Darker and more striking than the Stonewash variants, the LionSteel Emmet EM01A BB goes for an all-black look whilst retaining the extremely compact dimensions that characterise this new family of Italian EDCs. Its black Hammertone aluminium handle is paired here with a MagnaCut blade featuring the Old Black finish, achieved through a combination of PVD coating and Stonewash.

This finish is certainly worth a closer look. Unlike a perfectly uniform black coating, the Old Black finish deliberately seeks to achieve a more weathered and industrial look. The Stonewash applied via PVD lends greater depth to the surface and complements the irregular texture of the Hammertone handle particularly well.

Beneath this sombre aesthetic lies a 7.2 cm blade made from CPM MagnaCut. This modern steel combines excellent corrosion resistance, good toughness and effective edge retention. LionSteel pairs it with a V-Flat grind, suited to the knife’s EDC purpose.

The handle is machined entirely from a single piece of aluminium using the SOLID® technology developed by LionSteel. This monobloc construction results in a particularly rigid structure whilst keeping the knife’s weight down to just 65 gr. Its Hammertone finish adds texture to the aluminium and gives the Emmet an instantly recognisable identity.

The mechanics are on a par with the materials used. The Frame Lock features a hardened steel insert to reinforce the locking area, whilst the pivot is mounted on ceramic ball bearings to ensure a smooth and precise opening action.

It also features the REF – Removable Flipper system. The owner can keep the flipper for quick opening or remove it using a T6 Torx tool and fit the screw supplied by LionSteel. The Emmet then takes on a more understated and streamlined profile. A reversible steel clip completes the package.

Designed by Molletta and manufactured in Maniago, the EM01A BB thus offers a more radical interpretation of the Emmet, without compromising on what makes the platform so appealing: compactness, lightness, MagnaCut and SOLID® construction.

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In our opinion, this Black / Old Black version has more character than the Black / Stonewash version. The aesthetic difference is subtle, but the blade’s Stonewash PVD finish pairs particularly well with the black Hammertone handle.

We particularly appreciate that LionSteel hasn’t simply settled for creating a small, visually appealing EDC. Behind its 65 gr lies a genuine SOLID® construction, CPM MagnaCut steel, ceramic bearings and a reinforced Frame Lock. The Emmet therefore remains technically ambitious despite its compact size.

For EDC enthusiasts who prefer a dark aesthetic, this EM01A BB is probably one of the most attractive aluminium variants in the range.

Technical specifications for the LionSteel Emmet EM01A BB MagnaCut Black Aluminium Old Black folding knife:
Total length when closed: 9.9 cm
Blade length: 7.2 cm
Total length when open: 17.1 cm
Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut
Blade finish: Old Black – PVD + Stonewash
Grind: V Flat / flat
Edge: smooth
Handle material: aluminium
Handle colour: black
Handle finish: Hammertone
Handle construction: SOLID® one-piece
Locking system: Frame Lock
Lock insert: hardened steel
Pivot: ceramic ball bearings
Opening system: REF – Removable Flipper
Flipper: removable using a T6 Torx tool
Pocket clip: reversible steel
Weight: 65 g
Designer: Molletta
Use: Everyday Carry / EDC
Year of introduction: 2026
Packaging: cardboard box
Manufacturer’s reference / SKU: EM01A BB
Country of manufacture: Italy