Review - Lionsteel T.R.E. G10

 

- simplified but still excellent

The original T.R.E. from Lionsteel was released in 2015 and won an award for "Overall Knife of the Year" on Blade Show the same year. The reason for this can be found in how the abbreviation should be read out, "Three Rapid Exchange". You could choose between several different ways of opening the knife by removing both the flipper tab and the thumb disc. The question was whether that is a problem that needed to be solved or a solution that sought its problem?

A spinoff to that knife is the much more "normal" T.R.E. G10 which lacks the technology that gave the model its name which may be a bit confusing but it is the model I intend to write about here!

Lionsteel T.R.E. G10

If you want the more exclusive original version, which is also an all-titanium knife, it is still in the catalog. If you do not like solid metal, T.R.E. can also be had with a presentation side in carbon fiber and both of these are available in a luxury edition with pattern-welded blades. Then, as I said above, there is this G10 model. If you do not like black, it is also available in green, orange and not least pink.

This knife is like several other models from Lionsteel designed by Molletta or Michele Pensato. Since I appreciate other knives designed by him like TM1 and ROK, this one felt enticing. Especially as the

others are quite large and this one is smaller and more focused on the EDC-segment. An excellent complement, I thought, even though I was not actually aware that it is this small.

T.R.E. is like several other Lionsteel knives designed by Molletta

Twitter version: The stripped-down version of Lionsteel T.R.E. is still remarkably good

Blade

T.R.E. comes with a drop point blade that measures 74 mm in length and is 22.5 mm high at most. Extremely harmonious proportions in other words. Especially as Molletta has refrained from something that has almost become his hallmark, a detail which, however, I do not always fully appreciate, * the very large belly. On this knife, that part is restrained. The thickness of the blade is 3.5 mm.

Simplicity at its best, an excellent drop point blade

Both the appearance and the finish of the blade lends an exclusive feeling. Something that is underlined by the softly rounded spine. The finish is also of the highest quality. A nice stonewash that is then polished can be one of the best next to a well-made satin in my opinion. All enhanced by the tasteful and restrained labeling. On one side Lionsteel, Italy M390 in small font, and on the other Molletta.

The steel is the eminent M390. It's one of those steels that it's hard to say anything negative about. It is very rust-resistant, takes a keen edge, holds that edge if not forever then at least for a very long time. Even so, it's not hopeless to sharpen for the average person. And speaking of sharpening, Lionsteel has provided the knife with a nice sharpening choil for future maintenance. 

From the rounded spine, a full flat grind leads down to an edge, which was really good from the factory. Very sharp, even, and centered. The only negative is perhaps that it could have been a little thinner behind the edge considering how small the knife is.

The blade is fully flat ground and finishes with a very well made factory edge and a good tip

Even when the knife is in use, it feels sophisticated. It is useful for most things, everything from everyday chores to slightly heavier tasks. In fact, I tested it a lot on wood and was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the edge angle is not optimal for carving, but the strong edge held well and the handle rises to the occasion despite being so small. A strong factor to the woodworking going well is that you can cut close to the handle where you are strongest.

Then the knife even passed my "tough garden hose-test". Not all small knives do! The tip is really good too. Both sharp and thin enough for detail work but still strong enough so that it does not feel fragile. In materials such as thicker paper and cardboard and such, the knife really shines and perhaps even more so when dealing with tough plastic and the like. 

Sure, the blade could have been thinner behind the edge, which I return to several times and it is noticeable when you cut into fruit, vegetables, and other things where you want your knife to really slice and not split what is to be divided. But it is not so bad that it spoils the overall good impression, I must say.

Handle

The handle on the T.R.E. is deceptive as it gives a slightly angular impression when you first look at it. However, that is not the feeling at all when you hold the knife. The construction gives a clear front and backside, respectively. The latter consists of titanium and also forms the frame lock. The front is made of black medium to fine-grained G10. It doesn't give optimal grip but then the machining pattern has been left on the handle, which increases traction.

The G10 found on the presentation side is nicely worked and comfortable to hold

The light weight of this knife can be attributed in addition to the small format that the titanium side is properly lightened also on the inside. On the outside, both it and the G10 side are gently rounded.

Here you can see the "floating" backspacer and the "runway" for the index finger when using the flipper tab

If the knife is to be disassembled, it is held together with a pivot screw with a T8 head and three smaller screws size T6. One of them also acts as an attachment point for the clip.

