Black Triangle Group recently created the Midnight Creeper MK4 by adding a pommel flare to an already useful design. Now, this same pommel flare has been brought to the more compact and concealable MK2M2 and MK2M3 designs with the addition of the new MK5 Mod 2 and MK5 Mod 3.
The pommel makes the MK5 Mod 2 and MK5 Mod 3 easier to index and draw versus their MK2M2 and MK2M3 predecessors. The new tools are slightly wider at the top but no longer than their predecessors.
As of the time of this writing, all Black Triangle Group’s G-10 tools are 15% off. The discount is added automatically.
I carry a fixed blade knife daily – usually an Amtac Blades Northman or Magnus. Those knives can be a little out of place in some settings. This is why I like the idea of the Public Knife and I am always on the lookout for truly great small knives. I think I landed on one, maybe the best one, in the Civivi Knives Baby Banter.
Overview
The Baby Banter was designed by Ben Peterson of internet knife guy and all-around nice guy fame. It is made in China by Civivi with their typical attention to detail and excellent quality.
Blade Length: 2.4″ (61 mm)
Overall Length: 5.5″ (139.7 mm)
Closed Length: 3.1″ (78.7 mm)
Weight: 1.99 oz (56.48 g)
Blade Steel: Nitro V (59 – 61 HRC)
Blade Shape: Drop point
Blade Grind: Flat
Lock Type: Liner Lock
Pocket Clip: deep carry, right/left hand, tip up, stainless steel
Thumbstud: Titanium
Handle material: G10
Observations from Use
My time with this knife has been a lot of fun. I initially purchased the blue G-10 version and carried it for about 2 months. During that time, my 12-year-old frequently made it known that she wanted one just like it. So, I bought myself the purple version and put the blue one in her stocking for Christmas. So, its safe to say I, or we, love this knife.
I don’t want to get bogged down in all the knife nerd details so I will focus instead on what makes this knife a joy to use. One of the more important features in this vein is the finger choil. I typically do not like large choils except on a small knife like this because a well-executed finger choil can create a knife that is both very compact but still provide a full grip. The choil is key to making the Baby Banter small enough for 5th pocket carry and large enough to do real work.
Ben Peterson and Civivi obviously didn’t forget that knives are supposed to cut things because the little Nitro-V steel blade in the Baby Banter cuts like a laser. It has all three of the holy trinity of cutting attributes – thin blade stock, a tall primary grind, and it is thin behind the edge. These knives are laser-sharp out of the box and it is easy to keep them that way thanks to excellent cutting geometry.
The action on these little knives is excellent out of the box and only gets better with time. This shouldn’t come as a surprise if you have handled other Civivi knives. Civivi nailed the detent tension and ball bearing pivot on these, making them a joy to flick open.
The pocket clip is also excellent. It carries deep and offers great retention. It also has a very flat design that you barely notice when you are actually cutting.
Overall, the Baby Banter feels very good in my hand thanks to the well-designed choil. It is more hand-filling than you would ever expect from a knife this small. It is comfortable to use… but I could have been just a bit better. The butt of the knife is somewhat square and in some grips, this portion of the knife is against the palm of the user. This design is visually attractive and consistent with the design language of the larger We Knives Banter but a bit more gradual rounding here could make the knife more comfortable overall. In the end, this is a small nit-pick since the knife is very ergonomic as is.
Wrap Up
I’ll go out on a limb and say the Baby Banter is currently the best “little big knife” on the market.
It does a fine job of balancing quality with value, compact size with hand filling performance, and stylish design with ergonomics. It’s fun to fidget with, fun to cut with, and even fun to look at. At less than $60 shipped, this is a winner.
The Civivi Elementum is a certified smash hit of an EDC knife. It’s no wonder this knife is an absolute phenomenon given its clean lines, slim profile, and useful blade shape. It has been so popular in fact that We Knives, the more upscale parent company of Civivi, is giving the many what they have been clamoring for… a premium version of the Elementum.
The We Knives version of the popular Elementum features a titanium handle with frame lock. The 2.97″ spear point blade is ground from CPM 20CV steel or Damasteel.
Hard Ready Brand is clearly making a name for themselves in the realm of affordable but practical fixed blade knives. Their HR1 (see our review) has shown that they have a knack for balancing priorities to deliver an affordable knife with important features that stand out at any price point… and it appears that they have done it again.
The Stubby, the first in a series of knives named for dogs that served in war, is available for pre-order now. As you would expect from Hard Ready Brand, the spec sheet is incredible at the price point.
The Stubby features a full tang construction from 3/16″ thick D2 steel. The 3″ long spear point blade has a tall flat grind and swedge grind resulting in a tip that is both well supported and acute enough for piercing cuts. The handles feature bolsters and thick, textured G-10 slabs.
The sheath, specifically the clip on the sheath, is an area that really sets Hard Ready Brand apart. The sheath included with the Stubby features the same type of centerline clip found on the HR1 meaning this can be carried with or without a belt. This clip is a great example of what Hard Ready Brand does that no one else is doing in this space. They understand how to actually make a functional sheath which is all but unheard of at this price point.
The Stubby is available for pre-order now for $84.99 until Christmas Day. Once the pre-sale ends, this will still be a sub-$100 knife.
I carry a fixed blade knife, like the excellent Amtac Blades Northman, daily. I am comfortable doing this and I live in a place where it isn’t at all unusual to see someone with a knife on their belt (though mine is concealed). However, I also acknowledge that there are settings in which it would be strange to use a somewhat large knife (large relative to most people’s perception) to trim a string. It can be a good idea to carry something smaller and more approachable for common tasks… something like the 5PK Fifth Pocket Knife.
The Fifth Pocket Knife is small enough and typically brightly colored enough that it will not register as “scary” to just about anyone. These machined aluminum utility blade holders slide easily into your fifth pocket (hence the name) and accept standard utility blades so you don’t have to worry about resharpening.
The Fifth Pocket Knife weighs a scant 15 grams. It is available in a variety of colors and it is made right here in the USA.
