The CIVIVI Elementum Family Guide: Every Variant, Lock, and Steel Compared
Ask any EDC enthusiast to name the knife that turned budget folders into serious gear, and the CIVIVI Elementum comes up fast. It has been one of the most carried, most reviewed, and most cloned knife designs of the past few years — and CIVIVI has built an entire family around it.
What started as a simple 2.96-inch flipper in D2 is now a full lineup: button locks, a crossbar lock, slip joints, two fixed blades, a mini, and a utility knife. Prices run from $50 to just over $100, with a few limited editions in between.
This guide walks through every Elementum variant that CIVIVI currently sells, what makes each one different, and which version fits which kind of carry.
The Original Elementum (C907): the flipper that started it
The base Elementum is a front-flipper folder with a 2.96-inch blade and a neutral, rounded handle that disappears in the hand. The classic config pairs a D2 blade with black G10 scales, a satin finish, hollow grind, and stainless steel liners — 6.99 inches overall, 2.89 ounces, and 82 grams. D2 at 59-61 HRC gives it good edge retention for the price, and the hollow grind keeps the edge geometry thin enough for clean slicing. D2's combination of wear resistance and easy sharpening is why it became the default budget steel; Knife Steel Nerds has a full breakdown of how D2 behaves{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"} at different hardness levels, and CIVIVI's official site{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"} carries the full Elementum lineup.
The Elementum G10 (C907A) sits at $103.50, and it's the reference point for the whole family: if you want to know what an Elementum feels like, this is the one to start with.
Handle material is the Elementum's superpower
Very few budget knives are offered in as many handle materials as the Elementum. Beyond G10 there are micarta, wood, carbon fiber, ultem, lexan, copper, and brass versions — most at the same $103.50 price point. That makes the Elementum a great entry into handle-material collecting without buying different knives.
Two standouts:
- Elementum Copper (C907T-B) — $103.50. This one pairs a black stonewashed D2 tanto blade with a solid copper handle. It's heavy at 4.68 ounces, and the copper will develop a patina over time — a feature for people who like gear that ages. Our copper and brass handle guide covers that patina process in more detail.
- Elementum FatCarbon (C907A-6) — $103.50. A 10th-anniversary limited edition capped at 2,014 pieces, each with a custom serial number and a signed certificate of authenticity. The blade is CPM-S35VN, a clear upgrade over D2 for corrosion resistance and edge retention, and the FatCarbon handle has that layered, marbled look. For collectors, this is the most interesting Elementum of the group.
Elementum Flipper & Thumb Stud (C18062AF): Nitro-V upgrade, two ways to open
CIVIVI later updated the Elementum platform with a Nitro-V blade and added a thumb stud alongside the flipper tab. The Elementum G10 (C18062AF-1) is $90 — a bit less than the D2 original — with a 2.97-inch blade, 7 inches overall, and the same 2.89-ounce weight.
Nitro-V is a Sandvik steel that has become a budget favorite: easy to sharpen, tough, and noticeably more corrosion resistant than D2. If you live in a humid climate or carry in sweaty pockets, this version is the practical pick over the original. Nitro-V is made by Swedish steelmaker Sandvik, and Wikipedia's overview of Sandvik knife steels{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"} covers where it sits in the company's 14C28N-to-Nitro-V lineup.
Button Lock Elementum (C2103): bigger blade, one-hand close
The Button Lock Elementum takes the family in a different direction: a 3.47-inch blade in a knife that still carries like a pocket-friendly folder. At 8 inches overall and 3.19 ounces, it's the largest Elementum folder in the lineup.
The Button Lock Elementum Micarta (C2103B) is $75.90 with a 14C28N blade. The button lock gives you the same fidget-friendly one-hand close as a crossbar or axis-style lock, but with a simpler internal layout. The extra half-inch of blade makes it a better choice for heavier daily cutting than the 2.96-inch original.
Elementum II (C18062P): button lock, original footprint
If you like the Button Lock Elementum's lock but prefer the original knife's compact proportions, the Elementum II is the answer. It keeps a 2.96-inch blade and 7.06-inch overall length, and adds a button lock with a slightly thicker 0.51-inch handle for a more solid grip.
- Elementum II G10 (C18062P-3) — $90, Nitro-V blade, 3.12 ounces.
- Elementum II Carbon Fiber / G10 Damascus (C18062PB-DS1) — $90, Damascus blade with CF/G10 handle, 3.3 ounces. The folded-steel pattern makes this the dressiest Elementum II.
- Elementum II Ultem (C18062P-8) — $90, Nitro-V blade, 2.84 ounces. Ultem is a translucent high-temperature polymer that keeps weight down; our ultem handle explainer goes deeper on the material.
BladeHQ also carries exclusive Elementum II colorways at $79, so if you want a specific color not in the main catalog, exclusives are worth checking.
Elementum Crossbar Lock (C24063B): premium materials, modern lock
The newest member of the family, the Elementum Crossbar Lock (C24063B-1) at $108.53, moves the platform to a crossbar lock — the same lock style popularized by Benchmade's Axis and used across brands for its easy one-hand operation and ambidextrous usability.
