knife review

Sencut ArcBlast

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