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Some knives are built for big jobs. The Civivi Ki-V is built for the smallest ones. It is a tiny slip joint knife, designed by Ostap Hel, that is meant to ride on a key ring or in a coin pocket and handle quick cuts like opening mail, trimming threads and breaking tape on a package. If most of your cutting is light and you want something you will barely notice, it is worth a look.
The specs
We looked at the C2108B on Civivi's product page, which pairs a black G10 handle with black liners and a black stonewashed blade. Civivi lists:
- Overall length: 3.94 inches
- Closed length: 2.39 inches
- Blade length: 1.55 inches
- Blade thickness: 2.5 millimeters
- Handle thickness: 11.5 millimeters
- Weight: 1.4 ounces, or 39.6 grams
- Steel: 9Cr18MoV
- Hardness: 57 to 59 on the Rockwell hardness C scale (HRC)
- Grind: flat
- Handle: black G10 over stainless steel liners
- Pivot: caged ceramic ball bearing
- Mechanism: double detent slip joint
- Clip: tip up, right carry
- Designer: Ostap Hel
Size
At just 2.39 inches closed and 1.4 ounces, the Ki-V is very small. The full knife is under 4 inches long when open. That makes it a good fit for people who do not want a full size folder at all, or who want a small backup blade alongside a larger knife.
The 1.55 inch blade is short, so set your expectations accordingly. It is suited to everyday carry (EDC) chores like letters, tags, tape, string and small food items, but it is not the right tool for breaking down large boxes or doing outdoor work.
A slip joint, not a locking knife
The Ki-V is not a liner lock or frame lock. Civivi lists its mechanism as a double detent slip joint. Treat it as you would any slip joint and keep your fingers clear of the edge when you close it. If you want to understand how slip joints compare with locking knives, our pocket knife lock types guide covers the differences in detail.
For some people, a small non locking knife is exactly what they want for light chores. If you are weighing it against a classic multi blade pocketknife, our Swiss Army knife models guide walks through the options.
Opening
Civivi sorts its knives by opening mechanism, with categories that include thumb studs, nail nicks and front flippers, and the Ki-V is sold as a front flipper slip joint. The blade turns on a caged ceramic ball bearing pivot, a feature Civivi lists alongside the double detent. Few people expect bearings in a knife this small, so it is worth handling one if you can.
Blade and steel
The blade is made from 9Cr18MoV with a flat grind. On the C2108B, it has a black stonewashed finish and a listed hardness of 57 to 59 HRC. The C2108A pairs a natural G10 handle with a gray stonewashed blade, and Civivi lists that version at 58 to 60 HRC. The overall dimensions and weight are the same, so choosing between them mostly comes down to color and finish.
How it compares
If you want a little more blade with a similar spirit, the Civivi Baby Banter is a slightly larger small knife with a thumb stud and a nested liner lock. For a full size option from the same maker, see the Civivi Praxis. And if you want a single tool that covers more than cutting, our multitool guide covers options with pliers, drivers and more.
Who it suits
The Ki-V suits people who want the smallest possible useful knife, collectors who like small and unusual designs and anyone who wants a backup blade on a key ring or in a bag. Right handed users get the best clip setup, since the clip is listed for right carry only. It is less suited to anyone who needs a locking blade, a long edge or a tool for heavy work.
As with any knife, check the rules where you live, work and travel before carrying it.
Where to buy
For more knives and pocket tools, browse our everyday carry hub.
