Well, if we're doing Damascus folders today . . . . .
here's my CIVIVI Elementum!
here's my CIVIVI Elementum!
Show Us Your Knife (And Pipe)
- Thread starter bluegrassbrian
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Got me a new guy too..
A Jens Anso Toko- my first button lock (I think).
Deets- Full titanium (scales, hardware, clip), RWL34 hollow ground blade, Skiff ceramic bearings.
Despite the diminutive flipper tab, the opening action is super easy and comfortable.
Jens finishes all these himself, and it shows- the blade came scary sharp- impressed by that.
Also impressive is the internal milling of the scales… wowza.
All in all, it’s very different than my typical daily carries, and that’s a good thing!
A Jens Anso Toko- my first button lock (I think).
Deets- Full titanium (scales, hardware, clip), RWL34 hollow ground blade, Skiff ceramic bearings.
Despite the diminutive flipper tab, the opening action is super easy and comfortable.
Jens finishes all these himself, and it shows- the blade came scary sharp- impressed by that.
Also impressive is the internal milling of the scales… wowza.
All in all, it’s very different than my typical daily carries, and that’s a good thing!
Ive had a Vosteed Raccoon Cub for awhile, and thought about the full sized Raccoon, but when I saw it came out with a clip point blade and a top liner lock, I had to get it.
The top liner lock is the same as the Spiderco compression lock, but better in my opinion. It looks like a regular plunge button lock, but its a button operated internal liner lock.
Vosteed Raccoon
3.25 inch stonwashed clip point Bowie blade.
Caged ceramic ball berrings.
Sandvik 14c28n steel
Micarta scales
Milled and nested steel liners
Top liner lock
Reversible deep carry pocket clip
Thumb studs
$69
The top liner lock is the same as the Spiderco compression lock, but better in my opinion. It looks like a regular plunge button lock, but its a button operated internal liner lock.
Vosteed Raccoon
3.25 inch stonwashed clip point Bowie blade.
Caged ceramic ball berrings.
Sandvik 14c28n steel
Micarta scales
Milled and nested steel liners
Top liner lock
Reversible deep carry pocket clip
Thumb studs
$69
I guess I should have showed the Raccoon Cub yesterday with the full sized, but I was lazy.
Vosteed Raccoon Cub
2.35 inch 14c28n steel drop point blade with a Copper Dune PVD coating.
5.5 inches open
Thumb studs, liner lock, deep carry pocket clip...yada ,yada.
The finger choil on the blade allowes for a four finger grip.
Great 5th pocket knife.
$40
Here its compared to its big brother. Its the size of a Bic lighter when closed apparently. I added the lanyard, not sure if its staying.
Vosteed Raccoon Cub
2.35 inch 14c28n steel drop point blade with a Copper Dune PVD coating.
5.5 inches open
Thumb studs, liner lock, deep carry pocket clip...yada ,yada.
The finger choil on the blade allowes for a four finger grip.
Great 5th pocket knife.
$40
Here its compared to its big brother. Its the size of a Bic lighter when closed apparently. I added the lanyard, not sure if its staying.
Miguron heat treats their D2 from 59-61 HRC. Most budget makers treat thrm 58-60 HRC. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is.
At 60 HRC D2 holds an edge as well as m390 and SV35vn super steels.
Some other makers that do D2 well are Civivi, Kizer, QSP, Vosteed and Petrified Fish. All these companies have great knives under $100.
They also have great blade geometry which Laren Thomas (knife steel expert) says is more important than the steel used in many cases. He "invented" CMP Magnacut. But he says, besides his Magnacut, 14c28n is the "best" all around steel. This is one of the toughest steels available, even tougher than Magnacut, but can be had on sub $50 knives.
Ok, I'll stop nerding out now.
Here is some data from Larins research. Notice that 14c28n is tougher than most super steels that cost over $300 for a knife. Its also better than most on corrosion resistance. The edge retention isn't the best, but it strops back razor sharp, and is easy to sharpen. And its not THAT BAD for edge retention compared to many expensive super steels. Match this with the exceptional quality, fit and finish of these budget Chinese knives, and they are hard to beat. Most are 100% better than most $300+ Benchmades.
Knife is a Great Eastern Cutlery / Northfield 62 "Easy Pocket Congress" in Ripe Banana smooth camel bone.
