civivi

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Sencut ArcBlast

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Sencut ArcBlast Review

  With the prices of so many things going up, the amount of money in your wallet goes down. But if you are looking for a good quality knife that won’t take a massive hit on your wallet, then the Sencut ArcBlast would be a fantastic knife for you. Let’s check out all of the things that this great knife features and how it’s a great bang for your buck.

The Handle:

  The ArcBlast features an aluminum handle with a smooth finish. I normally like to have gripping on the handle. So when I took the knife out of the package and noticed that the handle was smooth, my first thought was “oh I’m not going to like this”. But I actually really like it. I feel like I can get a solid grip on it. One that doesn’t allow the knife to slip in my hand. The handle also has a great shape that fits really comfortably in my hand. Because of the smooth aluminum handle, the knife slides out of the pocket very easily. But not easy enough to fall out, due to the great pocket clip that comes on it. It will stay where you want it!

Opening:

  I’ve used a lot of different pocket knives over the years. Normally thumb studs aren’t my favorite style for opening, but I know it’s good to have different options for opening the knife. But on this knife in particular, I like how quickly the thumb stud deploys the blade. I find myself using the thumb studs more than the flipper. Although the flipper gives it a real quick opening and works fantastically. One thing that definitely helps with this quick opening is that it uses bearings at the pivot point. This gives it a quick and smooth opening.

The Blade:

  The Sencut ArcBlast features a 2.98” drop point blade made from 9Cr18MoV. This is a great steel for this price, and it’s widely used in lots of other knife brands knives. I have been using this blade for a few months now and working in an industrial environment. I use it a lot to cut open boxes, plastic wraps, and various other items. So far… I haven’t needed to sharpen it, but 9Cr18MoV does sharpen very easily. Another reason why 9Cr18MoV is an awesome steel, is that it is corrosion resistant. This is a great material for harsh environments where liquids and other corrosive materials may be present. So you will not have to worry about wrecking your knife.

The Lock:

  I have come across quite a few different button locks on different knife brands, but this is definitely one of the best in my opinion. The ArcBlast uses a standard button lock. This lock is used a lot in the Sencut, Civivi and WE Knives line of knives. They really have designed a fantastic lock, which is probably the reason they use it so much. The lock is great because it is easy to unlock, but not easy enough that it will unlock when you don’t want it to. This is due to the button being flush with the handle. So when you grip the handle, you don’t run the risk of accidentally pushing the button and unlocking it. 

  I have had a couple of Civivi knives, but I haven’t had a Sencut knife before. I definitely like this knife for many reasons. It’s a very sturdy knife with a smooth and comfortable grip. It also has a great 9Cr18MoV blade that has stayed sharp through lots of use. If you are wanting a great quality pocket knife that will not cost an arm and a leg, you should definitely check out the Sencut ArcBlast.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Smaller inexpensive quality folding knife

Target Market:

Anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on an everyday carry pocket knife

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Overall Length: 7.07" / 179.5mm

  • Width: 1.3" / 33.1mm

  • Overall Height (Include Clip): 0.66" / 16.8mm

  • Blade Length: 2.98" / 75.7mm

  • Closed Length: 4.09" / 103.8mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.1" / 2.6mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.46" / 11.6mm

  • Weight: 2.96oz / 83.9g

  • Blade Material: 9Cr18MoV

  • Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC

  • Blade Grind: Hollow

  • Blade Finish: Black

  • Blade Type: Drop Point

  • Handle Material: Aluminum

  • Handle Color/Finish: Black

  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, L/R

  • Clip Material: Stainless Steel

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Manual
Opener:
Thumb Stud
and flipper

  • Locking Mechanism: Button Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are 4 different color options for this knife, but the materials are all the same. For the black blade you can get a black or red handle. And for the satin finish, you can get a black and blue handle.

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars from Benjamin B. at Sencut.com

A Really Good Knife

I love the simplicity of the button lock. Also I think that the knife looks great and works like it should. Seems like it is very well made and I carry it all the time. I recently purchased another one to use at work. I plan on using my all black one at work because I work in a dirty environment, and the one with the red handle I will use as my e.d.c. when I am not at work.

Link to other reviews:

Stassa23 Knife Therapy  

Price point:

MSRP = $55.00

Retail = $46.75 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Sencut or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • It’s a fantastic knife for the price

  • Comes with tons of goodies and a case

  • It’s a very well made knife that holds an edge for quite some time. 

