Civivi Elementum - Talk and Test

[@royalhoward2882]

Excellent video and review. I got my CIVIVI ELEMENTUM from Amazon for exactly $50.15 back on March 10th 2022 and I love it. I got the BLACK G10 with the D2 steel blade version. I have many knives but I carry this CIVIVI ELEMENTUM most often. Thanks again for taking the time to create and share this video.

[@SpartanJohns]

Glad you liked the video. I like the Elementum. The micarta handle scales on this one ar not as good as i hoped but still ok for folders, however , i think g10 is a great choice. few things you can do to break g10

[@royalhoward2882]

@@SpartanJohns Thanks for getting back to me.

[@SpartanJohns]

@@royalhoward2882 i always try....even if sometimes it takes me a long time

[@rpow6861]

i have the exact same one and i bloody love it. its one of my very favourite toys.

[@steveottavaino3804]

No ones doing better knife reviews on the net, full stop. Purchased a Elementum in D2 white frag scales and after diddling with it for a week or so boxed all my other EDC knives, all significantly more expensive/prestigious, and went vey merrily along my way Elementum in pocket. It’s not the do everything, all the time, anywhere for everyone knife but it’s close enough to ellipse the rest of my collection. After this superlative review I’m thinking it a good decision. Thank you for the great effort and time taken to present something of true value, it is appreciated. Ciao.

[@SpartanJohns]

I am happy you got the Elementum and like it so much. I looked at the Frag model myself. Looks great! As an EDC knife i also think it is great. Especially considering the price. Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that and am happy when people like my videos. Have a great day! Denis

[@rpow6861]

i totally love my Elementum, its the only knife i own but i feel i made the right choice, its amazing in every way. great video, very comprehensive.

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you. Glad you like the video. And I am also happy that you like the Elementum. I think it is very good for the price. As an edc knife and, as mantioned, a backpocket work knife...i can't really complain about it at all..

[@charlesgraham9954]

iv had the Civivi Elementum for about 3 months. i love it. gets and stays sharp AF. blade flies out, perfect size. u get way more knife than the price tag would say. definitely worth it.

[@SpartanJohns]

I also think so. I would have liked it to be a bit bigger, beefier...with the same proportions and same grind thickness. I know there is a button lock version which is longer but not beefier...As it is: it is a great edc/backpocket work knife imo

[@mtnbound2764]

I just bought one of these because i needed a new edc knife, didnt really do much research, but man, I think i made the right choice, this thing has an almost cult following! it just showed up yesterday and i love it, the burgundy g10 and black d2 blade looks amazing! $52 bucks, and its easily the nicest knife i own. I have several crkt and kershaws, this is much nicer.

[@SpartanJohns]

I agree! Civivi did it right. This is why so many people like it. There are some who don't like it but because it does not suit their needs. From a fit and finish pov, materials, blade geometry, price....there is little you can say against it. And the color combinations....as you mentioned...I also like them. I am sorry I dd not get a "weirder" color combination but I mainly wanted to test their micarta and blade geometry.

[@Errcyco]

D2 has 12% chromium. 13% makes a steel truly stainless. So basically, if you take care to keep it dry and wipe it off, it’s gonna be fine. And the benefits of D2 outweighs it I think anyways.

[@SpartanJohns]

12% or 13% Chromium does not a stainless steel make. This is an interesting subject as 10.5-13% in a steel does offer good corrosion resistance in a mildly corrosive environment. However: by now we know that D2 is not D2. It must only be within certain ranges(%-ages) for the manufacturer to be able to call it D2. Another huge influence is the HT. I like to compare all D2 to my Brisa Trapper. I never had any issues with its mechanical properties as it never chipped, has great edge retention and also I never had any rust develop. Other D2's not so much. When it comes to the Elementum I would not say it is on the same league as my Trapper but better than a lot of other knives. I lowered the edge angle to 13 dps and with normal edc tasks i never had any chips plus the edge retention is good and maintenance on a leather strop is very easy. What do you think the benefits of D2 are compared to other steels?

