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REVIEW: Real Steel H6-S1 Framelock EDC
Note: Mods done to knife in picture: Heat colored clip, thumbstuds, and installed lanyard on the knife.
Prologue:
This is a review of the Real Steel H6-S1 Liang Gang design EDC. Price is around $35-$40. For the features you get, this knife is worth every single penny. I know a little bit about manufacturing, and I'm a strong promoter of the philosophy that quality doesn't always come with a ridiculous price tag. Things like "fit and finish" are easily achievable nowadays with modern manufacturing technology. I've seen more budget EDCs that have better quality than high end knives countless of times. Anyway, I digress... The knife is made in China. And thats all I will say about that. The company is very reputable and obviously directs their marketing to the USA knife enthusiast.
This is a simple review of everything someone needs to know about the knife. Anything that is exempt from this review can be found with a simple google search. I focus on the important parts!
Steel
14c28n - Nothing bad to say. I have a polished mirror edge on mine and it takes a super fine edge. Much like Aus 8. This is my first time with this steel. But at the end of the day, steel is steel for the most part. Pleased with Real Steel's choice of steel and I think it justifies the price tag well.
Overall Fit/Finish
Superb. Clean design. Screws sit nice and flat on the G10 side. Heavily chamfered edges for comfortability. The frame side has a light stonewash finish on it, which is seen on a variety of higher end framelock nowadays (like it was in a tumbler). Blade centering is perfect. Nothing bad to say about overall fit and finish.
Action
The functionality of this knife is excellent. Flys open quickly. I would compare the action to being as slightly slower than an Ontario Rat 1. But it is plenty fast and smooth. The blade will drop freely with a couple of shakes. There is not a HINT of blade play in any direction. Absolutely solid! It is important to note that the washers in this knife are bronze and teflon. The bronze washers actually have lubrication holes in them, much like a Sebenza. Thats amazing for a budget knife. However, the bronze washers are paper thin. My estimate is 0.006-0.010". So be very careful with them. Do not try to polish them... Lastly, the knife snaps open with that satisfying framelock sound.*You don't get quite the same sound as titanium, since the liners are stainless, but it does sound like quality!
Hardware
Literally, in less than 5 minutes of owning this blade, I already had the torx bits out. I always tear down my knives and polish surfaces and washers for better actions (I'm OCD about pivot action). I quickly found that the cost cuts in the budget for this knife were made in the hardware.*That is not to say that the hardware is total sh*t. Its OK. All the screws do have some form of locktite on them. My pivot was loaded with locktite, but i got it out. The barrel spacers (stand-offs) obviously require 2 torx bits to remove them. One on each side.... I highly recommend not disassembling this knife. Its only a matter of time until the torx holes are stripped!
Construction Strength
Just wanted to comment on this, for those who don't know much about G10... This is my first knife that has a G10 scale without steel liners. So, I was skeptical about the strength of the G10 side. I'm pretty amazed at the strength. There is no bend at all on the G10 and its very rigid. No problems there.
Ergonomics
Feels good in hand... Excuse me, feels GREAT in hand. It really does. Its one of those knives that just begs to be used when flicking it open.
Misc Features
Heres just a list of what you get, along with the aforementioned.
- Removable thumbstuds
- Tip Up Right Carry ONLY
- Good jimping
- Fairly deep pocket clip
- Lanyard hole (could be bigger)
- Framelock lock button (not sure what this is called but i'm assuming its a copy of another maker's lock)
Complaints
Really, I have only one true complaint with this knife. Its not a deal breaker at all, but its definitely annoying..
The large thumbstuds are great on this knife. BUT, they come polished from the factory. I'm not sure if it's the super polished finish or if it's simply the design/placement of them, but my fingers slip off them constantly.*I had to rough them up with sandpaper to get some traction. This is easily fixable.
Conclusion
If you want a quality budget framelock to carry that looks and preforms similar to a Zero Tolerance or other high end blade, then def get this guy. I will be buying more from Real Steel. Peace!!!
Note: Mods done to knife in picture: Heat colored clip, thumbstuds, and installed lanyard on the knife.
