#Top 10 EDC Gear Designs That Give A Functionality Boost to Every Outdoor Essentials Toolkit

Sure, it’s Holiday Season… but in most temperate parts of the world, it’s also outdoor season. The weather’s perfect for a trek, a camping session, or tailgating, and the folks at CIVIVI want to ensure you’re well geared-up for your expeditions. Makers of some of the finest budget-friendly outdoor (and indoor) pocket knives, CIVIVI’s putting their best sellers on sale this holiday season with discounts of up to 25%. We’ve hand-picked 10 of our favorite knives from the CIVIVI collection, ranging in size, capability, and budget. These knives are designed to be portable, highly utilitarian, and effective in almost every scenario from opening a box of gifts on Christmas to whittling wood for a wintertime campfire to roast s’mores on!

1. CIVIVI Mini Praxis

Easily CIVIVI’s best-selling knife, the Mini Praxis is a smaller version of its larger counterpart, the Praxis. Featuring a 2.98-inch drop-point D2 blade nestled within a wide, grippy G10 handle over a skeletonized stainless steel liner, the Mini Praxis presents an enticing proposition with its rather affordable price tag. Engineered as a dependable workhorse, this compact gem sports a classic drop-point blade available in either D2 steel, or an incredibly eye-catching Damascus steel with wonderful marbling. The blade measures under 3 inches in length, but is complemented by a broader handle made from either G10, translucent Ultem, or Guibourtia Wood if you pick the Damascus variant. A perfect compact knife for people who like EDC but don’t like the bulk associated with larger, more tactical-looking knives, the Mini Praxis weighs just 2.77 ounces (78.5 grams), and comes with a nifty pocket clip that lets you carry it around with ease.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $26.25 $35 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Mini Praxis is built like a modern classic. It’s the kind of EDC that pairs equally well with outdoor wear, a modern suit, or even regular lounging clothes in the shed or garage.

What we like

• Portable and lightweight
• Bang for its buck

What we dislike

• The 2.98-inch blade may be too short for certain applications

2. CIVIVI Button Lock Elementum II

Unanimous feedback from customers led to CIVIVI developing edition 2 of the best-selling Elementum with a button lock to help disengage the blade while closing. The Elementum II is just as much of a modern classic as its liner-lock counterpart, with the same drop-point blade design now made from Nitro-V Steel instead of D2. Customers can choose between a G10 or translucent Ultem handle, and there’s even a variant with a Damascus blade for serious enthusiasts, and a Halloween collector’s edition with skull artwork printed on both the blade as well as the handle!

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $57.38 $76.50 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Elementum II gets a touch of perfection with its new blade and button lock. While some still prefer the liner lock just because of sheer preference, the Elementum II’s upgrades definitely feel like an improvement to a knife that had barely any room for improvement!

What we like

• The award-winning design gets a fitting upgrade with a button-lock and a Nitro-V Steel blade

What we dislike

• It’s missing a good titanium pocket clip!

3. CIVIVI Baby Banter

While knives fall into the EDC category somewhat by default, not all of them are really the kind of knives you’d carry with you every day – the CIVIVI Baby Banter, however, fits beautifully in that EDC category with its compact design and pocket clip that makes carrying it around an absolute breeze. The Baby Banter gets its name from the small 59mm (2.34 inch) blade it’s equipped with, although it still comes with a full-sized handle that lets you grab it with fair amounts of dexterity. That small blade isn’t to be underestimated, though. The curve-back drop-point is a pretty versatile blade shape, perfect for any outdoor, indoor, or tactical use. The blade comes fashioned from Nitro-V steel, boasting up to 60HRC hardness, while the Baby Banter’s G10 fiber handle is the ideal blend between lightweight, grippy, and just incredibly robust.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $52.50 $70 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

With its 2.35-inch blade, the Baby Banter is CIVIVI’s smallest knife but that doesn’t take away from its capabilities. It’s the kind of knife that often gets underestimated but then shines through with that high-strength Nitro-V steel blade.

What we like

• Very Tiny, Very Sharp
• Nitro-V Steel is much tougher than D2 Steel

What we dislike

• It’s smaller than the Mini Praxis, but double the price because of that Nitro-V Blade

4. CIVIVI Qubit

Yet another small flipper, the Qubit has perhaps the best blade-to-handle ratio for someone looking for a compact knife. It’s simple in its demeanor, but comes with a clever design that integrates a bottle-opener into its blade when closed. Open it and you’ve got that classic drop-point blade, now in Swedish 14C28N Steel, known for its resistance to corrosion, chipping, and just general wear and tear. The Qubit also packs a button-lock for one-press closure, and an aluminum handle that gives the knife a little more heft than your lightweight G10 fiber handle. This means enhanced maneuverability and a pretty gorgeous all-metal aesthetic!