[@danielsmit3524]

I like Civivi. I have 2 of them and I was impressed in both instances. The Praxis is very nice in hand and the Cogent with button lock and flipper is very nice to play with. The Cogent is very thin behind the edge.

[@SpartanJohns]

The Praxis looks like a beefy folder. I was also looking into that one. I will definitely have a look at the Cogent. I'd like to try a button lock from them. since I've seen the Elementum button lock they always made me curious

[@danielsmit3524]

@@SpartanJohns the Cogent is nice to me because of the combo between the button and flipper. Also I really like the way it looks. A bit on the small side though. For the things you use knives for the Praxis may be the best Civivi folder. It has great ergonomics.

[@SpartanJohns]

I looked at it! It looks cool but the Praxis looks much more beefy which is something I might like more in the long run.

[@keithmoylan3093]

Civivi's are great but I find that its worth waiting to buy one of their knives for a while just because something comparable that may have a better feature or two always ends up coming out soon afterwards. In the case of the Elementum I'm glad I held off on buying one and instead picked up their Pintail. Both great knives but I like the design and steel of the s35vn on the Pintail more, and the price was also very good, although Civivi has been upping their costs lately.

[@SpartanJohns]

That is something that is generally true! You should wait for what you like. I have seen all the versions of the Elementum so far and wanted this one. If you prefer a different steel or a different bladeshape, handle shape/material...to each his own. For the reason you mentioned, i have kept off on buying a few of their models. I was curious but I wasn't completely convinced. And since they do come out with many models...i will probably wait a while.

[@krazmokramer]

I'm curious what you used to put a 12-13 degree per side edge angle on that Elementum. I just bought an Elementum Fixed Blade in D2. It came with an edge angle over 20 degrees per side. I re-profiled it on my KME using a 400 Chosera glass to 17.5 degrees per side. This is my first D2 blade. I found it as easy to re-profile and sharpen as my Buck 110 and 112 in 420HC. I was expecting it to be more like S30V based on the online comments I've seen. Your 12-13 degree edge bevel doesn't look any wider than my 17.5 degree bevel. How did you do that??? As for comfort, I'm having new scales made in desert ironwood with slight palm swells. Thanks for this comprehensive review!

[@SpartanJohns]

The bevel on this one was really narrow from the factory. Also at about 18-20 dps. I reduced the edge angle down to 15 dps using the worksharp precision adjust. Then down to 12-13 it was freehand, as far as I remember. I might be wrong, but going by how narrow the blade is i don't think i could have went to 12 on the worksharp. People bitch about d2 a lot. And heat tretment does make a huge difference. Some say that civivi's D2 is not that good. I drop the edge angles on my knives to see if, with normal use, they get any issues. D2, in my experience, is not like s30v. Sure...you can use it for certain tasks and see the same result, depending on the edge angle, finish and mostly what you cut. Most important thing is: do you like it? does it do what you need it to do? I do like civivi's hollow ground blades. They are thin and if you drop the edge angle down to 15 dps....they do become excellent slicers. At 12-15 dps...some will have a wider edge some will have a more narrow edge. depends on the thickness of the grind.

[@camhester4251]

i have a civivi bandlander i think is the name it's the one flipper with the thumb hole in it but it's really thin bladed , i dropped it accidentally on pavment tip first and it warped the blade but i got most of it out with a rubber dead blow hammer , i'm asking is the blade that thin on the elementum because i want an elementum because it's quick to open with the bearings in it but i don't want a knife that's going to warp every time i drop it , i like my spyderco and essee knives and i like the civivi but it has a thin blade , is the elementum that thin ? great video

[@SpartanJohns]

The Elementum is one of the thinnest grinds that Civivi has, I think. The Badlander? Hmm..i don't have that one but t never really seemed to be that think to me. Most Civivi's have a thin grind.that is what I like about them. Check out Sencut(Civivi's cheaper sister company). I got the Crowley and that one seems "of normal thickness"

[@camhester4251]

@@SpartanJohns i'm sorry it is the ortis that bent when i dropped it

[@camhester4251]

i have a sencut secha

[@camhester4251]

it is thicker , my elementum doesn't seem as thin as the civivi ortis

[@SpartanJohns]

@@camhester4251 i never really looked into the Ortis. I will put it on the list since i really like thin blades/grinds. Given a shock...all blades could bend, depending on the thickness and hardness. but normally...a small fall should not really bend a blade.