Cons:

  • I did accidentally bend the pocket clip when I sat down in a chair, but I was able to bend it back into place very easily.

  • A good amount of the anodizing around the top of the knife (opposite end from the clip) came off within 2-3 months. But that doesn’t affect the functionality of the knife at all.

Score: 8.50 Great

Civivi Elementum Limited Edition

  It is Civivi’s 10th anniversary, so they came out with some limited edition knives. Since the Elementum is Civivi’s flagship folder, of course the limited edition one is in the Elementum series. The basic Elementum is a flipper style knife available with a variety of options. Special features of the Limited Edition knife are the blade steel, handle, and markings.

   The main reason I am doing the review on a sold out Limited Edition knife is because Civivi periodically makes versions like it. So the information on blade steel and handle material will still be useful. If you look at the Elementum on Civivi’s website, you can see how many options are available. They typically also do dealer only collaborations with places like Knife Center and Blade HQ. 

  This Limited Edition (LE) Elementum’s specifications are essentially the same as most in this series. It is a liner lock, flipper style knife. Yes, the flipper is the only way to effectively open the blade up. The LE Elementum uses the same ceramic ball bearings which give it that smooth Civivi opening. All the number specs are down below, so I will not bother you with them here. The Elementum series also has a lanyard hole. Civivi’s Elementum series are usually very thin, and the 10th Anniversary LE is also coming in at 0.43 inches. This slimness makes pocket carry very easy, as does the knife only weighing 2.8 ounces. 

  There are a few differences in the 10 anniversary LE Elementum. I will start with the short one. The LE Elementum has a titanium pocket clip instead of stainless steel. Also, this click is coated to match the knife's looks. My only complaint about the pocket clip is that it can not be reversed. You are stuck with tip up, right hand carry. That is how I carry my knives anyhow, but if you carry a knife in your left pocket, it might not work as well for you. The clip is very strong and works like it should.

  For the handle on the LE Elementum, Civivi uses carbon fiber. This is not your everyday carbon fiber. Civivi calls it “Jungle Wear Fat Carbon Fiber”. What does that mean? Well, essentially it is a flake style carbon fiber with black, gray and green colors to it. These colors and flakes give the handles a camouflage look, hence the “Jungle Wear” name. Since the handles are carbon fiber, they are smooth. There is no texture at all. I do not mind the lack of texture because it makes for a knife that slides smoothly in and out of your pocket.

  It is time to discuss the last main factor in the LE Elementum, and that is the blade. Being a limited edition knife, Civivi stepped up the blade steel. The LE Elementum has S35VN blade steel. This high quality blade steel is rarely seen on Civivi knives. I really like S35VN steel. It holds an edge for me extremely well. Yes, it does take a little longer to sharpen, but since I do not have to sharpen it as much, I am okay with the trade off. This LE Elementum uses a drop point style blade that is hollow ground, just like most of the knives in the Elementum family. The blade is 2.96 inches long and comes very sharp. Lastly, there is some impressive jimping on the top of the blade. A nice, useful, touch for this knife.

  Even though this Civivi Elementum is a limited edition, I had to carry it around for a while. I really enjoyed the LE Elementum. It is the perfect size and weight for an everyday carry pocket knife. The flipper smoothly opens the blade out when needed. Probably thanks to those ball bearings. Granted I would like another way of opening the Elementum besides just a flipper, but I doubt most people would even notice that it is a flipper opening only knife. All of the Elementum series are great EDC knives, this one just happens to be a little fancier. Being that this is the Civivi 10th Anniversary knife, it came with a challenge coin. It is individually numbered with only 2014 being made and comes with a Signed Certificate of Authenticity.

