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The Forseti Steel Damascus Lightoller knife is a 2inch foldable pocket knife with very sharp damascus steel blade which is a blend of 1095 and 15n20 steel creating a visually stunning unique ‘whirl effect’ blade. The handle has a very attractive rosewood handle with a liner lock and comes with a leather sheath and pine wooden box.

Full Review

Ok so lets start with clearing up a few things. Firstly if you think naming a knife after an officer on the Titanic is a bad idea you’ll change your mind once I tell you just a few snippets about Charles Lightollers life in this review. I also think we need a very quick chat about what an EDC knife really is.

The Forseti Lightoller is a plucky knife that slices well above its expectations and is named in honor of a man that did big things with a little ship. Its modern and heritage mashup satisfies the adventurer in all of us.

Do you need to Kill Zombies ? Skin a Deer or just cut up some boxes?….. Be Honest

I feel we have collectively ‘lost out way’ with what an EDC or Every Day Carry knife really is. So I’d like to take us all back to basics very quickly. If you think an EDC knife should be 5 inches long and able to kill zombies you either live somewhere very hostile or you may want to ask yourself what you ACTUALLY use your knife for on any given day.

For me the best knife you own is the one you always have on you ( i.e. that it’s there when you need it) so for me an EDC knife is a small discreet knife that is great for the day to day tasks like slicing paper, cutting up boxes, opening parcels etc that we all ACTUALLY need a good knife for. If you want a campcraft knife then take a look at the Forseti Boone Knife and if you want to kill zombies then maybe the Ka-Bar may be more for you.

What is Damascus Steel ?

Damascus Steel was originally forged in India, Sri Lanka and Khorasan from a type of steel called Wortz steel about a 1000 years ago. It was renowned for its sharpness and strength and its swirled pattern that was distinctive.

Who was Charles Lightoller ?

This plucky knife that cuts well above its station is named in honor of the highest ranking crew member of the Titanic that survived. Charles Lightoller was the man responsible for the ‘women and children first’ protocol and survived the sinking by grabbing an inflatable lifeboat as Titanic sank. Later in his life he bravely deified the British Navy orders in WW2 and took his personal boat across the war torn English Channel to rescue members of the British Army Expeditionary force as they evacuated Dunkirk.

The Forsetti Steel Blade

The Lightoller knife blade is high carbon which means you get a very VERY sharp edge from it. There is a slight trade off though with this type of steel compared to stainless steel and that is that the damascus steel will require you to be more careful in the wet with it. I suggest anytime you use the knife for anything ‘dirty’ you wipe the blade clean and dry and also regularly wipe the blade with a light mineral oil ( or even household cooking oil) just to its wiped and then buffed clean. This thin layer will ensure the edge stays keen and the blade doesn’t get a few rust spots on it.

The blade is a roughly a 2inch blade giving the overall length of just short of 5 inches with the handle. Its well balanced and hefty when you hold it in your hand and the liner lock system is very secure when the blade is folded out. The drop point tip and 3mm thickness of the blade gives you a strong edge and the 256 folded layers makes a stunning pattern finish which is different for every single knife.

Handle

The handle is made from rosewood which is wonderfully closely dovetailed to the thick metal liner inside. It also has an increased thickness to it was it goes deeper into your palm giving it a very satisfying and organic feel in your hand when using it. I love that the small hole in the blade means you can flip the knife out one handed too.

Leather Pouch

The Forseti Lightoller knife comes with a leather pouch /sheath that can also attach to a belt loop.

It’s the little things that make you smile ….

When you open the box from Forseti the first thing that hits you is the smell of pine. The knife itself comes with a charming wooden slide top box that’s filled with straw and has the knife nestled inside. Its a nice touch. You can also see the knives have a generous application of oil on the blades too and arrive incredibly sharp.

Gripes

I love the design and I’m impressed by the blade. Usually this is the bit where I have a bit of a moan about one thing or another but I find it hard to be critical about a knife that balances hand made unique appeal with quality and price. My only real gripe is how quickly they seem to sell out. If you look at the Forseti site they make these handmade knives in small batches and they can sell out FAST… in fact I’ve seen some sell out in a matter of weeks and not return.

Who is this knife for ?

This is NOT a decorative knife for the wall or a display cabinet. This knife is perfect for a very stylish Every Day Carry and its blade length and design means that it is unlikely to break any state laws when you carry it. Its just at home being used out on trails as it would be at home sat by the fire with friends enjoying a drink and cigars. Its that rare blend of a truly well made tool but one that’s crafted in a way that you enjoy holding it and using it way beyond it simply being there to do a task.

Lifetime Guarantee

All Forseti Knives come with a lifetime guarantee.

Verdict

The Forseti Steel Damascus Lightoller knife is a 2inch foldable pocket knife with very sharp damascus steel blade which is a blend of 1095 and 15n20 steel creating a visually stunning unique ‘whirl effect’ blade. The handle has a very attractive rosewood handle with a liner lock and comes with a leather sheath and pine wooden box.

A word of warning ….

In the three weeks since I reviewed the Forseti Hemingway Knife it has totally sold out. These artisanal hand made knives are all made in small batches. I would expect that the Lightoller will also have the ‘sold out’ icon added to its listing on the site so if you like what you see act like Lightoller himself and seize the moment. You wont be dissapointed.

PURCHASE $99.98

Forseti Lightoller Knife Specs

LIGHTOLLER DAMASCUS STEEL EDC FOLDING KNIFE SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall Length: 4.4”
• Handle Length: 2.5”
• Blade Length: 1.9”
• Blade Material: Damascus Steel 1095 and 15n20
• Damascus Pattern: Twist
• Number of Layers: 256
• Blade Thickness: .13″
• Rockwell Hardness: HRC 56-59
• Handle Material: Rosewood and Damascus Steel Bolster
• Includes a full-grain leather sheath with belt loop and wood presentation box
• Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty

About Forseti Steel

The secret to forging authentic Damascus steel knives has long been lost, but Forseti Steel stays as true to the tradition as we can by commissioning blade-smiths with Damascus ancestry to hand-make all of our blades. The artists behind the enamoring water-like patterns of folded and pounded steel have all learned their skills and techniques from the generations that worked the metals before them.

In addition to paying tribute to the Damascus practice in technique and appearance, Forseti Steel shows its respect for history’s heroes, legends, and characters with our knives’ names and inspiration. The 12″, Hugh Glass Hunting Knife, for example, honors the the mountain men and frontiersmen who tried to tame this land and is a blade we are certain Hugh Glass would have wanted to carry on his expeditions.

All of our knives are made by hand. You read that correctly. Every one of our knives are painstakingly crafted one at a time. That is why no two knives are the same. The knife you receive will be similar to what you see on our site, but will vary slightly due to the materials used and individual craftsman that builds the knife. Our quality and craftsmanship is unparalleled. For that reason, we offer a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. If you don’t like the knife for any reason, send it back and we will refund 100% of your money, including shipping. Plus, each of our knives comes with a lifetime manufacturing defects warranty. We promise, you will not be disappointed.