Sencut Neches

[Chronovore]

With Civivi moving up, Sencut has taken over the "entry level". In doing so, they dropped the branded pivot and some other aesthetic flourishes but kept the decent steels and affordable price tags. The Sencut Snap was a great example, using the same well-treated 9Cr18Mov as the original Civivi offerings at around the same price. It was easily my favorite budget knife of 2021.

Well, it's 2022 and Sencut is off to a strong start. I picked up the new Neches on release day. It is a basic design but beautifully done, and that alone is worth something. It runs 10Cr15CoMov, which is a Chinese analog of VG-10. The ergonomics are excellent. The Micarta feels wonderful in hand. The size is "just right" for EDC. The action and lock-up were good right out of the box but I decided to take it up a notch. I swapped out the stock ceramic bearings for a set of Skiff bearings. Now it is fantastic! This is easily on par with knives that cost twice as much.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my Sencut Snap. Should be in today. I chose the burgundy G10.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my Sencut Snap. Should be in today. I chose the burgundy G10.

Hey WE Knife Media did you guys forget to design a cutout for the liner lock? My thumb is raw from jamming it in-between the liners to disengage the lock. I'm sending the knife back. That is a fail, my guys.

 

[Chronovore]

Hey WE Knife Media did you guys forget to design a cutout for the liner lock? My thumb is raw from jamming it in-between the liners to disengage the lock. I'm sending the knife back. That is a fail, my guys.

The Snap has a small recess for access but it works for me. Then again, I often find myself depressing the lock bar with the tip of my pointer finger. That method has slowly taken over for most of my liner and frame locks. (My thumb stays on the spine, my pointer finger backs out of gripping the knife and catches the lock bar on the way, I push the blade past the detent with my thumb, then I move my hand and let the blade drop.)

This is actually something I appreciate about the lock bar access on the Neches and Snap. The relative flatness and lack of parts being proud creates a more comfortable resting place for that top finger during use. I don't have skinny piece of steel or thin scale edge pressing into my finger. Lots of Civivi knives do the opposite, where the lock bar is jimped and totally proud of the scales. It's like little teeth sticking out under my finger.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

The Snap has a small recess for access but it works for me. Then again, I often find myself depressing the lock bar with the tip of my pointer finger. That method has slowly taken over for most of my liner and frame locks. (My thumb stays on the spine, my pointer finger backs out of gripping the knife and catches the lock bar on the way, I push the blade past the detent with my thumb, then I move my hand and let the blade drop.)

This is actually something I appreciate about the lock bar access on the Neches and Snap. The relative flatness and lack of parts being proud creates a more comfortable resting place for that top finger during use. I don't have skinny piece of steel or thin scale edge pressing into my finger. Lots of Civivi knives do the opposite, where the lock bar is jimped and totally proud of the scales. It's like little teeth sticking out under my finger.

Different strokes for different folks! I prefer a proud liner lock.

My knife also has lockstick, which compounds the issue.

Not the end of the world by any means. I'm simply going to return it and try a Civivi Backlash

 

[Chronovore]

Different strokes for different folks! I prefer a proud liner lock.

My knife also has lockstick, which compounds the issue.

Not the end of the world by any means. I'm simply going to return it and try a Civivi Backlash

The Baklash is an excellent knife. It was part of Civivi's initial line-up at the same price level as the Sencut knives exist now. It uses the same 9Cr18Mov with the same excellent heat treatment.

The jimping on the liner lock access rises above the line of the scale. I imagine that you will be happy with it. Which version will you be trying?

 

[King of the Cheese]

With Civivi moving up, Sencut has taken over the "entry level". In doing so, they dropped the branded pivot and some other aesthetic flourishes but kept the decent steels and affordable price tags. The Sencut Snap was a great example, using the same well-treated 9Cr18Mov as the original Civivi offerings at around the same price. It was easily my favorite budget knife of 2021.

Well, it's 2022 and Sencut is off to a strong start. I picked up the new Neches on release day. It is a basic design but beautifully done, and that alone is worth something. It runs 10Cr15CoMov, which is a Chinese analog of VG-10. The ergonomics are excellent. The Micarta feels wonderful in hand. The size is "just right" for EDC. The action and lock-up were good right out of the box but I decided to take it up a notch. I swapped out the stock ceramic bearings for a set of Skiff bearings. Now it is fantastic! This is easily on par with knives that cost twice as much.

I wouldn’t have ever called Civivi “entry level”. Their knives start at around $40-$50. Entry level knives sell for half that.

 

[Chronovore]

I wouldn’t have ever called Civivi “entry level”. Their knives start at around $40-$50. Entry level knives sell for half that.

Well, they were the "entry level" for WE products. Sencut has now taken over that role.

As far as "entry level" for knives in general, I don't know. Different people have different ideas on how or where people should start, not only on price and materials but lock types and more. Unassisted newbies might start with an Ozark Trail from Walmart or whatever. It all depends. A Civivi could be a great way to start for some people.

 

[CDEP]

Well, they were the "entry level" for WE products. Sencut has now taken over that role.

