- the knife that shrank in more ways than one
This is probably a world premiere! I'm pretty sure this is the first written review of this knife available. It could certainly be because it is very new, but still.
That there would be a mini-variant of Civivis Praxis was perhaps not entirely unexpected. I certainly haven't handled the original version myself but have heard a lot about that knife and have gathered that it sells well. But there is no getting away from the fact that a knife with a blade approaching four inches is a substantial pocket knife. Maybe not heavy in that case but big. It opens the door for a new model aimed at those who like the look but might want something a little daintier.
So now Mini Praxis from Civivi is here! What is particularly pleasing is not only that the knife has a smaller format, but that the price has shrunk in relation to it. A relationship that is not usually common these days, but nonetheless a positive for us knife enthusiasts.
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| Civivi Mini Praxis |
So what can be said about the Civivi Mini Praxis except that it is small and relatively cheap? Well, it follows Civivi's usual template which includes a blade opened via a flipper tab, where the blade rides on ceramic ball bearings and is held in place in the open position by a liner lock. Furthermore, the materials are recognizable both when it comes to handle sides and blade steel. The shape of the clip is just as familiar and even the open back with its two spacers is "reused". So far, most of it is familiar.
Furthermore, it is a very well-constructed piece in true Civivi fashion and there are no obvious manufacturing mistakes to be found. The question is rather what does the knife add to the model program that is not already there? That is one of the questions I intend to try to clarify here.
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| Small and light compared to the original, it might deserve the epithet "mini", but it's still not that small! |
Twitter version: Civivi Mini Praxis, A knife for the Civivi collector, the one who thought the original model was too big, or just the user who wants a pocket knife that cuts like a lightsaber!
Blade
That the blade feels familiar is a given that this knife is a shrunken version of an existing model. This means in a drop point with visual elements in the form of a rather bold swedge and harmonious lines where the curve of the back almost mirrors the belly. Closest to the handle, a number of grooves are found with the task of providing a better grip for a thumb or perhaps an index finger.
Then the blade is as discreetly marked as usual. That is to say, not at all. There are no logos, no years of manufacture, place of birth and designer, etc. which can be the case with other knives. If you are really sharp-sighted, the steel type can be found printed on the ricasso in minimal text.
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| The blade is a drop point with almost spear-point-like proportions. The appearance is enhanced by a swedge and a high flat grind |
The blade has such a high grind that it is basically completely flat ground. Now you can barely see it or the swedge/false edge for that matter because this is the version with a blackened blade. Civivi claims that it is stone washed, but to the eye, it looks mostly pitch black.
The steel that received that treatment is D2. It's obviously one of the areas where Civivi saved a bit to keep the price down. In return, it can be said that the slight tendency to rust that it may have is eliminated with this coating. Then Civivi is used to handling D2 at this point so they have had time to build up some experience. It probably means well-managed properties.
The dimensions of the blade are interesting. The length is just under three inches, which I don't think is a coincidence as many reviewers or sorry, a few loud American dittos claim that's how it should be given that it's a legal limit in some jurisdictions. Translated into real measurements, it is just over 75 mm. But it is not the length that is special, but the thickness. Here, Civivi has allowed the blade material to stay at 2.5 mm. It is almost unique among modern folding knives. You have to search among Victorinox and other slip joints to find such thin blades. Mini Praxis is not ultra-thin behind the edge, but at the same time, 0.5-0.6 mm doesn't make a fool of it either.
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| The blackened blade is made of D2 |
What is achieved with this combination of a high grind and a thin blade stock is of course a knife that cuts well. Mini Praxis does it in the same way as some classic knife models. That is to say that the edge does not even have to be in perfect condition for the knife to be usable because the geometry is so good. Speaking of grind, the factory edge is well done. Sharp and fairly symmetrical. It is slightly steeper towards the tip but not so much that it is remarkable.
Of course, these characteristics leave an impression on how the knife feels to use. In fact, it cuts really damn well! It is noticeable when working with paper and cardboard. The first is passed with a faint hissing sound and the second material this knife eats for breakfast. As long as you put your finger in the indentation on the blade, that is, otherwise you will easily get stuck there like on all knives with "choils". It becomes even clearer when cutting fabric or the like.
It will be even more fun if you use the knife as an aid to the picnic sandwich. Slicing a small tomato and attacking a piece of innocent salami is a joy. Although the climate at these latitudes makes such activities a bit chilly at this time of year.