The balance is good and the knife can be held comfortable in most grips

The whole hand fits, barely

The handle is one decimeter long, of which the grip surface is nine centimeters. It is enough for all four fingers even if it is tight. But on the other hand, there are no sharp edges or grooves that tell the fingers where to go. A bonus is also that the clip is not felt in the hand at all. It ends up inside the hand in both hammer and saber grip. Incidentally, it is in the latter that the knife works best due to the small format. But all grips work and it is a very well-balanced knife.

Opening and Lock

This version has got rid of the other opening methods that the original offered. What remains is the flipper tab, which is fixed unless you saw it off. But this knife has a small legacy from its multi-system siblings and it affects how the knife is opened. 

The flipper tab is very small and discreet

And that is a not-so-strong detent. Probably to enable the other ways to open the knife. But that means that this flipper is not the fastest on the market. Like on many other knives it's not enough to overcome the resistance for the blade to fly out. Rather, it requires a little awareness, that you train your muscle memory. But once you have learned that the flipper tab should not be pushed down, but pulled back and also with some speed. Then it goes really well.

But since the tab itself has no traction plan, you can slip and miss the opening entirely if you are not careful. It is important to place the fingertip in front of the tab and then press. In doing so the knife opens both fast and reliable. The blade runs on ball bearings, which helps and it also means that the knife can be closed with a couple of small shakes after the lock has been released.

The lock is propaganda for what a good frame lock should look like

About the lock, it can be said that it is very close to perfection as far as frame locks in titanium go. It is correctly made with a lock bar reinforcement and overtravel stop and enough space to wear so as not to wear out while it locks extremely well. No play in any direction whatsoever. It gives a very impressive feeling coming from such a small knife. Also, the lock bar is easy to find and the lock is a joy to disengage. It simply does not get much better.

To Carry

In the pocket, this knife is as elegant and civilized as it looks. All edges and corners are rounded as they should be and the discreet and smooth flipper tab does not annoy anyone. The outer dimensions are rather sympathetic too with a handle length of 101 mm and 12 mm thickness. Those measurements are certainly not extremely small but a height of only 30 mm a weight at a meager 67 grams are!

A clip that is not the best on the market but still works well for being a milled titanium clip

The clip on T.R.E. is a milled titanium clip. They are generally not as good as simple spring clips, but with that said, I like this one anyway. In terms of appearance, it fits the other lines of the knife, but above all, Lionsteel has chosen to make it so thin that it actually springs and does not need to be forced over a pocket edge. On the contrary, it works quite well. The lip is not extremely large but is enough for both thinner pants and regular jeans without hassle. The same applies to space under the clip.

The clip is also reversible, which is certainly appreciated by those who are left-handed, although it may look a bit strange with titanium against the black G10. Once in the pocket, a piece of the knife can be seen above the edge, but not so much that it is annoying. But supporters of knives that sit really deep in their pockets may have objections.

To Conclude

One word that sums up this knife well is "refined". There is nothing in this design that is not well thought out. It starts with the general lines and the eminent blade and then continues with small details. It's about how both the G10 and titanium sides are machined, the way the triangular pivot screw acts as an abutment and is reflected by a triangular pattern on the screw head on the opposite side, the nicely cut backspacer, and how both the screw for the clip and the other screws are attached from one side but not directly into the titanium side. But also about how the softly rounded spine of the blade is level with the handle in the closed position. In other words, several small areas reflect the quality.

In addition to the fact that the design itself is good, so is the implementation. The build quality is simply superb. Here you can highlight usual areas such as that the blade is completely centered, that the lock is perfectly made and that the titanium clip works well even though it is a milled clip. But above all how nicely done the blade is with its seemingly simple shape but with good proportions and exquisite finish.

Should it be objected to something, it is that the flipper tab could have gotten some grooves for better grip and that it is a bit tricky to use for the unaccustomed. You can miss opening the knife from time to time. Then I personally would have liked to see such a small blade a little thinner behind the edge. This is not a big survival knife. 

Despite many merits, it is still the blade that is the best part of T.R.E.

But also the practicality elevates the knife. T.R.E. is very comfortable to carry as well as to hold in your hand and to work with. It is a good handle given the size.

And the blade, it can be said that it doesn't get much better than this for an EDC-knife. Or rather, with the reservation I made above. But otherwise, it is extremely good. A well-used "super steel" that has been given a consistently good treatment finished with an excellent grind. The tip is wicked, the edge is effective and not even pieces of wood go safely.

Lionsteel T.R.E., an Italian opening**

Overall, I personally think that T.R.E. actually benefited from getting rid of the origin of its name and the finesse that made it win awards. Being able to vary the way you open a knife may be useful in some jurisdictions, but not something I need to think about. Over here, most knives are about as legal or illegal depending on the situation. And I belong to the people who do not have to choose. I can have several knives with different opening systems.