[@jimmycricket7946]

For a $50 budget knife it's not to bad I wasn't disappointed. It is d2 steel which is ok it works fine for some tasks, it's also lightweight and has a good smooth deployment on the action. I was impressed with the packaging as well it comes in a decent zipper case that also has a knife rag on the inside. The overall material is decent but keep in mind your dealing with a $50 knife.

[@SpartanJohns]

Yes. If this would be 100$ ..at that point I would like a more expensive steel, a grippier micarta, a better pocket clip. Not that how it is does not work properly....but for double the price I would want more. For 50 $ i think this is excellent. I would like to see this model in an L or XL. Not like the button lock which has a longer blade. But the whole model...a bit bgger, a bit beefier...with the same nice thin grind which makes it so nice to work with.

[@2371Anita]

It's a nice knive and all. But it didn't check my boxes. Sold it. Also, I went with the hype. Wish I didn't do that. Civivi pumps new models out every week. And many reviewers hype them. I'm not into that.

[@SpartanJohns]

I, 100%, understand that! I also see a lot of models, for many different companies, being hyped up on youtube, from people who don't actually work with them. That does "grind my gears". I realize that my videos are very long and can be boring but I want to provide what i see is missing. Showing what you say and explaining it in simple terms so that everybody can understand. As for the Elementum...this is why the long video. I bought this, as 99% of my knives, with my own money. So I don't feel the need to hype them up or put them down. For me the important thing is that after people watch my videos they get a better sense of the knife. I watch some videos about knives but very rarely compared to what I used to watch. Simply because I can't relate to what is being said.

[@2371Anita]

@@SpartanJohns 👌

[@markcoffman494]

I find this so interesting! I actually went with the hype and really enjoyed the knife however at that time I just keep seeing knives that fit a better role in my life than the elimentum … However just today I picked up an orange one because I want to give these Chinese knives another chance. I will be making a video about it

[@2371Anita]

@@markcoffman494 they are absolutely good knives. Nothing to say about that. But, you know, I don't do well on the hypes 😁

[@jordy703]

I think you would prefer the civivi conspirator more. Greetings

[@SpartanJohns]

I like he look of the conspirator and the micarta looks better but the elementum does have a nice thin hollow grind...i am crazy about it! I have bought a few more civivi's since i made this video and none have such a nice grind

[@msakmaxyblasco]

Great video!!!, beautifull knife!!!

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you! I am glad you liked it!

[@mariussantamarian9766]

Am si eu unul ,modelul Black C907A,maner G10. E edc-ul meu favorit, usor ,elegant, cu un tais care tine mult, si , vorba ta,cu un clip de buzunar negru. La vreo doua, trei luni am avut o problema cu el in sensul ca dadea rateuri la deschidere,facea miscarea pana la jumatate. Dar l-am curatat bine ,i-am dat putin ulei si problema s-a rezolvat. Din discutiile de pe forumuri am inteles ca e o problema frecventa la modelul meu,dar care se rezolva dupa cuma am aratat. Eu sunt incantat de calitatea Civivi,mai am un Praxis si cat de curand vreau vreau sa imi comand un Brazen.

[@SpartanJohns]

Eu l-a desfacut pe al meu sa il curat doar din curiozitate. Nu am avut probleme la deschidere niciodata. Dar e usor de dezasamblat si de asamblat inapoi. Mi-a placut cum era si cu unghiul din fabrica si cu acest unghi mai mic. Trece prin materiale mult mai usor si nu pot spune ca eu am deseori de taiat chestii care ar putea sa aiba capse, cuie... La Brazen ma uit si eu...Voiam sa imi iau si acel Elementum tanto. Nu pt ca imi plac lamele tanto, chiar pt ca nu imi prea plac dar cred ca daca are grind-ul ca acesta...mi-ar placea. Nu stiu sincer....ma tot gandesc de cateva luni intre ala si Brazen(tot tanto- sa incerc si eu...am avut mai demult dar nu mi-a placut tanto..se mai schimba omul)

[@fyrelite1557]

I saw a video of someone deploying a stonewashed elementum using the middle finger spydie flick, is it possible to do that on this version of the knife?

