När ett företag missförstår marknaden

- eller finn fem fel

Jag förstod aldrig om det här var någon form av kulturkrock eller om det bara var individerna bakom företaget som missförstod något. Men låt oss reda ut vad jag menar.

Raging Jap RJ5

Dagens inlägg handlar nämligen om ett märke som försvann. Ett som dock är lite speciellt för mig då det var ett av de första samarbeten jag gjorde med ett företag. Dock blev det komplicerat redan från början då jag förvisso gillade vissa element på kniven men som helhet var den avskräckande. 

Jag kommer till varför. Men det ställde mig omgående inför ett dilemma. Hur presenterar man en kniv som har viss potential men behöver utvecklas samtidigt som man hoppas på att företaget skall lära sig av misstagen och släppa senare modeller som är bättre? 

Min recension kan läsas här och den är väl försiktigt optimistisk fast med vissa reservationer. Jag skickade även, förutom recensionen, ett mail till företaget där jag utvecklade några av punkterna nedan. 

Vad var det då man missade när man lanserade den här och ett par andra modeller. Tja, för det första namnet! Raging Jap låter aggresivt, som något från andra världskriget. Det är allt annat än positivt, särskilt i de tider när den här modellen släpptes och knivvåld var på tapeten i medierna. Då som nu får väl tilläggas. 

För att ackompanjera namnet valdes som logotyp något som förmodligen skall anspela på nationell stolthet, en grinande samurajmask i en stor cirkel. Det hade kanske gått an om man förmått sig att stanna där och utveckla den i mer estetisk riktning men nejdå, en "Torii" eller japansk shinto-port skulle pressas in i logotyp två som bestod av namnet i stora blockiga bokstäver följt av den heliga symbolen. 

Jag finner det ytterst märkligt att ett folk så besatt av kalligrafi inte förstår att även andra alfabet har skönskrift och olika typsnitt. Det hade i alla fall deras designer helt missat. 

Namnet känns fel, typsnittet känns fel och storleken på texten ÄR fel. Det är för övrigt även typsnittet som använts till ståltypen

Än värre var att man inte alls förstod att en kniv som satsade på att vara något mer exklusiv sett till pris, jag återkommer till det, behöver vara något mer diskret i sin framtoning. Vi talar om en tid när CR Sebenza var den stora förebilden. Här slog man istället på stora trumman vilket innebar att man smällde på med namnloggan, den med ful text i för stor font på bladets presentationssida. Där passade man även på att skriva dit ståltyp, även det i lite för stor storlek samt placerat halvt över den "plunge line" som finns. Typsnittet är förstås också ett annat än logotypen. 

Plats för logotyp nummer två. Varför inte låta den vara riktigt stor, placerad lite snett för långt fram på pladet samt tvärs över slipfasen?

På motstående sida blev det dock än värre. Där hittas modellnamnet vars enda förlåtande egenskap är att det är i samma blockiga text som logotyp nummer ett. Sedan har man valt att skriva dit tillverkningsort och land i ett tredje typsnitt. Men inte nog med det det är här den andra loggan hittas, den med samurajen. Den är stor, blaffig, placerad på främre delen av bladet och därtill sitter den snett samt tvärs över slipfasen. Mycket sämre kan det inte bli! Finn fem fel som sagt. 

Inte nog med att det finns text och bild på FEM olika ställen på bladet i tre olika fonter utan man passar på att drämma till med ytterligare en märkning på clipet! Ifall någon skulle ha missat vilket det märke det handlar om. Särskilt intressant blir det när allt är inklämt på en kniv som endast är 18 cm lång. Det enda som lyckats med något liknande i historien är väl SOG som ofta syndar grovt i det här fallet.  

 På clipet passar man på att skriva in materialet också varpå lite mer text hamnar på kniven. Vi börjar nu närma oss en novell. 