  So if you are in the market for a really good EDC knife, check out the Civivi Elementum line. If you are looking for something like the Limited Edition version, check out some of the dealer only collaborations. The Limited Edition Elementum is just a fantastic knife due to the S35VN blade steel and the awesome looking carbon fiber handle. You can check out all the Elementum series knives HERE.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

10th anniversary limited edition Elementum

Target Market:

Knife users that want a great blade steel

Collectors

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Overall Length: 6.99" / 177.6mm

  • Width: 1.19" / 30.3mm

  • Overall Height (Include Clip): 0.66" /16.8mm

  • Blade Length: 2.96" / 75.2mm

  • Closed Length: 4.03" / 102.4mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.43" / 11mm

  • Knife Weight: 2.81oz / 79.7g

  • Blade Material: CPM S35VN

  • Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC

  • Blade Grind: Hollow

  • Blade Finish: Satin Finished

  • Blade Type: Drop Point

  • Handle Material: Jungle Wear Fat Carbon Fiber

  • Handle Color/Finish: Green, Black

  • Liner Material: Stainless Steel

  • Liner Color/Finish: Gray

  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right Carry

  • Clip Material: 6AL4V Titanium

  • Clip Color/Finish: Green

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Locking Mechanism: Liner Lock

  • Only 2014 made

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Many

What others are saying?:

4.5 out of 5 stars, 4.9 stars total at Civivi.com

Awesome EDC

Lightweight, no hard edges. S35VN!! This is 4.5 stars for sure but the bearing action could be a tad bit smoother. Other than that, I love it!! Will be rotating this in my everyday carry!!

Link to other reviews:

None found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $103.50

Retail = Good luck

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi possibly

Check online

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Collectors Edition

  • S35VN blade steel

  • Carbon fiber Handle

  • Great size for EDC

  • Smooth function

Cons:

  • Sold Out due to being a limited edition knife

  • Only one way to open

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Civivi Conspirator review

Sencut Serene

  When looking at an EDC knife, your average person tends to want quality at an affordable price point. Sencut knives just might be what these people are looking for. They sent out the Serene model for me to use and review. I opted for the blue handled version with the satin finished blade, but they have other color options available. 

  The Sencut Serene is a button lock, flipper style knife. It also has thumb studs on it for opening, not just the flipper or button. This means that there are 3 ways of opening the knife up. Either flip it out using the flipper hump on the back side of the handle, or by using the thumb stud. Being a button lock knife, one can also push and hold the button in, then flip the knife out. I am a person that really likes having multiple ways to open an EDC knife. You never know when your normal way of opening it just won't work. Being a button lock knife, and a flipper, the button is spring loaded so that it catches the blade at full extension, and locks it in place. I found the Serene’s button lock to work well. The blade also locks up tight. The other great aspect of the Serene is how smooth it functions. Those ceramic ball bearings make it feel like you are getting a much higher price range knife.

   The heart of any knife is its blade steel. The Serene uses D2 steel at a hardness of 59-61. D2 is an excellent choice for anyone wanting an everyday use knife. D2 is not considered stainless steel, so you will need to clean it and oil it every so often. But, D2 will give you good edge retention and toughness. Not as much as high end steels, but the Serene is a budget knife that performs above its pay grade. Because the D2 blade is fairly tough, it takes a little more to sharpen it, but that also means that it will stay sharp longer. I am a fan of D2 steel in knives, and Sencut made a good choice using it in the Serene.

  Since we are on blade steel, let’s get into the blade itself. The Serene uses a 3.48” drop point style blade. So it’s not tiny. Basically it is curved up from the blade's belly to become a point. The Serene uses a shallower curve than what I would call your typical drop point blade. It doesn’t really have a flat spot in the cutting edge, it just gradually curves upward to the point. I found the blade shape to be very useful for most of my cutting needs. Sencut also put some decent jimping on the top of the blade. This gives your thumb some grip on the top of the knife. The Serene’s blade is also very thin, making it easily slice through stuff. The flat grind on it also probably helps with that too. I am also a fan of the blade's thinness.

Worn Anodizing

Easily dinged up handle

  As with any knife, it usually needs some sort of handle or frame. The handles on the Serene are made from aluminum and anodized in different colors. Sencut did not put any texture on the knife's handles. They aren’t necessarily smooth, as there is, what looks like, a bead blasted finish. But they feel smooth to me. There is a finger curve cut out for your index finger. This does give some grip so your hand won't slip off the knife. The shape and smoothness of the handles does make for a comfortable feeling knife in the hand. One drawback, I found with the Serene, is that the anodizing wears off pretty easy. Especially around the edges. Dings show up pretty easily in the anodizing too  The Serene also has a tip up reversible carry clip. The clip is designed for fairly deep carry, and is decently strong to hold the knife in place.

