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Civivi’s Big-Bladed New EDC Knife Boasts High-End Looks and Three Deployment Methods

Offering something for everyone, this appropriately named flipper is not only highly capable but also fidget-friendly. 

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured black handle and a partially visible blade featuring a Damascus steel pattern, set against a bright green background.Civivi

By Steve Mazzucchi

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As I’ve mentioned once or twice in the course of covering knives for GP, sometimes their names are utterly meaningless or silly, and other times they are quite fitting.

That observation applies even within a single manufacturer, such as Civivi, which can just as easily come up with something relevant like the Triptych as it can word salad its way into the Bluetick.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and a carbon fiber handle, placed on a black textured surface with green paracord and black gloves nearby.
The latest edition of the Brazen is the arguably the best-looking variant yet.
Civivi

Falling into the “fitting” category for this month is the latest iteration of a long-running staple, which gets a new treatment that makes its moniker especially fitting.

I’m talking about this rather luxe-looking, high-functioning edition of the Brazen, of course. 

Sleight of handle

Two major factors contribute to this knife taking on a head-turning look without a pocket-emptying price tag.

The first is the blade material, Damascus steel, which offers above-average performance — excellent edge retention and toughness — along with invariably dazzling looks. 

Folding knife with a carbon fiber textured handle and a partially open blade featuring a distinctive Damascus steel pattern with wavy, layered lines. The blade has a tanto-style tip and a thumb stud for opening. The handle includes a circular button near the pivot point.
Civivi uses Damascus as well as any other brand — and much better than most.
Civivi

Civivi has a knack for making the beautifully rippling blend look particularly good, and with its striking tanto silhouette, the new Brazen is no exception. 

The second is the handle, which, let’s be honest, showcases one of the brand’s classic tricks. 

Folding pocket knife with a textured black carbon fiber handle and a partially visible Damascus steel blade. The handle features a black metal clip for pocket attachment.
Though it is a tad deceptive, the handle does look good, for its part.
Civivi

It features a twill carbon fiber overlay, with stainless steel liners, giving off full carbon looks but not full carbon weight savings.

It’s not an anvil, but at 3.91 ounces, it sure ain’t a feather either. You might call it “bold and without shame,” the textbook definition of, yes, “brazen.”

Task force

That said, the good looks are still backed up by plenty of performance when it comes to everyday jobs, big and small. 

To begin with, the blade is generous, 3.46 inches, and its tanto shape boasts a ton of history itself, while also offering piercing and puncturing power plus adequate chopping and slicing capability.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade featuring intricate wavy lines in black and white. The handle appears to be made of textured black carbon fiber or a similar material, with a visible pivot screw and thumb stud for opening. The blade has a tanto-style tip with a sharp angular point.
The nearly 3.5-inch tanto-shaped blade is a beaut from any angle — and it can chop like a champ too.
Civivi

The knife is also a true fidget palooza, thanks to a trio of smooth deployment methods: ambidextrous thumb studs, rear flipper and a button lock. 

That third method also keeps the blade secure and enables easy one-handed retraction — just press the button and flick your hand to bring it home.

Hand holding a folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and a black textured handle. The blade has a distinctive wavy design, and the handle features a circular logo near the pivot. The background is blurred wooden planks.
Spine jimping and a finger groove help this knife to fit securely and comfortably in the hand, ready for the next job.
Civivi

Little touches that also pop include non-slip spine jimping on the blade, an ergonomic finger groove on the handle and a reversible tip-up deep-carry pocket clip. 

It all adds up to a knife that you can carry proudly — bold and without shame, even. 

Availability and pricing

The Civivi Brazen (C19059C-DS1) is available now for $105. If you like the style more than the price, the brand makes several Brazen variants starting at $58.

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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