Lion Steel SR1 as EDC?

kjos

kjos

Joined
Apr 6, 2013
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127
I've been looking into these for awhile now - either the titanium or the aluminum. I'm wondering if anyone else has one. How do they hold up as a good EDC blade? I'm not looking for a safe queen.

I have an Umnumzaan and love that, and am looking for my next higher end production knife that is comparable.
 
I have both an Umnumzaan and an SR1 and an SR2 for that matter. If you are comfortable carrying a CRK as a daily, then you should have no qualms with the SR1. It's certainly an attractive blade, but you will find scratches on the Anodized titanium over time. Assuming you can live with the normal wear and tear, it should serve you just fine as an EDC. I'm not sure if you've ever had the opportunity to feel one in hand; there is a little extra weight with all of the titanium, but it feels like quality.

Best of luck!
 
To me the SR1 is not really a good EDC blade. The blade is very thick, has too much belly and a relatively blunt tip. It is also very wide and rather heavy.
Don' t get me wrong: I love pretty much everything about the SR1 but if you' re looking for an EDC, there are alot more useful options.
If you want a Lionsteel, I can only highly recommend the TiSpine. The design, especially the blade shape, is just much more practical to me.
 
My Sr1a is in my etc rotation. Works great. I usually carry my dragonfly with me as well for when I need a small pointy tip.
 
Thanks for all the input! I think I'm going to get the Ti model pretty soon.
 
I bought the ti model because I wanted to check it out and no local stores carried them. Its a pretty good knife and the solid slab of ti is nice, but it never made it into my pocket
 
I've carried mine a good ammount of time and I like it. The only drawbacks, at least on mine, are that the rotoblock has accidentally engaged a couple of times, and that the lock is stiffer than other frame locks. Mine is the purple TNP edition by the way, which is aluminum.
 
I has the same experience as simioh. I got the aluminum model in sage green. Great looking blade of D2 steel but the handle was an issue, or should I say the locking mechanism.

The root block engaged easily even when I didn't want it to. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but after awhile it gets old to have to disengage the block just to close the knife. Worse yet, the locking bar stuck a lot and when it did it stuck hard. Sometimes I'd need a pry just to unlock the bar. Sold it after just a few weeks and got a ZT 0560. No regrets.
 
The rotoblock on my Sr1 is relatively difficult to engage. Plus, I activate it if I'm gonna be using it for a substantial period of time. It's a great knife, though I like my Strider and Gayle Bradley better.
 
The one I have is in my top three rotation, and got into my pocket tonight and plans to remain there for a bit! I like it very much and the raindrop damascus blade holds a great edge and is easy to maintain. Chad Nichols makes the stainless damascus used in my knife, and as I understand it, this damascus is made to use, and not made just for show.

I've had thee counting the one I have now, I had to sale the first one, and I gifted the second one to my son, and he loves it. The edge on the first two I had was a convex edge and it just sliced through anything I was cutting (rope, stiff border grade paper,and cardboard were primary). I have not owned, or even held the aluminum framed knives, so I can't really comment on them, but I do know that the titanium framed knives are simply awesome!!

You shouldn't be disappointed with either one you decide to purchase.
 
I really want an sr1, sr2 and all the other lionsteels for that matter. All I have now is the Lionspy (which was my grail) and I absolutely love it. By the shape alone you can tell if you will love it or not. It does have a pretty blunt tip and a very thick blade but hey, you don't have to worry about breaking the tip off lol. It dissappears in the pocket quite nicely too imo. I dont carry it to work because it woild get worn quickly and its still prestine. So it stays my weekend carry. They are quite a pain to sharpen at first, despite all that id say a sr1 would be s great edc (basing that off the lionspy and sr1 being roughly the same size and shape)
 
tas237 said:
I has the same experience as simioh. I got the aluminum model in sage green. Great looking blade of D2 steel but the handle was an issue, or should I say the locking mechanism.

The root block engaged easily even when I didn't want it to. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but after awhile it gets old to have to disengage the block just to close the knife. Worse yet, the locking bar stuck a lot and when it did it stuck hard. Sometimes I'd need a pry just to unlock the bar. Sold it after just a few weeks and got a ZT 0560. No regrets.
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The rotoblock can actually be tightened down with a torx bit. Just hold it in the open position and tighten it down as hard as you can (within reason). I did that with both of my rotoblocks as I don't need to use them. Shouldn't be a problem anymore.
 
I think the SR1 and SR2 makes a good edc. It can take some abuse and just seems like an overbuilt frame lock. Scratches on the anodizing will happen, but like you said it will not be a safe queen. It will be quite bigger and bulkier compared to the Zaan, but is still very comfortable to carry.
 
I bought the SR1 but returned it to dealer because it was just too hard to open with my thumb. People say it takes time to break in, but it was the hardest to open knife I ever owned. Maybe it was just that particular knife, dunno.
 
Wow, mine just flies open as if I had the thumb of superman. Must have needed to be broken in I guess.
 
Just scored a gray Ti off ebay for a decent price. I'll post comparison pictures of it next to my Umnumzaan and let you guys know what I think.
 
kjos said:
Just scored a gray Ti off ebay for a decent price. I'll post comparison pictures of it next to my Umnumzaan and let you guys know what I think.
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I have both knives and they are certainly different kinds of animals. I feel that both are very well built, elegant folders. The Umnamzaan is a very purpose built knife with refined lines. The SR1 has a very refined quality that impresses most non-knife people in hand. Excellent choices on both.
 
I got the Ti SR1 in the mail today and I have to say I was pretty bummed. Mine is incredibly stiff, has very bad lock stick, and almost feels like the rotoblock has been engaged because it's so difficult to disengage the lock. It also came pretty dull as well. Not what you'd expect from a $400. I'm not going to totally write it off just yet. I'm going to put it on the Wicked Edge, give it some pocket time, and give it some time to break in.
 
kjos said:
I got the Ti SR1 in the mail today and I have to say I was pretty bummed. Mine is incredibly stiff, has very bad lock stick, and almost feels like the rotoblock has been engaged because it's so difficult to disengage the lock. It also came pretty dull as well. Not what you'd expect from a $400. I'm not going to totally write it off just yet. I'm going to put it on the Wicked Edge, give it some pocket time, and give it some time to break in.
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Mine took a little while to break in as well. I prefer CLP to the grease they use.
 
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