I've used my Lionsteel M4 for field dressing deer and that's were it really shines. It's the perfect length that I can put my fore finger right on top of the blade right to the end, and maintain great control, and still big and sharp enough to bust open the ribs. Plus it's very maneuverable when cutting the diaphragm and not worrying about poking the stomach or other guts. I just love the knife. And it's stainless qualities are great, and I still haven't after over a year having it needed to give it a full sharpening. I got some Bark River Diamond strop solution, and a few minutes with that, brings it right back to razer sharpness.

I am so late on this comment, but I must add (common knowledge at this point…) that the 45 of the “pommel” on lion steel knives are left unfinished for throwing sparks. Your channel is one of the best. Thank you. Enjoy ✌🏻

The guys over at Dutch Bushcraft Knives showed that you actually can strike a ferro rod with the M4.

Glad to see you review this little guy. I really rate the M4 and always give it a plug when people are asking about knives in the size range. Mine performs really really well.

Great job. If you keep the m4 stropped, it keeps a razor edge easily. Besides the m390 is really abrasion & stain resistant along with great edge holding ability. That in itself should be enough reason to pick the LionSteel over the Fallkniven...and the handle ergos are insanely better along with nicer choices. Great channel mate!

Hey, Pete, and greetings from Finland. I have both of these knives and enjoy them both very much. Two pointers: Yes, the molletta does throw sparks quite well... and for those of us living near the polar circle, we tend to choose a rubbery handle at least during cold time. Keep up the good work and may the neq decade be joyful and prosperous!

Funny. Just yesterday I wrote about this in the swedish Fällkniven group. How other relatively small companies like Lion Steel and Bark River proves that Fällkniven is overpricing and overestimating thier products. (Especially since the massive pricebump in 2016.) and how this seems to be the general attitude towards them in global social media. Fällkniven is often using outdated, non-exclusive materials and technology and treats it like its the dogs balls. Moulded plastic, VG-10, and cheap painted on coatings that rub off if you just look at it for to long. F1 is a great knife but its $100 knife at best. Not a $200 knife. Laminating VG-10 is pointless. In 2017 I bet there are lots of fancy steels that will perform similiarly or better as a non-laminated, solid convexed chunk that is also cheaper and simpler to manufacture.

I need to stop watching your videos as I purchased the T5 after your review and now I’ve just purchased this knife lol

Yeah the m4 is an awesome little knife. It’s the only knife my dad wanted, and he’s not a knife guy. He totally loves the M4. Thanks for the review Pete.

Have one. Love mine which has been my go to hunting blade this season. Holds an edge a lot longer than my Fallkniven H1.

Love the technical cheese talk! :) Just ordered a t5 based on your review...very excited to get my hands on it

Yes I agree with everything in this video! I own both knives however the F1 is $111 dollars here in the US and the M4 is $155. You can get the M4 with G10 handles if you want to make it a true Outdoors knife. As far as the crowned spine on the M4 as others have stated here it does have an edge at the end of the crown to strike fire Steel. On the M4 when you unsnap it you can rotate it upward to keep it out of the way of the knife when you take it out. Even at this price difference lionsteel M4 is definitely the superior knife in fact it is my favorite in my entire collection. Then again I'm a steel snob and love m390 super steel! Enjoy your videos keep them coming.

Those Lion Steels are gorgeous knives , and at good prices. I always thought that Falkniven knives where overpriced and now , finally, other people are seeing it too , they just can't compete against those materials . I love M390, it's a really hot steel right know, I love it in my folders and now I'll love it in my fixed blades .

You can definitely strike a fire steel with the M4

I have the Lionsteel M4 in the walnut handle and it is by far the best knife I've ever owned. Also, considering the decent sized slab of M390 you're getting, I think the price isn't too bad. For those looking for a non-wood handled version, it's also available in black G10. And, like some others have posted here, you can indeed strike a ferro rod with the rounded spine (which I love, by the way. It's much more comfortable for extended periods of whittling and carving than those hard 90 degree spines and won't eat away at your thumb). As for their A1 killer, check out the M7. I personally can't wait to get my hands on an M1 (also in M390).

No other knife of mine has gutted and skinned more animals than Fällkniven F1, but there are no rational arguments to pay that money today for VG10. It is indeed a strange industry.