All in all, the Mini Praxis is a very likable little pocket knife as small quick cuts are easily completed. This applies to tasks such as cutting threads, cutting thinner ropes, tape, opening boxes, and so on. Tasks you want a small sharp knife for. This is especially true since the tip is thin and sharp and does what it is supposed to do.
Handle
It is mainly in this area that the shrinking of knife models tends to derail.* Before I discuss it, it can be stated that the handle in question is 1.1 cm thick, 19-21 mm high and 9.7 cm long of which 7.8 cm alternatively 10.3 cm can be counted as grip length. The different measurements depending on whether the "forward finger choil", the indentation made for the index finger in the blade, is included or not.
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| The handle is roomy for the size of the finger choil that is included |
The material in the sides is G10, which, however, is so smooth that I have difficulty distinguishing it from, for example, FRN (fiber-reinforced nylon). They are screwed in place with two screws found far back on the handle. They are pulled into the two hourglass-shaped spacers found there along with a thin bolt to put a lanyard around.
The construction gives a very open back. Something the supporters of such, claim makes knives easier to clean, which is bullshit. Namely, that also means that debris can penetrate much more easily and get stuck in the often drilled/milled frames found inside of the knife. So also in this case, incidentally. The frame is very light and that along with the modest blade weight is what makes this knife so light even though the materials are not very advanced.
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| Outside the well-polished frame are found sides in smooth G10. The frame rises a little above the sides, which in turn are beveled to feel more rounded in the hand |
Now I don't have an original to compare it to but I want to think that knife is better in hand. At least for me because here some problems arise and it is connected to hand size. I can imagine that those with very small hands do not experience it in the same way.
But what happens is that I can't grip the knife comfortably in a normal hammer grip. I can only fit three fingers and a very small part of the little finger in that case.** It also makes the clip want to rub on the inside of the hand. Now it's not the whole world on a knife this small. They are rarely used for heavy cutting or carving anyway.
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| The Mini Praxis feels reasonably well-balanced and can be held in most grips, or almost all depending on hand size |
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| In a hammer grip, only three fingers can fit unless the recess in the blade is used |
This means that for me this knife is easiest to grip in a saber grip with the thumb on the grooves on the back of the blade. Then the Mini Praxis becomes a pure three-finger knife for me, but both the clip and the back end of the handle end up inside the hand and cause no problems.
Grips with an index finger on the blade and with the knife in a pinch grip are excellent on the knife.
Opening and Lock
The people at Civivi are experts in making flipper knives, it can be confirmed again after testing this knife. The geometry is excellent, the bearings do what they should and the lock does as well.
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| The flipper tab is small but thanks to the grooves the finger does not slip off and the function is excellent |
If we start with the flipper tab, it is of a well-proportioned size and provided with a pattern so that neither the index finger nor other fingers slip off. It can also be used however you want. Pushing down, pulling back, using the thumb, or whatever the user feels like works just as well.
In addition, Civivi knows the art of tuning the resistance in the detent ball that keeps the blade in place to perfection. The result is a knife that opens reliably, is lightning-fast, and is fun to play with for those who appreciate that aspect of knife ownership.
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| A liner lock in steel provides security |
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| But there is not much space left when the lock is to be disengaged |
In the same way, the lock is well executed. It is a simple liner lock in steel which does the trick. The function is good and the blade is held in place without any movement in the blade even if you grab the tip and try to provoke the lock. I have also not noticed any tendency for it to slip if you put pressure on the blade or or subjected it to negative pressure against the back.
If there is anything negative to object to, it is that the lock is not the easiest to disengage. The thin blade naturally ensures that the slot is not particularly wide and the recess on the opposite side of the handle is minimal. So you have to use the soft parts of the tip of the thumb and use it to dig out the lock bar. It's not the most convenient way to do it. But in return, it is not a large knife so spring tension is not overwhelming. But it is not optimal.
To Carry
Quite often I tend to claim that small knives are easy to carry as long as a few rules are followed. For a starter, the sides should not be too grippy, especially not where the clip is located. Secondly, sharp details should not stick out from the knife. It can be flipper tabs, thumb studs, blade bases, etc. And the knife must have a functional clip if the knife is now equipped with one. All this can be found at Mini Praxis.