Det för oss osökt in på varför det här är en märklig kniv bortsett från excesserna i märkning. En av anledningarna är nämligen kombinationen av material. Särskilt när de sätts i relation till pris. Det här är en kniv med en låssida i stål, presentationssida i G10, blad i VG10 och clip i titan. Det senare materialet valdes nog enbart för att det var trendigt vid tiden men hade kanske gjort större nytta i den frame lock som finns. Här existerar det enbart för att kunna finnas på specifikationen som försäljningsargument. De tär i varje fall vad jag misstänker. 

Det andra skälet är att man ville ha kring 130 dollar för kniven när den släpptes. Det bör tilläggas att det var mer än tio år sedan. Det är för enkla material för den nivån och VG10 var inte särskilt unikt och de flesta knivar i samma prisklass hade mer exklusiva stål redan på den tiden. Så här prissatte man sig ur konkurrensen. Något jag påpekade för dem.

Clipet är av titan, stort och överdrivet högt. Utskärningen för låsarmen är för grov och till råga på allt är själva gången på bladet allt annat än mjuk

Det andra skälet är att det här känns  som en kniv designad av amatörer eller en person som stod utanför ett smutsigt skyltfönster och tittade in och försökte återskapa vad som sågs. 

Den är något för liten för att passa i en  normal hand. Möjligen i en mycket liten japansk hand men inte den generella handen för en västerlänning och det var den marknaden man vände sig till. Vidare är clipet inte bara klent, det är för tunt om det nu skall vara  i titan, det är även groteskt högt. Det går att stoppa in kanten på en täckjacka under det. Det kan tilläggas att clipet kan flyttas, men inte från höger till vänster sida vilket vore lämpligt utan enbart från att bära kniven med spets uppåt till spets nedåt. Det senare passar bara om man har mycket stora fällknivar men mer om det vid annat tillfälle. 

Utöver det hittas fler småmissar som att tumknopparna som förvisso är effektiva sitter för långt ut på bladet vilket stjäl utrymme från den rätt korta eggen. På tal om egg så har den ett rätt rejält "smile" på grund av felaktigt utförd plunge line och dessutom är bladet alldeles för tjockt bakom eggen, kring 0,6 mm på en liten EDC-kniv. Det är mer passande för en stor huggare. 

Jag kan förstå varför det här märket försvann från marknaden. En för liten, överprissatt kniv med en märklig materialsammansättning och märkning precis överallt. Lägg därtill småmissar i slipning och ett daterat stål. Nu kan man tänka sig att de ville ha VG10 för att  markera att det var en japansk kniv. Problemet med det var bar att den inte gjordes där utan i Taichung, Taiwan. 

Finn fem fel var det!

/ J - undersöker kulturkrockar

Review Civivi Over Yonder

  

-  The little one has grown up

There is no doubt that the Yonder was a success. Upon its release, it won the "Blade Best Buy" award for 2024 and, in the process, picked up several other accolades as well. The fact that it remains part of the product lineup—offered in around ten different versions—is a clear testament to its popularity.

The fact that Civivi has released a successor is further proof of this, and that is the model we will be taking a closer look at today.

Civivi Over Yonder

The original model is a knife named after a term coined by the author Louis L'Amour. "Yonder" signifies embarking on a "journey into the unknown, guided by an internal compass." If you would like to learn exactly how the process unfolded—from the initial idea to the finished knife—you can find the details on the website.

Fundamentally, however, the concept for this knife took shape while Zac Whitnore was spending time in Montana in 2023. The experiences he brought back from that trip evolved through conversations with a close friend, ultimately resulting in this model. The Yonder has previously been reviewed here on the blog.

Now, however, it is time for the big brother. Fundamentally the same knife, but scaled up. Sometimes, scaling an existing knife model up or down is a stroke of genius; at other times, the result is less successful. The history of knives offers examples of both outcomes.

It is therefore time to determine which of these applies to the Over Yonder. 

Over Yonder is a larger version of a Zac Whitmore design.

