Knife Review Civivi Elementum

This review was written a couple of years ago when the model was new. But it is still kind of relevant I guess since the model is still very popular. Anyway, here is a translation of my review of Civivi Elementum.

-  a little masterpiece

Elegant and timeless or a bit boring? The demarcation line between the two views can sometimes be thin as a hair. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder as they say. Since I bought this knife you can probably guess which way I lean regarding the looks of this knife.

The reason I start talking about the look is that in all its simplicity it is striking. Some brands succeed with marketing through design. Who doesn't remember Bang & Olufsen from the '80s? Or kitchen gadgets from Alessi not to mention Apple products. They all have a design language that makes them easy to recognize even from a distance. This applies to Civivi products as well. They have in a relatively short time managed to establish themselves with a series of knives that have achieved great success.

This is one of their smaller knives and is named Elementum.

Civivi C907A Elementum

For those unfamiliar with Civivi, it can be said that it is WE-Knive's budget brand. Like many other major knife manufacturers nowadays, they supplement their regular range with a series of knives in somewhat simpler materials and designs that are released under another flag.

However, you can also say that Civivi quickly made a name for not lowering the standard of overall quality in their knives. It is mostly materials and components that are a bit simpler than the more exclusive pieces. 

Civivi has a clear design language that is matched by good performance

Twitter version: Civivi Elementum, an extremely competent knife for the money

Blade

Like everything else on this knife, the blade is sparse. It means clean lines and that it lacks any form of labeling. No logos, no designer names, no steel type but completely blank. Then the shape is more drop than what's usually the case with drop points. The blade resembles a spear point with its almost symmetrical tip.

The blade measures around 75 mm or 3" in length. The height is 22 mm and the thickness is kept at a decently low 3 mm.  Something that makes me quite happy is that Civivi did not increase the stock thickness to 3,5 mm, which many manufacturers, unfortunately, do almost by default regardless of intended use. The finish is a glossy satin.

A completely sterile blade in a drop-point suit

The steel is not much to talk about. It's D2 and about that, I say as I often do, I would prefer something else. Above all, more stainless steel. But in the name of honesty, it should be said that although this knife has been carried quite extensively and used fairly much during the test period there are no spots on the blade. Yet, I might add. My guess is that the fairly polished surface provides some protection.

Civivi states the Rockwell to be as high as 59-61 HRC in terms of performance. That might be true since the edge stayed sharp for a long time. 

The material is D2 that has been given a proper hollow grind

Another feature that distinguishes the blade is its ability to cut well. Something that knives from the mother ship, WE, are not as well known for. They usually have thick blades and are almost as thick behind the edges. Once again, using default thicknesses and grinds just for looks does not benefit a knife's performance.

In this case, the budget version surpasses its more expensive kins. The already thin stock in the Elementum gets even thinner behind the edge through a pronounced hollow grind. That makes this knife not only look good but also cut well.

The Elementum is what in English is usually called a slicer, ie a knife that cuts really well. That should be obvious but is bizarrely not always the case nowadays. But it makes this blade excellent for anything you might use a small knife for.

Everything from cutting cardboard to dicing apples and tomatoes. It also worked great to cut and peel speaker cables when some oxide was removed. Such a small and dainty little knife is perfect for this kind of precision work.

 Otherwise, it is capable of all the small tasks that appear in everyday life.

Handle

Elementum is available in a wide variety of materials and, after the sales success was a fact, it has multiplied. However, this is one of the base models in the black G10. It is simple and practical but I would have preferred the dark wood version. I think it looks classy.

The sides are not surprisingly attached to a steel frame that is open in the back. It is assembled with two screws in addition to the pivot screw and they extend through standoffs found toward the rear of the handle. There is also a small lanyard hole that is exemplarily incorporated into the design. It neither disturbs the look nor interferes with the location of the clip, which unfortunately is common on many knives.

The handle is very well shaped in all its simplicity

More surprising is how lightened the steel frame is. When the knife is opened, you basically see a framework. It contributes to the low weight and is a nice detail on a knife that doesn't cost more than this.

The Elementum is very thin

The handle measures just over a decimeter in length. Of that, 9.5 cm is the grip area. It is enough to accommodate the whole hand, but barely. The reason why it works so well despite not being bigger is that Civivi hasn't complicated anything. No finger grooves or forward finger choils or other grip-enhancing details. Well, there is a small choil that can be used for those who want to go a little forward on the handle. The flipper tab forms a small finger guard and behind it, the underside of the handle forms a soft sweeping line. The handle swells a little towards the back end, which helps to fill the hand better.

