LionSteel M4-G10 M390, G10 handle

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Sunday, July 24, 2022

I have two versions of this knife, this version in Böhler M390 steel and G10 handle and another in CPM M4 with micarta scales. Both came sharp but not hair whittling sharp. The knives are hefty and built to be relatively tough rather than fine slicers. Whilst M390 is pretty wear resistant, it sharpened nicely with Shapton Glass whetstones and holds it's edge very well. As this was my first experience of M390, I was worried about its toughness for a fixed blade but the geometry seems to be appropriate for the blade material and hardness. I have tried battoning across grain with quite a bit of force and the edge hasn't suffered. I have tried to be quite careful with it (and bought the CPM M4 version to abuse more) but the more I have used it, the more I have been impressed - I haven't managed to chip the edge yet and it hasn't rolled either. After some initial reprofiling to more of a convexed edge, it has taken nothing other than some light stropping to keep a mirrored edge. The length of the blade is a good compromise for practical camp tasks and heavier utility in the house and garden. The knife has been used for some kitchen type tasks whilst camping and performs adequately but the blade is a little thick for delicacy. The handle is perfect for the knife. With my small-medium male hands (size 7-8), it is hand-filling enough not to twist under pressure when battoning kindling. This isn't a machete or axe but will stand up to some heavier use. The handle is not as comfortable for me as the compliant rubber handle of a Hultafors OK4, for example, but it feels considerably more robust in hand. The leather sheath is good. As with my other Lionsteel sheaths, the strap was tight initially but loosened up after a very short time. The sheath has a leather gusset, so the stitches for the seam are protected but the stitching for the belt loop is exposed internally and be cut relatively easily by accident when sheathing the knife. There is a little protective felt type disc that is stuck over the metal rivet for the strap and this came unstuck in short-order. After gluing it in place it has been fine. Overall, the knife is great for the money and the sheath is not bad.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Not what I expected to be true. The knife itself could be excellent if not the cutting edge. For example, Spyderco knives come from the factory razor sharp. Nothing like this with my sample of M4 M390. The steel is good, but its cutting of an A4 80g printer paper is questionable. Yes, it cuts the paper, but not every time. Resharpening required. Next, the sheath. Total disappointment. It came with a protective inside patch pealed off and displaced. The knife doesn’t fit in the sheath: I may put a knife inside, but cannot button it up for security — the clasp parts do not come together. Thank you, now I possess a nice and useless sheath. The only relief is that M4 nearly perfectly fits the Buck 192 sheath that I already own.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021