[@SpartanJohns]

You can flip it out using the flipper. Or open it two handed. Doing any kind of "spydie" flicks or drops is not possible. Not much room on the blade to grab on to with your fingertips or fingernails. At least for me...

[@fyrelite1557]

@@SpartanJohns Yeah, the guy attributed it to the finish on the blade being more grippy (0:25 seconds) kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6nHaX1_q9BjaKc

[@Traderjoe]

I wanted to know your opinion on this knife because you actually use them. Other reviewers showcase hundreds of knives and I can’t really imagine that they actually put them to use. I have doubts about certain knives by how they look and this one is one of those that bother be for a confusing number of reasons. I don’t think I will be getting this knife. I think I would have been all over this knife ten years ago. But now, I am drawn to flat grinds and different lock mechanisms.

[@SpartanJohns]

I get that. The liner lock is not my favorite locking mechanism. I am still a fan of axis, compression and tri-ad locks. Even if a lot of people complain about axis lock..i still like them very much. It is a small knife. For me, as i mentioned, a great backpocket knife. That is why i keep such a small edge angle on it. If this knife came out ten years ago...oh yeah! Slap a S30V blade on it and charge over 150 for it and people would have probably liked it a lot. I also can't use all of my knives in real life situations. The Elementum and the Air lite(next video I will publish) I actually used like I mentioned here. And they were a lot of fun to use. TBH if they made an Elementum Large...i would buy it! As for the hollow grind...i like it in such a small knife. You're not going to pry anything with this one. Hollow grind make good slicers. But if you're looking at a bigger knife...yeah..i definitely get what you're saying...You might actually need to pry something with it....and, yes, a hollow grind will be the first to fail.

[@davidcopeland5409]

Love mine

[@SurvivalFlo96]

Ich nutze mein Civivi jetzt schon 6 Monate und finde es einfach klasse 👍 Mal eine kleine Frage wäre es möglich das du vllt mal ein paar Worte auf Deutsch zu dem Messer machst ich mag deine Videos sehr gerne leiden und höre dir auch gern zu 😎👍

[@SpartanJohns]

Ich habe viele Videos auf Deutsch gemacht nur ist es so dass die meisten meiner zuschauer kein Deutsch sprechen. Da meine Zeit begrenzt ist finde ich es nuetzlicher Videos auf Englisch zu machen. So koennen mehrere Leute das verstehen. Falls ich die Zeit habe, und wenn du mir sagst, im Bezug zu dieses Messer, was genau du weiter wissen wollen wuerdest, werde ich mich bemuehen ein "home office" video zu machen in den naechsten Tagen.

[@hirayaman246]

Ce parere ai despre el, dar in comparatie cu un Ganzo D2 ? Am inteles ca endura la 20 dps nu va taia la fel de bine ca acesta cu hollow grind la 10-14, dar ce ai alege intre cele 2? Si inca ceva, fara legatura cu briceagul : merita sa cumpar o piatra CC4? ( am deja o DC4)

[@SpartanJohns]