Despite the small format, Elementum feels good in the hand

The G10 material provides a bit of grip, but this variant is not one of the coarsest. Even a little more grip is given by some jimping at the back of the blade. The handle is somewhat more rounded because the frame stands tall in comparison to the sides. This is a detail that I have heard some complaints about from time to time. Here it contributes to better comfort.

Opening and Lock

Elementum is a flipper knife and a damn good one. Here, thanks to good geometry and precision in manufacturing, they have succeeded in producing a knife that has the same quickness and ease of handling as many times more expensive knives.

The flipper tab is small and discreet, which means that it isn't annoying when the knife is in the pocket. It is easy to find and the grooves it is equipped with mean that the finger does not slip off. The speed is not the fastest on the market but the opening is quick enough and above all reliable. It's hard not to open this knife once you try. A contributing factor is a well-tuned detent ball. 

How to make flipper tabs. All other makers, see and learn

The lock is a simple liner lock which, like the rest of the knife, is very well made. The lock bar engages quite early on this specimen but the contact area is around 70 percent of its width. It provides a solid lock with no play in any direction. Nor does it fail given light blows to the back of the blade, ie a negative load in the form of spine whacking. 

Safety is provided by a liner lock in steel

The lock bar is easy to access as it protrudes a bit relative to the rest of the frame. It has also got a round of grooves for better grip. They are exemplary as they are rounded so that they do not interfere with the ergonomics of the knife or create sore thumbs. 

To Carry

In the pocket, Elementum is a dream. Light with rounded shapes and reasonably smooth material on the sides. Add to that an excellent clip and it does not get much better.

In length, the knife measures just over a decimeter folded and the thickness is thin at 11 mm. The height is also modest at 2.8 cm. Elementum weighs in at 79 grams. It thus belongs to the real bantamweights and actually weighs a few grams below the stated weight.

The clip is as good as the flipper tab, it's excellent

The clip is simply very good. A straightforward spring clip that really works. A good ramp/lip makes it easy to attach the knife to a pocket and just enough space underneath allows most fabrics including jeans to fit there.

The look is neutral and in this case black with some cutouts as decoration.

The knife rides deep and securely in a pocket

The design of the clip allows the knife to dive deep into the pocket where it sits both securely and discreetly. Of course, you can note that the screws could be countersunk to make the clip optimal, but it is nitpicking and nothing noticeable when the knife is carried. 

Because of the small size, the clip is also very discreet in hand even when the knife is used for longer periods of time. You can feel it if you really bear down on the knife in a hammer grip. That is basically unavoidable with deep carry clips, however. 

To Conclude

The reason I have this particular version is that I got a very good offer. A nice price for a secondhand but unused knife. The previous owner was looking for something even smaller to have in his pocket and was surprised that it was bigger than he thought. However, it can be added that it is not a monstrous knife but rather something that ends up in the same class as, for example, Spyderco Chaparral.

A knife that Elementum can be compared to in many ways, even if the Chaparral is a more expensive knife. However, it is slightly better on specific parameters per se. It cuts even better, has a slightly better clip, and so on. But what speaks for Elementum is that there are not many knives that can compete when it comes to performance and build quality to the price tag.

In Europe, the Civivi Elementum costs around SEK750-850, and the price in the US is around $50.

Civivi Elementum is one of the kings in the price range

For that money, you get a lot. To begin with, it includes a timeless and stylish design. And speaking of stylish, the whole knife is sterile except for the logo on the pivot screw head. A much-appreciated choice, at least from the undersigned who is not entirely fond of excessive billboarding on knives.

You also get build quality at the highest level with an excellent fit in the materials and a matching finish. The blade is centered, the factory edge is well made and the lock is sturdy and reliable. Edges and corners are well rounded on, for example, the blade spine and the inside of the frame, and even the lanyard hole. 

Also included is an excellent clip. The question is why do so many manufacturers complicate that detail? It has been shown that simplicity is best in this case and Civivi has taken note of that.

Then we come to the real assets. In addition to looking good, Elementum is also a tool. It fits well in the hand even if it is a knife focused on the smaller tasks. Furthermore, the blade is really capable. A good tip and an even better edge. A hollow grind thins out an already relatively thin stock. The result is a knife that cuts really well and does so for a long time thanks to the D2 steel. Sure, it could have been more advanced, but then the price had also headed north. After all, you have to compromise with something in budget categories. 

Both elegant and practical, Elementum is a winner!

That's why I say that Civivi Elementum is one of the better knives in this category that was released in 2019. For those who are looking for a modern pocket knife that is not ashamed of itself either in terms of appearance or performance, it's a no-brainer! This is a knife I recommend without the slightest hesitance. 

Specification:

Length Overall: 177 mm

Length Folded: 102 mm

Weight: 79 g (claimed 81g)

Blade Length: 75 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: D2, HRC 59-61

Handle: G10 on a steel frame

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J 

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