Prologue:
This is a review of the Real Steel H6-S1 Liang Gang design EDC. Price is around $35-$40. For the features you get, this knife is worth every single penny. I know a little bit about manufacturing, and I'm a strong promoter of the philosophy that quality doesn't always come with a ridiculous price tag. Things like "fit and finish" are easily achievable nowadays with modern manufacturing technology. I've seen more budget EDCs that have better quality than high end knives countless of times. Anyway, I digress... The knife is made in China. And thats all I will say about that. The company is very reputable and obviously directs their marketing to the USA knife enthusiast.
This is a simple review of everything someone needs to know about the knife. Anything that is exempt from this review can be found with a simple google search. I focus on the important parts!
Steel
14c28n - Nothing bad to say. I have a polished mirror edge on mine and it takes a super fine edge. Much like Aus 8. This is my first time with this steel. But at the end of the day, steel is steel for the most part. Pleased with Real Steel's choice of steel and I think it justifies the price tag well.
Overall Fit/Finish
Superb. Clean design. Screws sit nice and flat on the G10 side. Heavily chamfered edges for comfortability. The frame side has a light stonewash finish on it, which is seen on a variety of higher end framelock nowadays (like it was in a tumbler). Blade centering is perfect. Nothing bad to say about overall fit and finish.
Action
The functionality of this knife is excellent. Flys open quickly. I would compare the action to being as slightly slower than an Ontario Rat 1. But it is plenty fast and smooth. The blade will drop freely with a couple of shakes. There is not a HINT of blade play in any direction. Absolutely solid! It is important to note that the washers in this knife are bronze and teflon. The bronze washers actually have lubrication holes in them, much like a Sebenza. Thats amazing for a budget knife. However, the bronze washers are paper thin. My estimate is 0.006-0.010". So be very careful with them. Do not try to polish them... Lastly, the knife snaps open with that satisfying framelock sound.*You don't get quite the same sound as titanium, since the liners are stainless, but it does sound like quality!
Hardware
Literally, in less than 5 minutes of owning this blade, I already had the torx bits out. I always tear down my knives and polish surfaces and washers for better actions (I'm OCD about pivot action). I quickly found that the cost cuts in the budget for this knife were made in the hardware.*That is not to say that the hardware is total sh*t. Its OK. All the screws do have some form of locktite on them. My pivot was loaded with locktite, but i got it out. The barrel spacers (stand-offs) obviously require 2 torx bits to remove them. One on each side.... I highly recommend not disassembling this knife. Its only a matter of time until the torx holes are stripped!
Construction Strength
Just wanted to comment on this, for those who don't know much about G10... This is my first knife that has a G10 scale without steel liners. So, I was skeptical about the strength of the G10 side. I'm pretty amazed at the strength. There is no bend at all on the G10 and its very rigid. No problems there.
Ergonomics
Feels good in hand... Excuse me, feels GREAT in hand. It really does. Its one of those knives that just begs to be used when flicking it open.
Misc Features
Heres just a list of what you get, along with the aforementioned.
- Removable thumbstuds
- Tip Up Right Carry ONLY
- Good jimping
- Fairly deep pocket clip
- Lanyard hole (could be bigger)
- Framelock lock button (not sure what this is called but i'm assuming its a copy of another maker's lock)
Complaints
Really, I have only one true complaint with this knife. Its not a deal breaker at all, but its definitely annoying..
The large thumbstuds are great on this knife. BUT, they come polished from the factory. I'm not sure if it's the super polished finish or if it's simply the design/placement of them, but my fingers slip off them constantly.*I had to rough them up with sandpaper to get some traction. This is easily fixable.
Conclusion
If you want a quality budget framelock to carry that looks and preforms similar to a Zero Tolerance or other high end blade, then def get this guy. I will be buying more from Real Steel. Peace!!!
Last edited:
I think Real Steel is a company to watch. I believe they are the high end knives of Sanrenmu. I purchased an E771 Sea Eagle with the G10 scales. What a knife, sharp as all get out, total quality throughout, good jimping, good pocket clip, nice finger choil, and like yours feels good in hand. It drops open with a good shake and a nice "clack" sound when opening with the flipper. It's a solid knife for a relatively low price for what you get.
