The shuffler (clip point) and especially the dom (sheepsfoot) are very easy to pinch open without a notch because of the blade profile. Regarding 4:29, the "blade guard" is the kick which in most traditionals is what keeps the edge from slamming into the backspring when closing. However, this knife has incorporated a stop pin as a modern element. The kick is probably retained to keep a traditional appearance but also helps with safety.

I find myself loving these modern slip joint folders more and more lately and adding em more to my collection more than I ever used to.. for the regular light duty EDC type cutting I do, I rarely ever need a full frame lock flipper.. I still love em and have em, but I do like having a couple small slim slip joints for like during the work week etc

So you have a first run of the roundhead the 2nd run and 3rd run got way thinner behind the edge, as well as fix a few of the fit and finish issues with the scales, also they have a sheepsfoot blade now as well which is easier to pinch open

I have this knife with a sheepsfoot blade and micarta scales. I love it. The sheepsfoot blade shape is easier to pinch open too.

I've had my Lionsteel Clip Shuffler for about a month or so now and I love it. More so than any of the Benchmade Propers i own. I skipped on the Roundhead because I'm not a huge fan of spear point blades. I saw the clip point version and had to have 1. It slices better than either of the regular traditional knives I own.

You can't make a pun out of that? And here I thought you were a well roundhead reviewer.

I love Lion Steels traditional line!

I have many versions of the lionsteel CK colab. My favorite is the sheepsfoot in rams horn. The 2 blade version just went up for pre-order of which I only plan on getting the rams horn but I'm bad about getting multiple covers. Best modern slipjoint by far.

The best part of this knife is that you can buy one. So many knives are impossible to obtain. They kept the price reasonable as well. This knife is in my pocket every day. Thank you for the review.

The Shufflers seem to be a bit thinner behind the edge. Disassembling a slip joint isn't something I'd recommend for the faint of heart, there's a reason they make it hard if not impossible on traditionals. I'd love to see you tackle a Manly Wasp or Bestech Junzi disassembly. Well more accurately, reassembly!

Those are really nice slipjoints. I may pick one up one of these days.

Oh man. Can’t wait to see those GEC reviews.

These barlows are my favorites. The war horse Barlow (2 bladed) version with ebony and the spear blades barlows with either micarda or the horn. I also have a few of the best man knives. Can’t wait to see where they go with this line.

Thanks for doing such a thorough and informed review of the Roundhead rather than a Cavalier one........bad-dum tish!

I like these traditional knife reviews

I have the 2 bladed warhorse and absolutely love the thing. Great design. Flat Bach springs would be a tad nicer but I love the thing regardless.

For the money this is a really good option.

I have this knife and I agree 100% with everything you are saying here Nick. What does it for me with this knife is that is really is just so good lookin’. Maybe it’s the Italian styling, not sure, but when I hold it, and look at it, I just love it’s essence. It’s a straight up handsome gentleman’s knife..even if it’s not the best cutter. Great review! Thanks!

Nick your reviews are the best... Italian knives are the best... I'm in Europe and they are no so expensive like US knives...

Good to see you bringing out the GEC, my problem is Mike Latham does not export to UK, so I get my Trads sent over by an American friend. I like the idea of swappable scales, and a pocket slip is always a good idea with Trads. Great rounded review Nick, as always.

These may have a few fit and finish issues but considering what Benchmade gets for their Proper...these are a screaming bargain. I have a roundhead and a clip point.

For what they are they are great. I love mine. They just put up a double blade reserve at CK.

The Clip Point Shuffler fixes the punch open scenario

Great review as always.. take a look at the Enzo PK70.. also a great little slipjoint.

Is this model not called the Barlow? I was under the impression that “roundhead” specifically referred to blade shape.

No fucking way lmao. I was literally, not 2 minutes ago, JUST looking at this knife on reddit. And here you are. You're the man Nick. Thanks

Are these discontinued??? Or coming soon???

