CRKT and Spyderco’s Eccezionale Semi-Secret Knife Maker Serves Up a Superstar of Its Own

Italy-based Lionsteel takes full credit for the Q4ttro, a MagnaCut-bladed beauty that (technically) deploys four different ways.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published February 2, 2025

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What do CRKT and Spyderco have in common? Well, names that recall animals, for once thing.

But that’s not all. Both brands also sell knives produced in collaboration with a third beast-evoking brand, Lionsteel.

This Maniago, Italy-based outfit has crafted some heavy hitters for its American friends. (“Eccezionale” is Italian for exceptional, in case you were curious.)

q4ttro titanium family — Titanium handles with Fatcarbon inlays place these three Q4ttro variants at the top of the line.

For CRKT, the most recent is the Richard Rogers-designed Persian Frame Lock, which won Best Factory Imported Knife at Blade Show West last fall.

For Spyderco, it’s the new Sebenza-channeling Slym, which GP’s own Sean Tirman wrote about just a few days back.

q4ttro half fold — All variants of the Q4ttro get a 3.31-inch CPM MagnaCut steel blade that will serve you well for years to come.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Lionsteel produces some pretty impressive knives solely under its own name as well.

Case in point, the upcoming Q4ttro, which boasts a bellissimo design matched only by its premium materials.

Pride of Italia

There are six variants of the Q4ttro, with prices varying based on the ergonomic handle treatments.

These progress from burlap micarta and black G10 to carbon fiber and, at the top of the line, Titanium 6AI4V with Fatcarbon inlays.

Every Q4ttro packs a 3.31-inch satin-finished drop-point blade made of CPM MagnaCut steel, renowned for its blend of toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention.

Beyond that element, however, they have much in common, including a slick design by Michele Pensato (the man behind literally dozens of Lionsteel knives).

Each knife also features a titanium pocket clip and basically the best blade steel you can get.

q4ttro offside lock — A sturdy frame lock ensures the Q4ttro stays closed and open as needed.

That’s right, every Q4ttro packs a 3.31-inch satin-finished drop-point blade made of CPM MagnaCut steel, renowned for its blend of toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention.

That means it’s beyond qualified to tackle any everyday cutting or slicing task you can throw at it.

q4ttro offside clip — Though not explicitly stated, the titanium pocket clip appears to be reversible.

Boasting a lightweight frame lock and ReF (removable flipper) system, the Q4ttro pivots on ceramic ball bearings for super smooth and reliable deployment.

Speaking of which, in case you were wondering about the name, it refers to just how many deployments this knife features: back flipper tab, front flipper, nail nick and “two hands.”