The CIVIVI Slippy Sendy is what happens when a budget-friendly brand takes the traditional slip joint seriously. Designed by Ben Petersen and built around a 2.81-inch Nitro-V blade, it drops the locking mechanism, drops the pocket clip, and leans fully into the quiet, two-hand-close rhythm of a classic folder. CIVIVI sells it in two versions: a milled green and red G10 model at $75 and a bead-blasted yellow Ultem model at $73.70. Neither one tries to be everything to everyone, which is exactly the point. For a quick refresher on where the design comes from, [Wikipedia's pocketknife entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocketknife "Pocketknife - Wikipedia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow") covers the history of the folding knife generally.
What is the CIVIVI Slippy Sendy?
The Slippy Sendy is a slip joint knife, which means there is no lock holding the blade open. A spring-loaded backspring and the friction of the joint keep the blade in place while you cut, and you close it by pushing the blade back past a half-stop and folding it into the handle. It is the oldest folder design still in production, and CIVIVI's take on it is deliberately modern in construction and deliberately old-fashioned in feel.
Ben Petersen is the designer behind several of CIVIVI's best-known models, including the Baby Banter and Ki-V lines, and the Slippy Sendy shares that same compact, practical DNA. It is a small knife by EDC standards: 6.52 inches overall, 2.81 inches of blade, and a slim 0.39-inch-thick handle. If you are looking for a do-everything hard-use folder, this is not it. If you want something that disappears into a pocket and handles the daily package-and-envelope routine without drama, it fits that role unusually well.
Slippy Sendy specs at a glance
| Spec | G10 version (C24075B-1) | Ultem version |
|---|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.81" / 71.5mm | 2.81" |
| Overall length | 6.52" / 165.6mm | 6.52" |
| Closed length | 3.7" / 94.1mm | 3.7" |
| Blade thickness | 0.09" / 2.2mm | 0.09" |
| Handle thickness | 0.39" / 10mm | 0.39" |
| Steel | Nitro-V, 59-61 HRC | Nitro-V |
| Grind | Flat | Flat |
| Blade finish | Satin | Black stonewashed |
| Handle | Milled green & red G10 | Bead-blasted yellow Ultem |
| Pivot | Bronze washers | Bronze washers |
| Lock | Slip joint | Slip joint |
| Weight | 1.65oz / 46.7g (with lanyard) | — |
| Clip | None | None |
| Lanyard | Brown leather | Black paracord |
| Designer | Ben Petersen | Ben Petersen |
Both versions share the same blade length, overall length, Nitro-V steel, bronze washer pivot, and slip joint mechanism. The differences are cosmetic and material-based, and the price gap between them is less than two dollars.
Two versions: G10 vs Ultem
The CIVIVI Slippy Sendy C24075B-1 at $75 is the one most listings show first, and [CIVIVI's official product page](https://www.civivi.com/products/civivi-slippy-sendy-c24075b-1 "CIVIVI Slippy Sendy C24075B-1 - Official Specs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow") carries the full specification sheet. Its milled green and red G10 scales are textured, grippy, and look more like a modern CIVIVI than a vintage slip joint. The satin-finished clip point blade is the more traditional shape of the two, and it ships with a brown leather lanyard attached to the handle.
The Ultem version at $73.70 swaps the G10 for bead-blasted yellow Ultem, a translucent high-temperature polymer CIVIVI has used across its budget line. The blade is black stonewashed instead of satin, and the lanyard is black paracord rather than leather. Ultem is lighter than G10, and the semitransparent scales give the knife a clean, almost industrial look that pairs well with the darker blade.
Neither version comes with a pocket clip. That is a deliberate design choice: with a blade this short, a clip adds bulk without adding much. Instead, the lanyards give you something to grab when the knife is sitting at the bottom of a pocket.
The Nitro-V blade
Nitro-V is a nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel that has become a favorite in the budget-to-midrange segment. The nitrogen addition gives it better edge retention and corrosion resistance than older 440-series and 8Cr-style steels while staying relatively easy to sharpen. CIVIVI heat-treats the Slippy Sendy's blade to 59-61 HRC, which is a sensible hardness for a steel of this type — hard enough to hold a working edge, not so hard that it becomes brittle or a pain to touch up.
