New Knife - Lionsteel Q4ttro

This knife has apparently been named Q4ttro, which should be spelt in that modern way that is a word, a bit of a pun and a logo, all at once. But it's not just trendy, it actually says something about the knife itself. Something I'll come back to.

But that's getting ahead of the curve. In fact, we're going to start over ten years ago, more specifically in 2015. That year, Lionsteel released a knife called T.R.E, where the name stood for "Three Rapid Exchange" and referred to the three opening methods. It wasn't just the quantity but also the way you could approach them that gave it the "Overall Knife of the Year" award at the Shot Show that year. I've previously reviewed T.R.E, although the version I have, strangely enough, lacks the system that gave the knife its name.

However, this is where Q4ttro comes into play. Five ants are more than four elephants, and four are more than three, although that pun only works in Swedish.* But overall, this knife is larger than its predecessor, and it has another way to open the knife!

Lionsteel Q4ttro

Lionsteel's most hired designer, "Molletta" or Michele Pensato, as he is called, has, of course, also designed this model. If you are at all familiar with his work, it is difficult not to see his design language in the lines. If you don't believe me, you can take a look at the picture below.

The same can be said about typical features that can be linked to Lionsteel as a brand. For example, the rounded blade spine and the micro pattern on the titanium surfaces, as well as the way the lock bar is cut out, can be attributed to this. These are details that often recur.

Five examples of knives designed by Molletta

It can be said straight away that the Q4ttro is very similar to the T.R.E in several respects, although of course there are substantial differences, there would be little point in the knife. The first and biggest, excuse the pun, is of course the size. This knife is simply one size larger. Incidentally, that is something I really appreciate, as it was one of the few objections to the original.

The Q4ttro is 200 mm long in the open position, and the blade consists of an 84 mm long and 3.8 mm thick piece of CPM Magnacut. The predecessor had M390 in the blade, which is also very nice, but theoretically, this is a step up, and I can immediately reveal that the factory edge on this specimen is very good.

The shape is a drop point with a distinct partial false edge and a thin blade hole. The finish is an appealing glossy satin.  

 

A knife characterised by Molletta's lines, four opening methods and fine materials

The model is a frame lock where the lock side is made of titanium, regardless of the variant. The presentation side is available in several different versions. The options are G10, carbon fibre, Micarta or, as here, titanium with an insert of "fat carbon fibre". The titanium is also available in three different anodised versions. This is the bronze variant.

Thanks to the neat format and material, the Q4ttro weighs in at a low 92g, which is also very well balanced, it can be said.

In addition, the package includes ceramic ball bearings, a "floating back spacer", also in titanium. The clip is also made of the same material. So all in all, a very exclusive knife. Especially since it has been added by Lionsteel's "R.E.F.", they like acronyms, but it stands for a technology that allows you to remove the flipper tab if you don't want it in place. For this purpose, small Allen keys are included. 

Then, of course, I must not forget what the whole point of the name, the rest of the opening methods, is. Lionsteel wanted to go big and include them all: First, the knife can be opened with two hands, made easier by a nail notch/opening in the blade. It also acts as method number two, as it can be used as a blade hole à la Spyderco. Even with a flick of the index finger on the back of the blade works, but it does not go smoothly.

In addition to that, there is not one but TWO flipper functions. Both the classic one on the back of the handle that I was talking about, but which, in this case, has been joined by another fin to act as a front flipper. The latter may not be perfect or stylish. Et voila, a whole four opening methods and from that follows the name of the knife.

Are all those methods needed? It can perhaps be discussed, but it gives many choices and is definitely a concept. But more about that and much more in the upcoming review of this knife.

However, it can already be revealed that there are several positive areas to highlight, such as build quality, material choice, size, blade shape, balance and overall appearance. At first inspection, the Lionsteel Q4ttro is also pleasant to hold. There is, therefore, a very good foundation for an excellent EDC knife in the somewhat more exclusive school. 

Lionsteel 

/ J - on a lion hunt

* It is a reference to a very well-known children's program in Sweden from the 70s called "Five ants are more than four elephants", which taught kids how to read and count.

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Lionsteel Skinny

The odds were slim that I would be interested in this knife. I have previously reviewed several models from Lionsteel designed by Michele Pensato, better known as Molletta. The knives are ROK, TRE, TM1, and the fixed-blade M2M, which I greatly appreciate. They all have short names or, I note now, abbreviations.

This knife's name is not quite as short but narrow, let me introduce  Skinny.

Lionsteel Skinny

This is a knife whose appearance is matched by its name. The length is 200 mm while the height is at most just over 20 mm at the end of the handle. Of the size, the blade is 84 mm. The weight ends up at a light 73g!

In addition to being the latest in a line of collaborations between Molletta and Lionsteel, the Skinny is a knife built with "SOLID" technology—that is, it is integral. For those who do not know, it is a folding knife with the entire handle made in one piece of whatever material. Incidentally, this is what makes the knife both strong and light.

Folding knives in particular offer some challenges with such technology. Some form of lock must be incorporated, bearings or bushings must be installed and then of course the knife must be able to be opened. Everything must be mounted inside a piece of metal.

A slim and elegant knife signed Molleta

Most knives of this type on the market are made of titanium.* This knife is also available in that variation if desired. What distinguishes Lionsteel, however, is that they have broadened the technology to more materials, mainly aluminum, which applies in this case. But it only works when you solve the problem of making frame locks with that material. Something they master. The solution consists of a frame lock made of the correct alloy and a sturdy steel-reinforced lock bar with an overtravel stop. 

The blade matches the advanced handle since it's made of one of the finest knife steels available today, Magnacut. It also runs on ball bearings and can be opened in a couple of different ways. 

Lionsteel is known for making technically advanced knives in general. Here are more details such as the removable flipper tab (REF - Removable Flipper) that first appeared on T.R.E. This means that you can choose the way to open the knife. It also makes the knife legal in more jurisdictions. A removable and reversible clip can of course be added to the package. To handle those subtleties, a special tool is included.

But technology in all its glory, here appearance also had a big influence on the decision-making process. Skinny is exactly as slim as the name suggests and in a very appealing way. It is especially striking in anodized red with intarsia of black Micarta as in this case. Otherwise, there are other combinations to choose from.

A review is on the agenda, be sure!

Lionsteel Knives

/ J - likes Italy

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

* Then it can be added that Swedish EKA made this type of handle fixed in stabilized wood long before it became generally popular a few years ago.