LionSteel bestMan Knives | Modern Traditional Slip Joint EDC

LionSteel bestMan

The LionSteel bestMan applies the same precision manufacturing behind the brand's SOLID flippers to a traditional slip joint pattern — and the result is one of the best-built production traditionals on the market. Where most slip joints at this price point rely on stainless steel bolsters and modest blade steels, the bestMan steps in with Böhler M390 blades, 6Al4V titanium bolsters and liners, and the kind of fit and finish that's more common in custom knives than Italian production folders.

The dimensions keep the bestMan genuinely pocketable — 6.69 inches overall with a 2.80-inch blade at 0.10 inches thick. The backspring and blade spine are both crowned, eliminating the sharp edges that make long-term carry and use uncomfortable on lesser traditionals. Ambidextrous nail nicks on both sides of the blade allow for left or right hand opening without any adjustment. The T8 pivot and T6 scale screws give the bestMan something most production slip joints don't offer: the ability to fully disassemble, clean, and reassemble the knife without specialized tools. There is no pocket clip on any variant — the bestMan is designed for loose pocket carry or optional leather sheath.

Choosing Your Configuration

The BM1 is the single-blade clip point version and the slimmest carry option in the lineup. The BM2 swaps the clip point for a drop point, offering a slightly more utility-focused blade geometry on the same platform. The BM13 is the two-blade version, carrying a clip point at one end and a wharncliffe at the other — a combination that covers fine work and utility cutting without requiring a second knife.

DLT Trading also carries an exclusive sheepsfoot single-blade variant that isn't available through standard distribution — a blade pattern well suited to controlled cuts where tip safety matters.

Handle Options

All configurations are available in olive wood, santos wood, ebony, natural canvas micarta, and carbon fiber, with 6Al4V titanium bolsters standard across every build.