Fallkniven LTC: anywhere, anytime.

Today I review a clever and interesting folding knife, the LTC model by Fallkniven

Let's start with the name: the acronym LTC stands for Legal To Carry. The LTC knife corresponds in fact to the current regulations of some countries (eg the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands), which determine the maximum length of the blade (in principle 3 "or 76mm), the absence of locking blade systems, and much more. Hence some manufacturers have responded to the needs of users by producing knives suitable characteristics (an example is the UKPK Spyderco knife with 74mm blade without locking system).

The Fallkniven LTC responds to even more 'strict rules: the handle in aluminum alloy is free of points of grip, the open blade is lock in position solely by the (robust) dorsal spring, the blade itself has a thin shape and a lower length to 3", and finally must open by both hands. All this - says Fallkniven - enables the carry of LTC virtually everywhere (except for some sensitive areas such as airports, schools, pubs, nightclubs, in doubt inquire of local Police), making it the ideal knife to carry around, traveling in Europe and around the world

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Fallkniven LTC comes in a can of thick white cardboard, well-groomed and with a clear and elegant graphics. On the four sides you may find the main information about the knife, warranty and maintenance instructions, both in Swedish and English language

The cardboard sleeve contains a small wooden very nice box, with the slide cover similar to that of the ancient pencil holder. By removing the cover appears the LTC, wrapped in a nylon pouch and placed in his small "coffin" shaped. The packaging is very accurate, almost luxurious, and makes the LTC surely also suitable as an object gifts

The appearance of the LTC, once out of the box, is that of a "penknife". Small size (closed, is long 33mm), lightweight (33 grams), square shape, the Swedish design stands out with its simple, clean lines. The handles in anodized aluminum (green in this case, but LTC come in many other colors) are very beautiful and pleasant to the eye and to the touch, do not have sharp or annoying edges. The pins and the pivot are well-sized, rounded heads are cashing in their seats so they do not protrude from the outline almost. It’s presents a lanyard hole. The blade presenting grooves on both sides, to allow the opening of both the right- and left-handed. First impressions are really positive, the LTC is a cute small and functional metal brick-looking

Opening the blade is an operation that is performed with ease, "the old way", using both hands and taking advantage of the groove, well sized and positioned correctly. In an era of lightning-opening knives with only one hand, you have the pleasure feeling of stepping back in time. The dorsal spring is sturdy but soft at the right point, allows smooth movement and without nuisance tripping. The blade locks into place with a reassuring "clack", and no play of any kind. Well-made pair heel / spring / spacer / grips, there are no obvious space and all is well in line

For the small but sturdy spear-point blade (59mm long, 2.5mm thick) Fallkniven choose the sophisticated (and expensive) stainless 3G laminate powder, hardened to 62HRC. The bevel is flat, the LTC comes scary sharp. The information on the blade and the heel are essential and non-invasive, in line with the basic and essential look of the knife

Compared to other knives, the LTC stands as a middle ground between, for example, the Victorinox Soldier (largest) and the Spyderco Ladybug (smaller)

CARRYING AND USING THE KNIFE

Fallkniven LTC is a knife designed to go (almost) anywhere, without legal worries. We actually brought him and used for several days in different contexts, without problems and without attracting curious glances or, worse, worried. LTC is a knife that flies under the radar, has such a simple and innocuous appearance as to be practically invisible

From a personal point of view, it's nice to see how the anodized aluminum handles change appearance depending on the various lighting conditions, from a uniform green to a bright green through all the various nuances 

A more practical aspect is related to the port: the lanyard hole does not allows for the classic Paracord 550 (which in any case would be oversized with respect to the knife), while a lanyard 2.5mm in diameter is definitely more suitable for attaching the LTC to the keychain, a solution that was perfect for us

  

Regarding performance, the only limit of the LTC is the size; for the rest, the 3G steel blade perform admirably, has a high cutting capacity and a duration of enviable wire. Cordage, wood, plastic, paper, cardboard, everything is cut and carved seamlessly from the small Fallkniven knife

CONCLUSIONS

Fallkniven LTC is an intelligent, elegant, well-built, high performance knife. We recommend it to anyone wanting a good quality "penknife" to take (almost) anywhere, anytime, without legal worries whatsoever. The rather high street price (between 60 and 90 Euros) is amply justified by the materials used, the attention to detail and the quality of this instrument. 

(C) Alfredo Doricchi

Fallkniven AB

Granatvagen, 8

S-961 43 BODEN

SWEDEN

www.fallkniven.com