Review Civivi Buster FG

  

-  the friendly giant

Civivi has once again collaborated with a knife designer, and the result is this model called Buster FG. A knife that has a very clear design language and a lock that, for the initiated, speaks of who is behind the design. That said, it also feels like a continuation of or perhaps a cousin to another knife, the Vision FG. A model I have previously reviewed positively here on the blog.

The question is, am I just as satisfied this time?

Civivi Buster FG

The man behind the look and certainly also the lock is Snecx Tan from Malaysia and his Snecx Design Lab. It's time for a new "FG" model, where the abbreviation stands for Field Grade and means production versions of custom knives.

This time, a few things have changed and mainly the format that distinguishes this one from the Vision FG. The size has increased significantly, which is the first noticeable thing.

Buster FG is available with handles in both G10 in a couple of different colors and Micarta for those who prefer it, which I happen to do.

Buster FG is a full-sized knife designed by Snecx Tan

Short version: Civivi Buster FG, a Snecx design for those who like big, bold knives with a Super Lock

Blade

This is an impressive blade. Partly it is the shape that does it, and partly, of course, the size itself. As mentioned earlier, the Buster FG is a substantial knife, which is also noticeable here. The blade is over a decimeter long, 107 mm even. In addition, it is 34 mm high and 4 mm thick. This makes it both visible and noticeable.

The imposing blade is a sheep's foot that measures over a decimeter in length.

In this version, it is provided with a black coating, and otherwise it is stone-washed. The steel used is Nitro-V. A steel that has been used on and off by several different manufacturers. The steel is something of a derivative of Swedish 14C28N and AEB-L and therefore has similar properties. This makes it practically an all-round steel in the mid-price range. In other words, a competent steel for EDC knives. If you want to delve into the properties of the steel, you can find an article here. 

The blade shape is a very large sheep's foot. This means in practice, a completely straight edge. Only the last part of the edge towards the tip has a very small bend. The blade is also almost completely flat ground down to a thickness behind the edge of around 0.5 mm. It is quite sturdy, but so is the knife.

If you look closely, the blackened blade is discreetly marked. If you have eagle eyes, you can read the steel type at the ricasso, Nitro-V

When you cut with the knife, it doesn't really offer any surprises. It works as it looks.

If we start with the tip, it is more noticeable than many other knives with this blade type. Here it is quite pronounced, which means that it penetrates excellently. It is also sharp without being too thin, which makes it durable as long as you don't use it as a pry bar.

The blade itself would probably work on a kitchen knife because it's so wide. But because of the completely straight edge, it's not a favourite in that area. Which, as I always point out, no folding knife really is.

There's a lot of cardboard when you buy an ice cream maker. Buster can handle it, but he's not really the best at it.

For small jobs like cutting tape, string, nylon straps and cable ties, this is an excellent blade. This is especially true for tasks like the last one, where the rather steep edge comes into its own; it is strong. But for the same reason, you need to use more strength when cutting cardboard of different thicknesses with this knife. The resistance is simply greater due to both the geometry and the thickness of the blade, although the latter disappears a little due to the height of the blade combined with a flat grind.

In wood, the blade is better than you might think, especially when cutting fresh branches and the like and when you have to cut something off. But the Buster FG is not something you do crafts with. The height of the blade and the completely straight edge are not the best in that regard.

Overall, it is a practical blade, but not really for everything. Then the size means that, at least where I live, it is not something you drag into the office to open a box of paper with either.

Handle

The handle of this knife is quite large, but of course, it needs to be to accommodate the massive blade. The length is 139 mm and is based on a sturdy steel frame that is black to match the colour scheme. To reduce the knife's overall weight, there is not only a lightened frame but also through holes in the handle. Interesting to note is that there is also a round hole that looks like a lanyard hole. But hey, it's not. If you place a string there, the blade will cut it!

A large and spacious handle with Canvas-Micarta sides in this case

The Buster FG is open at the back, with only the visible lock bar. The knife is assembled at two points along with the adjustable pivot screw, which is Civivi's usual type. This means that the logo is the head on one side, and a T8 screw is found on the other side. It is also D-shaped, so it does not twist if you want to adjust or disassemble the knife.

The knife is semi-open at the back as the lock bar takes up some space.

The length of the handle is matched by a thickness of 13 mm, which together makes it impossible not to find a good position on this handle. The available area behind the part of the handle that forms a smaller finger guard to the back end of the handle, where it swells, is almost ten centimetres. If you have thicker gloves on, you can also have your finger behind that point if necessary.

The sides are made of Canvas-Micarta, which is one of my favourite materials. It gives a warm and comfortable feel to the hand while providing some friction without feeling rough. Another important feature is that it ages with style. The more you use the knife, the more patina the handle gets.

