T.R.E. Three Rapid Exchange LionSTEEL

Just received the Ti/gray version & the carbon fiber version from GPKnives. These are sweeeeet knives.
Gianni, you hit a Grand Slam with this model.
Especially love the CF version - super light & just perfect!!
 
I just picked up the G10 version and am eagerly awaiting it. The CF and Ti versions look nice, but I wish I could buy them with a fixed flipper...I don't really want that many "moveable" parts on a knife. I appreciate the innovative nature of adaptable deployment, but honestly most carriers will fix it to the way they like and never change again. I'm trying to picture a user who carries the torx tools on their keyring so they can adjust deployment to the flavor of the day ;) It seems like they could have just as easily offered the knife where you ordered it with the deployment of your choice...now that would have been innovative!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not hammering on the knife. I love the looks though and can't wait to get it in hand. Ti framelock with steel insert and over-travel with M390 bladesteel and sculpted G10 for $200 seems like quite a bargain.
 
I've been carrying my G10 version for about a week and it's an outstanding folder at any price point. It's a great size and very lightweight. I like the subtle machine marks on the surface as they look cool and provide a little texture without being rough. I sometimes clip a knife IWB when I'm wearing running shorts or track pants and I like a smooth grip that doesn't chafe. My small Sebenza is a decent knife for carrying this way but the sharp corners can be irritating. The Lionsteel TRE doesn't have that problem. Out of the three handle options I'd have picked G10 anyway even if it wasn't $100 cheaper because it's almost as light as carbon fiber while being a little grippier and seems to hide scratches and wear a little better. The TRE flips pretty well. From my perspective M390 is one of the best blade steels for a knife in this class. Corrosion resistance is pretty important for something I carry around in my pocket and don't want to have to constantly worry about. Here in NC even S30V will start pitting if not cared for. M390 has great performance and doesn't rust easily. I'm very satisfied with the blade shape but I do wish it was hollow-ground and a thumb stud like you see on Hinderers and Striders; the type that interfaces with the handle when the blade is deployed. The full flat grind is well executed and is my second choice after hollow. I can however appreciate the clean look and functionality provided by the internal blade stop found on this knife. One very nice touch is the lock bar is protected from overextension by a little flange on the locking bar insert. It's a very elegant solution and adds an important feature without adding any complexity. I may pick up an extra TRE in Orange G10 if they become available. My take:

Pros:
Great size for EDC
Excellent, no-nonsense blade shape
Smooth flipping action
Solid, tight lockup
Very comfortable, deburred grip
Lightening cuts to the medial surfaces of the frame/light weight)
Aesthetics: minimalist construction and look with enough going on for some visual interest


Cons:
Blade is thicker than I'd prefer on a knife this size. It gets a B on the apple test.
Pocket clip is a little hard to insert onto thick/reinforced pockets. I'd prefer a simpler stamped Ti clip.
Not hollow ground (subjective)
Rough machining between the locking bar and rest of the handle (I know this is extremely nit-picky but it stood out to me)

This knife is a 9.5/10 and most of my cons are subjective. For $200 the G10 version is a no-brainer. Lionsteel really raised the bar with this thing. All midtech knives should have lightening cuts inside the frame and locking bar inserts with integral overtravel stops/
 
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Just in case anyone is looking for these, I ordered a orange g10 one yesterday from Lamnia(a BF dealer). With the exchange rate currently favoring the dollar it was the best price that I've seen on these.

They said they expect these in the next couple of days so I will report back with a review and photos. Looking forward to this one.
 
I've done a bit of business with Lamina and they are great to deal with. Mike
 
I got my G10 TRE yesterday and it's an awesome knife. I guess looking at the pictures, you don't appreciate how small this knife is. It may have kicked other office-friendly EDC blades out of my pocket for a while!
 
A lovely little knife arrived today.

IMG_20150707_1024482_zpsry4uipph.jpg
 
I'm sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but could someone with a TRE possibly share a picture showing the clip from the side, so we can see how much room there is between it and the scale, as well as how it "ramps" material into itself? All this debate about it fitting into jeans has me worried since that's all I can wear at work...thanks in advance!
 
CraigMang said:
I'm sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but could someone with a TRE possibly share a picture showing the clip from the side, so we can see how much room there is between it and the scale, as well as how it "ramps" material into itself? All this debate about it fitting into jeans has me worried since that's all I can wear at work...thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

20150707_223652_HDR2_zpsjvvbxmup.jpg
 
A peek at the magic of RecalcitrantAmerican’s work (now official modder for Ferrum Forge - Congrats to you, Sean!!) on my lovely new LionSteel TRE Orange G10. Sean did a Purple Haze effect on the titanium lock-bar handle and pocket clip. Really dresses the knife up, nicely. This knife is very much worthy of its Blade Show win! Congrats LionSteel for your work to making this knife a reality. Been waiting for a knife of this form factor to come along and you folks knocked it out of the park!

LSTREg10O2.jpegLSTREg10O1.jpegLSTREO PrplHz 4BF.jpg
 
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Pretty nice, but weak detent so not a great flipper on day one, and lock is sticky. Isn't this what the insert is supposed to prevent? :rolleyes:
 
Dknight16 said:
Pretty nice, but weak detent so not a great flipper on day one, and lock is sticky. Isn't this what the insert is supposed to prevent? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Play with it for a bit and the stickiness should go away. I added lubricant to my bearings almost immediately upon receiving the knife, that helped to smooth it out a lot.
 
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