  The Sencut Serene fits my style of EDC nicely. Its blade length fits in where I like them, somewhere between 3 and 3.5 inches. The thin D2 blade stays sharp and cuts nicely. The handle may be smoother than I like, but some people prefer a smoother handle. It’s also pretty lightweight. I really don’t think a person can go wrong with the Sencut Serene. The knife has a lot of good attributes, especially in the $50 price range. You can check the Serene out at Sencut.com.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Lightweight EDC knife

Target Market:

Those wanting a quality flipper knife that won’t break the bank

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Overall Length: 8.17" / 207.5mm

  • Width: 1.43" / 36.4mm

  • Overall Height (Include Clip): 0.68" / 17.2mm

  • Blade Length: 3.48" / 88.4mm

  • Closed Length: 4.69" / 119.1mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.47" / 12mm

  • Knife Weight: 3.43oz / 97.3g

  • Blade Material: D2

  • Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC

  • Blade Grind: Flat

  • Blade Finish: Satin

  • Blade Type: Drop Point

  • Handle Material: Bright Blue anodized Aluminum

  • Hidden Lanyard bar

  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, L/R

  • Clip Material: Stainless Steel

  • Screws/Thumb Stud Material: Stainless Steel

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Locking Mechanism: Button Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Blak, Red, or Grey

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars on Amazon   

Very nice and extremely sharp!

This is my first Sencut knife. I purchased it because I have always enjoyed my Civivi knives, and I know they are from the same OEM. This knife came extremely sharp from the factory. It performed the paper cut test with almost no resistance and absolutely a razor clean cut. The thumb stud is a good size, but not too big as to be distracting or in the way. The flipper tab on the back is also very modest but quite functional. My wife who has zero experience with flippers was able to work both methods of opening first try. The button lock depresses easily, but not so easily that I would worry about accidentally unlocking the blade while working. The action is buttery smooth, and the detent is very nice. The knife is exactly the same blue color as the depiction. The blade is perfectly centered, and has no play left to right or up and down. I am very impressed with this Sencut knife and will be purchasing more from this brand in the future.

Link to other reviews:

Neeves Knives on YouTube   

Price point:

MSRP = $55.00

Retail = $46.75 on Amazon     

I need it now! Availability:

Sencut or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Sharp

  • Thin D2 blade

  • Button Lock

  • Flipper

  • Ceramic bearings

  • Deep carry pocket clip

Cons:

  • Anodizing wear

  • Smooth handle

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Angry Bear Arms sight review 

An Elegant and Lightweight EDC Choice: Civivi Elementum Button Lock Carbon Fiber

Written by Lance Wallace

  The Civivi Elementum Damascus with a carbon fiber handle and a stunning 3.47-inch Damascus blade is a true testament to the craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail that Civivi brings to the table. As an everyday carry enthusiast, I had the pleasure of using this knife for a couple months, and I loved it.

  First and foremost, the knife's appearance is simply gorgeous. The Damascus blade, with its intricate patterns, exudes a sense of uniqueness I often don't find in other knives. The carbon fiber handle complements the blade perfectly, providing a modern and sleek aesthetic. I found myself proudly showing off this knife whenever the opportunity arose.

  One of the standout features of the Civivi Elementum is its lightweight carbon fiber handle. The knife feels incredibly nimble and light in hand, making it excellent to use for quick cuts or extended jobs. The handle's non-textured surface offers a secure and comfortable grip, enhancing overall control and maneuverability. Whether I was performing intricate tasks or simply using it for everyday cutting needs, the lightweight handle allowed for precise and effortless handling.

  While the Elementum impresses with its appearance and handle, I do have one minor complaint. After a month of daily use, I noticed a loss of sharpness in the blade. Admittedly, this is not uncommon for EDC knives. However, it would have been preferable if the blade retained its sharpness for a bit longer before requiring maintenance. Nonetheless, this issue can be easily remedied with routine sharpening.

  Overall, the Civivi Elementum Button Lock Knife with its Damascus blade and carbon fiber handle is a top-notch EDC option. The lightweight carbon fiber handle ensures a comfortable experience, making it a pleasure to use in various scenarios. While the blade's sharpness may require occasional maintenance, this minor drawback doesn't overshadow the knife's exceptional qualities. For those seeking a reliable and stylish EDC companion, the Civivi Elementum is undoubtedly worth considering.