What remained, however, was the essence of the knife. The nice lines, the good handling, the sympathetic handle, and the excellent blade. You can not wish for so much more, especially not when it is as well done as in this case.

Specification:

Length Overall: 175 mm

Length Folded: 101 mm

Weight: 67 g (weighed by me)

Blade Length: 74 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: M390

Handle: G10/titanium

Lock: Frame lock

Produced by: Lionsteel, made inManiago, Italy

/ J 

* Clearly illustrated on models such as SR1 and 2. 

** To clarify, it's an old opening system in chess.

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New Knife - Civivi Mini Bullmastiff

Well, what to say? Maybe that I'm inconsistent or I realize there are other tastes than my own. The reason I say this is that I do not really think there is any reason in the whole wide world to put a folding  a meat cleaver-inspired blade in a folding knife. It will only be a sheep's foot, but much worse. That is, significantly wider and more clumsy in the pocket, in most cases much heavier, and to what use? None! Despite this, this knife is just such a knife, a folding knife with a blade completely inspired by a heavy piece of butcher/kitchen tool.

A little anecdote may be in order. When I was younger I worked holidays and later for a longer period at a combined slaughterhouse/butchery/charcuterie in a small town nearby. For the longest, pigs were split by hand there. So long, in fact, that I had time to do it. That is, instead of letting a machine do the task or use a power saw, you split pigs into halves with the help of a very large meat cleaver. An ax with a handle about 60 cm long and a blade of a few kilos at the other end. The reason is simple, the quality of the meat will be significantly better as there will be no bone chips or "sawdust" as there will be with machines. At home, I use a cleaver for making pork chops or trim chicken legs, etc. This is the kind of work these blades are for. If you make miniatures of them, they lose all meaning.

However, it is not about utility in this case but only about appearance. As long as no one claims otherwise, I will not lose it too much and instead say something about the knife itself. Of course, it comes from  Civivi and looks like this!

 

Civivi C2004C Mini Bullmastiff

The model itself is called Mini Bullmastiff, which suggests that there is another and larger knife involved. And there is. It's, of course, called Bull Mastiff and has a blade of just under four inches instead. This is the slightly less clumsy more EDC-oriented version. Thankfully, these two lack the hole in the blade that the Mastodon and Mini Mastodon models have. Otherwise, they are very similar.

Mini in this version is not so mini but measures 18 cm in length and the blade stands for 75.5 mm or three inches of it. The blade is made of stone-washed 9Cr18MoV which is actually not bad steel. The blade runs on fine ceramic ball bearings like most of Civivi's knives. The blade locks with a well-made liner lock. The handle material is black G10. Other colors are available. The knife also comes with a reversible deep ride type of clip.

The Mini Bullmastiff opens with a flipper tab, although the wide blade allows it to be slowly rolled out with the thumb as well. The handling itself is, as one has come to expect from the Civivi, excellent. So far, so good. But then we come to the blade shape itself. I will talk more about it in the coming review of this knife. But the build quality can not be complained about.

/ J 

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New Knife - SRM 9201

Just over a month ago, I presented a knife from the new or perhaps restarted brand SRM - Stay Ready for More. Now it's time again for another knife from them. This model is called 9201 and is a significantly larger knife than model 7228  I showed last time.

SRM 9201

9201 is, as mentioned, a larger knife, which more concretely means a total length of 20,5 cm, with a blade length of 9 cm. The handle is made of G10, the lock is an Ambi-lock which is one of many derivatives from BM's Axis lock where the patent expired. I might add that his version feels really good with a distinct action. The blade steel used is D2 and the knife has ball bearings. The blade is opened as seen with the help of a well-beveled blade hole. The package comes with a reversible low carry clip. All in all, a potent knife for a price tag of around 48 USD.

I think this knife can be a real challenger in the budget class. It looks rather nice with its clip point and simple handle shape. The materials are not too bad either and the handling is very sympathetic as is the ergonomics it seems. I'm looking forward to getting to know this knife further. 

/ J - stays ready for more

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Knife Review Civivi Ortis

- Civivi heading for another success

There is no doubt that WE Knives is constantly aiming for new segments of the knife market. First, they established themselves as manufacturers of knives with very high and consistent quality. This in turn meant that, in addition to their own creations, they were increasingly hired by all sorts of other companies and designers to make knives for them.

Some time passed and then they launched the budget brand Civivi towards the end of 2018. Since then, everything has gone like clockwork and a steady flow of knives has been released under that name and the popular models are constantly keep coming in new versions. This in turn has raised prices a bit, and the answer from WE are somewhat unusual, they released yet another budget brand called Sencut. The latter is supposed to be entry-level models while Civivi takes over the middle class.