I wonder if santos might be Santos Mahogany. Really dense strong and stable South American hardwood. Looks nice

Oh my god... I was exactly looking for a knife to cut cheese ! And it seems that I've just have my choise done... Thank you bro !

Nice review, thank you. I got my M4 today and it will definitely replace my F1. Fällkniven will better do their home work...

Owning this knife a couple of weeks now I have to say that all your money really goes into just the steel. I got the walnut version and carried it EDC about 4 weeks now, the walnut cracked and warped within minutes after a quick wet wipe to the handle, turned out the handle scales are untreated, therefore really offers no durability to any outdoor elements. Then last week the stitching on the belt loop of the sheath also broke, that's less than 4 weeks of belt carry wearing. Lastly about the edge, it is true that the edge is a little thinner than your regular LIonsteel/DPX fixed blades, but 0.033" is still pretty thick for a 3.75" blade. I think you still really need to spend some time to re-profile the edge if you are looking for folding knife like slicing power, I did mine to 15 DPS, and while doing that I noticed some unusual chipping behaviors in bur trading, maybe caused by uneven heat treatment? Easy to fix with some patience but still a problem in comparison to Benchmade M390 out of box. So overall, you paid $150 for a good slap of M390, not the worst deal, but maybe a Bradford Guardian3 could be a better one.

"Chapette" - 🤣 We can also be quite particular about our knives :)

I have both. I agree the M4 is very nice, but for some reason, I always grab the F1.

Fallkniven, in my opinion, has been overvaluing their knives since the early twenty teens. Their updated models with Lam. CoS are super appealing in terms of specs but their $200+ price tag is insane compared to Bradford, LionSteel, ESEE, etc.

Check out the LS M7!!!

Took 4 years but the T6 will certainly eclipse the A1. K490 one of the finest steels balance wise available.

Nice knife. Lionsteel M4. Looks beautiful. Italians know about design. So do the Spanish and Americans and Swedes and pretty much everyone else by now. But it always comes down to a comparison with that ur bushcrafter, the Mora Companion. The perfect knife. $15. As opposed to $155 for the M4. These beautiful knives are for dilettantes and collectors. You know who you are. I bet you have a $600 backpack. I'm not complaining. I spend all my money on cats. My cats costs me more than my car. Just wish Mora made catfood.

I think first purpose of that knife is hunting, a bit short for camping and survival if we look very strictly but still good in any outdoor activity 🔪✨

Beautiful knife, I really want a good fixed blade now.

I have a lionsteel m4 in m390 its pretty dang good made it convex and thinned it a bit

Thanks Pete for a great review. It was exactly what I hoped for :)

It may have already been pointed out but you can absolutely start fires with it. Throws beautiful sparks. Although rounded on top there is still a sharp edge. On mine at least. A good overall review though.

Nice knife, cool dogs!

Lionsteel M7 is a big chopper and knocks the Fallkniven A1 onto its bum lol it’s a brilliant big knife ,you should check it out , another great we video Pal

Pete, can't wait for you to get your hands on a lionsteel T6

I just bought this knife... it is okay. I'm a bit disappointed by the balance. It doesn't feel lively in the hand. The balance point is about 3/4 of an inch below the handle scales (from the "cross" if it was a sword). So even though the blade steel is quite thick and the handle has a good shape, it doesn't really feel like an extension of my hand like a tool should. I feel like this is largely because of the balance. I am debating sending it back before using it. A knife should feel good when you pick it up, right?

Love those Aussie birds mate!

Hey Pete have you actually tried to strike a fire steel with this knife? (I don't have one but will probably soon). Dutch Bushcraft Knives has a review and even with the round spine in showers sparks. (yeah I can't understand it either but it's on video). I can't tell from the video but it seems to me the patterning on the handle is a bit almost like that of a firearm. Hints of Beretta maybe? Keep up the great videos your channel is one of my go-to, check every day channels. 👍-Mike, Pennsylvania, U.S.

lionsteel knives are designed to strike ferro rods with the butt of the knife, the butt is sharpened

Thanks for the Robo theme.

You can definitely strike a ferro rod with the LionSteel! Just give it a try!

The guys on DBK didn’t have much issue using a fire striker with the M4, were you not able to get a spark from the edge of the spine?