  Overall, the Civivi Elementum is a stylish pick for anyone looking for a new EDC knife. With a price point of only $126, the Elementum is an excellent purchase and a testament to Civivi's quality.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Button lock, damascus blade, carbon fiber handles, folding knife

Target Market:

Those wanting a nice looking quality knife for a reasonable price

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Blade Length: 3.47" (88.1 mm)

  • Closed Length: 4.53" (115.0 mm)

  • Overall Length: 8.00" (213.1 mm)

  • Blade Material: Damascus

  • Blade Thickness: 0.118" (3.0 mm)

  • Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC

  • Blade Style: Drop Point

  • Blade Grind: Hollow

  • Blade Finish: Black Hand Rubbed

  • Handle Material: Marble Carbon Fiber

  • Handle Thickness: 0.43" (11.0 mm)

  • Liner Material: Stainless Steel

  • Locking Mechanism: Button Lock

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Bearings

  • Pocket Clip: Deep Carry Stainless Steel (Tip-Up, Right/Left Carry)

  • Weight: 3.19 oz. (90.5 g)

  • Carbon Fiber Backspacer with Hidden Lanyard Post

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Tons

What others are saying?:

Ed @ Knifecenter.com  

fun flipper.

Was looking for carbon fiber handled knives, DCA on youtube convinced me to give this a try. Looks sweet, and the smooth flipping action was more fidget friendly than I expected. Blade shape is good for most cutting tasks. This knife convinced me that I need more Civivi Knives. The Elementum is a proven design, the pushbutton flipping action is slick, and the marbled carbon and damascus look really nice together. I appreciate the extra length over the original elementum flipper. Slickness of the carbon surface takes some getting used to, but as a result it is pants friendly.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found on this particular model, plenty of regular Elementum reviews are out there.

Price point:

MSRP = $126.00

Retail = $107.00

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi, Knife Center, or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight Design

  • The knife is gorgeous

  • The button lock is extremely secure and I had no problems with it sticking

  • Extremely sharp out of the box

Cons:

  • The Elementum lost its edge quickly

  • This is more on me but I found the 3.5” blade to be a tad too long for my preference in an EDC knife but Civivi does offer a 3” model.

  • Another small gripe is the hinge got noticeably dirtier with lint than a lot of my other knives and I had to remove lint quite often.

Score: 8.50 Great

Civivi Conspirator

  As one may know, Civivi has a bunch of affordable knife options. The Conspirator is no different and possibly better. This knife uses a button lock instead of the more common liner lock, but still uses a common flipper to open it up. It is ever so slightly larger than some other knives from Civivi, but is light enough to make a very good every day carry (EDC) blade.

  The Conspirator comes in a variety of different options. Including damascus steel or wood handles. I chose a standard option with green micarta scales and a black stonewashed blade. I seriously thought about the wood handle ones because they look very nice, but decided on something more practical for everyday use. The Green micarta handles are nice. They are textured very little, but have a great grip. These particular micarta scales have a dullish, kind of papery, finish to them. It definitely gives them a unique look. The actual handle design is very simple also. It’s slightly curved where it needs to be and is large enough to actually grip. It has a deep pocket clip that can be swapped to the other side, if needed. The clip only allows for tip up carry. I like Civivi’s pocket clips. They are stout enough that I don’t bend them when they catch on stuff.

  What led me to the Conspirator was the button lock feature. Since I have other Civivi’s with liner locks, I really was curious how the button lock would compare. I have to say, it’s fantastic. The button locking mechanism locks the blade up tight. Then I just have to push the button to fold the blade back in. With a little practice, you don’t even have to touch the blade to close it completely. Some of this is a testament to Civivi’s super smooth ball bearing pivot system. 

  Civivi designed the Conspirator as a “flipper” style knife. So on the back of the handle, there’s a little nub that sticks up. Just run your finger over the nub quickly, and the knife blade flicks out and opens. The flipper has jimping on it for a better finger grip. Not surprisingly to me, the Conspirator opens extremely smooth with the flipper. One can also open the blade, by placing a thumb in one of the grooves on the blade, as if it had a thumb stud. Then there is the opening of the blade using the button lock. One can push the button lock down, then ever so lightly, flick their wrist, to open up the blade. I usually use the flipper, but all of the ways will work for one handed manipulation.

