CIVIVI Button Lock Elementum II Review

CIVIVI doesn't position themselves as the most budget brand of the market, but their reputation and influence has been growing for offering knives of respectable quality at affordable prices. They're perhaps best known for their distinct aesthetic though - their knives are undeniably more targeted to a fashion-focused crowd, or perhaps those who are not interested in the heavy industrial look of most American-made knife brands. The Elementum II is no different there; you can choose a combination for every outfit and day of the week(s). But beyond that, we've taken notice of some really nice steels now used for their blades, as well as some noteworthy engineering in bearings and blade lock.

Performance Comparison

Blade and Edge Integrity

Most new knife makers and brands entering this saturated market do so aiming for the upper end. Top-tier materials and steels used, hyper exacting QC processes, etc. CIVIVI made a splash as they entered the folding knife market in 2018 with a different strategy - mid-range steels (Like D2) in a flashy package. But we've taken notice in their pivot recently, and getting to test a CIVIVI offering using a steel like Nitro-V has been a treat.

Nitro-V is one of the newer inventions to really make a name in the knife world, crafted and aimed to make small improvements on well-regarded alloys like 14C28N. The result is a notably tough steel that will hold its edge well and require fewer sharpenings while also sharpening easily when it is time.

There's nothing special about the blade shape itself. It's about as classic as it comes - slight drop tip with just a small swedge grind and a smooth sweep in the belly. We do wish it had a little longer flat in the edge grind which can help with some static carving tasks, but this knife is made for general-purpose slicing. We have no complaints with the factory edge on the Elementum II. No clear defects, errors, or burrs. We're happy to report this budget knife is sharp and ready to use out of the box.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics on the Elementum are a mixed bag. It's meant as an EDC (everyday carry) knife, so there is an obvious compromise between how it feels handling and using, and how well it sits tucked away in a pocket. The handle's overall shape fits well enough in the palm, but the scales (the decorative “covers” over the metal liner skeleton of the handle) are not shaped or scalloped to any finger holds. They're flat, to fit in a pocket and offer little features for a pair of jeans to rub a hole against.

Their G10 plastic material is convenient because CIVIVI can easily and cheaply offer them in a variety of colors, but some, like the Natural color of our tested model, ends up looking pretty cheap (though supposedly the Natural color is meant as a blank canvas to be custom dyed by the user). The texture of the scales is nice though; Subtle enough to not rip your skin up, but grippy enough to feel fully secure while using.

Another grievance we have here is the metal liner skeleton of the handle does bafflingly stick out past the edge of the scales, and noticeably digs into the fingers after a while of use. No good. That bad is perhaps offset by the very nice jimping along the spine of the blade to rest your thumb against for extra leverage. The good in the category is the opening action of the flipper, and the button locking mechanism of the blade - major upgrades over the previous Elementum generation.

Notably, there is no closed-blade lock. But we found no reason to be worried this will open in a pocket based on our testing. Pulling the knife from the pocket and deploying quickly is a breeze as the flipper is easy to find with the forefinger, and the pocket clip is positioned so the blade sits tip up in the pocket (the superior orientation!). This is a non-assisted knife, meaning there is no spring to help pop the blade out, but the action is smooth and easy with the flipper so you'll get it on the first try every time.

We also love the button lock here. Liner locks, though by far the most popular type seen on pocket knives, are inherently dangerous as the blade closes on the finger used to unlock the blade. The button lock keeps your fingers out of harms way, is recessed so it won't accidentally be hit during use, and feels very solid.

Portability

As mentioned, the Elementum II is meant as an EDC knife. It can still be used in that way, but do know there are better, albeit generally more expensive, options out there for everyday carry with the same or better quality. The scales are extra thick to accommodate the (otherwise really nice) button lock mechanism. This knife is over 1/2" thick all said and done, which is on the upper end for our tested pocket knives. At 3.1 ounces, it's also on the heavier end of what we would consider for EDC.

What we do like here is how it sits in the pocket (other than it being a bit thick). The scales are flat, so they sit in the pocket well, and they're nicely rounded, so there's nothing to catch or rub against for a hole to form. The clip is a deep-carry clip, so it won't stick above the pocket edge too much or dig into your hip as you sit down. It's also got a good tension to it - easy to clip over the edge without cutting the fabric up, but strong enough to feel secure.

Construction Quality

Overall, the Elementum II feels well made, dare we say very well made. We're not worried about a tip snapping off, but time will tell on if the action eventually gums up, or if any play develops in the hinge over time. Our bet is it will continue to work at a high level for a long time, which is fantastic for a budget knife.

Twisting and prying in some branches during testing, this knife felt surprisingly solid. If anything, it's overbuilt. The metal handle and blade are thicker than we think is necessary for an EDC knife. And with the Nitro-V alloy, you can really do some heavy-duty work here (if only it were more comfortable to hold during intense tasks). The blade centering is pretty perfect, and there is effectively no play in the hinge. The blade bends a bit in our testing, but you have to really push on it.

Should You Buy the CIVIVI Button Lock Elementum II?

We find ourselves generally happy with the tested metrics of the Elementum II, and at its affordable price point, it demands to be taken seriously. As long as you like (or tolerate) its unique look, the actual performance and intangibles of the knife make it worthy of your consideration.

What Other Pocket Knife Should You Consider?

The Elementum effectively stands alone in terms of pure value at its price tier among our tested options. But it won't appeal to everyone. It has a very unique look that maybe you don't love, or maybe you're opening Amazon packages all day and have no need for top-end blade steel. Of the more budget-friendly options, we really like the Gerber Fast Draw for a full-sized, assisted opening knife that's comfortable to use, or the Gerber Paraframe Mini for a smaller frame. On the more expensive end, the Benchmade North Fork is a fantastic knife with a more traditional design aesthetic, and the Kershaw Leek or Benchmade Bugout are both top-tier EDC options.