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Lion Steel DPX H.E.S.T. Fixed Assault Knife

  • Review
Lion Steel DPX H.E.S.T. Fixed Assault Knife

The DPX H.E.S.T 2.0 became my favorite folding knife recently. The fixed-bladed version caught my eye on the Hennie Haynes web site. As we know H.E.S.T stands for Hostile Environment Survival Tool. The fixed bladed knife shares the same curved blade shape but is made of a different steel to it’s folding brother. It is made with Sleipner steel which delivers a harder, more granular cutting edge without the chipping or problems normally associated with very hard tool steels, it’s meant to be a better tool steel than D2 which my DPX folder is made out of. It is first polished then phosphate coated with the same substance as military black rifles. The PVD black coating to the blade reduces the visible signature to nearly zero; the blade itself is a massive 4.6mm thick at the spine. On the base of the spine there are three holes with the top part of the holes cut off to form jimping for grip, they can also be used for wire striping. For the beer drinkers out there (including me) it has the cap lifter groove in front of the wire stripping/jimping. The knife has yet another feature, there is a ¼ Hex hole to take a standard bit holder in the main body of the blade, again useful.

Feature Packed

The pry bar at the end of the handle is pure genius, as you are no longer tempted to use your knife for a purpose for which are not usually designed i.e. prizing open tins or opening stubborn doors or containers.

It gives good leverage where it is positioned and do some damage in a tactical situation. The removable scales are black textured American G10, they are held on be two screws. These have a slot for a flat bladed screw driver or coin as well as a Torx T15 centre. I love the fact it is designed for real-world situations, having the option of Torx or coin builds in options for the owner out in the field.

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Another great touch is the fact that the handle scales are hollow and you can use this space for waterproof matches or a note stash, in fact anything you want to fit in there. The scales can be left off and parachord wrapped around to make a handle. There is also a 5.8mm diameter lanyard hole at the end of the handle. The Assault comes with a black Cordura sheath with multiple mounting capabilities and a sleeve for a sharpening rod or fire starter.

For those who do not like black-looking tactical knives, HH sell the Woodsman version of the H.E.S.T fixed knife which has scales made of natural, mirror matched, Brazilian Santos hardwood and the blade is stonewashed to a softer hue. It is supplied with an Italian leather, hand sewn, oil-tanned sheath. All together a more classic look. I prefer the Assault version myself.

Stay Sharp

DPX continue to impress me and the balance and feel of the fixed H.E.S.T is superb. The build quality is outstanding and the many design touches set it apart from the run of the mill fixed bladed camp knives.

Thanks to Bruce and Ceri Ann at HH for arranging for the knife to be available for review.

PRICE (RRP): £157.95
CONTACT: Hennie Haynes www.heinnie.com

  • Lion Steel DPX H.E.S.T. Fixed Assault Knife - image {image:count}

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  • Lion Steel DPX H.E.S.T. Fixed Assault Knife - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Lion Steel DPX H.E.S.T. Fixed Assault Knife - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Model: Lion Steel DPx Gear H.E.S.T Assault fixed
  • Overall length: 192mm
  • Blade length: 73mm
  • Blade thickened: 4.6mm
  • Weight: 0.153kg
  • Sheath: Yes, black Cordura
  • Sleipner tool steel, phosphate coated: Blade material
  • Features: Pry, ¼ hex hole, bottle opener, wire strippers
  • Handle material: G10
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