Lionsteel Knives?

C

Curtain Call

Joined
Apr 16, 2012
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I'm looking to purchase a Lionsteel knife. I can't decide between an SR1-Ti or the collaboration Lionsteel/Spyderco Lionspy. Is there anyone that can attest to both? If not, then first hand information on either single knife would be great; info on these knives seems to be little in supply. Thanks.
 
Curtain Call said:
I'm looking to purchase a Lionsteel knife. I can't decide between an SR1-Ti or the collaboration Lionsteel/Spyderco Lionspy. Is there anyone that can attest to both? If not, then first hand information on either single knife would be great; info on these knives seems to be little in supply. Thanks.
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Check out Lionsteel's forum here and go to Spyderco's as well. You will find information on both.
 
Sorry, I guess I was rather unspecific. I cannot seem to find quality information regarding a comparison of the knives firsthand. That is probably asking A LOT, I'm no expert, quite the novice really, on blade steels, f&f, etc. so the information I have already found on those forums here, even with the reading up so I can understand "knife-lingo", needs those little extra bits and pieces regarding my topic specifically. Any and all help would be much appreciated. :)
 
I have neither - but I do have their DPX HEST/f 2.0. The fit & finish are fine, if not up to the CRK level. They do mimic CRK in one area - knife markings - it has a DPX Gear logo on one side of the D2 blade and RYP, the designer's initials, on the other side. No 'Made in Italy' on the knife, but I believe the box mentioned it. The DPX folder has the RotoBlock with a CW arrow and 'Lock' printed on the Ti frame side. The healthy sized D2 blade is coated, lessening the rustable area to the edge. The edge is not convex, for sure, and not a 'Spyderco' edge, either, even if it will pop the occasional armhair. The blade has dissimilar thumb jimping - actually meant as wire strippers - and a bottle cap opener notch, too. No replaceable framelock wear block, however. My knife came a bit too tight at the pivot, a few degrees CCW and a drop of clock oil making all the difference. Try it without the oil at first... I'm still cleaning up the 'drop' of oil! You'll need a T10 for each side - or the included pin tool and a T10 - to adjust the pivot screw - only a few degrees makes a huge change. You don't want it sloppy - but it's nice to be able to open it with one hand. Some pencil lead on the knife side of the framelock area seemed to help the disengagement of the lock... be sure the RotoLock is 'off'! I know you wanted info on the LionSpy and SR1... I hope my less expensive Lionsteel product's review helps.

As to the SR1, I was impressed with the fit and finish of a friends example - and the monoblock of Ti construction. The steel choice was uninspiring. Their recent upgrade, D2, is nice - but there are some more worthy modern choices. Fortunately, the LionSpy uses one, I believe - ElMax. I have two ZT-0551's and an 0561 of that steel - and I like it. The LionSpy's knifeshape is a love it or leave it type - try to decide before you buy. Also, the thumbhole seems larger than normal - almost a cigar trimmer in size. The knife looked ungainly - and this from someone who loves his Benchmade 630 Skirmish - but seemed balanced in the hand. Still, the knife didn't 'get me' - not every knife does. In fact, faced with a big buck knife purchase to commemorate an event 9/10, I had it down to the SR1 or the CRK Umnumzaan - I chose the latter - and would make that choice every day. Last week, at a short-lived 'half off' sale at a local knife store, I could have had the LionSpy for a great price - I relented. Again, different strokes... I feel the ZT-0551/0560/0561 are more my style - and made on this side of the pond. YMMV.

Stainz
 
I have handled a couple of LionSpy's, and a couple of SR-1Ti. The SR1 seemed to have a little bit better fit and finish, but it's also a bit more expensive. Basically, they are both great knives, but if I were to order one I couldn't look at first, it would be the SR1. The LionSpy's seems to be hit or miss.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I own a ZT 560 as well and it's basically the only great quality knife I have to gauge others with. I was looking into an Umnumzaan, since they are comparable in price and apparently f&f and ease of function. Although that wasn't the knife I was asking about, thanks for sharing what info you could on the same make of knife, if that makes sense lol. SR1 seems really tempting now since the Lionspy seems like a teeter totter on the forums, love or hate, the looks don't deter me but something about the SR1 just sparks the word "Genuine" in my mind haha. Any more feedback from you other viewers with knowledge would be great. Thanks again all.
 
I'll second what Stainz said. I also have a Hest 2.0 made by Lionsteel. It's a well made knife with clean grinds and the lockup is solid. I picked it up as an EDC and have had it for a couple months. The roto-lock is a great feature you don't normally find in knives at this price point.
 
Ditto everything about the HEST 2.0. It does, however say "lionsteel MADE IN ITALY" on the inside of thw frame/scale spacer. The SR-1 is simply too massive for me. Although they are supposedly going to introduce a mini SR-1 some time soon. I will be on the list for one of those.
 
Love my new HEST 2, again sorry not the knife your looking at but there (Loinsteel) quality is great IMHO. Get the one your looking at, if you don't like it you can always return it or flip it here on the forum( Gold membership required to sell, free to trade)
 
I only have the SR-1 in violet titanium. For me it center's around the monoblock titanium handle, something that you do not often see in the world of knives. It is well done, and I can not find any faults in this knife, in fact I want to buy a second one in the bronze titanium and/or the Raindrop Damascus version.
 