Nu am comparat D2-ul de la Ganzo cu cel de la Civivi. Pot sa iti spun ca am un Ganzo cu grind subtiat si 17 dps. Dar e "setat" foarte diferit fatza de cum e Elementum. Grindul e grosier si mult mai subtire. Tine taisul bine si acela. Nu am observat ciobituri de la utilizare normala. Nu as putea alege atat de usor. Pentru edc cred ca am mai multa experienta cu Elementum. Sincer imi place si imi place si mai mult forma, feeling-ul in mana, clema de buzunar. Intre FH11S(cel pe care il am cu grind foarte subtire si lama din D2) si Elementum as alege Elementum. Dar nu e datorita "care e otelul mai bun"? Elementum e un pic mai "dragutz" si trebuie sa recunosc ca imi place hollow grind-ul si faptul ca nu a trebuist sa il modific. Doar am scazut unghiul. Daca intrebarea era Endura ZDP-189 si Elementum D2....as alege Endura datorita otelului. Desi ZDP-189 eu nu il pot intretine "Shaving sharp" pe strop doar...so far...imi place. CC4 sau DC4? Depinde. Am ambele si acum folosesc CC4 mai mult. DC4 al meu e foarte fin. Mai fin decat partea alba de la CC4. Eu am primit CC4 si il folosesc cu drag si din acest motiv. Prefer CC4 momentan. Cu timpul...sau cand o sa "stau sa ma gandesc" poate o sa trag o concluzie.

[@hirayaman246]

@@SpartanJohns Eu mam gandit ca hollow grind nu rezista in timp asa de bine, desi ia cele mai ascutite taisuri ( briciul este frecvent hollow).... Am tot privit in clip......iti place atat de mult Civivi? Imi pare micut comparativ cu mana ta, mie imi place si gripul - taisul il mai pot influenta, gripul nu..... Deci nu strica sa achizitionez un CC4.....poate si un civivi? Care e cel mai ....potrivit sa zicem, nu bun - pe care tu lai recomanda?

[@SpartanJohns]

In ultima vreme am folosit bricege "medii" foarte mult. Cum e Elementum. Cu lame de 7-8 cm. Bugout, Para 3, Sage, Native, Chaparral. Nu sunt la fel de confortabile ca cele mai mari. Cum sunt cele de la Cold Steel pe care le-am folosit. Pe alea ai un grip mai bun. Ce imi place la astea mici: pt ca manerul nu e la fel de confortabil(din cauza marimii) ca la Para2, Shaman, Recon 1, oarecum te "forteaza" sa le pui un unghi de taiere mai mic. Pt ca daca lasi un 20 dps la astea...te vor chinui foarte tare la mana. Acum depinde pt ce ai nevoie. Ca daca doar tai mancare si cate un carton...sunt ok toate. Dar daca, de ex, tai cartoane 15-20 de minute....atunci iti dai seama cat de mult te ajuta un grind subtire si un unghi de taiere mic. De la Civivi momantan am doar Elementum. Deci nu pot vorbi de altele. Eu ma uitam la Brazen care e un pic mai mare si ma uitam la varianta tanto sa mai incerc ceva "nou". Hollow grind rezista f bine. Normal ca daca fortezi un saber grind si un hollow grind super tare, presupunand ca e acelasi otel si ambele au acelasi TT, cel hollow va ceda primul. Intrebarea e: cat de tare fortezi o lama? Chiar ai nevoie de ceva de 5 mm, convex gros, din 3v? Mie imi plac toate, dar dpdv practic astea subtiri sunt mai utile. Da! Imi place Elementum. Foarte mult! Pt pretul la care e! La noi e 295-305 lei. Super ok. Daca era 450-500....as baga de vina ca e doar D2(nu ca nu mi-ar placea D2 ci la banii aia m-as astepta la altceva mai bun....manopera plus materiale plus adaos=pret). Singurul lucru pe care l-as modifica la Elementum ar fi flipperul. Daca l-as da jos ar putea sa prind briceagul mai aproape de lama fara sa ma deranjeze flipperul. Dar detent-ul e atat de tare incat nu il poti deschide cu o mana, fara flipper. Este si versiunea button lock. ala cred ca e un pic mai lung. CC4 mie imi place. Dar daca vrei sa il folosesti la ascutit chiar, nu doar intretinut o lama shaving sharp, va trebui sa il cureti destul de des. Eu il curat cam o data pe sapt.