Short version: Civivi Over Yonder, An excellent example of when upsizing works out well. This is a seriously good EDC knife!

Blade

First, it should be noted that we are not talking about any massive excess in terms of how much larger the "Over" version is. Specifically, the blade is 22 mm—or just under an inch—longer, resulting in a total length of 85 mm. The thickness, however, has remained unchanged, coming in at a slender 2.2 mm. The blade height is approximately 30 mm.

It is also worth noting that the blade type is somewhat distinctive. It is a fairly classic "Spey" point—a style often found on more traditional knives, such as the "Stockman" pattern. As the name implies, this blade—with its subtle belly and understated tip—was originally designed for a specific purpose: castrating livestock. Beyond the fact that the tip is not particularly pronounced, it is also positioned along the blade’s central axis, making it easy to aim. When performing tasks of this nature, precision is essential—you certainly don’t want to miss your mark.

A modern interpretation of a Spey blade

The finish is a satin, and in true Civivi fashion, the blade features very subtle branding—so subtle, in fact, that it’s hard to spot any markings at all. On one side, just in front of the thumb stud, you’ll find Zac’s logo, but that’s it. Well, actually—if you have a sharp eye—you can also make out the steel type on the ricasso.

It reads 14C28N. At the time of writing, there are no other options available, though it’s not uncommon for Civivi to release versions of their knives featuring premium steels later on.

Regular readers of this blog will know by now that I am a fan of well-heat-treated 14C steel from Sandvik. It is nothing revolutionary, but it delivers everything one could expect from a good "mid-range steel"—if I may use that term. It is highly corrosion-resistant, handles impacts reasonably well, and takes a very sharp edge that it also retains quite effectively. Another positive attribute is that it is easy to sharpen. However, if you are looking for extreme edge retention, you should explore other options. Otherwise, this steel holds its own exceptionally well against the competition.

The steel used is 14C28N

That the Over Yonder would cut well came as no surprise if you review the specifications and add to that previous experience with Civivis edges. In this case, this means that, as I said, the thickness of the blade has been kept down. It is only just over two millimeters and then it is certainly not flat ground but close. Then the blade measures only 0.4 mm behind the edge.

When combined with an excellent factory edge, you have exactly the cutting machine it was meant to be. This is especially true when the thumb studs is located far back on the blade so that the entire edge can be used to cut with.

The blade shape gives a fairly long piece of straight edge to work with but also a belly. A little less so than the average Clip point but it's there. The same can be said about the tip, which is also very good. Especially in this case as the thin material contributes to it being sharper than is usual on this type of blade.

Over Yonder is a true cardboard-slayer with its thin blade.

As expected, the knife cuts exceptionally well through most materials—notably items like cardboard and paperboard, cordage and rope (both hemp and nylon), tape, and plastic. The thin blade offers very little resistance when shredding cardboard, and it is also quite effective for light tasks in the kitchen. While I always maintain that folding knives don’t really belong in the kitchen, using one there simply gives me more time with the blade. Furthermore, it might be the only knife you have with you when outdoors and decide it’s time to eat; in that scenario, the Over Yonder performs excellently, though a slightly longer blade would be a welcome addition.

You can also use it to carve wood; in this case, it is easier to work with fresh branches and sticks than to tackle dry timber. It is a knife, and the blade is good, so it is certainly possible—though for this, I would prefer a somewhat more substantial blade.

Otherwise, this blade works excellently for all sorts of small tasks—as well as some larger ones—that you might encounter in everyday life.

Handle

The construction of the handle on the Over Yonder is nothing out of the ordinary. It follows the gold standard for creating an excellent folding knife handle in 2026—or, in truth, from even further back than that.

It features a steel frame—in this case, 1 mm thick and matching the color scheme of the rest of the knife. What stands out about the frame is that it isn’t just skeletonized; it is heavily skeletonized, which naturally keeps the knife’s weight down. This is especially significant given that this type of locking mechanism does not include a dedicated lock bar, and the handle scales themselves are also very lightweight.