Well, I Don't Own Either.
I Want Both But I'm A Poor Kid At This Point In Time Lol.

Anyways My Experience With Knives May Help A Little.

D2 Is An Excellent Tool Steel, Gets Razor Sharp, Holds A Great Edge, And Cuts Like You Wouldn't Believe. I Owned A Few Knives With D2 Steel And Love It, It's My Favorite.

Elmax Is Even Better From What I've Read. It's Like The Holy Grail Of Super Steels.

The SR-1 Has Full Ti Handles - Which Isn't A Problem. I Have A Sage 2 And The Smooth Ti Handles Are Excellent, I Can Only Imagine How Amazing They Would Be With Grooves.

The Lionspy - Has A G-10 Side And A Ti Side - I Own A Chokwe And Happen To Love The Pairing Of G-10 And Ti, It Just Works So Excellently And Adds A Little Extra Grip As Well As A Really Cool Look.

Thumb Stud Or Spyderhole. I Prefer The Spyderhole, It's Just Easier To Fit Your Thumb With And Flick A Blade Open With No Issues. I've Also Had Thumb Studs Get Stuck On My Pocket Before(No They Were Not Over Sized) And The Blade Opened A Little And Cut My Pocket, So The Spyderhole Just Works For Me.

Anyways... I Have Heard Of No Issues Ever In Fit And Finish With The SR-1 But I Have Heard Little Nit-Picks With The Lionspy. However.. You Are Backed By The Awesome Spyderco Warranty And If Your Knife Was Less Than Perfect You Could Send It In And They Would Fix Any Issues And You'd Get Your Awesome Knife Back.

Really, I Think You'd Do Well With Either Knife. But If I Were To Choose, I Would Get A Lionspy First.

Or Just Get An Umnumzaan And Wash Away Your Knife Worries Lol.
 
I have both and I prefer the Lionspy to the full titanium model. BUT I would be happy with either one. the sleipner steel on the lion steel is awesome (Rich mans D2) There is just something about the Lionspy that I Love. I have owned 3 and all have perfect fit and finish. It just depends on what you really are after a mono block titanium knife or a little bit less expensive version with a G-10 side and a spydie hole.

A couple of pics. sorry for the low quality (its late)
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I really like the looks of mine and I just never have found any reason to buy the Lionspy, although I'm sure it's a fine knife.

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Thanks for the great responses, hopefully they'll be of help to others with inquiries like mine because there is such little information from firsthand users of these knives. And also to those with no first hand uses but overall information, quite helpful regardless of specificity. I think I'll be holding an SR1, just because I don't want to be completely swayed by CRK and their handsome Zaan haha.
 
Bigfatts be right! There it is - on the inside of the back spacer of my new HEST/f 2.0, 'lionsteel Made in Italy'. I sit corrected (Who 'stands' at a PC?).

I thought Sliepner steel was ~440C? A good Austrian (Bohler) steel might have made the sale for me. It is mechanically quite nice - reminds me of my favorite cars - Alfa Romeos, which I owned from'74-'84 - also Italian made! In any case, I opted for S30v and the Umnumzaan - particularly, the Wilson Combat 'StarTac' version. Here it is recently with a Buck 172 Mayo TNT (S30V), CRK small Sebbie (S35VN), and Benchmade 480-1 Shoki (m390):

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You can't go wrong... unless you get the LionSpy - and don't like that blade shape! Of course - Bohler 'ElMax' steel... you can't go wrong with that.
YMMV.

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
Sleipner is a tool steel. Good stuff in my experience. Here is a post from an Italian member that gives more information on it compared to D2.

From istarr88:

D2 and Sleipner are somewhat similar because they are in the same cathegory of semi-inox steels, however....

the chemical compositions are quite different, and this is reflected in a very different response in terms of performance.

D2 chemical composition:C=1.55%, Mn=0.3%, Si=0.3%, Cr=12%, Mo=1%, Va=1% Ni=0.3%

Sleipner chemical composition: C=0.9% Si=0.9% Mn=0.5% Cr=7.8% Mo=2.5% V=0.5%

D2 has more Chromium, it reduces a lot the resilience of this steel (thoughness) making it just a bit thougher than inox steels. it's about 30J/cm^2 at an hardness of about 60 hrc.

Sleipner instead at the same hardness has a resilience superior than the one of A2 tool steel, it means about 60 or more J/cm^2 so the resilience is the double.

D2 has more carbon and chromium, this gives D2 an higher abrasive wear, which translates in a steel hard to sharpen. field tests prove it.

Sleipner is easier to sharpen A LOT.

the corrosion resistence is pratically the same, in my direct experience Sleipner proved a bit more corrosion resistent in humid conditions and sea water than D2.

edge holding: Sleipner wins, for sure.

maximum sharpness achievable Sleipner due to a finer grain structure.

in the particular case of Kniferesearch the heat-treats will be done maniacally, so you can stay sure the steel will revail all it's potentials

in conclusions... I've tested both, liked sleipner more, that's it.

I repeat, I have no interest and have no direct connections to kniferesearch, but I'm a collector who loves to use his blades and I've just given my experience, impressions and knowledge to you.

hope this helps.
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That information on the steels I couldn't find anywhere else. Thanks a lot. Hopefully by next payday I'll be able to order one in and then post some pictures :)
 
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