This variant pairs a 2.96-inch CPM-S35VN blade in black stonewash with a Nebula FatCarbon handle. It's the most premium-feeling Elementum CIVIVI makes: S35VN is a step up in edge retention and corrosion resistance from the D2 and Nitro-V versions, and the crossbar lock makes closing feel smooth and deliberate. If you want the classic Elementum shape with modern lock tech and upgraded steel, this is the flagship pick.
Elementum Slip Joint (C18062AJ): no lock, every environment
For people who want an Elementum in settings where locking knives draw questions — or who simply prefer a traditional feel — CIVIVI makes a slip joint version. The Elementum Slip Joint Resin (C18062AJ-4) is $60 with a 2.96-inch 14C28N blade.
A slip joint has no locking mechanism; a spring holds the blade open, and you close it by folding. It's lighter on pocket real estate in terms of legal friction, and it makes the Elementum design available to a much wider audience. Our slip joint explainer covers how the mechanism works and which CIVIVI models use it.
Mini Elementum (C18062Q): 1.83 inches of keychain-friendly steel
The Mini Elementum shrinks the design down to a 1.83-inch 14C28N blade in a 4.33-inch knife that weighs just 1.42 ounces. It's one of the few Elementums aimed at small-carries and office environments where a full-size folder feels like too much.
Both use a presentation-side brass or copper scale with a stainless steel lock side — a nice compromise that gets the patina look without the full-metal weight. This is also a popular fifth-pocket or watch-pocket knife.
The fixed blades: Mini Elementum Fixed and Fixed Blade Elementum
CIVIVI also took the Elementum name to fixed blades in two very different sizes.
The Mini Elementum Fixed (C23010-1) is $58.53 with a 2.24-inch Nitro-V blade and an astonishingly light 0.79-ounce weight. At 4.96 inches overall it's a neck-knife-size fixed blade that disappears on a lanyard — practical as a backup blade or a first fixed-blade purchase.
The Fixed Blade Elementum (C2104A) is the opposite end: a 3.98-inch 10Cr15CoMoV blade at 8.48 inches overall and 5.47 ounces, with contoured black-and-red G10 scales and a hollow grind. This is a proper outdoor knife for camp tasks, food prep, and light woodwork. 10Cr15CoMoV is CIVIVI's house stainless, comparable to 440C-class steels with good edge stability.
Elementum Utility (C23039): the box-opener with the family face
Yes, CIVIVI even made an Elementum-branded utility knife. The Elementum Utility (C23039B-4) is $50 with a 2.26-inch stainless blade holder that accepts standard utility blades, operated by thumb stud and button lock.
It weighs 2.3 ounces and carries exactly like the folder — which makes it a great desk drawer or work-bag companion for people who don't want to wear down a good knife edge on tape and cardboard. The blade swaps are tool-free, so it's the most practical Elementum for shipping-heavy lives.
Which Elementum should you buy?
| Need | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The classic Elementum experience | Elementum G10 D2 (C907A) | $103.50 |
| Humid climate / corrosion resistance | Elementum Nitro-V (C18062AF-1) | $90 |
| Bigger blade, one-hand close | Button Lock Elementum (C2103B) | $75.90 |
| Original size + button lock | Elementum II G10 (C18062P-3) | $90 |
| Premium steel + modern lock | Elementum Crossbar Lock (C24063B-1) | $108.53 |
| Lock-free carry | Elementum Slip Joint (C18062AJ-4) | $60 |
| Tiny / office carry | Mini Elementum Brass (C18062Q-1) | $90 |
| Backup or neck knife | Mini Elementum Fixed (C23010-1) | $58.53 |
| Outdoor / camp use | Fixed Blade Elementum (C2104A) | $87.65 |
| Boxes and tape | Elementum Utility (C23039B-4) | $50 |
The Elementum family is rare in the budget space: one design language, every lock type, every carry style, and a price point that never punishes experimentation. Start with the one that matches how you actually carry — and if you catch the collecting bug, the handle-material variants make it very easy to fill a drawer.
For more CIVIVI context, see our CIVIVI buying guide, the best CIVIVI EDC knives under $80, and our CIVIVI Elementum Nitro-V review.
FAQ
Is the CIVIVI Elementum worth it in 2026?
Yes. The Elementum remains one of the best-value EDC knives, and the expanded family means you can get the same design with D2, Nitro-V, 14C28N, S35VN, or Damascus steel and nearly any handle material you like.
What steel does the CIVIVI Elementum use?
The original uses D2. Newer variants use Nitro-V (C18062AF and Elementum II), 14C28N (button lock, slip joint, mini), 10Cr15CoMoV (fixed blade), and CPM-S35VN (FatCarbon and Crossbar Lock editions).
Is there a button lock Elementum?
Yes, two: the Button Lock Elementum with a 3.47-inch blade, and the Elementum II with a 2.96-inch blade. Both use a button lock for one-hand closing.
How much does a CIVIVI Elementum cost?
Prices range from $50 for the Elementum Utility to $108.53 for the Crossbar Lock edition. The classic D2 versions are $103.50, and most Nitro-V versions are $90.
What is the smallest Elementum?
The Mini Elementum, with a 1.83-inch blade and 4.33-inch overall length, is the smallest folder. The Mini Elementum Fixed Blade (2.24-inch blade, 0.79 oz) is the lightest member of the family.