And it is in this segment we find today's review item called Ortis. 

Civivi C2013C Ortis

Like most of Civivi's models, Ortis can be had in several versions. In addition to the four color schemes that are available at the time of writing, it is also available in a luxury version with a pattern-welded blade and silver twill-carbon fiber in the handle.

But whether it will approach Elementum which exists in more than ten versions so far remains to be seen and probably depends on how big of a success this knife will be. The shoes of Elementum is rather hard to fill since it was one of the models that really accelerated Civivi's reputation. Then they have recently released a series of knives with a similar look. First the more traditional Appalachian Drifter and then the larger Dogma followed by Ortis.

Ortis is both stylish, practical, and well-built

Twitter version: Civivi proves with Ortis that successes like Elementum and Baklash were not a coincidence.

Blade

Ortis offers a classic clip point. Nothing wrong with that. As I often say, if you are looking for a versatile blade and not aiming at a specific task, it is either that or a drop point that applies. In this case, Civivi has continued with the theme from several other models and that gives a result that is both appealing to look at and to use. The finish is in this case blackened and stone tumbled.

The blade is 3.25 inches long, which translates to an uneven 82.6 mm. The height is about an inch, or to be more precise 25.3 mm according to my caliper. The thickness is a more even figure of 3 mm.

A classic clip point blade with a hole that reflects the lines in an appealing way

The blade material is Chinese in the form of 9Cr18MoV. A steel that is part of a group that is sometimes a little condescendingly referred to as "number steels" in an internet context, which is not very fair.* In fact, 9Cr is fairly good steel. It takes a good edge at the same time as it is both easy to grind and quite stainless. However, it is not on par with the really advanced materials when it comes to being able to stay sharp. But in my experience, it is in full parity with, for example, Japanese VG10 and European N690.

The factory edge on this specimen was good but the edge bit better after I sharpened it. The hardness is stated to be in the range 57-59 HRC and I would guess based on how it feels to work with, that it is in the middle of that range.

The hollow ground blade is made of Chinese 9Cr18MoV steel

Ortis is a knife that has been used on a wide variety of materials during the test period. As recently as yesterday, I used it to cut meat for a casserole, which included removing gristle on a larger veal thigh. Something that it handles quite well, especially in this regrind configuration. The belly of the blade facilitates sweeping cuts and the hollow-ground blade measures around half a millimeter behind the edge. Two good properties when doing these kind of jobs. Overall, that makes this knife decent for smaller kitchen tasks. That said, the ones who know me by now also know what I think about pocket knives in the kitchen. They don't belong there except perhaps for opening packages. Not least for hygiene reasons.

Then I acted as a mover during the test period and it has meant a lot of cutting in both tape, cardboard, and padding of all kinds. In these situations, I am also pleased that the knife is easy to pull and open besides being a good cutting tool. For example, when you lie on your back under an adjustable bed and tape power cords, you do not want any hassle when you trying to open your knife. 

For more mundane or rather recurring chores, Ortis is excellent. The sharp and easy-to-control tip is really good for puncturing stubborn packaging materials for instance. The blade is also large enough for most common tasks. Yes, a little depending on what your everyday life looks like, of course. Also, the knife works well for lighter tasks in the forest, around the campsite. But if I'm going to carve something, I prefer something more substantial. This mainly applies to the handle, which is unsolicited bring us to the next point. 

 

Handle

The handle does not offer any surprises, but the work is, as expected, very well done. The foundation is a very lightened steel frame that rises slightly over the sides. The back is mostly open with a small backspacer towards the end of the handle. It is fastened with two screws that together with the adjustable pivot screw hold the knife together.

Ortis offers a surprisingly sympathetic FRN handle

On the outside of the frame, you will find sides of FRN, or "quality plastic" as you might put it. We are talking about some form of fiberglass reinforced nylon. A very good material from a practical point of view as it is both durable and easy to shape during production. The big downside is that it isn't nor feels exclusive but more often a bit boring.

The sides of the Ortis are softly rounded and vaulted. To give a little better grip, they have been provided with a pattern of fine lines. In contrast, the plastic is smooth around the pivot screw, which gives the illusion of a bolster.

The small lanyard hole is hidden from view in the backspacer

Let us dwell at the handle for a moment. A couple of details show that some thought and effort were put into making this knife even if it's not expensive. One such is how the FRN-sides feel. They give a very compact impression and less of the plastic feeling that is otherwise common for obvious reasons. But an even better example is how well rounded and polished the frame is. No sharp edges or corners as far as can be seen. Furthermore, the backspacer is screwed from both sides, which is preferable, and the screws are also equipped with slightly beefier T8 heads, which guarantees a longer service life. It also means that one driver is enough to disassemble the knife as long as you do not touch the clip. Besides, all screws are blackened to be less visible. Another clever detail is how the lanyard hole is hidden at the back end so we, who do not use such features, do not have to see them at the same time as it is there when needed. The only negative is that is a tad to bit small to fit a standard 550-paracord through there. 