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| Modest format, smooth handle sides, efficient clip, and low weight make the Mini Praxis easy to carry |
The clip is one of Civivi's standard types, which means that the tension is good, the ramp small but effective, and the space below decent. Not ideal in this case because a small knife with a matching clip of course gives less space. But what is there is exemplarily used as the clip is recessed in the handle side and the screw heads are recessed in the clip. It is painted black to match the color scheme of this version of the knife and is of the deep ride type. Extremely discreet, in other words.
However, it cannot be moved to the opposite side, a fact that is a bit of a kick in the groin for left-handers.
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| The clip cannot be moved but fits very well where it is recessed into the side of the handle with discreet screws |
The size of the knife is modest and but it's perhaps mainly the weight that impresses. As said before, the materials are not exclusive, but the frame is lightened and the blade stock thin, which means that the total weight ends up under 80 g.
The knife also measures under 100 mm in length and is around 10 mm thick. Overall, this makes the knife extremely easy to carry. Especially as the material in the sides, as I said, is not the least bit coarse. What can be a slight disadvantage when it comes to grip is in this area an asset.
To Conclude
It is not always completely successful to shrink existing knife models. Sometimes it goes well but just as often the proportions don't work and the handles in particular can be a bit strange. But that is not the case with Mini Praxis. Or I don't know because I don't have the original. But this version works well provided you know what you are getting. It is a small knife and for me personally, it limited the number of useful grips and affects how I hold the knife. Even so, it works great for the small tasks I use it for.
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| The Mini Praxis does well as an "EDC" knife |
It also makes the knife exceptionally easy to carry around, and that's always nice. But the best thing about this knife in my opinion is the design and geometry of the blade. The way it is done is exemplary and renders applause from my side. No more is needed for a small pocket knife. The exception is if you are looking for a certain look. That the design somehow requires a thicker blade and that as a manufacturer you, therefore, let form influence function. This is not the case here, and therefore we have a 2.5 mm blade that is thinned to 0.5 mm behind the edge via a flat grind.
Those choices are the main merits of this knife and the result is a knife that cuts really well. Then again, I don't think it looks too bad either, although in this format it feels more generic than its larger cousin, which seems to have a more tangible presence. Size matters in that case.
But there is a downside, but that opinion is debatable. Namely, I belong to those who are generally not fond of "choils". Of course, the cutouts make room for larger hands, but in return, they steal a good chunk of the edge and mainly get in the way if they're not in use. Cutting something in fabric or other soft material is difficult, it likes to get stuck in that damn recess. In other words, they force the user to use them whether they want to or not. To justify "forward finger choils" requires that the handle of the knife be designed completely around them.***
When we're still talking about grip, the G10 material could actually be a bit coarser. It's not often I say this but this surface is very slippery.
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| Civivi Mini Praxis, is an excellent little knife for those looking for something that cuts really well |
Who is the Civivi Mini Praxis made for? Here I can see some different categories of knife buyers. On the one hand, of course, we find those who are collectors or just like Civivi in general. Perhaps they appreciated the original and want to add it to their collection. Then we have those who for one reason or another eyed that knife but need or want something smaller. That category is quite large, I suspect. You may want a smaller knife for two reasons, either because the law where you live requires it or because your needs are met by a smaller blade. You simply don't need more.
But the Mini Praxis is also a knife for those who have never owned or known a Civivi but are looking for a small pocket knife. The arguments are spelled manufacturing quality, handling (at least opening) and that it is a small slicing machine. They simply do not fail in quality, at least not this far and the knife is lightning-fast to open. Then there was the blade, which is this knife's greatest asset. Yes, maybe that's enough? If you're looking for those qualities and like the look, just go for it.
But then I was about to miss another big or maybe small selling point? I touched on it initially That's the price, in this case, they've managed to push it to $35 in MSRP from Civivi. I'm not really sure what it might end up being in stores, but it sure is a good start anyway.
Specifications:
Length Overall: 173 mm
Length Folded: 97 mm
Weight: 79 g
Blade Length: 75 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,5 mm
Blade Steel: D2
Handle: G10
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: Civivi, made in China
/ J
* An example is when OKC shrunk RAT1 to RAT2. Some claim it's an excellent little knife but I'm one of the exceptions who claim the handle on that knife is terrible. The proportions are not good, which among other things means that the existing finger choil is lousy for anyone who does not have piano fingers.
** I have size 11-12 in gloves.
*** Examples of such knives are Cold Steel Tuff Lite, Spyderco Lil' Native, CRKT Pilar, and MKM Isonzo.
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