In hand, all grips work without complaints

On this knife, both hammer grip and sabre grip are equally good. If you also want to get even closer to what is being cut, the surfaces are so large that you can sneak a finger close to the blade if you wish. The good balance contributes to the nice feeling in the hand. Fortunately, all the holes are in the handle; rather than luck, it is good design. The balance point is found in the same area where the lock bar ends.

Opening and Lock

Buster FG is intended to be opened with a thumb stud. But due to the type of lock and the mass of the blade, there are alternative ways to get the blade out for those who want to do a little trickery.

The thumb studs are otherwise excellent. They meet the requirements that can be set. That is, they sit a bit out from the handle, which provides good leverage and thus makes the blade easy to fold out. Furthermore, they are long enough to provide grip but short enough not to stick out too much. Then they are also completely out of the way when you cut something because they are found near the handle when the knife is open.

The thumb buttons work exceptionally well, but there are alternative opening methods

But then there were the more or less thought-out alternatives. The lock is, of course, not completely out of the ordinary, as all variants where the blade can be completely released work the same. This also applies to button locks and different variants of cross-bar locks. Here it is a different lock, but if it is released, the blade swings freely and as it swings. The blade is not only heavy, but it also runs on ceramic bearings, so it moves almost friction-free.

Added to this is a more involuntary opening method. Thanks to the above-mentioned properties, it is possible to "gravity open" the Buster FG. If you flick your wrist, the blade flies out! There is no detent in the world, not one that works anyway, that can hold that blade in place if it is provoked in that way. That said, the detent is not so weak that there is any risk of the knife being accidentally opened.

The lock is an invention from Snecx called "Super Lock". A really solid lock

The lock in question has been named "Super lock" and is, as previously mentioned, an invention of Snecx. It is a very effective lock. It really holds the blade in place with authority. There is not a hint of movement in the large sheep's foot blade.

The lock is released by pulling the lock bar back, and then it also slides slightly upwards. The spring resistance is quite strong, so there is no risk of it being released by mistake.

The only thing the user needs to be aware of is that the weight of the blade makes this a "finger guillotine". The blade comes flying at a hell of a speed, which risks cutting off a fingertip. In addition, it is so heavy that, combined with the speed, it tends to bounce back out again. The solution to both problems is to put the knife a little on its side when closing so that the speed is not quite as noticeable.

To Carry

The Buster FG is big, a fact that cannot be ignored. Especially not when it is carried. In this case, a big knife also means a lot of volume due to the blade shape. This is not a narrow fillet knife blade we are talking about. The height of the knife is 44 mm, and the thickness across the spine is 13 mm. The latter is not excessive, but together with the height and a folded length of around 14 cm, you have a lot of knife in your pocket.

The weight is also noticeable. No anchor, but the Buster FG still weighs in at 175 grams. This is even though it is lightened in several places and even has through holes!

The clip is nothing unusual, but the placement is

It makes you notice that you are carrying this knife. In thinner linen pants, I notice that it even weighs down the pocket. But of course, that is a choice you make. On the other hand, you get a lot of blade in your pocket for the weight.

However, pulling and putting the knife away is quite easy. The micarta has structure, but nothing that stops the knife, and the clip works well. 

Is that a Buster in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Buster FG demands its space

The clip is nothing extraordinary, but taken from the Civivi catalogue. It means a simpler spring steel clip that does its job very well. The ramp works, and so does the space underneath. Large enough to accommodate most fabric thicknesses except possibly the thickest. The space is maximised by the clip being thankfully recessed in the handle side and equipped with flat screw heads. The screws are in tandem and are size T6. The size can cause problems if you tighten the screws or remove the clip frequently. However, it is not something I do, so I very rarely experience it as a problem.

The clip is black to match the rest of the knife's colour scheme and is placed a little differently. It is not located centrally on the handle but towards the back. In that case, it is excellent because, combined with the size of the handle, it means that the clip does not rub against the hand at all. The rear end of the clip, which can otherwise cause discomfort when it comes to "deep ride" clips, ends up outside the hand here.

To the delight of all left-handed people, the clip can be moved to the other side if desired. This, together with the type of lock, makes the knife completely ambidextrous.

To Conclude

I don't really know what to think of the Buster FG. Or well, I actually do, but my relationship with this knife is not entirely straightforward.

First of all, it can be said that, like all knives from Civivi, it is extremely well built. All the usual quality markers can be checked off. The blade is centred, the factory edge is good, the edges and corners are rounded and ground, the fit is good, and both the lock and folding mechanism are excellent. So far, no problems.

The design language is recognisable. Both knives are collaborations between Civivi and Snecx Tan

I have no objections to the design either. It is typical Snecx, that's what I was referring to in the introduction when I wrote that it was recognisable. In this case, it is mainly the blade that sets the tone with its distinctive appearance. There is something certain about both wharncliffe and sheep's foot blades when they are scaled up.