The balance is very neutral and the handle is really comfortable, albeit slightly on the small side

The handle measures just over 10.5 cm in length of which 9.5 cm is the grip area. That length is enough for me to be able to get a grip with all four fingers, but barely. And since the knife is relatively slim and not excessively high either, it does not fill up the hand. For me a slightly taller handle would have been preferable. But that is always a trade-off as it would have adversely affected the appearance.

When it comes to grip comfort, the handle is really good. The soft shapes make it easy to change grips if needed and the handle does not favor any special way of holding the knife, but all variants work well.

Opening and Lock

Civivi not only knows how to build a flipper knife. They excel in that game. Ortis is a knife that is extremely quick to open. It stems from a combination of fine ball bearings and a good geometry with the flipper tab located in front of the pivot point. Add to that the tab is slightly tilted forward, which enhances that effect. The most important component, however, is how to tune the detent ball, which in this case is to perfection. In fact, it is so well balanced that the knife can very well be opened via the blade hole also for those who want to open their blade more discreetly.

A flipper tab that is as small as it is effective. If it is pulled back, that is

The flipper tab is also small and discreet, which means that it does not scare other things that share pocket space with your knife, which is excellent. Then it is equipped with fairly distinctive grooves, which provides good grip and safe handling. The finger don't slip on this tab. So far, I have not failed to open this knife once.

The only thing that can be objected to the flipper tab is that it does not work if it is pushed downwards but only when pulled back. If you press down in a push-button motion, nothing happens.

A very well made liner lock

When it comes to the precision with which the lock is made, it is noticeable that Civivi is part of the WE family. There are no negative comments at all. This is a liner lock that is made with great skill. The result is a blade that does not move in any direction and a lock bar that neither travels when the blade is under pressure nor is stuck when it is to be released. At the same time, the lock bar is easy to access and some well-placed grooves mean that you do not slip off with your thumb when the lock is released. The lock bar protrudes slightly so that it is easier to reach but not so much that it disturbs the grip otherwise. This lock is exemplarily. 

To Carry

Ortis is not a large knife and it is also round in shape. Features that make it great to store in a pocket. The handle measures 10.7 centimeters in length, is 1.3 centimeters wide and the height ends up at 2.5 centimeters. Sure, it is a flipper knife, but in this case, the tab is as small and discreet as it can be, although the top, due to the grooves, can be a bit sharp if you hit it.

The weight is a mere 82 grams. In this case, the phrase "every little helps" seems appropriate. Much of the light weight can be attributed to the sides of FRN. No matter what you think of that material, it's lightweight. Also, the steel frame is greatly weight relieved, which of course contributes. Add to that that the backspacer is short and the blade is hollow-grind with a big hole in it. If you combine all those factors, the end result will be good.

This knife comes with a really good clip

The clip is simply put very good. The only thing that prevents it from being perfect is that like many deep carry-type clips that are attached to the far back of the handle, it can be felt in the hand at certain grips. This is also the case here. But it comes with the clip type and is thus not a mistake but something that comes with the territory. 

The screws on the clip are countersunk

Otherwise, there are only good things to say about it. Civivi remembered that clips should not have tips that are tilted outwards at the same time as there is a fairly large ramp that handles the edges of pockets. There is plenty of space under it even for thicker fabrics such as jeans or work pants. Also, Civivi has made an effort to countersink the screws that hold it in place so that none of that space is lost. That detail also contributes to the fact that the entire space can be used to get the knife deeper in the pocket and means that the fabric does not get stuck when you have to pull out your knife.

To Conclude

WE Knives is not only known for maintaining a very high quality of its own products but is therefore also frequently hired by many others in the industry as OEM manufacturer**. The good thing about that is that it spilled over to Civivi. Of course, the materials are simpler. Instead of mostly titanium and super steels, you get G10 and FRN as well as blade steel in lower price ranges. But obviously, they know where to put the savings and where to put an extra dollar or maybe yuan/renminbi in this case.

When it comes to Ortis, the extras have been placed on a very good blade in a steel that is one of the best "number steels" as well as fine ball bearings and a well-made clip. Besides, there are several well-executed details such as countersunk screws for the clip that, by the way, do not have a tip pointing outwards, beveled edges on the hole in the blade, rounded edges on the frame, effective grooves on the flipper tab, a sharpening choil worth the name and a very lightened frame. Of course, all this raises the overall impression. This is how to build budget knives!