Fwiw the spine of my (unmodified) M4 works with a firesteel

You definitely can strike a ferro rod with the M4 , you just have to tilt the blade and catch the angle under the crowned spine ..... 👍🖖

Based on your review I bought one. I like it and will now become a bush crafting god. Making a jumper that's also my shelter from my nutsack (with a enough left over to make a "ball" cap too!).

You can strike a fire rope with the backside of the m2, m3 and m4, therefore they let it in a 90 degrees angle, watch it closely Otherwise it‘s a really cool video and those knives from lionsteel are badass.

Could you review the LS M3? Looks like a great outdoor knife

Vg10 is crap, dulls quickly and chips ... compared to M390 it's a Yugo. The F1 is a best case 75$ knife and that's being generous.

I wonder how that substantial sharpening choil on the Lionsteel would go as a ferro rod striker.

have one of this and one of little brother M1, very usefoul pair of fixed blade for the price.

Hello Cedric after some reasonably heavy use today I've found that the m4 as micro chipped my bark river cpm 3v never does I also have the American knife company forest in a2 that never as and I've tortured the garberg and the garberg takes it in stride as anybody else found this with m390 steel

Big lion steel fan. Got several. Looking g to buy the M1

I think talking about this knife being a Fallkniven Killer is a bit much. I think it really highly depends on the usage of the knife. Using it as a bushcraft/Camp knife it might be better suited for some tasks but for example as a Survival Knife there are several reasons why Fällkniven is the clear winner here. Despite being not a weak steel M390 doesn´t even come close regarding toughness to Fällkniven Knives. The lamination just creates something very unique and makes for some of the toughest knives that you can find on the market. For bushcrafting toughness might not be so important but for survival it quickly becomes one of the most important aspects to look for. Moreover the ease of sharpening for M390 is a catastrophe whereas the convex edge of the laminated COS/VG10 is often fixed with a bit stropping in the field already which again would make for a much better knife in a survival situation. Adding the inability to strike a firesteel you have 3 very good reasons to prefer the Fällkniven.

The guys at Dutch Bushcraft Knives struck a ferro rod -- and seemed very surprised about it.

The lion steel m2 can strike a fire steel rod & through a lot of sparks.

still looking for a dog that turns down cheese :)

I would argue that the knife reviewed destroys Falkniven pretty much. Bladesteel, a proper full tang construction AND a leather sheath?! Those crazy swedes better get into another line of work. The number of old knife companies who are falling behind in materials cost and construction is actually a bit funny to watch. Emerson, Spyderco, Falkniven, Strider, CRK, Al Mar - are all guilty of this imo (and lets face it Strider completely shut down rather than try to compete). Their prices have increased without any increase in build, design or quality or innovation that made them the top of the pack in the first place. Hinderer went down in prices - but failed to address design issues (teflon washers and knives that won't flip) I still get gear from some of those makers, but I go much more for younger hungry companies now. Love the vid as always.

F1 for bare-handed cold weather useage.

I'd really like to see your food prep through out the week. You seem like you eat way more cheese and carrots than any person should.

I wish Lionsteel would put that metal and geometry on the M5. I prefer the M5 handle, Kydex sheath and size

Respekt Lionsteel 👌 Best Knive for the Price 👈

If I never hear another knife reviewer say that the knife is good for hitting with a piece of wood (baton) again it will be too soon.

Holy crap the dogs got an awesome piece of cheese! I do the same thing when making my sandwiches, my two dogs always come running but they are just little guys. Although my Pug thinks she's a German Shepherd, I kid you not she backs down from no dog. She actually made a Pitt bull submit one day LOL it came running at her barking and growling it scared the living crap out of me. I was to far away to stop her from getting attacked, BUT to my suprise she stood her ground! the Pitt layed down and rolled to its side😅 ROFL it was hilarious yet awesome. What is cool though, is that the Chinese say that the Pug is a "Big dog trapped in a little dogs body" they were bread to be lap dogs for royalty. LOL that is where she wants to be 24/7, either on my lap or under my feet I love her but boy she is one clingy girl, if she was human I'd have to get a restraining order😅😂

Just my experience: the geometry of m4 cannot do good batoning, but it looks beautiful. Too much friction and my knife caught in log, and yet its not a job of knife but it cannot be the only tool in wild

Can anyone tell me the name of the first knife he compares the M4 to? Thanks

Lionsteel did make a a1 counterpart it’s the m7

Good lookin' knife.