Buster FG works as an EDC knife, but feel free to supplement with something smaller

In return, you get a blade that works well for almost everything and a handle that is generally excellent. This applies to most hand sizes as it is narrow enough for smaller hands and long enough for larger sizes.

But it was probably the "almost everything" thing that stuck out to me. I have found that apart from the appearance, I am not completely sold on the idea of ​​completely straight edges. It is neat, and it gives a certain air to the knife, but it is also a bit limiting. It is mostly about sweeping cuts, but above all about the fact that they are more difficult to use against flat surfaces such as pieces of wood or cutting boards. When working against such, the tip is automatically used most. 

It is also not a blade that is completely optimal for cutting wood, although it is better than you might think.

Then there was the big stumbling block. For some people, it is a non-issue, and it may be for me some days. But the Buster FG is too big and, above all, too heavy to be my daily pocket knife. The 175 grams is not much, given the dimensions of the knife, but in absolute terms, it is something that feels substantial in a pocket.

So it's finally spring, Civivi Buster FG is a sturdy knife also for outdoor use for those who like straight edges.

But with that said, for those who like straight edges and this type of look, the Buster FG is a really good option. There aren't many knives that offer it in this format. Especially not one that also includes a "Super lock" and the quality that comes with knives from Civivi. For all of you, this is a damn good buy. The knife is priced at around $117 on the website. 

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 245 mm

Length Closed: 139 mm

Weight: 175 g

Blade Length: 107 mm

Blade Thickness: 4 mm

Blade Steel: Nitro-V

Handle: Canvas Micarta

Lock: Super Lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - looking for a sheep missing a foot

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review Civivi Clingman

  - the knife that is almost there

Trends come and go in the knife world, just as they do everywhere else. One such trend, or movement, depending on how long the phenomenon lasts, is that YouTubers not only test knives but also design them. Without thinking too much, I can immediately think of four or five names that have done it that way.

One of the latter I have come across is behind this model from Civivi called Clingman. A question that immediately arises is whether the experience and knowledge that comes from having tested many knives shines through in the end result. Another, and perhaps more difficult to answer, is whether the end product differs from something that a more typical knife maker/designer would have made.

Civivi Clingman

The man who designed this specific knife is, in any case, called Taylor Martin and runs the YouTube channel  Best Damned EDC.

According to his own statement, the inspiration for the Clingman was taken from his upbringing, his father and grandfather. The fact that it became something that can partly be said to be a "modern traditional" is perhaps not so strange. The blade has a bit of a Bowie feel to it, even though the format is otherwise small.

The goal with the Clingman was to design what Martin considers the perfect knife for EDC - "Every Day Carry". It is a field that is quite broad and, of course, clearly influenced by what your everyday life looks like. But one thing they all have in common is that they should be easy to carry. A requirement that the Clingman definitely meets. Let's find out what it can do beyond that.

Incidentally, the knife is named after a mountain peak in the Appalachians.

Taylor Martin's interpretation of the perfect pocket knife. Here in the dim winter light

Short version: Civivi Clingman is an attempt to create the ultimate EDC knife, but it only partially succeeded

Blade

What makes me associate the term "modern traditionals" in connection with Clingman is definitely the blade shape. It is a pronounced clip point with a sabre grind. Or if you want a small Bowie knife blade, as I mentioned above. With that also comes a fairly pronounced false edge. This, in turn, gives a distinct aesthetic.

The finish is satin, and the marking is discreet as usual in the case of knives from Civivi. Completely unmarked on the presentation side and the BDE logo on the opposite side.

The blade is three inches or 76 mm long, 20 mm high and 3 millimetres thick. Relatively sturdy for a small blade, in other words.

The small blade has clear "Bowie" references

How do you get a small blade to cut well? Especially since the thickness in this context is actually quite substantial and a primary grind that is as low as 11 mm. The answer to the question is, of course, that you do it hollow grind like here. Then you quickly get the thickness behind the edge down to 0.4-0.5 mm. That, combined with an equally excellent edge that Civivi usually has, means that you have a real small scalpel in your pocket. A surgeon's blade that also has a formidable tip. Or maybe that wasn't a completely correct analogy, I realise now. The knife came really sharp, but the analogy with the aforementioned surgical tool is lame, as the knife is actually quite thick behind the edge.

It is then combined with a steel in the form of Nitro-V.

The steel is Nitro-V, with a hollow grind.

What is a bit special and almost makes the Clingman feel like a recurve/S-shaped edge is that the blade sits at a fairly steep angle downwards in relation to the handle. The advantage of such a solution is that it is easier to get power into the cut as the blade bites harder, after which the cut continues.

This is reinforced by the blade shape, which gives a clear belly and is therefore also good for longer, sweeping cuts. Think of a skinning blade in miniature.

