CIVIVI Conspirator Knife with Damascus Blade | Photo Greg Von Doersten Mountain Weekly News
Getting a new knife can be a lot of fun, but if you’re anything like us, you’re not just looking for a cool new blade. You’re looking for a functional tool. One that works and is genuinely useful in the real world. Better yet if you can find a knife that fills some niche you don’t have from the other knives in your collection.
Of course, there are a lot of things to like about the Conspirator. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the right knife for everyone.
Here’s our review of the Conspirator Flipper & Button Knife from CIVIVI. We’ve gone over everything from the base of the handle to the tip of the blade to help you decide if this is the right knife for you.
Who Are CIVIVI
First, before we get into the Conspirator itself, let’s talk about CIVIVI as a brand. CIVIVI is a brand under the WE Knife Co. Ltd. Umbrella. They are a Chinese knife manufacturing company and is currently the largest cutlery manufacturer in China.
CIVIVI was introduced in 2018 with a focus on utilitarian and more affordable products, designed to make their knives more accessible, without compromising on the quality or function of the design.
Their knives are made in China, which means that there are slightly longer shipping times when you’re buying from CIVIVI, however, the high quality of both the materials and the manufacturing make it worth it. Plus, the company has managed to keep shipping affordable, offering free shipping to USA buyers who purchase at least $10 of merchandise.
Damascus Steel
The CIVIVI Conspirator offers a higher-end blade than you might expect at this price point. At just under 3.5 inches long, and a slim 3 mm thick, this is a good all-purpose blade design. The Damascus steel has a hardness of 58-60HRC and fits comfortably into the micarta handle.
If you’re someone who is looking for a specific grind on your knives, the Conspirator has a flat grind, which means maintenance is pretty simple on this blade. If you have sharpening tools, you’re probably well prepared to keep this blade in top condition.
Handle Options
One of the defining features of a good blade is that it rests comfortably in your hand, doesn’t feel like it’s going to wobble around or move out of control, and doesn’t put too much stress on your hand when you’re using it.
There are a couple of material options when you’re choosing the handle. The Conspirator comes with wooden handles or micarta. Both are solid options. The wood handle gives the knife a bit more of a classic look, while micarta handles come in a range of subtle colors that look and feel a little more utilitarian.
Both designs are durable, well-sealed, and hard enough for regular use. The pocket clip on the side of the wooden handle option does look just a little out of place, but you probably won’t be looking at it or displaying it with that clip visible anyway.
Most importantly, when we tested this knife, it felt really good in the hand. There wasn’t any slickness or uncertainty in the grip, and the handle was long enough to fit our tester’s hands comfortably, without any rubbing or rough spots.
Lock Mechanism
Locking mechanisms aren’t the most important part of a knife until they are. Most modern pocket knives feature a lock mechanism of some type, though how well the lock locks and how aggressive it is can vary a lot from design to design.
In this caser, this is a very aggressive locking mechanism. When you are closing the blade to lock it, the blade can almost snap closed.
That does mean that this knife can be a little bit of a safety hazard for people who aren’t prepared for that lock. Probably not the best knife for a first pocket knife, or as a gift to a Boy Scout or someone learning to use knives for the first time.
Who Is This Knife For?
There is a lot to like about the Conspirator. The Damascus blade is immediately recognizable, and the unique pattern on each blade makes it feel like you’re working with something unique to you. It’s sharp, maintains a good edge, and is relatively easy to use. In terms of comfort, the blade is light, the handle is well designed, and the grip is strong.
For people who are looking for a good camping multifunctional knife, this is a good option. In a pinch it’s a reasonable cooking knife, it’s great for making wood shavings to start a fire, and durable enough to cut through rope or paracord in a pinch.
But where this knife really shines is in hunting, hiking, and other more extreme outdoor uses. Small enough and light enough for you to carry it anywhere, it’s also sharp enough to be useful while hunting, including quartering an animal, and durable enough to be your primary knife on a long hike or climbing up a mountain.
You’ll notice that there’s no serrated section, no skinning hook, none of the little extras that you see on a lot of utility knives these days. And the truth is, while those additions are convenient, a skilled knife wielder can get basically the same results from just a regular knife.
CIVIVI Conspirator Damascus Knife Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Damascus steel blade for high-end performance
- Comfortable handle options for solid grip
- Aggressive locking mechanism for safety
Cons:
- Aggressive locking mechanism can be unsafe
- No serrated section for specific tasks
Overall Impression
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the CIVIVI Conspirator Knife with Damascus Blade ($113.00). There’s always a lot of skepticism here in the US about buying from a Chinese company, but the truth is that there are plenty of high-quality manufacturers operating in China, you just have to look for companies focusing on quality over keeping the prices as low as possible.
For a Damascus steel pocket knife that will last, there aren’t many better designs out there. And with classic options like the wooden handle and an effective but easy-to-use locking mechanism, this is a good blade for anyone with a little experience and know-how.
CIVIVI Coupon Code: mtnweekly15
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