  One of the most important, and hardest to decipher, parts of the knife is the blade steel. Civivi uses Nitro-V steel for the Conspirator’s blade. Nitro-V is a higher grade knife steel, which is probably why the Conspirator costs a little bit more than other Civivi knives. Nitro-V is hard, tough, and can get very sharp. It is a stainless steel, so corrosion shouldn’t be a problem. The Conspirator didn’t hold an edge as well as I would have liked. But to be fair, I was pretty hard on this blade. I used it to pry out some wood staples and also mark lines on fence boards. So in the three months I’ve had it, I sharpened it for the first time recently. It sharpened fairly easily. Plus it does get super sharp!

  I am really impressed with the Conspirator’s blade design. It is a typical drop point style that has a taller profile than my Civivi Brazen. The taller profile gives the blade a little more strength and at 0.12” thick, it could be useful. The blade also has about an inch of jimping. This jimping gives a really good purchase for your thumb to rest on, especially if you need to put some downward force on the knife. Also on the blade itself, up toward the top, is a groove on each side. This allows different ways to open the knife, as mentioned earlier. With the chosen Conspirator option, the blade is coated black. The black coating is pretty durable. I have some light scratches in it, but nothing major. 

  Civivi knives come with a soft case. The case is a little zip up unit that has fake sheepskin stuff inside. Also included is a knife cleaning cloth. These cleaning clothes are great for wiping the knife down, or various other uses. These little additions aren’t needed, but they are appreciated.

  If you are looking for a very good EDC knife, the Civivi Conspirator is just that. It has a durable blade, doesn’t weigh a lot, has super smooth operation, and is sized to fit nicely in one's pocket. I am very pleased with the quality and function of the Conspirator. You can check it out at Civivi’s website or on Amazon.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Button lock, flipper style pocket knife

Target Market:

Anyone that carries a folding knife

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Overall Length: 8.11" / 206.0mm

  • Width: 1.44" / 36.5mm

  • Overall Height (Including Clip): 0.74" / 18.8mm

  • Blade Length: 3.48" / 88.3mm

  • Closed Length: 4.63" / 117.7mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3.0mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.51" / 13.0mm

  • Weight: 3.82oz / 108.3g

  • Nitro-V blade steel

  • Grind: Flat

  • Blade Finish: Black Stonewashed

  • Micarta handles

  • Stainless Steel liners

  • Stainless steel Pocket Clip: Tip-Up,L/R

  • Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Button Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black handle/gray blade, Damascus, Wood handle/gray blade

What others are saying?:

4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon 

I'm a little disappointed. I expected it to be extremely smooth. The look, the feel, the sound it makes is all top notch. But the button is a problem. It is clunky. I heard it's worse with the damscus but that's what I wanted. It is such a cool design with multiple deployment options which I absolutely love. But the button lock should have been improved. I have already taken apart and oiled. Didn't really help. I'm considering filing the blade down where it get a connection but I doubt it will graze it after being hardened. This knife should have been a 10/10. (I do wish the pocket clip was recessed but that's a nitpick)

All this being said, I like the design and deployment options so much I'm not returning. ( though I considering returning for the black micarta with Grey blade)

Link to other reviews:

Nothing but Knives 

Price point:

MSRP = $94.00

Retail = $79.90 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Blade shape

  • Size

  • Deep pocket clip

  • Ceramic ball bearings

  • Button lock

Cons:

  • Edge retention

  • No option for partial serrations

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  JSD Supply


Civivi Hadros

 If you have listened to the podcast, you understand that I am impressed with the Civivi knives. One of their newest knives, the Hadros, didn’t let me down. The Hadros is a very svelte knife with a wharncliffe blade, thumb stud opening, micarta scales, and a liner lock. The Hadros also has an elegant look to it.

  Civivi took the Hadros and added in some civility. This knife is pretty, if I can say that about a pocket knife. All of this starts with the nicely shaped micarta handles, these happen to be olive colored. The handles are smooth, which gives them a softer look. Of course the smooth handles are not my favorite for actual use, as they are slick. But the size and shape give the Hadros a good look. The handle shape is quite slender in both directions. At first I thought this might be a problem. Amazingly though, the knife feels good in the hand. Civivi’s logo on the pivot screw is a nice touch also. To round out the aesthetics is a smooth pocket clip. This clip is reversible for left or right, tip up carry. The clip is strong and slides smoothly over the pockets edge. 