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $59.02 $78.70 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

Sometimes you just want a great compact knife and the Qubit really makes a compelling case for it. Unlike the Mini Praxis, it has its own identity, while still sporting a similar blade size. The aluminum handle may not be for everyone, but the cold grip of metal may excite some, and that bottle opener is just *chef’s kiss*. Oh, there’s also a Damascus Steel version if you really want to flex your EDC!

What we like

• Love the integration of the bottle opener
• Aluminum handle gives the Qubit a premium touch

What we dislike

• At 80 grams (2.82 ounces) some small-knife cravers may find the Qubit a tad too heavy

5. CIVIVI Brazen

The Brazen charters into tactical territory, with an edgy, aggressive design featuring a stealth paint-job and an American Tanto-style blade that lends itself to unique applications. The American Tanto blade features not one, but two edges, and a pointed tip that’s perfect for piercing, nicking, slicing, chopping, scraping, and whittling. The 3.46″ / 88mm blade comes crafted from hard D2 steel and sits within a slim yet grippy G10 handle. As its name suggests, the Brazen isn’t afraid of a good challenge, which makes it the perfect pick for people who don’t walk away from adversity. The entire EDC weighs a respectable 3.82oz or 108.4 grams and comes with a pocket clip and lanyard hole for that everyday carrying habit.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $43.50 $58 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

Looking for a knife that really means business? The Brazen has just that attitude. Get the all-black one and it looks like something Batman would have in his utility belt.

What we like

• The double-edged American Tanto blade is a refreshing change
• A lovely edgy-looking knife for its budget-friendly price tag

What we dislike

• Most Tanto-style knives have longer blades, so the Brazen’s blade feels slightly on the shorter side

6. CIVIVI Elementum

A winner of the BLADE SHOW ‘BEST BUY Of The Year’ award in 2021, the Elementum is a no-frills, straight-down-to-business utility EDC folding knife. It focuses on the core basics, quite like its name suggests, with a 75.2mm (2.96”) D2 Steel blade that folds into a classic-looking ergonomic handle. The handle comes in a variety of materials, from the standard G10 to more eclectic choices like a see-through Ultem plastic that lets you peer behind the handle and admire the knife’s inner framework, or even a rustic wood or a futuristic carbon fiber handle that pairs rather well with a Damascus steel blade to match. The Elementum’s drop-point blade is a modern classic, offering versatility throughout the day, while its overall 2.89oz / 82g weight (for the G10 handle variant), built-in pocket clip, and lanyard hole make it a pleasure to carry around.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $44.25 $59 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

You don’t win awards at the Blade Show for nothing. The Elementum gets the basics right, with the perfect size, shape, and price tag.

What we like

• The perfection feels almost effortless

What we dislike

• This classic design sorely lacks a button-lock

7. CIVIVI Incisor II

If the Brazen gave you goosebumps, wait till you take a look at the Incisor II. Most EDC blades are designed for conventional outdoor use – whittling wood, cutting cords, opening packets of food – the Incisor II isn’t really that benign. Modeled on the Karambit knife, a West Sumatran knife inspired by the tiger claw, the Incisor II is a miniature beast that’s built to intimidate. It sports a Nitro-V hawksbill blade that fits snugly into a rather chiseled ergonomic aluminum handle. The blade can be deployed in a number of ways – either using the flipper or the finger-hole for style, the button for convention, or the rapid thumb stud for looking like you mean business. The thumb stud is a tiny stud that gets caught in your pant pocket liner as you’re pulling the Incisor II out, causing the blade to automatically deploy as soon as it leaves your pocket. With enough practice, you can master the art of ejecting the blade in milliseconds as it exits your pocket. Don’t buy this knife if you need a basic indoor box-cutter.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $140

Why is it noteworthy?

The Incisor II might be CIVIVI’s most unique-looking knife. Sitting more on the tactical end of the spectrum, it’s the kind of knife you carry on missions, on dangerous trails, or if you’re a bit of a badass.