Pipe is a 2025 Charles Peterson Collection Deluxe System Barley 3s.
Honestly one of the best deals going right now may be this great knife.
Remette makes some very nice high end knives, and they are the OEM maker for a lot of other smaller brands. Their portfolio is impressive. From high quality inexpensive, to $1,000+ "customs".
I bought this knife a year or two ago for around $60. Its currently under $40 on their site.
If you're into medium-larger flipper knives, this would be hard to pass on. This knife is super comfortable and hits WAY above its price. The fit and finish is fantastic. I have a couple Chris Reeves knives that dont feel as good....and less than 1/4 the price. And their 14c28n steel is at the top of the game. Bic lighter for some scale, its a large-ish folder.
Remette Cool Whale
"Reverse Tanto" 3.1 inch 14c28n blade.
Rear flipper and thumb studs.
Caged ceramic ball berring.
Milled G10 scales with orange G10 accents.
Inset steel pocket clip.
Remette makes some very nice high end knives, and they are the OEM maker for a lot of other smaller brands. Their portfolio is impressive. From high quality inexpensive, to $1,000+ "customs".
I bought this knife a year or two ago for around $60. Its currently under $40 on their site.
If you're into medium-larger flipper knives, this would be hard to pass on. This knife is super comfortable and hits WAY above its price. The fit and finish is fantastic. I have a couple Chris Reeves knives that dont feel as good....and less than 1/4 the price. And their 14c28n steel is at the top of the game. Bic lighter for some scale, its a large-ish folder.
Remette Cool Whale
"Reverse Tanto" 3.1 inch 14c28n blade.
Rear flipper and thumb studs.
Caged ceramic ball berring.
Milled G10 scales with orange G10 accents.
Inset steel pocket clip.
Le Fines Lames Le Petit.
Primary occupation is a cigar cutter but I use it to cut plug tobacco. 14C28N Stainless and sharp as hell!
Primary occupation is a cigar cutter but I use it to cut plug tobacco. 14C28N Stainless and sharp as hell!
Last edited:
From South African Barry Barnardt, his Nyx front flipper. Carbon fiber scales and spacer- this medium sized knife weighs only 1.6 ounces! Feels almost unnatural being that light.
Opening/closing action is satisfying, and the RWL34 blade is THIN and slicey.
The titanium pocket clip doesn’t attach to the scale with hardware- instead it is folded through the scale and is sintered to the inside, next to the nested liner lock. I’ll include a pic of the internal workings…
Nice dressy addition to the collection!
Opening/closing action is satisfying, and the RWL34 blade is THIN and slicey.
The titanium pocket clip doesn’t attach to the scale with hardware- instead it is folded through the scale and is sintered to the inside, next to the nested liner lock. I’ll include a pic of the internal workings…
Nice dressy addition to the collection!
The other day I mentioned that my edc knife for about 15 years has been an Esee Izula 2. After that post, while it was on my mind, I ordered new Micarta scales for it, and put a wicked edge on it.
I love folding knives, but you never know when you might have to pry a car door open.
I have a few Esee knives, but the Izula 2 is my all time most carried knife.
It is nearly indestructible. And if you do manage to damage it, they replace it no questions asked....period.
If you dont know the story behind Esee knives, look it up, its very interesting.
Basically, a couple survival experts, Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin were tired of all the wanna be survival experts running "survival schools".
In 1997 they started the Randalls Adventure and Training School in Alabama.
Jeff had extensive experience in the jungles of Central and South America.
He was tired of all the fakers making money teaching basic "skills". He used his knowledge to open his now legendary training school and, with Mike Perrin, designed the R.A.T survival knife. Back then the knives were made by Ontario Knife Co, but due to "issues", moved production to Rowen manufacturing in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Rowen took the knives to the next level. They heat treat their 1095 steel to about 55 HRC. This makes the knives SUPER tough. Combined with good blade geometry and a 20 degree grind, the Esee knives have become very popular.
The name Izula comes from the Spanish word for the Bullet Ant in South America. The knife is 6.75 inches. I also have an Esee 4 and 5.
I love folding knives, but you never know when you might have to pry a car door open.
I have a few Esee knives, but the Izula 2 is my all time most carried knife.
It is nearly indestructible. And if you do manage to damage it, they replace it no questions asked....period.
If you dont know the story behind Esee knives, look it up, its very interesting.