The tip is given the blade shape, very good. It is not only sharp and penetrates well, but it is also found exactly where it should be. Or more simply put, in the knife's imagined centre line.

But I still have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied with the blade. A blade with such a low primary edge and relatively thick material means that it cuts, especially double-walled cardboard, heavier than similar flat-ground blades. This applies to all similar materials. The same can be said if you cut fruit and vegetables. Not impossible by any means, but not perfect either.

As usual, the blade geometry is a trade-off of properties, and the user must decide for themselves what is best. 

Handle

The construction of the handle is not much to talk about. It is well built, as always with knives from Civivi. A heavily lightened steel frame forms the basis. The knife is open at the back and is held together by two spacers and a bolt that acts as a lanyard attachment. Clingman is built according to the modern template 1A for simpler knives, as I usually say.

The handle's overall shape is one of the areas where I disagree with Taylor Marin

On the outside of the frame, you will find sides of either G10 or, as shown here, Micarta. The latter is also available in a couple of different colours. I chose brown because I think it gives the most traditional look. Especially since Micarta is a material that ages and gets a patina over time. The sides are completely flat and only slightly bevelled.

The length of the handle is 102 mm, but since the front part forms a smaller finger guard and the back end curves slightly, only 84 mm of grip surface remains. That's not much, and one of the features I don't fully appreciate about the knife. The thickness is 12 mm, which is quite a lot in relation to the height, which varies between 20 mm at most and 16 mm at least.

The handle is open at the back

Micarta is a material that doesn't provide much grip in itself, but here it's the shape of the handle that makes up for it. The handle is slightly curved, and the back follows the inside of the hand in a good way. But then we get to the part I don't agree with at all. Mr Martin must have very different hands compared to mine, because the Clingman is not my favourite to hold or work with.

The grips that work best with the Clingman are those intended for very light work, such as holding the knife in a pinch grip or in a loose sabre grip.

The thing is that, in addition to being quite "low", which doesn't fill the hand very well, the underside is shaped so that you have a bump in the middle. I don't know exactly what it's there for, although they are usually there to provide a better grip for the fingers, usually the index finger. But here the space in front of it is too big for just one finger, and the others don't have enough space if the knife is held that way. But it's also too small for two fingers. My middle finger then ends up directly on top of the bump, which just feels strange.  

When the hand is closed around the handle with the index finger behind the finger guard, my middle finger ends up right over the raised part of the handle and my little finger right over the back edge, which is not optimal.

This makes the Clingman not particularly comfortable to hold, except for very light tasks, as it is difficult to get a firm grip, as the handle is so small, not just in length but also in height. At the same time, the bump makes the hammer grip feel less good.

Overall, a handle that does not fit my hand very well despite the seemingly simple and straightforward shape.

Opening and Lock

When it comes to opening methods, the Clingman is very modern. It offers a thumb spring but also a discreet front flipper. Consequently, there are several ways to open the knife. Especially since you can flick it out with an index finger on the back of the blade, or open the knife with two hands, of course.

Clingman also boasts multiple opening methods

Sometimes it can be tricky to combine several different ways to open a knife, as they often require different resistance in the detent ball or the lock, depending on which one is used. Here it is a ball that, like the bearings found in the knife, is also made of ceramic. This ensures a long service life, and as a bonus, they cannot rust.

But Civivi is good at locks and openings, so in this case, both basic methods are equally effective.

The double-sided thumb studs are certainly small, but they are well placed and stick out just enough to be easy to access. In addition, they are out of the way when the knife is used, and are found close to the handle. There are horror examples where thumb studs are found halfway out on the blade. Here, it is clear that Taylor Martin knows what he is looking for in an EDC knife. 

The lock is a liner lock that performs its function excellently.

Accessing the lock itself is trickier, however. The resistance in the lock bar is not particularly strong, but poking your thumb into the blade notch is a necessity to get there.

Unlike many others, I have nothing against liner locks. It's lucky because that's what's found here. It's not terribly thick, given that the thickness of the frame is 1.5 mm. But it's very well made. The blade is held in place in a firm grip without movement in the open position, and it locks as it should. The plus point is also that it's relatively easy to disengage.

However, that only applies to moving the lock bar. Getting there is a bit more complicated as this is a small knife, which means that even the blade notch is small, and you have to poke the tip of your thumb in to access the lock. Not exactly easy with big fingers. The recess on the opposite side is actually a bit small. 

To Carry

I wrote at the beginning of this review that all good EDC knives have at least one thing in common. There can be different opinions about blade shapes, and the same applies to handle design and materials. But they have to be good to carry to qualify, and the Clingman does that.

A luxurious detail, given the price range, is that the Clingman comes with a milled titanium clip.