Whether Ortis will reach Elementum's levels remains to be seen, but the potential is there!

In this case, those features are combined with one of the best handling experiences I had in a long time. The knife is quick to draw and lightning-fast to open and very easy to close. Ortis is also stylish with one of the most elegant markings in the class. The steel type is written on the blade but so discretely that it has become something of a sport to even find it. And the only clue to which brand we are talkning about is the C on the pivot screwhead. 

But the best thing is probably that Ortis is also a very good tool. When it comes to the blade, there is an air of Buck 112 over it. In a good way, I might add. There is something about the proportions and the way it is ground that gives that feeling. But otherwise, the shape, the blade hole, and the blackened finish make it very dissimilar to said knife. In fact, I think this blade is better. The hollow grind does not leave much steel behind the edge and that property is combined with a well-executed factory edge. Simply put, this knife cuts very well. 

Possibly I wished Ortis was a little bigger. Not necessarily because I need a longer blade but want a slightly fuller handle. In particular, I would have liked it a little higher to approach perfection. As it is now, it's borderline too small for my hand size. But still on the right side of the border.

Then I wouldn't say no to slightly better materials. The steel, 9Cr18MoV, I do not mind as it is good quality. But I would rather have seen Micarta or at least G10 in the handle for that extra feeling that the FRN does not give even if it's a practical material. But in return, this is one of the better-executed FRN handles I have come across. Especially as it is well-shaped and is equipped with slightly larger screws and has a hidden lanyard hole as a bonus.

Otherwise, the handle is extremely sympathetic. It is simple but well designed with rounded shapes and soft edges. All parts of the steel frame are rounded in the right places and there are thus no sharp and uncomfortable corners. The only thing that is noticable is the clip in some grips. Somethingthat is difficult to avoid with a deep carry clip. 

Civivi Ortis, an affordable EDC-knife that suits most people and can handle most tasks

I note that Civivi has done it again. This knife is generally as sympathetic as Elementum in my opinion. Yet another success is what I foresee for this model. 

Ortis is therefore a knife I highly recommend for those who want to try a model from Civivi or just want a damn good knife for everyday use at an attractive price.  

A link to Civivi's Amason store

Specification:

Length Overall: 190 mm

Length Folded: 107 mm

Weight: 82 g

Blade Length: 83 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: 9Cr18MoV

Handle: FRN, steel frame

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - impressed

* The 440 family of steels are usually given the same treatment, even though there is a significant difference between a simple 440A and a significantly more advanced 440C. The same relationship applies to AUS6, AUS8, and AUS10.

** OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and simply means that they also manufacture products for other brands.

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Knife Review Steel Will F62 Avior

-  reversed order

There are, of course, different starting points when designing or constructing a knife. Some begin with a blade shape that they find extra interesting or suitable. Someone else perhaps with a specific handle shape in mind or maybe a material to explore.

Steel Will turned that upside down with this knife since it is kind of based on mechanics instead. Let's start with an excellent flipper design and work from there they thought. Said and done, the result is this, F62 Avior. 

Steel Will F62 Avior

Once you have chosen to start with a certain geometry for the opening mechanism and thereby the flipper placement, it follows that parts of the handle must assume certain proportions. In this case, that means a distinct looking front end of the handle.

Materials and appearance are otherwise not extreme in any way. Rather, some features of this knife can be found in both Steel Will's own catalog and older models from other makers. As an example, it sometimes reminds me of a bit of an overgrown Chive or Scallion from Kershaw. 

Steel Will Avior, the knife that puts the flipper tab upfront

Twitter version: Steel Will turn things around with Avior and put the flipper tab first, literally!

Blade

This is a very curvy blade, no doubt. The back rises upwards to create a thumb ramp before sweeping down in a continuous curve to meet the tip. The belly is pronounced and the rest of the edge has a small but visible recurve. The basic shape, however, is a drop point, and that is reinforced by a distinct swedge.

The blade is 89 mm long measured from the tip to where the plunge line ends. But with this handle design, the numbers can vary depending on where the measurement is taken because the handle is so strongly angled. At most the height of the blade is 32 mm and the blade stock is 3.5 mm thick.

A curvy drop point with a recurve and a pronounced belly

The finish is as you can see a glossy satin and for those who do not appreciate that, the knife is also available in a more stealthy blackwash version.