  The wharncliffe blade on the Hadros is super sharp. It’s made from 10Cr15CoMoV steel, which is a good intermediate steel for this knife. What really makes this wharncliffe blade shine is the hollow grind and flat cutting edge. The hollow grind makes it slice through stuff effortlessly, or at least that’s how it felt for me. The edge has held up well, but I have touched it up on my little sharpener a few times. It wasn’t dull by any means, I just wanted it a little sharper. One advantage, or disadvantage to this blade, is the super pointy tip. If you like that, it’s a nice sharp point. I worry that I might bend or break it off, but luckily, I haven’t. The spine of the blade also has some useful jimping. The jimping is exactly where my thumb rests when holding the Hadros and works well. For opening the Hadros, Civivi uses thumb studs. There’s one on each side of the blade, so being right or left handed doesn’t matter. The thumb stud is located in a good spot. It is easy to open the knife without catching your finger on anything but the thumb stud. Once the Hadros is open, the blade is held in place with a stainless steel liner lock. When locked, the liner lock doesn’t extend too far over the blade. It’s enough to hold the blade good and tight, but leaves enough room for future wear. 

  As with all the Civivi knives I’ve felt, the opening and closing of them is so smooth. The Hadros seems a little smoother than the Brazen model I have. The smoothness is due to their caged ceramic ball bearings. These bearings also help the Hadros to have little, if any, side to side play in the blade. With this knife, I just flick the thumb stud and the blade flips out effortlessly. 

  Some of the Hadros’ specifications are also noteworthy. First off, it weighs nothing at 2.57 ounces. For me, it is on the edge of whether I notice I’m even carrying a knife or not. It really is light. The blade is a useful 3.35” long. I like my pocket knives to have between a 2.75” and 3.5” length, so the Hadros is right where I like the blade length. It also has a 4.2” handle, so it won’t take up a bunch of real estate in your pocket. The micarta handles put the knife at 0.47” wide, and in spots, the depth is about the same. 

  I’ve been running around with the Hadros for about 3 months now. I carry it everyday, and probably use it every day. I’ve cut boxes and food with it, as well as other various things . It is a really good knife, don’t let the handle size fool you. It stays sharp. I haven’t broken the tip yet. It looks good in work pants, as well as Khaki’s. It even comes in a little soft case with a cleaning cloth. All in all, the Hadros has treated me well. 

  The Hadros has a nice look and feel to it. It does everything a pocket knife should, and some things even better. The smoothness, of opening the knife, is top notch. It’s sharp, and even holds an edge well. If you’re looking for something with a Wharncliffe style blade, go check out the Civivi Hadros. 


Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Slim, thumb stud folder with a Wharncliffe blade 

Target Market:

Those wanting a lightweight, elegant style pocket knife

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Wharncliffe style blade

  • Overall Length: 7.55" / 191.7mm

  • Blade Length: 3.35" / 85mm

  • Closed Length: 4.2" / 106.7mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.47" / 12mm

  • Weight: 2.57oz / 72.8g

  • Blade Material: 10Cr15CoMoV

  • Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC

  • Blade Grind: Hollow

  • Blade Finish: Satin

  • Olive Micarta Handle

  • Stainless Steel Liner

  • Tip-Up, L/R stainless steel pocket clip

  • Thumb Stud opening

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Liner Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Brown or Black scales

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Amazon

Great quality, smooth action, great lockup. Perfect gentleman’s carry.

The blade is perfect for opening packages or doing detail work. Long blade reach

Link to other reviews:

Wayne’s Sharp World 

Price point:

MSRP = $70.00

Retail = $59.50 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Sharp

  • Super smooth action

  • Hollow ground Wharncliffe blade

  • Weight, or lack of it

  • Pocket clip

  • Thumb Jimping

Cons:

  • Super pointy blade, could break off easily if misused

  • Slick and small handle

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Gun Guys Garage

Civivi Brazen

  I had heard good things about Civivi knives, which brings us here. Civivi is We Knife’s “budget” friendly knife manufacturer. We Knife makes some beautiful knives, but we aren’t talking about those. We are talking about the Civivi Brazen. The Brazen is a flipper style EDC (everyday carry) knife.

