Bestech Lion BG01A D2 Blade Black G10 Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The Bestech Lion BG01A represents a refined approach to everyday carry design, combining proven materials with thoughtful engineering. Built around a D2 steel blade finished with a distinctive stone wash and satin treatment, this knife delivers both visual character and practical edge retention. The black G10 handle provides exceptional grip security and durability, while the ceramic ball bearing pivot ensures smooth, reliable deployment with minimal play over extended use. The liner lock mechanism offers straightforward, dependable blade security—a time-tested design favored by professionals who prioritize simplicity and reliability. At 8.18 inches open and 4.72 inches closed, the Lion strikes an effective balance between reach and pocket-friendly proportions. The 3.47-inch blade length suits general cutting tasks without excessive bulk, while the 0.138-inch blade stock provides adequate strength for sustained use. At 136 grams, the knife carries with minimal fatigue, making it suitable for all-day carry scenarios. Designed by Bestech, this folder reflects careful attention to the fundamentals that serious knife users depend on.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Blade Material: D2
Blade Finish: Stone wash + Satin
Handle Material: Black G10

Clip Material: Steel
Describe: Liner lock
Handle Color: Black

Ball Bearing: Ceramic
Overall Length: 8.18"(208 mm)
Closed Length: 4.72"(120 mm)

Blade Length: 3.47" (88 mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.138"(3.5 mm)
Knife Weight: 136g
Designer: BESTECH

Bestech Lion BG01A - D2 Drop Point Liner Lock with Black G10 Handle

The Bestech Lion BG01A is a full-size work folder: 3.47 inch D2 drop point with a swedge, black G10 scales, an oval thumb stud on ceramic bearings and a steel liner lock at 136 g (4.80 oz). More folding knives at EDCMALL.

D2 at 58-61 HRC: Working-Steel Edge Retention on a Budget

D2 is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel rather than a true stainless, and that is the point of putting it on a $52 full-size folder. The carbide load keeps the Lion's 3.47 inch drop point slicing through cardboard, strapping and rope long after a budget stainless has rolled over, and the swedge thins the profile so the tip pierces cleanly. The trade is a wipe-down and a drop of oil now and then. Compare it with 14C28N, Bohler K110 and M390 in the table below.

Why the Bestech Lion Belongs in Your Pocket

• 3.47 inch D2 drop point at 58-61 HRC with a full flat grind.
• Long swedge along the spine for clean piercing without a second edge.
• Stone wash + satin finish that hides carry marks and kills glare.
• Contoured black G10 scales with an ergonomic, palm-filling grip.
• Oval thumb stud on caged ceramic bearings - no flipper to catch a seam.
• Steel liner lock with solid, early lockup.
• 136 g (4.80 oz) on an 8.18 inch frame - full-size reach, flat carry.
• Steel pocket clip plus a lanyard hole for cord or a fob.

Best Uses for the Lion BG01A

• Everyday utility: boxes, tape, shrink wrap and blister packs.
• Camp chores - cordage, kindling and food prep on a 3.47 inch blade.
• Truck and tool-bag carry as the knife that is always there.
• Hunting and field dressing where a bellied drop point earns its keep.
• Budget work knife for tradespeople who burn through edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel is the Lion BG01A blade?
D2 tool steel at 58-61 HRC, flat ground. D2 is stain resistant rather than stainless - superb wear resistance for the money, but wipe it dry and oil it every month or two.

How does the Lion open?
An oval thumb stud on caged ceramic bearings. Press the stud with your thumb as the knife clears the pocket - no flipper tab to catch on a pocket seam.

How big is the Lion?
Open it is 8.18" (208 mm), closed 4.72" (120 mm), 0.138" (3.5 mm) blade stock, and it weighs 136 g (4.80 oz) - a full-size folder that carries flatter than its reach suggests.

Does it have a lanyard hole?
Yes, drilled through the handle at the rear, alongside the steel pocket clip.

What finish options does the Lion come in?
The BG01A/B/C run a two-tone stone wash and satin finish; the BG01D runs a protective black PVD coating over the same D2 blade.