As far as "entry level" for knives in general, I don't know. Different people have different ideas on how or where people should start, not only on price and materials but lock types and more. Unassisted newbies might start with an Ozark Trail from Walmart or whatever. It all depends. A Civivi could be a great way to start for some people.

I've used a Buck 110 at home, and 112 Ranger for EDC away for years, so I considered the Elementum an "entry level" to the modern flippy world at 50 bucks or so. In LA I need under 3" for away carry, so Sencut didn't have much to offer me, while Civivi did. Got some flippers from Civ, then fell in love with the Rustic Gent. Old dog, new tricks issues, I guess.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

The Baklash is an excellent knife. It was part of Civivi's initial line-up at the same price level as the Sencut knives exist now. It uses the same 9Cr18Mov with the same excellent heat treatment.

The jimping on the liner lock access rises above the line of the scale. I imagine that you will be happy with it. Which version will you be trying?

Good morning,

I am looking at the satin blade with black g10 and blue steel liners.
However, the Cogent has my eye too. A button luck flipper!

 

[NG VI]

I wouldn’t have ever called Civivi “entry level”. Their knives start at around $40-$50. Entry level knives sell for half that.

They're honest entry level knives priced accordingly, they're not minimum dollar 'this is technically a knife' entry level. For good modern locking folders they, along with Vanguard Kizers, are definitely entry level. They're excellent and there is nothing equivalent for less money.

 

[King of the Cheese]

They're honest entry level knives priced accordingly, they're not minimum dollar 'this is technically a knife' entry level. For good modern locking folders they, along with Vanguard Kizers, are definitely entry level. They're excellent and there is nothing equivalent for less money.

Minimum dollar and “entry level” are synonymous for the average consumer.

Also, there isn’t anything equivalent to a Koenig Arius for less money, but that doesn’t make it “entry level”.

 

[NG VI]

Minimum dollar and “entry level” are synonymous for the average consumer.

Also, there isn’t anything equivalent to a Koenig Arius for less money, but that doesn’t make it “entry level”.

Well they're not synonymous here, where you can easily buy something that kinda looks knifelike but doesn't meet the standards we hold modern knives to. Even if you could get an Ozark trail for five dollars. That's not a real knife, no matter what people who don't know anything think.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Well they're not synonymous here, where you can easily buy something that kinda looks knifelike but doesn't meet the standards we hold modern knives to. Even if you could get an Ozark trail for five dollars. That's not a real knife, no matter what people who don't know anything think.

I think you seriously exaggerate what the average consumer is willing to spend on a pocket knife.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

With all do respect, I think you are forgetting about inflation. Knives that were $30 a couple short years ago are not more than double that. Unfortunately, $20/$30 doesn't buy you the solid, yet entry level knives it used too.

Unfortunately, the new $25 knife is now $45. Most Rat knives are around $40 now.
The Tenacious is around $60, $70. I remember when it was $29.

Condor's lineup has doubled in price. I don't even consider them for fixed blades anymore (I had some bad examples years ago).

I have wrote off some brands because of their pricing these days. The cost goes up but the quality has gone down. There is one well know high end knife brand that I have bought 4 lemons from.

I am disgusted by what has happened to my knife hobby. I can not afford it like I used too. On top of that, I simply refuse to pay some of these prices. A 100%+ increase in three year's time is offensive.

 

[Chronovore]

With all do respect, I think you are forgetting about inflation. Knives that were $30 a couple short years ago are not more than double that. Unfortunately, $20/$30 doesn't buy you the solid, yet entry level knives it used too.

Unfortunately, the new $25 knife is now $45. Most Rat knives are around $40 now.
The Tenacious is around $60, $70. I remember when it was $29.

Condor's lineup has doubled in price. I don't even consider them for fixed blades anymore (I had some bad examples years ago).

I have wrote off some brands because of their pricing these days. The cost goes up but the quality has gone down. There is one well know high end knife brand that I have bought 4 lemons from.

I am disgusted by what has happened to my knife hobby. I can not afford it like I used too. On top of that, I simply refuse to pay some of these prices. A 100%+ increase in three year's time is offensive.

This is part of my appreciation of the Sencut spinoff. Yeah, Civivi had been climbing in value or at least materials for a while, so the price increase feels justified. (Contrast that with other companies who keep using 8Cr13Mov in knives that now cost over $50!) Much of the Sencut line is right around the same price as the Civivi knives that burst onto the scene in 2018.

While a bunch of Chinese companies were already smashing the usual competition from Kershaw, CRKT, Gerber, etc. with better materials, action, fit and finish, etc.; Civivi took it to a new level. Their 9Cr18Mov was especially notable in its excellent heat treatment, delivering cutting performance (and corrosion resistance) in excess of Spyderco's VG-10 but at the $40-level.

Especially given how much value the dollar has lost (more on that in the political forum), seeing Sencut knives at roughly the same price is incredible. Sure, they don't have colored liners but I'm actually glad for that. The one thing I don't like about the Sencut knives is that in losing the branded pivot, they didn't move to a D-shape. The pivots on all of my Sencut knives can spin freely. Luckily, there is enough scale friction that it doesn't matter on most of them. The only knife where it is a pain so far is the Tynan, which is different in being a steel frame lock.