Basically, a couple survival experts, Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin were tired of all the wanna be survival experts running "survival schools".
In 1997 they started the Randalls Adventure and Training School in Alabama.
Jeff had extensive experience in the jungles of Central and South America.
He was tired of all the fakers making money teaching basic "skills". He used his knowledge to open his now legendary training school and, with Mike Perrin, designed the R.A.T survival knife. Back then the knives were made by Ontario Knife Co, but due to "issues", moved production to Rowen manufacturing in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Rowen took the knives to the next level. They heat treat their 1095 steel to about 55 HRC. This makes the knives SUPER tough. Combined with good blade geometry and a 20 degree grind, the Esee knives have become very popular.
The name Izula comes from the Spanish word for the Bullet Ant in South America. The knife is 6.75 inches. I also have an Esee 4 and 5.
Glad to see the " USA" on that oneThe other day I mentioned that my edc knife for about 15 years has been an Esee Izula 2. After that post, while it was on my mind, I ordered new Micarta scales for it, and put a wicked edge on it.
I love folding knives, but you never know when you might have to pry a car door open.
I have a few Esee knives, but the Izula 2 is my all time most carried knife.
It is nearly indestructible. And if you do manage to damage it, they replace it no questions asked....period.
If you dont know the story behind Esee knives, look it up, its very interesting.
Basically, a couple survival experts, Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin were tired of all the wanna be survival experts running "survival schools".
In 1997 they started the Randalls Adventure and Training School in Alabama.
Jeff had extensive experience in the jungles of Central and South America.
He was tired of all the fakers making money teaching basic "skills". He used his knowledge to open his now legendary training school and, with Mike Perrin, designed the R.A.T survival knife. Back then the knives were made by Ontario Knife Co, but due to "issues", moved production to Rowen manufacturing in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Rowen took the knives to the next level. They heat treat their 1095 steel to about 55 HRC. This makes the knives SUPER tough. Combined with good blade geometry and a 20 degree grind, the Esee knives have become very popular.
The name Izula comes from the Spanish word for the Bullet Ant in South America. The knife is 6.75 inches. I also have an Esee 4 and 5.
View attachment 429616
View attachment 429617
View attachment 429618
Oh yes, about 90% of my knives are USA made. But if the USA makers are going to be making junk with 8cr steel, and charge $279.64.....im going to buy higher quality knives, no matter where they are made.Glad to see the " USA" on that one
This last Spring I lost my American Kershaw Belair.
I just ordered another.
Kershaw and Spiderco are the only 2 American made non -custom, non- midtech makers who are actually making fantastic knives at great prices. The new Belair is $149. Its made with Magnacut steel. Benchmade would charge well over $300 for the same thing.
Companies like Benchmade and Zero Tolerance have been smelling their own farts recently.
Check out Taylor Martin's recent video on YouTube. He directly compared the $250 Benchmade Bugout against the $10 Ozark Trail knife from Walmart.
He put them both through some pretty major stress. Way more than most people do with their edc folder.
And you guessed it, the freaking $10 Walmart knife WON, hands down.
The Bugout ended up in 2 pieces. The $10 Ozark Trail was still working fine.
Thanks for the info. While I'm not a "collector" I have a few. My EDC is a Bench made 300 I've been carrying for probably ten years and I usually carry a smaller Case for smaller jobs, now it's a Case doctors knife along with the 300. When I received the 300 I was impressed so I immediately ordered another, glad I did, I understand they're discontinued now. I use to carry autos but with the invention of the "flipper" it's as fast as an auto and one handed, so I see no need to carry the autos any longer.Oh yes, about 90% of my knives are USA made. But if the USA makers are going to be making junk with 8cr steel, and charge $279.64.....im going to buy higher quality knives, no matter where they are made.
This last Spring I lost my American Kershaw Belair.
I just ordered another.
Kershaw and Spiderco are the only 2 American made non -custom, non- midtech makers who are actually making fantastic knives at great prices. The new Belair is $149. Its made with Magnacut steel. Benchmade would charge well over $300 for the same thing.
Companies like Benchmade and Zero Tolerance have been smelling their own farts recently.
Check out Taylor Martin's recent video on YouTube. He directly compared the $250 Benchmade Bugout against the $10 Ozark Trail knife from Walmart.
He put them both through some pretty major stress. Way more than most people do with their edc folder.