The handle is nearly identical to that of its smaller sibling, but has grown in length. Shown here featuring Aluminium Foil G10 as the handle material.

There are various material options to choose from, but since I already own many knives with Micarta scales, I opted for something more eye-catching: "Aluminium Foil G10." As you can see, the result is a shimmering surface reminiscent of mother-of-pearl.

The scales are secured at two and a half points—or, to be more precise, a few more; let me explain. The knife features an open-back construction with a spacer, which serves as the first attachment point. The second point is another spacer, where the screw also functions as one of the fasteners for the pocket clip. Then there is the adjustable pivot screw—the one featuring the Civivi logo—and, finally, the locking mechanism itself also helps hold the knife together.

The knife has an open back

The shape of the handle is simple and straightforward—resembling, more or less, a rounded rectangular box. The rear end features something akin to what is often called a "coffin" shape, while the front end includes a finger guard. No specific texturing has been added to enhance grip, but in my view, that isn't necessary. There are some grooves (jimping) on ​​the spine at the front of the handle, which extend onto the spine of the blade. That is all.

The handle measures 106 mm in length, has a maximum height of 25 mm, and a thickness of just over 11 mm.

A simple handle allows for all types of grips in a comfortable way.

Regarding the handle on the Yonder, I previously noted that it "is good but a bit too small for me"—an issue now addressed by this larger version. The predecessor was a "three-and-a-half-finger" knife, whereas this handle accommodates the entire hand—though that is perhaps a slight oversimplification. Fortunately, the butt end is rounded, which is where my little finger rests when using either a hammer grip or a saber grip. For reference, I typically wear a size L to XL glove.

If you place your index finger along the spine of the blade for control, the entire handle sits comfortably within your palm, eliminating any issues. The knife also works well with a reverse grip, regardless of whether the tip is oriented downward or upward. In terms of versatility, the handle can thus be considered just as adaptable as the blade itself.

Opening and Lock

The Over Yonder opens via thumb studs. Alternatively, it can be opened using the lock mechanism—crossbar locks are, in fact, excellent for this purpose. Since the thumb studs are double-sided, they can also be operated by flicking them with an index finger from the back of the blade, if desired.

The thumb studs are as simple as they are excellent to use.

The handling itself is of the standard Civivi quality. If you are looking to try a higher-quality knife and want to get a feel for what that entails, this is an excellent brand to explore. In this instance, the effortless opening is due to a combination of well-positioned thumb studs and ceramic bearings.

The shape of the studs is nothing remarkable—they are barrel-shaped—but their placement is excellent. They are both easy and intuitive to reach and use, yet they also stay out of the way when you are working with the knife.

Civivi are masters of cross-bar locks, but aren't there getting to be a bit too many of them now?

As one would expect, the locking mechanism here is the same as on its smaller sibling—specifically, Civivi’s take on a crossbar lock. By now, they have mastered this design to near perfection; in my view, this company produces some of the best locks of this type on the market.

In practical terms, this means a reliable locking mechanism that holds the blade in an iron grip—with absolutely no vertical play or wiggle—while remaining easy to disengage. It can be operated with either one hand or two, depending on your preference. Other indicators of quality include the fact that the locking bolt exhibits very little lateral movement, and that the springs holding it in place are tensioned just right to serve a dual purpose: they also act as a "detent," keeping the blade securely in the closed position. 

To Carry

In this regard, too, the Over Yonder is an excellent pocket knife. With a weight as low as 87 grams and a length of just over a decimeter or around four inches, it is an easy-to-carry knife.

The clip is nothing extraordinary, but its function is excellent.

In particular, everything is rounded just as it should be. There are no sharp edges or corners on the handle, and nothing sharp protrudes.