  The Brazen has many of the features one might want in an everyday carry knife. The flipper stands out in this category. It makes the knife open with ease. Just slightly push down, or flip the little tab rearward, and the blade opens super smoothly. If a flipper isn’t your thing, the Brazen also has dual thumb studs for opening the blade. The thumb studs work just as well, but I prefer the flipper. Civivi uses a stainless steel liner lock in the Brazen. The liner lock holds the blade from closing. It’s a little thinner than I personally like, but it locks up well, so not a concern. Side to side blade movement is also virtually nothing. either with the blade open or closed.

  For an EDC knife, the Brazen’s specifications are pretty standard. The blade is a “drop point” style. Which is 3.46” long. Closed, the knife is 4.52” long. It’s pretty slim at 0.47” without measuring the pocket clip. It weighs in at 3.76 ounces which seems perfect, since it is not too light to forget you are carrying it. The Brazen uses finely textured G10 handles, which I found to give a good grip when dry and a little slick when soaking wet. There is also a lanyard slot at the rear of the handle, if a lanyard is your thing. The Brazen also has a deep pocket clip. The clip is reversible for left or right, but only for tip up carry. I liked the clip, it’s nothing fancy, but it clips well. I tend to catch cheap clips on stuff and bend them, the Brazen’s clip has not bent on me!

  Civivi has brought a lot of great extra features to the table with the Brazen as well. My favorite is the caged ceramic ball bearing on the blade pivot. These bearings make opening and closing the knife super smooth. They also aid in how well the flipper functions. The stonewashed blade is made from 14C28N steel. From the steel manufacturers website - “Sandvik 14C28N is the latest development in Sandvik's range of knife steels. Optimized chemistry provides a top grade knife steel with a unique combination of excellent edge performance, high hardness and good corrosion resistance.” I found the 14C28N to be a really good choice for this knife. The edge stayed sharp for a long time. Most of that was cutting up boxes. In fact I just sharpened it before this review. It wasn’t dull by any means, it just needed to be touched up a little. Civivi hardens the steel to 58-60 HRC, which seems to work out for me. I haven’t broken the tip off the blade, which says a lot. Speaking of the blade, Civivi also put some useful jimping in places. The first noticeable jimping is on the top and front of the flipper tab. Next is on the spine of the knife, just in front of the handle. All the jimping is very well thought out and actually gives the user a better grip and feel to the knife.

  Usually when you buy a “budget” knife, it comes in a box, and only a box. Civivi stepped it up once again, and supplied a soft case with the Brazen. I think most, if not all of the Civivi knives, come with this. In the case are the instruction, a sticker, and a fairly decent “Civivi” branded cleaning cloth. Not that the soft case and cleaning cloth are needed, but I did think it was a good bonus. 

  I’ve carried the Brazen since the day it arrived here. I am going to keep carrying the Brazen. Hopefully that tells you what kind of knife I think it is. For a $50 pocket knife, I feel you get more than what you pay for. From the super smooth opening to the sharp blade, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Brazen as an EDC knife. Definitely go check out the Brazen, or any of the other Civivi’s. I was not disappointed.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality EDC folding knife

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a quality folding knife under $50

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Overall Length: 7.98" / 202.7mm

  • Blade Length: 3.46" / 88mm

  • Closed Length: 4.52" / 114.7mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.47" / 12mm

  • Weight: 3.76oz / 106.7g

  • Blade Material: 14C28N

  • Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC

  • G10 Handles

  • Stainless Steel Liner

  • Tip up, Left or Right, deep pocket clip

  • Pivot: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Made in China

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Different blade steels, shapes, and handle colors

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Amazon

 Smooooth!

No blade play. Stupid sharp. Very fast. Love the tip up. A bit bigger IRL found it to be a bit overkill size but legal in MN. It's just as fast as assisted opening knives without a safety. I didn't buy it in black to seem less tactical and scary to women but honestly I got an odd look for using it on the packaging I carry it for. Only downside is I'm not a fan of CCP China. All things considered it's no Chinese knockoff and is in the realm of Benchmade or higher end SOG's I've carried. Overall really happy, no lie it's build quality rivals Benchmade Barrage, Griptilian, and Sog Trident all day long.

Link to other reviews:

Neeves Knives on YoutTube

Price point:

MSRP = $58.60

Retail = $49.80 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super smooth operation

  • Flipper works great

  • Sharp

  • Thumb studs

  • Deep carry clip

Cons:

  • Liner lock is a little thin

  • No semi-serrated option

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  LA Police Gear

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