This is perhaps not surprising, as the weight is really low at 75 g. Then the dimensions are modest as mentioned. What was a disadvantage when it came to filling the hand now shows its strengths. Small volume, a low handle and soft outer shapes make the Clingman excellent to carry.

Given the nature of the clip, some of the handle is visible when the knife is carried.

Another positive aspect is that the clip is actually good. I write "actually" because one of the few concessions to the purely cosmetic is that the knife has been fitted with a titanium clip. A milled one at that.

It is small, discreet and fits the knife well. Even better is that it does not negatively affect the grip when working with the Clingman. The tension is good for this type, and the space underneath is, if not large, then adequate. The ramp also works as long as the fabric in the jacket or trouser pocket is not too thick. 

To Conclude

So what remains is an attempt to answer the questions posed in the introduction. Or at least as far as possible.

It is difficult to answer whether this model looks different compared to one that some other knife maker or designer has been behind. One thing can be said, however, that it is not as "confused", if the expression is allowed, as some knives can be these days. In the eagerness to constantly come out with new models, it sometimes happens that knives are pure desk designs. That is, they are never tested in reality or even particularly well thought out. They are made to look a specific way, and if they happen to have good properties, that is a plus, but not a requirement.

To answer the question, I would have needed to see more knives from Martin. Only then would it have been possible to see whether there is a general design language on his part. That detail is overlooked if one only starts from practical considerations with a stated goal. Knives then tend to become somewhat generic. In addition, a single model is not a very broad selection. Especially not if one wants to study whether there are common denominators. 

Clingman is good-looking, in a sort of old-fashioned way

However, it can be said that the average knife reviewer has probably handled more knives than most, including many knife makers, and in several respects, it is noticeable that this is a well-thought-out design and that it is designed by someone who has tested a lot and knows how he wants it.

This is evident in the fact that certain characteristics have been prioritised. One such is that the knife should be easy to carry. In that area, the Clingman undoubtedly gets the highest rating. Another area is that the knife should be flexible in terms of use. The blade shape provides both a point and a belly, and the relatively thick material provides stability while avoiding the disadvantages of a low sabre grind through a hollow-ground edge. The Clingman thus cuts well in most, if not all, cases. So far, the overall impression is good.

Then there are more examples, such as the placement of the thumb studs making them almost completely out of the way of what is being cut, that there is a substantial "sharpening coil", and the angle between the blade and the handle that increases the power of the cuts. The design of those details is also no coincidence.

But then there are things that I personally would have chosen to do differently. Firstly, I would have chosen to make the knife slightly larger. Not turn it into a large knife, but a "half" size larger. This applies especially to the handle. As it is now, it is too "low" for me to appreciate it. I prefer handles that do not lean towards the round/square direction when it comes to the width/height ratio. Think of Laguiolle knives as real sinners in this regard. That type of knife always gives me the feeling that they want to roll in my hand.

What bothers me the most is the knob in the middle of the handle. It doesn't suit everyone and should, in my opinion, have been made smaller to accommodate only one finger or removed altogether. If it were to be done afterwards, it would make the handle even thinner.

But everything is chosen based on personal preferences, which makes the knife unique in that respect and therefore may not suit everyone.

Then, in general, I think that knife manufacturers should stop being so anxious and try to satisfy every single knife aficionado. It's actually enough to have one way to open the knife. In this case, the thumb studs, although the front flipper is not in the way in any way, are just redundant.

Civivi Clingman is a good pocket knife for lighter tasks, with the emphasis on "pocket". 

Not many concessions to style have been made on the Civivi Clingman, apart from the luxurious detail of a titanium clip and possibly the combination of a stylish blade with distinctive lines, combined with, above all, Micarta in the handle. But that was actually what I fell for from the start. The Clingman looks like a small Bowie knife or perhaps a small reinterpretation of a Buck 112 or similar folding knife. At the same time, modern materials and manufacturing methods make it superior to them in most respects.

If you appreciate that aesthetic and want an ultra-light, modern EDC knife for lighter tasks, then this is something for you. But you should be aware that it is smaller than you might be led to believe and that the handle is a bit special.

The price is currently around 780 SEK in Europe.

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 178 mm

Length Folded: 102 mm

Weight: 76 g (weighed by me, stated 75g)

Blade Length: 76 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: Nitro-V

Handle: Micarta

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - almost satisfied

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Recension Civivi Sentinel Strike II

 

-  När större faktiskt blir bättre

Civivi är ett varumärke som har utvecklats efter hand och ständigt verkar sträva uppåt. Från att i början mest ha varit ett rent budgetalternativ avknoppat från WE-knife till att mer stå på egna ben. Den här kniven kallad Sentinel Strike II är ett lysande bevis på det. 

Det här är ett exempel på en riktigt bra kniv oavsett vilken prisnivå det handlar om. Kanske inte den mest exklusiva sett till material men väl till formgivning, handhavande och inte minst tillverkningskvalitét och passform. 