Furthermore, the handle material itself—as mentioned above—is quite smooth, which makes it easier to draw the knife or return it to a pocket. The latter is arguably just as important; it is rather pointless to have a knife that can be opened—and, more importantly, closed—with one hand, only to require two hands to stow it away again. 

None of the handle is visible when the knife is carried in the pocket.

The clip is nothing extraordinary, yet it offers two significant advantages. First, it doesn’t disrupt the aesthetic; instead, it blends in with the color scheme and overall design. Second—and more importantly—it simply works. This is true of most things Civivi produces, but it’s especially evident here. It comes down to a number of small details executed exceptionally well.

The clip allows for "deep carry" without protruding past the end of the handle, so it won’t cause any discomfort or chafing. Furthermore, it is small and discreet, yet features a well-designed, functional ramp with ample clearance underneath. This is achieved through a carefully balanced profile and, crucially, by recessing both the clip and its mounting screws into the handle scale. Its compact size also means that most of it remains concealed within your palm while using the knife, making it less noticeable. While it doesn’t disappear entirely, you only really feel it when gripping the knife tightly.

Additionally, the clip is reversible; the unused mounting position is covered by a small steel plate. This is just one of many hallmarks of quality that Civivi consistently delivers.

To Conclude

I sometimes claim that it is easy to write about two types of products: the truly bad ones and the truly good ones. Those that exist in a kind of no-man’s-land are harder to find the right words for; they are too similar to everything else. What I’m suggesting is that this review—while perhaps not writing itself—was, at the very least, easy to put together.

This is because I was already favorably disposed toward the Yonder, though I did have one reservation: it was perhaps a bit too small for my hand in certain situations. With the Over Yonder, that issue was resolved, and from there, the review practically wrote itself. Or, to be more precise, that is what I had hoped would be the case.

Over Yonder and Yonder side by side

The explanation lies in the fact that almost all parameters are identical. We are talking about the same blade shape, stock thickness, construction, locking mechanism, and opening method. Even the pocket clip is the same.

Consequently, the positive attributes of the original model are carried over. In fact, some of these are even enhanced, and new ones are added. Specifically, the increased blade length—combined with the fact that the thickness has remained the same—results in even better cutting performance. Furthermore, the handle’s extra centimeter means that all your fingers now fit comfortably.

Both models are excellent EDC knives, but the Over Yonder fits my hand best.

The increases compared to the original model aren't massive, but they transform a small EDC knife into something else entirely. Whether you choose to classify an 85 mm blade length as "medium" or "large" is largely a matter of personal preference.

The rest comes down to engineering—that is, how well-made the knife is. My expectations here are very high, as Civivi is among the best in the business. They maintain a consistently high standard of production, and that holds true in this case as well. You could run through a checklist and tick off every box: flawless operation, effortless opening, smooth action, a rock-solid lock that’s easy to disengage, and multiple opening methods that all work equally well. Furthermore, the blade is perfectly centered, the handle edges are smoothed and rounded where necessary, and every detail is spot on. For instance, the handle screws are T8 rather than T6 and are countersunk into the handle scales—the same applies to the pocket clip mounting point. The clip mount even includes a cover plate to fill the hole on the unused side.

In short, there is absolutely nothing to criticize from a technical standpoint.

Over Yonder does not disappoint anyone

As you can see, I therefore have no problem recommending the Civivi Over Yonder to anyone looking for a really good EDC knife. The only thing it doesn't have is a spectacular design. Zac Whitmore thought more practically than visionary in that area but the knife becomes a little more "blingy" with this material in the handle. But if a more muted version is desired, there is always the base model. Otherwise, I only have good things to say about this knife.

In this version, Over Yonder has a target price on the website of $80 and costs in European webshops from €90 at the time of writing.

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 191 mm

Length Folded: 106 mm

Weight: 88 g (weighed by me, stated 87 +/- 1 g)

Blade Length: 85 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,2 mm

Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N

Handle Material: Alu foil-G10

Lock: Cross bar lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - likes scaling things up

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