I have a Gen 1 Roundhead and second production run Shuffler. There is a significant difference in edge geometry. It's YUGE. Sorry, couldn't resist. Latest in my collection is the Manly Wasp, another modern slipjoint. I'm pretty impressed at what the user gets for $50. I hope you'll check it out, although I suspect that the traditional style nail nick will give you hives.

Hey Nick- just watched your LionSteel CK01 review. I have one and have been loving it. After your comment about the space between the scales and liners, i looked at mine and yup, same thing. But then I looked at some other slipjoints, namely my Spyderco Roadie, and it also shows light through the gaps in the backspacer and scales.Both mfg in Italy. Price gap aside since one used fancier materials,I think I can forgive LionSteel if I haven’t been holding Spyderco to the same standards for 4 years 😁anyways the roadie is still great and Im surprised they are still in stock everywhere

On point review

This thing is so much better than the CRK slip joint

I can't believe they still haven't brought scales out

Nick, I think you might like Manly Wasp in S90V. Hope you review it someday.

They look nice.

toadstkr could notch up another member of the permanent collection , after all , you'll need something elegant to carry when you celebrate your first anniversary :)

Great review of a great knife. For not being a slip-joint guy you sure can review them, thank you!

Nice Barlow!

Hey Nick. I realize you must of taped this awile back witch I totally understand is often something out of your control I only mention it because....... There's newer versions in both Sheepfoot & Clip blades!!!😲😆 Also just a few day's ago Mike of CK "Collector Knives" announced he's got a 2 bladed version coming out with a full sized clip main and a full sized wharnecliffe secondary blade called The Warhorse. These are gonna be sweet especially for someone that likes most everything about the Euro Barlow but found them a bit too light. I know I was surprised to find when talking pocket knives it doesn't take a lot to make a difference in how a knife feels in hand. Also for those that don't know Collector Knives has a Early Reserve system were you don't need to put down any money and you can still reserve a knife . Lastly I want to let you know I'm not a relative or good friend of Mike's I'm just a fan of a lot of his SFO knives so I thought it was worth sharing the information. Thanks again Nick for a great review. Trevor

Cool idea. I love the idea of m390 on a traditional knife. The price isn't bad either. Too bad about fit and finish. At the end of the day though, I think I still prefer my GEC knives.

Calls the kick a blade guard. Oh, Nick... Ha ha ha!

In a proper traditional, the knife is assembled before primary finishing, stripped to tidy the filing, internals etc, then rebuilt before final shaping, makin F&F perfect... at least a good one can be!

Every time I think about getting a really nice slipjoint, it doesn't take long to remember I'd miss some of the things on my swiss army knives, so I don't buy them and just keep slipping those SAKs in my pocket instead.

Hey Nick, they now make a „slim“ version with one piece scales (milled TI, CF etc.) Interested in taking a look at those?

You don’t want to be too Cavalier about a Roundhead!

Shit, not enough ugly; I need this now.

Gonna check out the blackstar Nick?

LOL... GEC will be ""Slicey"" for five cuts.

Excellent review thank you. I think you've pinpointed the good and the less good about this knife. To me, it looks nice on first acquaintance, but as you dig deeper it comes across as confused - kind of not sure what it is and incompletely thought through.

Nail Nick

That is a lot of money for what you get I like the design

10:29 supa dupa

A Swiss Army would make a great comparator!

I love the rounded backspace,. It a part of finishing that sets the knife off...very poor taste Nick.

now review a GEC

I think it's safe to just ignore people who would actually be terrified of a Delica. Yeesh.

Been drooling over these guys a while, so I decided to get one. Turns out that you can't buy this European knife in Europe.

You spin my head right round, right round, when you go down, when you go downtown - Flo Rida.

i’d buy it if it wasn’t a slip joint (had a freakin’ lock).

The proper is better

I guess it's better than being a block head!! 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

I like Nicks...just not..nail nicks...Jesus why should you have to rip your freaking nail to the quick if you actually use the thing more than 10 times a day.?? Example...have you seen the armored fingers and terminator attachments that SAK assembly line builders wear...btw...if a Spydie para 2 terrifies you...do you shave kittens😂 I do like exchangeable scales.

If my pocket knife choice intimidates you, you need to grow up.