What we like

• Gorgeous Karambit-style design with an all-metal build
• Excellent ergonomics

What we dislike

• This might be a little too edgy for most people who want a classy-looking indoor/outdoor EDC knife.

8. CIVIVI Conspirator

The Conspirator may just be the best name for a knife ever. Although it does give me Cassius and Brutus vibes, I doubt Ancient Rome had foldable blades… although CIVIVI’s Conspirator does. Built with a Nitro-V blade and a Micarta handle, the Conspirator is a pretty resilient and formidable little devi that’s easy to maneuver. The Conspirator measures nearly 8 inches when opened, of which 3.46 inches belong to its drop-point Nitro-V blade. Harder and more corrosion-resistant than D2 steel, the Nitro-V blade possesses the ability to take a very sharp edge, so beware. Built to handle tactical situations with ease, the Conspirator works comfortably as an EDC blade, but serves rather selflessly in demanding scenarios too, going from opening boxes to slashing through tough ropes or slicing through meat in seconds… An EDC that can also handle ‘the unimaginable’, as CIVIVI likes to say.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $70.50 $94 (Upto 25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nitro-V Blade and Micarta handle make the Conspirator more than your average knife. It’s meant for business, not for merely collecting and stashing in your EDC drawer.

What we like

• Great build quality
• Customers love how ‘fidgety’ it is and we can’t help but agree

What we dislike

• A titanium pocket clip would be preferred

9. CIVIVI Cogent

The Cogent is just one of those knives your eyes and hands simultaneously fall in love with. It’s a testament to CIVIVI’s knife-building prowess and tries to color within the lines but steps out just in the right places. The 3.4-inch blade comes made from Swedish 14C28N steel that’s known to retain its edge and resist corrosion better than most conventional blade steels. Unlike most of CIVIVI’s knives with drop points, the Cogent just barely steps out of its comfort zone with a clip-point-style blade that has a slightly more pronounced tip that’s perfect for piercing. The blade sits within a G10 fiber handle although you can opt for Micarta if you want something more robust, or Guibourtia Wood if you want something classy. CIVIVI also chucks in a button-lock and a pocket clip, and if you’re looking for something a tad more tactical, the Cogent also has a variant with a half-serrated blade that can slice through tough paracord, vines, and anything that may require some to-and-fro action.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $61.35 $81.80 (25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cogent is the kind of knife that just connects with you if you know what you want. It’s different from most of CIVIVI’s other knives but doesn’t switch the game when it comes to a great construction, ergonomics, and materials.

What we like

• The half-serrated blade variant really gives the Cogent a tactical boost
• Great ergonomics packed in the perfect size and price

What we dislike

• The flipper tab could be slightly larger, allowing for easier deployment

CIVIVI Sentinel

We really believe in leaving the best for the last so if you’ve stuck around this far, you’re in luck. The Sentinel is really CIVIVI’s highlight reel if anything, with a unique design sporting a Reverse Tanto (or Wharncliffe) blade that has a straight edge for remarkable cutting, slicing, and maneuvering. The blade itself is made from a high-carbon K110 steel that’s classified as a ‘tool steel’ for its ability to take on abuse without any complaints, with a Damascus variant that might be the most breathtaking knife in CIVIVI’s catalog. The blade fits right within a gorgeous dual-material handle featuring a machined aluminum body with an FRN (fiber-reinforced nylon) Integral Spacer that gives the knife its grippy feeling. The aluminum, on the other hand, lends a little weight to the Sentinel, allowing you to maneuver it with relative ease and deft. To help cut weight, the Sentinel’s blade has a cutout that shaves off a few grams, bringing down its overall weight to an impressive 98.3 grams (3.47 ounces), which feels rather light for a knife with an overall length of 8.6 inches (218.7mm). This mid-sized bad-boy also packs a button-lock mechanism, but more interestingly, a glass-breaker tip at the reverse end of the handle, allowing you to easily shatter through even toughened laminated glass with a single strike.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $100

Why is it noteworthy?

The Sentinel is just an all-round classy affair with a slight hint of tactical charm. Sort of like James Bond when he’s wearing a turtleneck and jeans instead of that tuxedo. The knife uses the finest materials and is well-balanced for a wonderful user experience, and that glass-breaker tip is quite literally a cherry on the cake

What we like

• Good ergonomics, great balance
• A wonderful grab for its price tag
• The glass-breaker tip is a lovely tactical add-on

What we dislike

• While we have no official complaints, somehow adding a bottle-opener to this would make it a no-brainer winner!