The material is D2, no more no less. About that steel or steel-categories, one can have different opinions. And I belong to those who aren't particularly fond of them. I simply prefer stainless steels in pocket knives. There are few or no reasons to put to tool steels in them just because they are more wear-resistant. Perhaps that was an argument back when stainless steel was inferior to carbon steels in most aspects. But that is hardly the case with modern steels and especially not if they are going to be used in a dedicated EDC-knife like this.

That being said, I have no objection to how the steel in this specific knife behaved during the test period. It stays sharp for quite a while and takes a keen edge. The stains have also stayed away but the summer heat is not here yet.

The flat grind on the Avior extends to about two-thirds of the height of the blade. 

The blade material is the nowadays so popular D2-steel

The factory edge was nothing to brag about. The positive is that it is reasonably even in height and centered. Worse is that it got a fairly steep angle and was not very sharp. On the other hand, it made it quite durable instead.

Avior works well for most everyday tasks such as cutting twine and rope, pierce plastic packaging, and cutting up Pet bottles. I improvised a funnel to use for gasoline, that's how I know. It is also quite effective in cardboard cutting. What Avior does not like is wood. The edge does not bite at all the way I want and the knife needs reprofiling if it is to be used on that material. Then the handle has its limits, which I will come back to.

A broad blade with a high flat grind works well for cutting cardboard 

Cutting tomato and such simpler kitchen duties meet no problem. The broad blade combined with the high grind partially makes the stock thickness go away and the knife, therefore, slices decently. But more advanced kitchen tasks than that is not relevant with a knife with a protruding flipper tab, a recurved edge, and a rather steep secondary bevel. But then no one claimed that it was a kitchen knife either so I don't have a problem with that.

Handle

The nice and curved blade of this knife is matched by a good looking and equally curved handle. The sides are made of G10 and are slightly vaulted for a more comfortable grip. The back of the handle curves and so does the underside, but there you find finger grooves, which make it less obvious. The sides are also well chamfered. No sharp edges or corners as far as the eye can see or rather the hand can feel.

Recessed in the sides you will find a frame with some special characteristics. Namely that it is weight relieved on the lock side and only partial on the opposite side. That, of course, reduces the total weight of the knife. The knife is held together with two fasteners besides the pivot screw. The spacers have been given a pop of blue color. In the back, you also find a pin for your lanyard. It's also bright blue by the way.

A well-shaped handle, that however, strongly influences how the knife should be gripped

To prevent slipping, the grooves cut in the thumb ramp on the blade have been extended to the handle as well. There are also some grooves milled in the flipper and they too aid in giving a more secure grip.

The G10 sides themselves, on the other hand, are quite slippery and that impression is reinforced by the fact that this handle has a basic shape that I'm not that fond of. That is one that is widest at the front and gets narrower at the back. It always gives me the feeling that the knife wants to slip out of my hand like a bar of wet soap. Especially when cutting because when you do, you often pull backward. There is a reason why many handles on for instance Scandinavian knives are widened towards the back or end with a beak. 

The spacers shine bright. Here you also find a pin to secure your lanyard

This knife's somewhat unusual starting point, built from an opening system, influences how the handle is designed and fits a hand. As a result, some gripes are favored and others are basically useless. Among the latter is, unfortunately, one of the most common when cutting and carving wood, a common hammer grip. As seen in the picture below, the hand ends up far away from the edge in such a grip. The index finger, of course, ends up behind the finger guard and the rest of the hand even further away from what you want to cut. The result corresponds to having a knife with a long blade but ending up only using the front part of it. And if you use the forward choil the soft parts of your hand end up at the blade spine so you can't really put any force behind the cuts in that position either. In other words, this knife is not mainly for wood or other tough materials.

The handle definitely favors saber- over hammer-grip

What, on the other hand, works really well is a saber grip. As artificial as the grip becomes when holding this knife as a hammer, just as naturally it becomes when the thumb is placed in the intended recess, resting against the thumb ramp. Then the finger grooves also feel correct and the end of the handle hides inside the hand as does the clip. All in all a very nice way of holding the Avior.

This also applies if you move forward and use the forward finger choil or if you place a finger at the back of the blade for precision cutting. The cutout for the finger is roomy enough for my fingers too, and the soft rounding of the flipper tab makes it work exceptionally well.

So basically we have a knife that despite having an impressive blade combined with both long and wide handle, is best at performing smaller tasks.

Opening and Lock

Under this heading, we find what at least partially defines this knife. It is, as said earlier, built around the opening mechanism. But what does that mean? Well, besides the now almost standardized procedure of using ball bearings to achieve better action, Steel Will have gone the extra mile. They have optimized the geometry of the opening mechanism itself. In concrete terms, that means moving it forward. The profile shows that the flipper tab is situated in front of the pivot screw. The result is fireworks. Or at least a very efficient opening.