Civivi Sentinel Strike II

Först kanske vi skall reda ut vad "II" står för. I princip är det här samma kniv som ettan fast bladformen fått sig en rejäl överhalning. Den första modellen hade ett djärvt modifierat Wharncliffe-blad med ett stort hål i. Faktum är att jag inte tycker att den modellen är särskilt attraktiv. 

Men så kom den här varianten med ett drop point-blad och så var mitt intresse väckt. En större Civivi-kniv var faktiskt det jag sökte då de flesta i katalogen är av något mindre modell. 

Nu är det inte riktigt vilket blad som helst då det har en compound grind eller ett blad med flera slipfaser. Sedan delar den här versionen flera egenskaper med originalet som till exempel det rätt speciella handtaget. Sammantager en riktigt intressant kniv, stor lätt och tämligen dramatisk.

En stor och rejäl kniv som trots det är lätt och välbalanserad

Kortversion: Civivi Sentinel Strike II, en fällkniv som inte bara är väl tilltagen, den är även lätt och välbalanserad samt skär förträffligt. En riktig mångsysslare!

Blad

Det är ett rejält blad vi har framför oss, längden är 94 mm och höjden 31 mm. Däremot är det inte överdrivet tjockt med sina 3 mm. Det är till och med tämligen nätt för att vara så stort. De proportionerna gör det tunt och den egenskapen förstärks av att större delen av eggen är skålslipad. Det gör att den är riktigt tunn bakom eggen, 0,3 mm för att vara exakt. 

Sedan har bladet som sagt en compound grind vilket innebär att spetsen är flatslipad, det är det som den rundade övergången visar. Dock är även den delen tämligen smäcker. Så visst är spetsen förstärkt men inte mycket. Den är rätt delikat men det gör den också till ett utmärkt verktyg. 

Det stora bladet har fått en antydan till  tantospets och en compound grind där huvuddelen är skålslipad

Bladets form förstärks av den rejäla falskegg som löper längs största delen av bladet. Sedan kan sägas att sättet att slipa kniven ger den en svag tanto-tendens. Med sin svängda främre del får den nog sägas vara en japansk sådan. Men det kan tilläggas att vid den första riktiga omslipningen kommer den försvinna och kvar kommer vara en mer traditionell drop point med en rätt rejäl buk tack vare höjden på bladet. Funktionsmässigt är det redan en sådan. 

Finishen är en rätt fin stentumling. Bladstålet är Nitro-V, ett välbalanserat mellanklass-stål som återfinns i klassen kring eller strax över 14C28N och liknande material. Det håller skärpan väl men inte i samma utsträckning som finare stål. Det är tämligen rosttrögt och segt nog för att inte få flisor i första taget.   

Stålet är Nitro-V

Sentinel Strike II är riktigt bra till det mesta kan slås fast. Ett brett men tunt blad gör det särskilt lämpligt till att skära i material där man behöver bra styrsel som i kartong och liknande. Den lilla tantoliknande sekundärspetsen kommer jag dock slipa bort då den förvisso inte gör mycket skada men irriterar mig lite då det kan bli ett litet "stopp" när man skär i textilier för att ta ett exempel. 

I övrigt är det här ett blad som fungerar oväntat bra till att skära i trä med. Dock får man var lite försiktig så man inte bänder för mycket i sidled när man lossar eggen i och med att den är tunn. Att den är bra till att skära rep med var mer väntat. 

Till jakt skulle jag väl inte använda en fällkniv alls och särskilt inte en med diverse dekorativa hål i handtaget som försvårar rengöring men bladet skulle utan tvekan kunna användas till det så snart den omtalade sekundärspetsen är bortslipad. Formen gör nämligen att långa svepande skär går utmärkt i största allmänhet. 

Spetsen är också mycket duglig. Förstärkt är den förvisso men det i så liten grad så den är fortfarande mycket tunn. Det gör att penetrerande skär i diverse material är lätta att göra. Sist behövde jag en improviserad tratt som jag gjorde av en PET-flaska och till den sortens uppgifter är det här en bra kniv. Överlag är spetsen också lättkontrollerad då den befinner sig i knivens tänkta mittlinje. 

Handtag

Sentinel Strike II har ett handtag som inte tillhör de vanligaste. Det som gör att det sticker ut är kombinationen av aluminium och en back spacer i FRN. Det udda med den är av integral-typ vilket gör att den täcker delar av sidorna och hela ryggen. Det gör även att kniven får en känsla av att vara en integral (ett handtag gjort av ett enda stycke) trots att det inte är det. 

Fördelen med ryggar som inte är öppna är att det ger större kontaktyta mot handen vilket minskar risken för eventuellt skav. 

