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Not everyone wants a big knife in their pocket. For opening packages, cutting tags, trimming string and the hundred small jobs of a normal day, a compact blade is often all you need, and it is far easier to carry. The Civivi Baby Banter, designed by Ben Petersen, is built for exactly that. It is small, light and simple, with a thumb stud for opening and a liner lock to keep the blade in place.
The specs
We looked at the C19068S-8 on Civivi's product page, which pairs a natural G10 handle with black liners and a black stonewashed blade. The listed specifications:
- Overall length: 5.46 inches
- Closed length: 3.12 inches
- Blade length: 2.34 inches
- Blade thickness: 2.3 millimeters
- Handle thickness: 10.3 millimeters
- Weight: 1.99 ounces, or 56.48 grams
- Steel: Nitro-V
- Hardness: 58 to 60 on the Rockwell hardness C scale (HRC)
- Grind: flat
- Blade shape: drop point
- Handle: natural G10 over stainless steel liners
- Thumb stud: 6AL4V titanium
- Pivot: caged ceramic ball bearing
- Lock: nested liner lock
- Clip: tip up, left or right carry
- Designer: Ben Petersen
Size and weight
At 3.12 inches closed and just under 2 ounces, the Baby Banter is a true small knife. Its handle is only 10.3 millimeters thick. That is the main reason to buy it. If you have tried carrying larger folders and found yourself leaving them at home, a knife this size is much more likely to stay with you every day.
The 2.34 inch blade is small but still useful. It handles everyday carry (EDC) tasks like boxes, mail, tape, fruit and cord without fuss.
The blade
The blade is a drop point with a flat grind, made from Nitro-V. On the C19068S-8, the finish is black stonewashed, and Civivi lists the hardness at 58 to 60 HRC. The C19068S-1, with a black G10 handle, uses a gray stonewashed Nitro-V blade that Civivi rates at 59 to 61 HRC.
Opening and locking
Instead of a flipper tab, the Baby Banter opens with a thumb stud made from 6AL4V titanium. You place your thumb on the stud and rotate the blade open. The pivot runs on a caged ceramic ball bearing, and without a flipper tab, nothing sticks out of the handle when the knife is closed.
The blade locks open with what Civivi calls a nested liner lock. If you want to understand how different locks compare, our pocket knife lock types guide covers liner locks, frame locks, back locks and more.
Carry
The pocket clip is set up for tip up carry and can be switched between left and right sides, so left handed users are covered. The clip is stainless steel.
Choosing a version
Civivi sells the Baby Banter in a range of handle colors and materials, and the specifications change slightly between them. The C19068S-8 and C19068S-1 share the same 2.34 inch blade, 3.12 inch closed length and 10.3 millimeter handle, but they differ in blade finish and listed hardness. When you shop, check the model number on the listing and compare it with the details on Civivi's site, so you know exactly which handle, finish and blade you are getting.
How it compares
If you like small knives, the Baby Banter sits in good company. The Civivi Elementum is a slightly larger flipper with a D2 blade. The classic Opinel No. 08 offers a very different, traditional take with a wooden handle. For a lightweight, well known folder with a larger blade, the Spyderco Delica 4 is a long running favorite. If you decide you want more blade after all, the Civivi Baklash is a larger 3.5 inch option from the same maker.
Who it suits
The Baby Banter suits first time knife buyers, people who work in offices or other settings where a large knife feels out of place and anyone who wants a light second knife. Its ambidextrous clip makes it an easy pick for left handed users. It is less suited to people who need a long blade for heavy outdoor work, food prep on large items or anything that calls for a fixed blade.
Before you carry any knife, check the rules where you live and work, since blade length and lock limits vary by location.
Where to buy
For more knives and pocket tools, browse our everyday carry hub.