Thanks very informative.

The lionsteel m4 in m390 is better than fallkniven better than oohh let the negative comments begin its better than bark river even... Ive sharpend countless bark rivers none of them takes as thin as edge and takes as much abuse without chipping as my lionsteel m4.. Its truely a hell of a bargaing the sheath is snugg and wet formed and top quality. The spine perfect rounded for comfort and still strikes a ferro rod very good. The handle ergonomic and sturdy and its cheap for what you get 😁

I can't help but think how nice that lionsteel would be if it were a millimeter thinner, be .11 instead, it'd cut better and be lighter. Oh well gotta have that toughness, I guess. I used to edc fixed blades, but there's just not many good ones, meant for edc. Who cares about a comfortable, effective knife, it's gotta be "survival!" "tactical!" "concealed!" or "a necklace!"

Dangit....now I need one of these.

Can you test CH knifes with m390?

got it in magnacut for 200€ lol 62 hrc is enough for the price

This might be me entre into fixed blade edcness!

The M7 from lionsteel looks like it could beat the A1, I just don't like its sheath.

good cheese grind =D

That little Lionsteel looks like a good knife for most basic everyday tasks whilst hiking, camping or as you said: even everyday carry if that's your thing. On a different note, I have to say this: You as well as a number of other KZfaqrs & reviewers constantly insist on mispronouncing Fallkniven. It is not "Falk-niven" it is "Fall-niven". The K is silent just like in the word knife which is what this name refers to. Think "Morakniv" it's not pronounced Morak-niv but Mora-niv. Keep up the great work & carry on slicing cheese, carrots, mushrooms, onions & of course sisal rope for our benefit. You are an intelligent, painfully groovy & well spoken young man who just happens to have far more knives & the availability of such for review than I can afford at the moment, so it is with great enthusiasm that I look to your channel & learned opinion prior to purchasing a new knife. Cheers from Canada. ; )

I have two!

My fave in this category is the US made Bradford Guardian 4. This Lionsteel will have it beat on steel and probably price. (Tip: best price is from Amazon.com; best steel from Bradford.) But I love the blade shape on the Bradford; it screams cool and quality. This Lionsteel by contrast produces no wood in the nether regions; just looks wimpy although I'm sure it's usable and won't require frequent sharpening. You're doing a great job frequently providing us addicts with stimulating material. Keep it up.

Oddly enough the T5 doesn’t strike a ferro rod but this knife will

Would you recommend getting the lionsteel m4 or t5

My m4 handle is in g10 . More robust than the wood

Lionsteel has pommel 90 degree strike point.. so better!

F1 usurper...never mate.

The spine and the grind put the f1 above the m4 in my mind

Vg10 and cos steel is about the same steel . F1 pro is way over price

Hey bud search up the lionsteel m7

The M4 is not of Full tang construction it is Skeletonised tang. If you remove one handle scale there is a large rectangular hole and this of course makes the knife structurally weaker but also it means that moisture, ie, water and sweat can penetrate into the handle space and this obviously can initiate rusting, sweat being the worst expected fluid to get in and as it contains salt which is the bane of steel and even though M390 is very corrosion resistant it still can rust. The Skeletonised tang design that Lionsteel have used is a very poor design aswel. The M4 should NEVER be used to baton with, not unless you are willing to break risk breaking it which will happen in time, especially if rust has started to develop inside the handle within the rectangular hole. Good review even though your research was lacking. I admire you Pete, and I admire very few peaple and your dedication to your studies and testing of knives and the many aspects of them is legendary. I hope that your shoulder isn't giving you any trouble. Make sure you ease up a bit as premature arthritis is a nightmare, I know because I have it, and repetitive strain injuries I suffered first and then came the arthritis. Take care and best wishes to you and your wife and kids and all of your family and friends, 🤝🏻👍🏻.

The wallnut handle soaks water and swallows a lot,opening huge gaps.The wood is not properly treated and the handle is cheap and a complete failure.The sharpening choil is bad.The loop of the sheath is stiched right in the way of the tip of the blade.

Lionsteel make a larger model, M7.

Cheese staple survival diet

An awesome rewiev! 🙋🤗💯 Thanks man!

The only drawback is the Lionsteel M4 doesn't have 90 degree spine

I will take a muela husky over both ,less money ,same performance