Handtagets form är välbekant och storleken är rejält tilltagen

Aluminiumet har borstats till en grå yta som påminner om titan vilket nog inte är en slump. Ytan är tillräckligt hård för att repor inte skall uppstå alltför enkelt. Kanterna är rejält fasade vilket gör handtaget lite mjukare i handen. Från sidan sett har det fått tre hål borrade från vars funktion är rent estetisk. Från sidan syns även Civivis "C"-logotyp som återfinns på pivot-skruven. 

Back spacern kan tack vare utformningen även den ses från sidan. Den är gjord i plast, även om den är en avancerad sådan i form av FRN. Den har fått ett fyrkantsmönster och i ryggen hittas en serie hål. Båda mönstren är för utseendets skull mer än något annat då de inte tillför särskilt mycket extra fäste.  

I ryggen hittas en tämligen unik back spacer gjort av FRN

Det här handtaget är rejält och klarar utan problem de flesta handstorlekar och räcker även till om du bär handskar. Längden är hela 125 mm och den öppna formen utan näbb eller andra avgränsningar baktill gör att det går att greppa hela handtaget. Längden bakom fingerskyddet som bildas av främre delen av handtaget och flipperfenan är 104 mm. Tjockleken är 12 mm, tillräckligt mycket för att fylla handen men tillräckligt tunn för att inte vara för jobbig i fickan. 

Formen är tämligen generisk som i att den har gjorts många gånger förut och kommer att göras många gånger i framtiden. Men det beror på att den fungerar. En rejäl fördjupning för pekfingret följt av en rätt rak form med rundade kanter och hörn. En pinne men en pinne med god ergonomi. 

Ett enkelt men bekvämt och framförallt rymligt handtag

Det är något som märks så fort kniven greppas. Hammargrepp är en utmärkt fattning på den här kniven och sabelgrepp ännu bekvämare. Tummen hamnar precis där den skall och får hjälp med fästet av de räfflor som finns på bladryggens bas. Möjligen kunde de vara lite längre i mitt tycke.  Men de fungerar väl. I båda fattningarna blir det tydligt att det här clipet är utmärkt på så vis att det inte orsakar "hot spots" som kan ge skav. 

Sedan kan man förstås lägga ett pekfinger på bladryggen för bättre kontroll. Sedan har den här kniven ett rejält urtag för pekfingret även på bladet så vill man komma ännu närmre det som skärs flyttar man fram handen ett steg. 

I och med storleken på handtaget är det som sagt inget problem att hitta ett bra grepp. Detsamma gäller om du har tunna arbetshandskar på dig. Därtill kan Sentinel Strike II användas i omvända grepp när så tarvas. Både om håller kniven som en ishacka med en tumme över bakänden på kniven eller om du har eggen mot dig med bladet uppåt. 

Sammantaget ett mycket flexibelt och praktiskt handtag. 

Öppning och lås

Hur önskar du öppna din kniv? Oavsett vad du föredrar så hittas det här, undantaget bladhål då. Men annars fungerar det lika bra att använda de dubbelsidiga tumknopparna som flippern för ändamålet. Det går även att fälla ut bladet långsamt med två händer om så önskas. Sedan går det alltid att använda låset precis som du kan göra med cross bar lås. Det är bara att trycka in knappen varpå låset frigörs och bladet svingar fritt. 

Civivi har fått till låset så att både tumknoppar och flipperfena fungerar lika bra

Att allt fungerar så väl beror på att Civivi fulländat spänningen i den lilla fjäder som håller låsbulten på plats. Med den här typen av lås följer att det är de som håller bladet på plats i infällt läge. Någon "detent-ball" finns inte. 

Tumknopparna är synnerligen angenäma att använda. Den mjuka tunnformen ger bra fäste mot tummen utan att skava. De sitter även tillräckligt långt ut för att ge god åtkomst samt bra hävstång. De återfinns även på ricasson vilket gör att de inte är i vägen när man skär med kniven. 

Även flipperfenan fungerar utmärkt. Som vanligt har Civivi den goda vanan att förse dem med räfflor så inte fingret halkar. Därtill är geometrin sådan att man både kan trycka  flipperfenan rakt nedåt alternativt bakåt. Det gör handhavandet mycket intuitivt. Därtill är det riktigt bra fart på bladet. 

Det är så här man gör ett bra button lock

Låsmekanismen är som kan uttydas av bilderna en button lock också kallat plunge lock ibland. Principen är enkel, en assymetrisk bult med en tjockare och en tunnare del förflyttas i sidled. När den tjockare delen är på plats så pressar den mot baksidan av bladet precis som ett cross bar lås. När knappen trycks in hamnar den tunnare delen i läge och bladet går fritt. Mycket fritt i det här fallet tack vare kullager. 

