Civivi Reviews: Chevalier, Conspirator & Appalachian Drifter II
Published: 2 years ago
Took a look at some new Civivis and an older one.
First, the Chevalier. Great sheepsfoot blade going on, and they stonewashed it. I opted for the cuibortia wood (bubinga) model and I don't regret it. The wood, while lacking any chatoyance, feels very substantial like furniture in the hand... I mean, Bubinga and other Guibortia woods are used a lot for furniture, as well as tonewood for instruments.
I don't end up having much in the way of lock stick. I can force it to have a little bit, if I add a wrist flick along with using the flipper tab, but it's possible that some lube at that connection would clear that up.
The Conspirator came afterward. Found a return on White Mountain Knives from someone who didn't like it. The micarta is a different texture, and looks brighter on the surface. It'll darken and match with time though.
I appreciate the blade shape on this more than I thought I would. Just a great implementation of a tall drop point. The Nitro-V steel is good and I wish the Chevalier used it, just because I already have a ton of 14C28N.
The fullers on both models are crisp enough for you to spidey flick or thumbroll them open as well.
And, the Appalachian Drifter II. This one came and went and didn't seem to be all that popular. It's fairly similar to the Rustic Gent, but more expensive due to them only using S35VN steel for it, and of course it has a lock. It's hollow ground, so not as crazy thin behind the edge as some of their full flats, but a great slicer nonetheless. The action on this thing though isn't great, and a tune up didn't fix any of that.
Chevalier Specs:
3.47" (88.1mm) 14C28N blade with 3 mm stock thickness
3.18 oz / 90 gram weight
0.52" (13.1mm) handle thickness (Cuibortia Wood)
Button Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Conspirator Specs:
3.49" (88.6mm) Nitro-V blade with 2.9 mm stock thickness
3.77 oz / 107 gram weight
0.52" (13.3mm) handle thickness (Micarta)
Button Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Appalachian Drifter II Specs:
2.9" (73.8mm) CPM-S35VN blade with 2.4 mm stock thickness
2.44 oz / 69 gram weight
0.50" (12.7mm) handle thickness (Micarta & CF)
Liner Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
First, the Chevalier. Great sheepsfoot blade going on, and they stonewashed it. I opted for the cuibortia wood (bubinga) model and I don't regret it. The wood, while lacking any chatoyance, feels very substantial like furniture in the hand... I mean, Bubinga and other Guibortia woods are used a lot for furniture, as well as tonewood for instruments.
I don't end up having much in the way of lock stick. I can force it to have a little bit, if I add a wrist flick along with using the flipper tab, but it's possible that some lube at that connection would clear that up.
The Conspirator came afterward. Found a return on White Mountain Knives from someone who didn't like it. The micarta is a different texture, and looks brighter on the surface. It'll darken and match with time though.
I appreciate the blade shape on this more than I thought I would. Just a great implementation of a tall drop point. The Nitro-V steel is good and I wish the Chevalier used it, just because I already have a ton of 14C28N.
The fullers on both models are crisp enough for you to spidey flick or thumbroll them open as well.
And, the Appalachian Drifter II. This one came and went and didn't seem to be all that popular. It's fairly similar to the Rustic Gent, but more expensive due to them only using S35VN steel for it, and of course it has a lock. It's hollow ground, so not as crazy thin behind the edge as some of their full flats, but a great slicer nonetheless. The action on this thing though isn't great, and a tune up didn't fix any of that.
Chevalier Specs:
3.47" (88.1mm) 14C28N blade with 3 mm stock thickness
3.18 oz / 90 gram weight
0.52" (13.1mm) handle thickness (Cuibortia Wood)
Button Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Conspirator Specs:
3.49" (88.6mm) Nitro-V blade with 2.9 mm stock thickness
3.77 oz / 107 gram weight
0.52" (13.3mm) handle thickness (Micarta)
Button Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Appalachian Drifter II Specs:
2.9" (73.8mm) CPM-S35VN blade with 2.4 mm stock thickness
2.44 oz / 69 gram weight
0.50" (12.7mm) handle thickness (Micarta & CF)
Liner Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball