lionSteel Cutlery MYTO Framelock Blue Anodized Titanium Handles M390 Steel MT01BL

This review is specifically for the Blue Anodized frame lock, but most of it will apply to the other handle stylings. I’m a lefty and wanted the full titanium option to be able to switch the clip onto another smooth surface (as apposed to micarta which may have caused additional friction, not an issue for righties).

There’s nothing wrong here, except maybe thick pivot grease. The Myto (pronounced Mee-toe) is the same level of quality we’ve come to expect from Lionsteel. The precision machining and blue anodization of the titanium handle is top notch. The spine of the blade and the visible blade tang areas are crowned nicely with a satin finish. The backspacer is unique, shiny and classy. The pocket clip works great without any hot spots. Weight distribution and balance point is perfectly executed at the index finger position. Internal milling of the titanium slabs. All in all a very comfortable 4.3 ounce cutting tool.

Lets talk quick about the action. Out of box it’s just OK. Lionsteel used a thick brown grease on this pivot and that causes the action to feel a bit sluggish. The double row captive bearings are sandwiched between steel washers and and blade tang, and the action will greatly benefit from thinner lubrication. I got a huge improvement replacing that grease with KPL pivot lube, which is sold here as well — get some if you don’t already have it; great stuff. Now the action is awesome smooth drop shutty with just a tiny shake. The blade snaps right back to center thanks to the double row of bearings.

Lionsteel makes disassembly simple by including a custom torx tool in the box. Its a very nice touch. There’s also a replacement stud for the pocket clip if you don’t want the glass breaker tip on the end. Use the center of the torx tool as a wrench to swap it out. There’s also an extra T6 screw included if you lose the screw for the removable flipper tab. But everything else is T8. I guess removing the flipper makes it legal to carry in certain European countries. Why you’d ever do that in the US is beyond me. Reassembly is a breeze. Centering the blade is very easy with the double row bearings.

Lastly, the M390 blade is a very basic flat ground saber drop point. It is a bit thick, as usual for Lionsteel, but the sharpening choil is executed properly, and the knife i received is shaving sharp out of box. I did take it to my DMT fine and extra fine stones to hone it a bit more. 20 degrees per side from the factory, though it is a little thick behind the edge, but not obnoxiously so. Strong tip. Handsome satin finish.

TL;DR: Lionsteel is flexing to the production knife world again. Just needs better pivot lube to make it snappy.