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Civivi’s Tactically Styled, Multi-Deploying New EDC Knife Looks Way Too Good for Its Price

What a flex for the brand to pack so much fidgety fun, plus a red-hot locking mechanism, into such an affordable little flipper.

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured green handle and a black blade, resting on a dark, textured surface. The knife features a thumb stud and a ridged spine for grip.Civivi

By Steve Mazzucchi

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As we’ve noted on these very pages, one of the trendiest pocket knife locking mechanisms, the button lock, boasts plenty of steak to back up the sizzle. 

It’s quite frankly one of the simplest, strongest options out there.

Folding knife with a black blade and an olive green textured handle, resting on dark, rugged rocks. The handle features a circular logo with a "C" and a button near the blade for opening.
One of four Faeger treatments, this tactical-looking black-and-olive-drab combo really pops.
Civivi

And while Vosteed might employ it more and better than just about anyone, another Chinese brand is out to prove a top-notch button lock doesn’t have to break the bank.

The latest knife from Civivi, the Faeger, just so happens to also offer military-inspired good looks, multiple deployment methods and a capable blade, too. 

High style

Let’s start with those good looks, which are impossible to miss thanks to a spot-on blade-and-handle combo. 

For the record, it’s just one of four Faeger treatments (including a pricier Damascus steel variant), but for my money this C24031-2 skew is easily the most visually compelling.

Folding knife with a textured olive green handle and a black blade, resting on a dark, textured stone surface. The blade has a matte finish and a thumb stud for easy opening. The handle features a black pocket clip.
The stainless steel pocket clip matches the blade and is reversible for left or right side carry.
Civivi

On the business end resides a beautiful black stonewashed, 2.98-inch drop-point blade made of 14C28N steel.

While it’s by no means a super steel, don’t look askance: it is one of the finest budget steels (if not the very best) and a huge reason this knife is priced at a wallet-friendly $70.

The rear flipper and ambidextrous thumb studs make deployment easy two different ways, while the jimping at the base of the spine improves grip, especially during detail work with your index finger pressing down on the back of the blade.

Folded pocket knife with an olive green textured handle and a black blade partially visible, resting on a dark, rough stone surface. The handle features a circular logo near the pivot and black screws.
Oriented around the Civivi logo, all three deployment methods are literally right at your fingertips.
Civivi

The handle scales are made of grippy G10, maxing out the military vibe thanks to olive drab colorways and diagonally oriented frag pattern.

Rounding out the functional good looks are a reversible tip-up pocket clip made of stainless steel and color matched to the blade.

Lock and load

Of course, what really drops the hammer here in terms of this knife’s overall appeal is the much-ballyhooed button-lock, which totally lives up to billing.

After all, it far outperforms a frame lock or liner lock when it comes to quickly returning the blade to the handle with one hand. 

Folding knife with a partially open black blade and an olive green textured handle, resting on a dark, textured rock surface.
Made of grippy G10, the handle boasts a diagonal frag pattern that really solidifies the military vibe.
Civivi

It even tops the vaunted crossbar lock in this regard, as rather than pulling a couple tabs, you need only to literally press a button with your thumb and lightly flick your wrist to bring the blade home.

Of course that also means that when the knife is closed, a similar button press and wrist flick will just as easily release the blade, adding a bonus third deployment method to the mix.

Folding knife with a black blade and an olive green textured handle, resting on a dark, rugged stone surface. The handle features a diamond pattern for grip and has two black screws near the end. The blade has a matte finish with a sharp, pointed tip.
No matter how you deploy it, the nearly 3-inch drop-point blade can tackle pretty much any EDC task.
Civivi

Thanks to a caged ceramic ball bearing pivot, that action will be swift and smooth no matter which route you choose. 

Of course, given how much fidget-friendly fun is on offer here, don’t be surprised if you find yourself regularly trying all three of them.

The Civivi Fraeger is available now starting at $70.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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