And you guessed it, the freaking $10 Walmart knife WON, hands down.
The Bugout ended up in 2 pieces. The $10 Ozark Trail was still working fine.
Benchmade can make great knives.
Their issue over the last few years is they aren't listening to the market.
While Chinese companies are making super high quality knives at very reasonable prices, Benchmade and a few others....ZT, Protec, Microtec.....are making the same quality of knives that China is making, but selling them at 4-5 times the price. I understand the difference between Chinese and American workers and economies, but Kershaw, Spiderco, Chavez, Buck, and several more are making high quality knives in the US, but selling them at the price to stay competitive with China. So like I said, BM and ZT have been smelling their own farts, while other US companies are thriving.
Just as an example, recently Benchmade released the Dacian fixed blade.
Small, but capable edc size fixed blades have been the recent craze.
Everyone is coming out with them. They are less expensive to make, and many companies are taking advantage. There are dozens of super high quality Chinese fixed blades out now. Companies like Kizer, Civivi, QSP, Vosteed, Miguron, CJRB, Artisan, Kansept.....all have several very nice small fixed blades made with great steels like 3V, M4, Elmax, 14c28n, ABE-L....and selling tons of them between $40 and $100.
Buck, Kershaw, Spiderco and a few other US made companies are making knives of similar quality, and selling for $85-$200.
Then Benchmade comes along with the Dacian. Made with Magnacut steel. A great stainless steel that stays sharp. But its not very tough. Nowhere near as tough as 14c28n, 3V, or M4.
Then they put a $300-$350 price tag on it. Banking on the fact that Magnacut is the hot steel in the industry right now for folding knives.
The reviews from guys putting them to bushcrafting tests aren't very impressed.
Anyways, if they dont figure it out, they will be another victim to the high quality, low price Chinese.
Popped a tin of GLP Geometrie to try and decide if I want to buy more on sale, and I found the Cold Steel SR1's tanto blade a nice match for the rhombohedron shape of the plug (yeah, I had to look that up).
I think I want some more. But that plug is a b*%! on wheels to shove into a Ball jar!
I think I want some more. But that plug is a b*%! on wheels to shove into a Ball jar!
There is a well known knife guy named Ben Peterson. He worked for Blade HQ for years. He was one of their youtube guys. Then he went to work for WE knives, which include Civivi and Sencut.
I met him at Blade Show West years ago, and we became friends. Its impossible to not like Ben.
Look him up if you dont believe me.
A few years ago he started his own knife company called Knafs.
He is a very goofy guy. The name comes from the way people in the deep South say knives.....Knafs.
Last year he started a "Kickstarter" to make his first fixed blade. He wanted a small edc knife of great quality, that everyone could afford.
I put in my $35 and kinda forgot about it. About 6 months later, I recieved my Knafs Lander 4.
The knife is 5.9 inches, with a 2.5 inch 14c28n drop point blade, and Micarta scales. It comes with a lanyard and brass bead shaped like the Saturn V rocker booster. I removed the lanyard because I like it without. I believe they are around $65. He also has a bunch of free files so you can 3D print your own scales.
I met him at Blade Show West years ago, and we became friends. Its impossible to not like Ben.
Look him up if you dont believe me.
A few years ago he started his own knife company called Knafs.
He is a very goofy guy. The name comes from the way people in the deep South say knives.....Knafs.
Last year he started a "Kickstarter" to make his first fixed blade. He wanted a small edc knife of great quality, that everyone could afford.
I put in my $35 and kinda forgot about it. About 6 months later, I recieved my Knafs Lander 4.
The knife is 5.9 inches, with a 2.5 inch 14c28n drop point blade, and Micarta scales. It comes with a lanyard and brass bead shaped like the Saturn V rocker booster. I removed the lanyard because I like it without. I believe they are around $65. He also has a bunch of free files so you can 3D print your own scales.
I have so many customs I wouldn't know where to begin. This one isn't a custom, but I'm particularly proud of because it was one of the first SOCOMs that my son built when he went to work at Microtech. He had been working out of high school as a barista at a local legend coffee place called The Chocolate Lounge, here in Asheville. I told him to get his ass up to AB Tech and take a machinist course. As soon as he finished I told him, now go apply at Microtech, because that was always his dream job. He's been there almost 7 years now and he is in charge of the build room. Oh ya, and that's old faithful stubby cobbit..