If not a revolution then at least a well thought out function. The flipper tab is situated in front of the pivot screw

The flipper tab itself is not very large and sweeps backward. But since the geometry is so effective it does not need to be compensated with a giant shark fin to get more leverage. Something that manufacturers sometimes have a tendency to do when everything else fails.

In fact, the theory works excellently in practice too. Especially since they got the detent ball well-tuned. No matter how you use this flipper tab it is impossible not to open the blade completely. And the blade really rockets out. So, Steel Will succeeded with what they envisioned. 

A liner lock in steel

If the opening mechanism is pretty advanced the lock is quite straight forward. It's liner lock in steel and does exactly what it should. It locks up with the entire width of the lock bar in contact with the blade and there is not even a hint of blade play in any direction. Neither is there any tendencies to lock slip even if the knife is provoked with negative pressure on the blade, that is light spine whack.

The only negative that can be said in regards to the lock is that it is a bit difficult to access. Sure, the lock bar has some milled grooves for better grip, but it sits pretty well hidden between the handle sides and the opposite side is not recessed in any way. This means that you have to jam the soft parts of your thumb into the frame and press to release the lock. That is not optimal.

To Carry

In a pocket, Avior is in the middle of the road. Not bad in any way but not excellent either. By that, I mean that the polished materials and a decent clip give it a pass. But 120 mm in length and a full 42 mm in height combined with a width of 14.5 mm makes for some volume to put in a pocket. The weight is a passable 127 grams. 

A clip as curvy as the handle. That's why the knife comes with two of them, one for each side

Avior comes with two clips. One for the right and one for the left side. Since the handle is so curvy and the clip follows the contours, it's needed to work. The clip shape is otherwise pretty neutral in my opinion, nothing that stands out or deviates when it comes to appearance. It works well even if the ramp is a little too small to be able to pass thicker pants or jeans with ease. The tension is good and space underneath is suitable for most fabrics. Since the G10 surface is fairly slippery, it offers no resistance. This makes the knife easy to pull and, above all, put away.

The latter is almost the most important. At least for me. Usually, you can pull a knife with one hand even if it resists. On the other hand, it is harder to put away a poorly thought-out design and then you end up standing there holding a rope or something in one hand and an open knife in the other wishing you had a third hand. 

About half an inch is visible when the knife is carried

A half an inch or so of the handle protrudes from the pocket when the knife is carried. That is not too much considering that this is not a deep carry clip. The knife sits deep enough to be secure and that is most important.

To Conclude

This knife is called Avior.* I guess it refers to how the blade is expected to fly out when the knife is opened. If so, the name is not entirely inappropriate given that the knife is built to be quick and easy to open.

Steel Will F62 Avior, an EDC-knife in the slightly bigger format

The question then is whether Steel Will has succeeded considering that it is a fairly specific idea to build a knife from. Well, I think they managed to pull through. The knife is very easy to open and perhaps more important, safe to open. By that, I mean that it doesn't matter how yo do it. The blade gets out anyway. Press down or pull back, miss a little, use more or less force - it works anyway. And the result is a satisfying sound. That can't be said about all knives.

For your invested money you don't just get a quick knife but also a very well built one. At the moment it costs around €64 and the same amount in dollars. The materials used reflect the price fairly well. A D2-steel blade running on ball bearings and G10 handle with a steel frame equipped with a liner lock in the same material. But the lock is well made and the G10 sides likewise. The latter is shaped and contoured and all edges and corners are rounded and smooth as they should.

If you do not like this look, the knife is also available with a bright red handle and black blade for those who prefer more color.

Avior, a knife that offers an excellent flipper mechanism and a solid build

The knife is part of what Steel Will calls their "Urban Series", ie knives intended primarily for EDC use. This is something that I am inclined to agree with as I do not think the Avior is the best company in the forest despite a sturdy format. The handle is well shaped and capable provided you like to hold knives in saber grip only and stay away from whittling. Also, knives with D2 blades and ball bearings aren't exactly ideal as hunting or fishing knives either.

For everyday chores for city dwellers or those who need a knife at work, however, Avior is not bad at all. It is easy to pull and open and easy to put away again and the blade is more than competent for various tasks. So if that is what you are looking for and like this curvy aesthetic, Avior is definitely an alternative. 

You find the product page here.

Specification:

Length Overall: 209 mm

Length Folded: 120 mm

Weight: 127 g

Blade Length: 89 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: D2

Handle: G10

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Steel Will, made in China.

/ John

* And the name of an airline. Currently in any case. Given the ongoing crisis, it may not be there soon.

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