LionSTEEL M7

The LionSTEEL M7 is currently LionSTEEL'S flagship fixed blade knife model. Ok M7 what's in a name?? Probably 7 inches long and M for Molletta??? Who knows?? It's a catchy model number.

Ok I will get straight  to the point (no pun intended!) 

The LionSteel M7 is a: Big drop point, flat ground, flat edge bevel, proven blade design, practical shape for an outdoor knife. No need to reinvent the wheel. 

The finish is all Italian, ie well finished, simple and stylish.

I'm going to say who this knife is good for right up.

Serious outdoor enthusiasts; not too concerned by weight; those who will camp without tent; those who will not be hunting per se; camping in the tropics/jungles; Boreal forest use if you don't want to bring a hatchet; Campers who like to "build things" People who want a simple geometry to sharpen if you are not that experienced at sharpening.


The M7 is Not for: coastal camping or taking to islands in the sea unless you've got freshwater to wash it down with. Besides that you're going to need a good fishing knife on a tropical island- I know I've been there done that-one tree no inhabitants two people, self reliant. 

Dimensions at a glance: 5.5mm (0.22 inches) spine thickness, total weight 410gms (14.46 Oz) according to the manufacturers site. I'm guessing the black version is a PVD (that's Physical Vapor Deposition)* since Sleipner is perfect for this type of coating but I will tell you exactly what it is in the UPCOMING VIDEO  field test and review in a real situation and putting the M7 through it paces.

*Ok Just got news from LionSTEEL, the black version of the M7 is NOT a PVD process but the blade has been chemically blackened.
Gianni Paulett from LionSTEEL also told me that the blade angle from the spine is 8 degrees.


If you go to LionSTEEL's site  they state the following blade dimensions: 7.09 inches in length or 180mm. My actual measurements were as follows: I measured a blade length of 150mm in a straight line (along the spine) from tip to the end of the cutting edge. The actual cutting edge length is about 162mm. As you can see they are NOT anywhere near what LionSTEEL say. This discrepancy may in part be due to that by a kind of unwritten knifemakers convention the blade length is generally measured  from the hilt to the tip. let's not confuse this with the "actual cutting edge", which in this case is about 162mm! A much greater proportion of the LionSTEEL M7 is taken up by handle and non cutting surface. This for me is a pet peeve as manufacturers should quote the actual cutting length I believe.


You can see the obvious from the above picture eg choil etc. What's not so obvious is the spine profile seen below.

People are not talking about this subtle blade design here but I will because I believe it to be a very good engineering strategy:
Quick thoughts, the curved spine profile (from thumb rest to the tip) increases spine strength and rigidity, no need for a fuller or blood groove. Secondarily there is a comfort aspect in un-gloved hand to place palm on the back of spine for control during carving.

The rear of the knife is recessed on handle to improve grip during swinging. It's not a light knife for 7 inches but not too heavy either.

The handle has been milled too 

on it's outer surface to increase grip either in the un-gloved or gloved hand. This is absolutely necessary for a knife of this size as despite the listed applications, which is actually one, ie cutting tasks, the LionSTEEL M7 is not guaranteed against chopping tasks etc or any other thing that may constitute knife abuse.........Remember this- don't abuse the knife, ie don't "cold work harden the steel" by bashing the sh*t out of it with a lump hammer/rocks or the like. It's a knife.
Anyway what I was saying was that if you are swinging this knife you want to be able to hold onto it securely. And you can with this feature. The handle can easily accommodate hand sizes from size 8 and upwards, without being too big for a size 8, below this eg size 7 your hand will simply be too small.

The tang is not full width, so what??? It's not an issue. It's (the tang) embedded in a composite one piece block of milled









Micarta.  4 axis  machined (this is nothing special in terms of machining/milling but sort of novel here.

At the butt end of the M7 there is good sized  lanyard hole

The M7 bears Molletta's name (the original designer of Knife Research fame)



on the reverse side to Lion Steel and the alloy type, Sleipner, (JFYI Sleipner is the 8 legged horse from Norse Mythology)




 an Uddeholm product. Educate yourself with a bit of metallurgy by reading Uddeholms pdf on Sleipner alloy.
A cold working tool steel (non PM steel (powder metallurgy) to replace D2 or use in place of D2 where better chipping resistance and tougher characteristics are needed.


How about the carrying system??? A lot of knife manufacturers fall flat on their faces when it comes to the sheath or scabbard design and materials. Not LionSTEEL.
Here it is:

Kydex and a ballistic nylon/Cordura, snap lock for added safety for knife retention. I say added safety as the Kydex sheath provides a super positive locking mechanism.








In the above two pictures  you can see the infolded Kydex at the entrance to the scabbard/sheath. There is little chance of the M7 being accidently released as some pressure is required to extract it. The M7 can not be removed silently or in a hurry. Notice the attention to detail with the small notches placed to prevent thumb slippage. 


There is almost too firm a grip on this big knife, you will not shake it loose and one has to apply some force to remove the M7  from the sheath. The reverse side has a drainage hole (remember Sleipner is NOT a stainless steel- it has only 7.8% Chromium (Cr) which is less than D2 at around 12% and just for reference, a stainless steel such as AISI 440C at around 16-18% Cr!

Attachments come by way of press studs for vertical tip down or vertical tip up. The press stud attachment to anchor the handle can be reversed to accommodate a left-handed removal by also reversing the carry system, ie undoing all of the scabbard bolts.



How does it compare with other similar sized knives? Knife Research's (BTW also made by LionSTEEL) Legion or no longer in production Carthago knife?? The M7 has a wider blade, no fuller/blood grooves, does not come in G10 at the time of writing. No ceramic sharpener included.





Maintenance 

Working around salt water you will have to remove the M7 handle to wash the tang thoroughly. This could void the warranty? Wipe down the blade with a clean rag, lightly oil with edible oil.


Anyway I don't want to say anymore about the M7 as I really need to get it out now into the field for some serious testing (but not abuse LOL)
Time will tell about this model especially the micarta handle as micarta tends to absorb water easily unless sealed and this handle isn't sealed. Plus the milling process exposes the ends of the canvas fibres which will wick moisture/water/oil etc when subjected to it, for example sweat. G10 may have been a better option, as it tougher and more water resistant. I need to find out from LionSTEEL exactly what are the physical properties of the Micarta they are using. Still waiting on an email response.

Ok Gianni just told me the Micarta is bought in LionSTEEL do not in house manufacture it.

LionSteels M7 prices at the time of writing is:

Satin finish: 240 Euro
Chemical black finish: 250 Euro