On 21 March 2026, for the third year in a row, the Italian manufacturer LionSTEEL welcomed numerous knife enthusiasts from all over Italy (and beyond), for the presentation of the new project initiated by the Knife Community Italia Facebook group, led by Raffaele Santoro.
The first fruit of this collaboration, the KC-01, was a multi-role, which was followed the following year by the more compact KC-02.
This year saw a turnaround as, with an impressive 18-centimeter blade, this third design is also the most imposing of the series, evidently intended for heavy work, even as a replacement for an axe.
Like its predecessors, the KC-03 was designed by Michele Pensato "Molletta", a long-time LionSTEEL collaborator, and produced in a limited edition. The style is immediately recognizable: the blade is wide, sturdy, maximally functional, with the only concession to aesthetics being the false edge, which partly downplays its power without affecting its capabilities.
For this project, they went back to the CPM 3V used for the progenitor, a sintered tool steel which is extremely strong and has very high wear resistance.
It is a material for experienced users, offering somewhat less resistance to oxidation than other alloys, but in return for some extra care it rewards the owner with excellent performance.
As always, the construction is full-tang, with Micarta canvas grip scales in a choice of three colors. At the rear, the grip scales leave a small portion of the tang uncovered, the only section of the perimeter not rounded but sharp, so that it can be used to produce sparks by scraping fire rods. The same area also features two lanyard holes, so that the KC-03 can be conveniently secured to the wrist while working.
The handle is large and full, comfortable for prolonged work, with a generous lower guard branch that prevents the hand from slipping towards the blade.
On the back of the blade is a lower section, which is useful for guiding it with the thumb during fine work. The knife comes with a Kydex and Cordura sheath, equipped with a MOLLE interface.
For more information, please visit the dedicated pages on the LionSTEEL website and the Knife Community Italia Facebook group (Italian language).
LionSTEEL KC-03 technical specs and price
| Manufacturer: | LionSTEEL, Maniago, Italy |
| Model: | KC-03 |
| Overall Length: | 327 bmm |
| Blade Length: | 180 mm |
| Blade Thickness: | 5.5 mm |
| Blade Steel: | CPM 3V |
| Blade Finish: | Satin |
| Handle material: | Micarta canvas (black, green, natural) |
| Sheath: | Cordura + Kydex |
| Price: | 310 euro |
