Civivi Kitefin review

When someone asks me what a good knife brand is, I have a few different names that I can give them. But the one that’s always at the top, for a great quality folding EDC knife, is always Civivi. Not only do they produce some of the smoothest knives. But they also know how to make a fancy knife that isn’t going to break your budget. A knife that turns heads for its sleek and decorative look, while also being tough! The Civivi Kitefin is one of these.

Handle

The Kitefin knife features a brownish grey colored aluminum handle, with a black pocket clip that can be moved to either side of the handle. I really like that the handle is made from aluminum, because it just gives the handle a really solid feeling. As knife handles go, it is pretty smooth with not much texturing, but its shape fits nicely in your hand. Plus, that smooth texture helps it to slide in and out of your pocket easier. That is one aspect about the Kitefin that I do really love. That smoothness does allow you to be able to maneuver it in your hand rather easily. But the downside to it not having much texturing on the handle, is that it can kind of slip around while holding it. Especially if your hands are wet or you’re wearing gloves.

Now that being said, it’s still a great knife handle! And the brownish grey color along with the Damascus blade just makes a really eye-catching knife.

Blade

Now, let’s talk about the blade. The most important part of a pocket knife or any kind of knife for that matter.

The Kitefin features a drop point style Damascus blade. And if I’m going to be honest, the Damascus is one of the downsides to this knife. That drop point blade shape is one of my favorites, it’s a great style that makes it easy for piercing and cutting. But the Damascus is where the problem lies. While it is such a great looking steel on this knife, it hasn’t really stayed sharp for me. I’ve been carrying this knife everyday for about 3 months. And I’ve had to sharpen it 4 times now. I have been cutting things like boxes, zip ties, plastic bags, tape and plastic straps. So it’s definitely been doing its fair share of work.

Now getting dull quicker doesn’t mean that this knife is bad. Just know that it’s not going to stay sharp for a long period of time. But, I can tell you this. It sharpens super quickly, and when it’s sharp…it is SHARP! Plus, the jimping on the backside of this blade is probably some of my favorite. It’s very coarse and my fingers stick into it really well. Which helps me get good control over the knife.

Opening

The Civivi Kitefin has that classic super smooth Civivi blade opening. And that’s all thanks to the caged ceramic ball bearings on the blades pivot point. It has two different ways that you can open the knife, which I really like. You can use the flipper tab on the back of the handle or you can use the button for the lock. Just push it down and flick the knife open. Having a couple different ways to open up a pocket knife is a very nice feature to have. It allows you to be able to open the knife in different positions, where you may not be able to always use the flipper, or you may not always be able to use the button lock to flick it open. So having those two different methods of opening the knife is super useful in all kinds of situations.

Lock

The Civivi Kitefin features a really nice button-lock system. It’s a very handy lock because it not only secures the blade, but also allows you to press the button and flick the knife open. One thing I really like about the locking button is that it’s recessed, so the top of the button sits flush with the handle. This makes it much harder to accidentally press the button and unlock the blade while you’re using the knife, or while it is in your pocket. The button also has a nice amount of spring tension, which helps prevent the knife from closing when you don’t want it to.

Summary

The Civivi Kitefin has a great look with that brownish grey handle, paired with the Damascus blade. While also being very durable and getting the job done. It’s got that wonderfully smooth opening that Civivi has mastered. While the blade may not stay sharp for a long period of time, it’s easy to sharpen and will cut what you need it too. If you’re wanting a good knife that mixes style with durability. Then I highly recommend checking out the Civivi Kitefin.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

This is a great folding knife for those fancy occasions or if you’re just wanting a little more of a decorative knife.

Target Market:

For anyone who would like a knife, that is fancy, and also tough.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

Overall Length: 7.52"
Blade Length: 3.22"
Blade Thickness: 0.12"
Blade Material: Damascus
Blade Style: Drop Point
Blade Grind: Hollow
Handle Length: 4.30"
Handle Material: Aluminum
Color: Brown, Gray
Weight: 2.78 oz.
User: Right Hand, Left Hand
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up
Knife Type: Manual
Opener: Flipper
Pivot Type: Bearings
Lock Type: Button Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are 4 different styles that you can get, but the prices do vary. All 4 come with an aluminum handle and the colors are Purple, White, Brownish Grey, and Black. The other 3 come with a 14C28N steel blade. The White and Purple handles have black blades, while the Black handle has a Satin blade.