D2 Tool Steel vs. Common Folding Knife Steels

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
D2 (this knife)	58-61	Very Good	Fair	Good	Moderate
14C28N	58-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy
Nitro-V	59-61	Good	Very Good	Better	Easy
154CM	58-61	Good	Good	Very Good	Moderate
CPM-S35VN	59-61	Very Good	Very Good	Good	Moderate
8Cr13MoV	57-59	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy

D2 is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel rather than a true stainless: about 1.5 percent carbon against 12 percent chromium. On the Lion's full-size 3.47 inch blade that carbon load is the whole point - the edge keeps slicing through cardboard, strapping and rope long after a budget stainless would have rolled over, and the 3.5 mm blade stock takes hard utility work in stride. The trade is maintenance: D2 is stain resistant, not stainless, so wipe it dry and oil it, and sharpen on diamond because the coarse carbides skate on a soft aluminium-oxide stone. HRC figures are typical mill ranges, not a guarantee for any single blade.

Glossary of Key Terms

Bestech Knives
A Chinese production knife brand working with independent designers to deliver mid-to-premium folders with modern steels and tight manufacturing tolerances.

Lion
Bestech's full-size D2 work folder: a 3.47 inch drop point on 3.5 mm stock, contoured G10 scales, ceramic bearings and a steel liner lock at 136 g.

D2 Tool Steel
A high-carbon, high-chromium semi-stainless tool steel at 58-61 HRC. Outstanding wear resistance for the money; wipe it dry and oil it occasionally.

Drop Point
A blade profile whose spine slopes down to the tip, leaving a deep belly for slicing and a strong point protected by the drop.

Swedge
An unsharpened bevel ground along the blade spine near the tip. It thins the profile for cleaner piercing without creating a second edge.

Two-Tone Finish
A blade finished in two contrasting treatments - here a satin grind against stonewashed flats - so the grind line reads as a bright edge along a darker body.

Black PVD Coating
Physical vapour deposition: a hard, dark ceramic-thin layer bonded to the steel. It resists scratches and glare; edge wear is cosmetic, not structural.

Ceramic Ball Bearing
Hardened ceramic balls held in a steel cage around the pivot. The action stays glassy and consistent for years, and ceramic will not rust or flat-spot.

Liner Lock
A strip of spring steel inside the handle that snaps sideways behind the blade tang when the blade opens. One thumb of the closing hand releases it.

Oval Thumb Stud
A rounded, elongated stud on the blade near the pivot. Flick it with the thumb to open one-handed - no flipper tab to catch on a pocket seam.

Lanyard Hole
A drilled opening at the rear of the handle for cord or a fob, so the knife cannot be dropped on a ladder or over water.

8.18 Inch Overall
The open length that sets your reach. At 8.18 inches the Lion is a full-size folder - back pocket, belt pouch or tool bag.

Who Should Buy the Lion BG01A

• Buyers who want D2 edge retention at a street price under $60.
• Anyone who prefers a thumb stud over a flipper tab.
• Tradespeople who go through cardboard and strapping all day.
• Campers who want a bellied drop point for food and cordage work.
• Collectors who want a clean full-size Bestech in black PVD.

Who Should Skip It

• Anyone who will not oil a blade; D2 will spot if you pocket it wet.
• Users who want a sub-3-inch blade for strict local carry laws.
• Buyers who want a premium super steel; look at 14C28N or MagnaCut instead.
• Left-hand carry users - the clip is set up right-hand tip-up.
• People who want a flipper action; the Lion opens by thumb stud only.

Care & Maintenance

• Wipe the blade dry after every use; D2 is stain resistant, not stainless, and a 3.47 inch blade gives corrosion plenty of surface.
• One drop of light knife oil on the blade and at the pivot every four to eight weeks, then cycle the action so oil reaches the ceramic bearings.
• Blow lint and grit out of the handle channel and the liner lock track before oiling; grit behind the lock bar is the usual cause of a gritty swing.
• Sharpen on a diamond plate; D2's carbide volume will glaze a soft aluminium-oxide stone within a few passes.
• Work the edge in full-length strokes from heel to tip at 17-20 degrees per side - rocking on a stone rounds the tip and lifts the heel.
• Finish on a fine ceramic rod or a loaded strop with light pressure, then test on paper before you go back to the stone.
• Black PVD coating (BG01D): let it wear naturally at the edge - the exposed steel behaves the same, just brighter, so oil it.
• Scrub the G10 scales with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush; the contoured texture holds pocket lint.
• Check the pivot, body and pocket clip screws monthly with the correct Torx driver; never pry with the tip under lock.