First Post (New Member) Steel quality Civivi?

mattone

mattone

Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
5
Hi.

My first post. I've read the rules but I'm uncertain whether this is the correct forum for my question. If this is not, my apologies in advance. Please advise with a more appropriate place for my question. Thank you.

Otherwise, on with my question: Background is I purchased a Civivi Elementum with 9Cr15CoMoV blade steel in November 2020. After whittling a bit of oak, the blade developed a small twist or dent in the blade about 1" from the finger choil.
Would this have been less likely to happen with better steel?
I sent to manufacturer a picture of the dent/twist and they replied with an offer to sell me a replacement blade made with D2 steel. Is D2 much better than 9Cr15CoMoV?

Thanks!
 
Welcome to Blade Forums.

Civivi is a budget brand from WE Knives. They are one of the absolute best among Chinese knife manufacturers. Civivi's D2 is on par with the average Chinese D2 in my experience. Their 9Cr18Mov is exceptional. They've perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov such that it out-cuts 9Cr18Mov from other companies, AR-RPM9, and even some of the Chinese D2 out there.

I'm guessing that you meant 10Cr15CoMoV for the Elementum, which is the Chinese equivalent of VG-10. I have not used it but I'd expect it to perform similarly to the better-known VG-10 from Japan. It's possible that there was a defect in your blade. It could have just been bad luck. Another thing to consider is that factory edges rarely demonstrate the full potential for a given steel. Even from good companies, the steel along factory edges tends to be a little fatigued. This is part of why edge retention tends to increase with subsequent hand-sharpening as you get past the factory edge and down into fresh steel.
 
Here is a picture of my blade.

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps my Elementum's blade steel is 10Cr15CoMoV - I can't recall. I do recall opting for the less costly blade when I purchased it since I'd never seen a Civivi knife before.
OklahomaOutlaw said:
Welcome.

Isn’t 9Cr15CoMoV similar to 440C?

D2 would be an improvement IMO.
Click to expand...
I don't want to misrepresent myself as super knowledgeable about steel. I appreciate your feedback. Good to hear D2 would be an improvement. Is it worth $25 for a $50 knife? Maybe.
 
mattone said:
Here is a picture of my blade.

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps my Elementum's blade steel is 10Cr15CoMoV - I can't recall. I do recall opting for the less costly blade when I purchased it since I'd never seen a Civivi knife before.

I don't want to misrepresent myself as super knowledgeable about steel. I appreciate your feedback. Good to hear D2 would be an improvement. Is it worth $25 for a $50 knife? Maybe.
Click to expand...

D2 is a bit tougher and more wear resistant than 440C (if that’s what you have). It will not be as corrosion resistant however.

The decision on whether or not to swap blades is totally up to you. I admit I’m not familiar with how the Chinese treat their steels as I have none. But, just talking in general between 440C and D2 with everything else being equal I’d go with the D2.
 
D2 is better, but I dont think 9Cr shouldn've developed that severe of a roll. I have the fixed elementum in 10Cr/VG10 and its surprisingly tough! Like a falkniven!

You might be gotten a crappy one, I'd take the replacement...I would lose faith in that particular blade. I've taken apart the elementum before, it's very simple (in a good way) built.

Good luck! It's hard to find a bad Civivi really...
 
Welcome to our campfire! Pick up a stick, and start whittling somethin'
I've got 3 WE knives
The WE Vapor has S35VN ,and seems tougher than the ex's divorce lawyer...
The Ferrum Forge has 9CR18MOV, and is holding an edge like a real trooper
My Civivi Odium has D2... I think I'd like it better if it had something else between the scales
Perhaps S30...
 
Ha, also, have you considered the possibility that it's a fake? I've never seen a 9CR elementum...maybe that's because I'm in the states...there are clones out there
 
Just saying...
1. Never seen 9cr15mov in an elementum
2. Never seen 9cr15mov in a Civivi...they're usually 9cr18Mov I think right?

:D
 
Dergyll said:
Ha, also, have you considered the possibility that it's a fake? I've never seen a 9CR elementum...maybe that's because I'm in the states...there are clones out there
Click to expand...
I had not considered that until now. I purchased this from Amazon and I've read plenty of stories about the fakes. (If they were true "clones" they would be perfect copies.)
 
Pay the $25 for a D2 blade and move on. The alternative is basically to trash your knife. (I’m betting you have a clone, BTW.)
Lastly I’d stay away from any knife with steel below 14C28N. Plenty of information regarding knife steel on the net. Google is your friend In this case.
 
No doubt: Civivi equips their knives with some pretty thin blades... and then grinds them down even thinner!
If you're gonna whittle on something as hard as oak can be: it just may not have been the knife for the job...
 
Chronovore said:
Welcome to Blade Forums.

Civivi is a budget brand from WE Knives. They are one of the absolute best among Chinese knife manufacturers. Civivi's D2 is on par with the average Chinese D2 in my experience. Their 9Cr18Mov is exceptional. They've perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov such that it out-cuts 9Cr18Mov from other companies, AR-RPM9, and even some of the Chinese D2 out there.

I'm guessing that you meant 10Cr15CoMoV for the Elementum, which is the Chinese equivalent of VG-10. I have not used it but I'd expect it to perform similarly to the better-known VG-10 from Japan. It's possible that there was a defect in your blade. It could have just been bad luck. Another thing to consider is that factory edges rarely demonstrate the full potential for a given steel. Even from good companies, the steel along factory edges tends to be a little fatigued. This is part of why edge retention tends to increase with subsequent hand-sharpening as you get past the factory edge and down into fresh steel.
Click to expand...
Yes yes and yes.

This happened to me with my Spyderco PM2. I had major micro-chipping issues with it, even after sharpening it myself. I sent it in to Spyderco, and they removed a significant amount of steel, and sent it back to me. I was miffed at first. It has been fantastic and really surprised me since.

As far as Civivi goes, my only experience is with their 9Cr based damascus. Both are very thin blades, but have no issues to report, and I just cut up a whole bunch of cardboard with my McKenna with no noticeable detriment or wear.

The level of fit and finish I've experienced with the Civivi and WE knives leads me to believe that it is either a fake or a rare lemon from them. The only way to know for sure is to send it in to them and see what they say.
 
K.O.D. said:
Yes yes and yes.

This happened to me with my Spyderco PM2. I had major micro-chipping issues with it, even after sharpening it myself. I sent it in to Spyderco, and they removed a significant amount of steel, and sent it back to me. I was miffed at first. It has been fantastic and really surprised me since.

As far as Civivi goes, my only experience is with their 9Cr based damascus. Both are very thin blades, but have no issues to report, and I just cut up a whole bunch of cardboard with my McKenna with no noticeable detriment or wear.

The level of fit and finish I've experienced with the Civivi and WE knives leads me to believe that it is either a fake or a rare lemon from them. The only way to know for sure is to send it in to them and see what they say.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your reply.

Based on the collective voice of this forum, this sounds like a good idea: Send the knife to We Knives for a look. Everyone seems to agree that Civivi is a good quality knife, fakes exist, and the blade probably should not have tweaked the way it did.

Re: knife steel, this is an interesting article: https://www.everydaycommentary.com/...y.com/2021/2/8/ywrobputmvwg6g9busjl6wq5uvftsw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top