Civivi’s Latest Affordable EDC Flipper Combines Stunning Looks and Three Deployment Methods

When ancient blade steel crafting tech joins forces with modern machining and design, magical things can happen.

Close-up of a blue textured folding knife handle with a metal clip and patterned blade.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published October 8, 2025

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How do you make a product that delivers value beyond its price tag?

Some key ways are using materials that outperform their cost and leaning on a reliable and satisfying design.

Folding knife with a blue textured handle and a partially open patterned Damascus steel blade. — This particular Mini Shakan’s blade and handle go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

The brand known as Civivi has mastered these not-so-dark arts, delivering knife after knife that dazzles without breaking the bank.

Latest example? The new Mini Shakan, which, especially in its Damascus steel-bladed variant, absolutely rocks.

Material swirl

Let’s start with the materials, led by a 2.48-inch drop point blade made of Damascus steel.

As knife aficionados know, that particular ingredient boasts more history than just about anything in the modern EDC world.

Damascus steel offers compelling performance alongside its always eye-catching look.

Civivi

After all, a version of Damascus called wootz first appeared in the Middle East as far back as 323 BC.

The current equivalent carries forward the shimmering outcome of blending different steels — along with a potent mix of edge retention and toughness.

Folded blue and black textured folding knife with a patterned metal clip and thumb studs. — The beautiful blue aluminum handle is textured and ergonomically shaped to optimize grip.

Complementing that precious metal is the Mini Shakan’s handle, a textured and ergonomic bit of blue aluminum that delivers a similar ripple effect — and also helps the overall weight stay just under 2 ounces (1.84).

A third notable ingredient is the caged ceramic ball bearing of the pivot assembly, which cannot be seen but has a huge effect on the actual deployment of the knife.

Dynamic design

As admirable as the form of this knife is, the many-splendored function is equally laudable.

After all, you can easily pay twice as much for a similar-looking knife with fewer deployment methods.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and textured blue handle with a metal pocket clip. — The reversible tip-up clip makes it easy to stash this compact (3.5 inches closed) flipper in your pocket.

Just check out the $208 Damascus steel-bladed Kansept Orlok, which, for the record, I also love.

The Mini Shakan, for the record, offers not only ambidextrous thumb studs and a rear flipper but an honest-to-goodness button lock.

Folded pocket knife with a textured blue handle and a partially visible patterned blade. — Here you can see all three deployment methods lined up (rear flipper, button lock and thumb stud), with the button lock also making it easy to retract the blade with one hand.

This feature makes it super easy to return the blade to the handle, while also serving as a de facto third deployment method, requiring only a press and light flick of the wrist.

With any of these three deployment options, the action really rides on the aforementioned ball bearing, which ensures a swift and smooth swing open every time you proudly bust it out.

Availability and pricing

This Civivi Mini Shakan, complete with a reversible tip-up pocket clip, will be available toward the end of October for $94. Three variants that swap in Nitro-V blade steel will cost $74.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and textured blue handle.

Civivi Mini Shakan

In the Damascus steel-bladed variant, this knife is a stone-cold stunner. Highlights include a 2.48-inch drop point blade, a textured, ergonomic blue aluminum handle and a weight of just 1.84 ounces. Let’s not forget three deployment methods — ambidextrous thumb studs, a rear flipper and an honest-to-goodness button lock that significantly eases one-handed retraction of the blade.

$94 at Civivi

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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