[@hirayaman246]

@@SpartanJohns mie la o lama imi trebuie si varful, poate aproape la fel ca taisul....mai perforez cate ceva, tai plastic, uneori si metal ( nu e bine dar am nevoie)...sau lemn, il perforez sau fac parghie.... Pt un briceag stiu ca nu e potrivit treaba cu parghia, dar la varf am pretentii sa reziste....tiam zis ce am patit cu ganzo, adevarat nu seria D2.... Am un tanto de la ka-bar, nu stiu cat o sati placa tanto, perforeaza bine si taie mediu as zice....nu stiu daca te va multumi dpdv al finetii, pe mine nu prea ma impresionat.....are tais razor sharp si perforeaza ca un burghiu, dar nu e ce trebuie....si daca unul afon ca mine se plange, nu stiu cat o sati placa tie.... Hmmm....4 mm zici? Aia 4 mm imi dau un peace of mind ce nu se poate..😁

[@SpartanJohns]

Am ascutti multe male tanto pt prieteni. Si am vazut cam cum sunt. Pt ca grind-ul la Elementum e asa de subtire m-am gandit ca si la varianta tanto va fi la fel de subtire. Ca e bine sau nu sa faci parghie cu un briceag....asta decide fiecare. Sunt unelte pana la urma. Daca e mai gros in ravf o sa reziste mai bine. Dar in momentul in care e mai gros nu o sa intre/taie asa de bine. Este un "trade-off" tot timpul. Da, lamele mai gorase sunt mai rezistente...si iti dau un sentiment ca si cum te poti baza pe ele. Dar dupa o perioada observi ca poate era mai util pt tine o lama mai subtire, unghi de taiere mic...din acest motiv car eu, foarte des, 2 la mine.

[@squick1842]

I heard it was the best, so I bought 3. Two elementum 2 button locks, and one Elementum I with liner lock. Had them for 1 year. Button lock is fun to play with and feels strong. It isn't. Lost the tip in no time. D2 steel is good if it is heat treated right. These are not. They are made in China.

[@SpartanJohns]

I think i mentioned it in more than 1 video including this one that this d2 does not compare with the one Brisa heat treats. That one is much batter. As for the elementum 2 button lock..it is thinner and as such not really made for abuse. I also got one recently and i enjoy the thin grind. Makes cutting tasks very easy. For stronger tips which can be abused: the benchmade 940 or most Cold Steel knives.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

The most promoted knife ever..... Saw a destruction test and it got wrecked in minutes. Tip broke with the first hit on a hard surface. This is overrated crap. Heat treat is just Bad. Fun for apples or letter opening. But don't rely on this as your one knife.....

[@SpartanJohns]

i used it as a knife and i can say it did ok by my standards. I still like it and appreciate the action, ergonomics and grind. destruction tests are fun tot watch and they can give you good information. however...few knives can survive a destruction test if you put your mind into designing that test

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@SpartanJohns i agree, anything can break. If you want to see, joe x (?) Did one. It broke Way too fast. Tip was gone in one hit.... Problem is of course, 1 knife in the test. So no way of confirming if it was a bad apple. Btw, i use a civici chronic, which is basically my apple knife and small other stuff when i am out and about. Works fine for me

[@SpartanJohns]

i know Joe X....i like his videos. but like I said...if you push a knife far enough it will break. such small knives, with such thin grinds are really not meant for stabbing into hard surfaces. they are, however, great for cutting tasks....

[@lx051225]

i dont know how good it is . but i dont like this brand。 im chinese.collected some knives， and often look at some knife forums. but i never heard of this brand . i heard this brand from youtuber not long ago. then seach it. i find out its made in china . yangjiang, its a famous place for making clone knives。 99% fake knives made from there .(maybe 100%) and it dont have chinese web . English website only, sell to foreigners。 its made in china ,but if want to buy one in china. its 50% more expensive than buying in the US。 wtf is that

[@SpartanJohns]

I think that is not the companies fault but rather the laws which exist there. I have had the same experiences a long time ago. I live in Romania. Civivi makes good knives. The materials are not the best but they are more than decent and the fit and finish is very good. To be honest I never cared where a knife was manufactured. I care more about materials, design, fit and finish, price. I think Sencut/Civivi deliver on all those. I say this based on my experience with Sencut/Civivi