Hi all,
Does anyone have any experience with Lionsteel knives? The b41 seems to be a dedicated bushcraft knife but there appears to be other models that could also be up to the task?
DamaDaz
I am a great fan of Lionsteel for quality. I have three of their folders and two fixed blades, one of which being the B41 in orange G10. I bought it for several reasons, one of which was to do a review...which still hasn't happened, and as a result I still haven't re-worked the edge angle to something I consider suitable for bushcraft. So, I may not be seeing the knife at its best potential, but I will share my thoughts.
As with most production knives, the edge angle is a bit too steep to really bite wood well, which I consider a key feature of a dedicated bushcraft knife. The edge is also a little thin while the blade stock is a little thick at 3.86mm. For reference, the BCUK Spyderco was 3.5 as is the Benchmade Puukko 200. The thin edge might not be an issue for strength, but it makes for a little less control for feather stick work.
The Sleipner steel in the B41 is hardened to around HRC 61, so that in itself might not be the easiest thing to learn sharpening on. M390 will be more difficult, although with diamond and ceramics it won't be too bad, just that do sharpen it well will require slightly better sharpening gear than would be needed for something softer and/or less abrasion resistant. I might be tempted to buy a Mora along side to practice.
The rounded spine of the Lionsteel is nice on the hands and the ferro rod scraper at the but end does work, although not as easily as a sharp spine. The rounded tang is proud from the scales, but this isn't a problem in itself for comfort.
The scales are very well machined, clearly a lot of care has gone into the shape. I have medium size hands (size 8 to 8.5 glove) and I find the handle a little narrow if I have to do heavy cutting (say you need to bang out four or five feather sticks in quick succession). I find my had gets fatigued more than on thicker handles.
Jury is out on the tip, it is a bit broader than I usually like, more belly near the tip, less point for detail work.
I don't have any doubt that the B41 would be better at things that people are often critical of for the Woodlore type knife. It will cut food better, particularly vegetables, will bite more deeply when used to baton cut green wood. It will be faster to sharpen and should hold an edge better than anything in O-1. It is certainly more stain resistant.
Chris
bushcraftuk.com