Låset är extremt välgjort vilket dels ger de mycket fina öppningsegenskaperna jag varit inne på ovan men framförallt håller det bladet i ett järngrepp. Det går inte att uppfatta något glapp i bladet ens om bladet provoceras eller utsätts för tryck från fel håll. 

Den här typen är rent generellt mycket enkla att hantera och det gäller även här. Så överlag toppbetyg för låset!

Att bära

För att vara så stor är Sentinel Strike riktigt bekväm att bära. Förvisso är det en lång kniv med över tolv centimeter i hopfällt läge men i övrigt är den diskret. Tjockleken är inte överdriven men det är ändå inte det som gör den smidig i fickan. Det finns andra orsaker till det. 

Clipet är av stål och rätt långt men trots det mycket diskret mot handen

En är själva utformningen av handtaget. Dels så är det väldigt spolformat som synes. Inget som sticker ut eller hakar i trots att det här är en flipperförsedd kniv. Men det som gör mest är den mjuka ytan hos materialen som gör att kniven lätt slinker både ned och upp ur en ficka. 

Kniven är helt dold i fickan

Sedan är det kombinerat med ett deep ride-clip vilket gör att mycket lite av kniven syns när den är i fickan. Det som gör att det sticker ut en smula, rent utseendemässigt då, är att det är fäst i bakänden av handtaget och inte på sidan som är mer brukligt. Det gör att det går att skifta sida utan att handtagsidan behöver se ut som det attackerats av termiter. 

Formen är sedan förträfflig på det viset att formen gör att clipet är nästan omärkligt när du arbetar med kniven. 

Sammanfattningsvis

Med Sentinel Strike II har Civivi lyckats åstakomma ytterligare en riktigt bra kniv. Den är stor, lätt, välbalanserad och ser inte oäven ut. Allt det där hade redan version ett, möjligen med ett utseende som var mer polariserande än det här. Även om man bortser från det så har drop point-blad andra egenskaper som att de är lättare att använda till svepande skär och inte minst mot flata underlag. Två egenskaper jag uppskattar även om det förstås är situationsbundet. Det är det som gör att jag föredrar den här upplagan.

Förvisso är inte alltid större bättre men ibland förhåller det sig på det viset, därav min underrubrik. I det här fallet innebär det att man får ett rejält grepp om kniven och att det går att nyttja lite mer kraft om så krävs. Ett rejält blad lockar även till lite mer avancerade uppgifter än att bara öppna lådor. Det gör att Sentinel Strike II kan flytta ut i på sjön, skogen eller fjället också och inte bara användas i kontorsmiljö. 

En av knivens främsta egenskaper är att den skär riktigt bra

Sjävla handhavandet av Sentinel Strike II är också mycket sympatiskt. Farten på bladet är imponerande om man i det väger in två aspekter som brukar försvåra den biten - att bladet är riktigt stort och att det inte finns en hårt trimmad detent-kula. Bladet är dock mycket lätt tack vare det relativt tunna bladgodset och inte minst kombinationen av en falskegg och en skålslipning vilket avlägsnar material. Motståndet har åstadkommit med perfekt nivå på fjäderspänningen i låset. En detalj som inte är helt lätt att åstadkomma. Något som bevisas av att alla tillverkare då skulle ha gjort det. 

Utseendet är både bildligt och bokstavligt lite grått. Men en variant av back spacer som ger ett intryck av att kniven är en integral skänker lite flärd. Men det förtas till en del av användandet av FRN som material. Jag hade hellre sett att den gjorts i ett något mer exklusivt material som passat kniven något bättre som G10 eller ännu hellre Micarta. Men det hade troligen drivit upp priset något. 

En annan detalj som jag både kan mista och ha är den lilla kula som finns i änden av handtaget. Det är faktiskt en glaskrossare. Men den är i alla fall diskret och inte vass mot handen som annars brukar vara fallet. Jag tycker detaljen är så meningslös att jag faktiskt inte ens brytt mig om att testa den. 

Civivi Sentinel Strike II är en utmärkt allround-fällkniv i den större skolan

Men så mycket mer negativ kritik av Civivi Sentinel Strike II har jag inte att komma med. Det är en alldeles utmärkt kniv helt enkelt.* Så letar du efter en stor och rejäl kniv som trots det är lätt och välbalanserad så är det här kniven för dig. Den skär förbaskat bra, är lätt att bära och ännu enklare att hantera. 

Civivi Knives

Specifikation:

Längd utfälld: 219 mm

Längd hopfälld: 125 mm

Vikt:105 g (vägd av mig, uppgiven 104,7 g)

Bladlängd: 94 mm

Godstjocklek: 3 mm

Bladstål: Nitro-V

Handtag: Aluminium/FRN

Lås: Button lock

Producerad av: Civivi, tillverkad i Kina

/ J - goes big

* För det får du i skrivande stund betala mellan 1000 och 1500 kr så det lönar sig att jämföra priser.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre