- Joined
- Feb 25, 2020
- Messages
- 39
Recently bought three new pocket knives in the "budget" category: a Spiderco Tenacious, a Civivi Elementum and a Civivi Mini Praxis. The Tenacious was $55, the Elementum was $50 and the Mini Praxis was $30. While the Tenacious' blade is about 0.4 inch longer than the other two, their general uses for me are likely similar. All have G10 scales. The Tenacious uses 8Cr13MoV while both the Civivi knives use D2. The Tenacious uses bronze washers on the pivot, while the Civivi knives use captured bearings. My initial thoughts?
-The Tenacious' action is slow and much stiffer than the others. I can't flick it open at all, but can use thumb hole to rotate it open one handed.
-The Civivi knives' actions are WAY quicker, snappier and smoother. The Elementum's seems a tad better than the Mini Praxis. The Civivi's flipper tab is better IMO than the Spyderco hole.
-The Civivi's blades are definitely sharper from factory. They are super thin behind the edge and sooo well finished. While the Tenacious came sharp enough to cut stuff with, it's not scary sharp.
-All three's blades came centered when closed in the frame and none have any noticeable blade play in any direction.
-Handles: I prefer the Elementum's shape best. Wish the Mini Praxis grip didn't taper at the back end. Size wise I can get a full 4 finger grip on the Tenacious, a more compact 4 finger grip on the Elementum, and a 3 1/2 finger grip on the Mini Praxis
-Fit & finish: the Civivi knives are nicer. The blade finish seems smoother and their frame/handle/liner lock are contoured the same on both sides. The Tenacious' frame & liner lock is not contoured like on the opposite side - creates a hot spot. The pocket clips on the Civivis are deep pocket clips, while the Spyderco's protrudes more out of pocket. But the Spyderco has multiple clip mounting options, while the Civivis don't.
-Packaging: while normally I wouldn't give one hoot about packaging, this is different enough to mention it: the Tenacious came in a cruddy plastic clamshell package while the Civivi's come in a nice box and a VERY nice zippered nylon knife pouch lined with a fuzzy material, and come with a cleaning cloth, care & maintenance instructions and even a few Civivi sticker.
For the money, the Elementum is the best of the bunch. They make me want to get one of the Elementum button lock knives with the longer blade and the full size Praxis.
-The Tenacious' action is slow and much stiffer than the others. I can't flick it open at all, but can use thumb hole to rotate it open one handed.
-The Civivi knives' actions are WAY quicker, snappier and smoother. The Elementum's seems a tad better than the Mini Praxis. The Civivi's flipper tab is better IMO than the Spyderco hole.
-The Civivi's blades are definitely sharper from factory. They are super thin behind the edge and sooo well finished. While the Tenacious came sharp enough to cut stuff with, it's not scary sharp.
-All three's blades came centered when closed in the frame and none have any noticeable blade play in any direction.
-Handles: I prefer the Elementum's shape best. Wish the Mini Praxis grip didn't taper at the back end. Size wise I can get a full 4 finger grip on the Tenacious, a more compact 4 finger grip on the Elementum, and a 3 1/2 finger grip on the Mini Praxis
-Fit & finish: the Civivi knives are nicer. The blade finish seems smoother and their frame/handle/liner lock are contoured the same on both sides. The Tenacious' frame & liner lock is not contoured like on the opposite side - creates a hot spot. The pocket clips on the Civivis are deep pocket clips, while the Spyderco's protrudes more out of pocket. But the Spyderco has multiple clip mounting options, while the Civivis don't.
-Packaging: while normally I wouldn't give one hoot about packaging, this is different enough to mention it: the Tenacious came in a cruddy plastic clamshell package while the Civivi's come in a nice box and a VERY nice zippered nylon knife pouch lined with a fuzzy material, and come with a cleaning cloth, care & maintenance instructions and even a few Civivi sticker.
For the money, the Elementum is the best of the bunch. They make me want to get one of the Elementum button lock knives with the longer blade and the full size Praxis.