I'm in Jerusalem right now as I write this. The local law is that you can carry any non locking folding knife up to 10cm long and the police would have to prove that you had illegal intent to stop you. The Roundhead is perfectly legal carry.

Here is a good link which provides the law. http://www.knives.guru/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26
 
Mr.SATism said:
This is my interpretation of Virginian law as I’ve seen online and even here. From what understand, in my home country (Israel), carrying my Roundhead would land me in places where I wouldn’t want to be. I am very happy for the flexibility and opportunity that my new home gives me and I will happily and appropriately carry my Roundhead ☺️
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I've found a link to the laws in Virginia here: http://www.knifeup.com/virginia-knife-laws/ you're totally fine conceal carrying a slipjoint.
 
lieferung said:
Could it really be that strict? Their list of prohibited concealed knives is mostly fixed blades, I don't see how a slipjoint folder could be construed as a switchblade (if they define that as automatic opening). Kind of crazy.
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(Edited for redundancy)
Pomsbz said:
I've found a link to the laws in Virginia here: http://www.knifeup.com/virginia-knife-laws/ you're totally fine conceal carrying a slipjoint.
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Alright, that is great to hear! I am going to err on the side of caution and stick with the easy enough pocket clip open carry rule, as well as try to keep my knife in a near NIB condition (I'm going to carry it with my keys). But now it is definitely going to see some pocket time!
Pomsbz said:
I'm in Jerusalem right now as I write this. The local law is that you can carry any non locking folding knife up to 10cm long and the police would have to prove that you had illegal intent to stop you. The Roundhead is perfectly legal carry.

Here is a good link which provides the law. http://www.knives.guru/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26
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‏תודה, אני באמת לא ידעתי את זה. ‏אהבתי לסכינים התחיל בארצות הברית. אמי ואביא ממש לא אוהבים את זה. ‏אני לא אומר לשאר המשפחתי שבאים לארצות הברית שיש לי אוסף של סכינים, ‏ואני תמיד יוצא עם הגרבר EAB, ‏בגלל שזה קטן. עכשיו נראה לי שאוכל להביא את זה ‏בגלל שזה ‏נראה יותר כמו ‏יצירת אומנות מסכין.
For those that can't speak hebrew:
Thank you, I really didn't know that. My love for knives started in the US. My mom and dad really don't like this. I don't tell the rest of my family that comes to visit the United States that I have one, and always carry the Gerber EAB because it's small. Now I think that I will be able to bring this knife because it looks more like an art piece than a knife.
 
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Chui-888 said:
- mighty fine pics there, Dylan :thumbsup::thumbsup::D ....she's an utter beaut

Absolutely wonderful review too, very well felt and scribed.
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rswanson said:
Pàdruig Pàdruig , thanks for the comprehensive and well photographed review! That's a beauty. I've abstained from snapping one of these up but you might have just tipped the scales. If only I wasn't so in love with my GEC 78's. Enjoy that knife.
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Ratbert said:
Very nice review and a beautiful example of Ram’s Horn. I really like the red color shot through the horn.
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Thank you, fellas. It was a pleasure to write up, it is quite a fine knife.

The walk and talk has improved some with a bit of use/play and though it is still a little soft when closing, I suspect it will only get better. It is probably one of the more pleasant slip joints in my possession to firmly grip in the hand, it just fills the palm so nicely.

JzYXPG8.jpg
 
I received mine today, I had it shipped by a packaging forwarding service to Germany. I have to say, that I am very impressed with the Roundhead and I absolutely love it. The fit and finish is perfect, the centering is spot on and the walk 'n talk is nice.

Comparing it to my Benchmade 319 Proper makes me wonder why anyone would buy this knife when the Roundhead exists. The Proper is priced in the same ballpark (around $130) and looks almost unfinished compared to the Roundhead. Plus, it has a lesser steel, although S30V is totally sufficient in a slipjoint. Here are some pics for comparison:

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The rounded backspring gives the Roundhead a really nice, finished touch. The Benchmade has very "raw" finish compared to that.
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Very elegant shape
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Perfect centering:
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Your comparison nails what sets this knife apart. It's so elegant, the form factor is 11/10!

Never held a Benchmade Proper but I also never considered one after seeing pics.
 
I am enjoying my new Roundhead in ram horn. Great knife that just feels so great in the hand. Pics soon.

Did these all sell out already? The Early Reserves were all marked yellow and then when they arrived, I just saw the stag for sale on the website. If so, wow that was quick.
 
mas113m said:
I am enjoying my new Roundhead in ram horn. Great knife that just feels so great in the hand. Pics soon.

Did these all sell out already? The Early Reserves were all marked yellow and then when they arrived, I just saw the stag for sale on the website. If so, wow that was quick.
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Yes, think they sold out, but are doing a 3rd Roundhead run. Check the website.
 
Laurelbb said:
Yes, think they sold out, but are doing a 3rd Roundhead run. Check the website.
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Thanks. The third run went up on the website shortly after I posted my question. I am glad to see these knives sell. Also glad I used the ER option.
 
Chui-888 said:
Pàdruig Pàdruig - what a wonderful, wonderful fella

Dylan - you have cheered my miserable grey cold damp London day up immeasurably - big THANK YOU for sending these across the pond to my open arms.

Will post a couple more photos in the pics thread...



LS%20Barlow%2001.jpg
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Holy cow, Paul! Those are gorgeous!
 
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