The flat grind helps here. A flat-ground blade cuts through cardboard, tape, and paper with less resistance than a thick saber grind, and it leaves a thin edge that responds well to a few passes on a strop. If you want a deeper look at how Nitro-V stacks up against other budget steels, our 14C28N vs Nitro-V comparison covers the trade-offs in detail.
The blade opens with a nail nick, the traditional slip joint method. You catch the nick with a thumbnail and rotate the blade out. On the G10 version, the clip point blade stops at a confident half-stop — a detent position around 90 degrees where the blade holds before you close it. It is a small thing, but it is what separates a well-built slip joint from a loose one.
Opening and action
Because there is no lock and no flipper, the Slippy Sendy's action lives or dies by its pivot. CIVIVI used bronze washers rather than ball bearings, which is the right call for a slip joint. Bronze washers give a smooth, controlled opening with enough drag that the blade never feels like it is going to flop open on its own. Bearings would be overkill on a knife this small and would add maintenance.
The nail nick opening takes a little practice if you are used to thumb studs or flippers. The blade is short, so you have less leverage than on a bigger knife, and the clip point's swedge gives your thumbnail a shallow target. After a few days of use it becomes natural, and the half-stop makes closing predictable every time.
Carry: no clip, lanyard life
The Slippy Sendy is at its best in the pocket. At 10mm thick and under two ounces with the lanyard attached, it sits unnoticed next to a phone or a wallet. The lack of a clip means it never catches on seatbelts or pockets, and the lanyard pulls it out cleanly. If you have ever lost a smooth little folder to the bottom of a jacket pocket, you will understand why the lanyard exists.
That said, clipless carry is not for everyone. If you are used to tip-up clips and quick one-hand deployment, a slip joint with a nail nick is a different rhythm entirely. It is worth reading our guide to EDC knife pocket carry to see where a no-clip slip joint fits in the spectrum.
Who should carry it
The Slippy Sendy is an office knife first. A slim, non-threatening folder that opens quietly and closes with two hands is a natural fit for a desk job, and it pairs well with the kinds of office-friendly EDC knives we have covered before. It is also a good choice for anyone who prefers no-lock carry, whether out of habit or because a slip joint sidesteps locking-knife restrictions in some jurisdictions.
It is not the knife to reach for when you need to baton wood or pry something open. A 2.81-inch blade with no lock has limits, and respecting them is part of using it. For light daily cutting — boxes, envelopes, tape, cord, snack packages — it is more than enough, and it does it with a charm that most tactical folders cannot match.
Alternatives from the CIVIVI lineup
If the Slippy Sendy appeals but you want different sizes or prices, CIVIVI's slip joint catalog has options at both ends:
- CIVIVI Ki-V at $53 — a much smaller 1.55-inch 9Cr18MoV slip joint with a thumb hole. The closest thing CIVIVI makes to a keychain-size traditional folder.
- CIVIVI Fracture at $33.50 — a bigger 3.35-inch 8Cr14MoV slip joint with a thumb hole, available in tanto or drop point. The budget pick of the group.
- CIVIVI Stylum at $70 — a front-flipper slip joint in 10Cr15CoMoV with a Micarta handle, for people who want a slip joint but miss the flipper flick.
- CIVIVI Appalachian Drifter at $98 — a premium S35VN slip joint with a carbon fiber handle, the closest thing CIVIVI makes to a collector-grade traditional folder.
For the full picture of how all of these compare, our CIVIVI slip joint knives explained guide walks through the whole lineup, and the CIVIVI knife buying guide places the Slippy Sendy alongside the brand's locking folders.
Verdict
The CIVIVI Slippy Sendy is a focused little knife that knows exactly what it is. It trades locks, clips, and one-hand deployment for a slim profile, a satisfying traditional action, and a genuinely nice Nitro-V blade — all for around $75. If you carry a pocket knife mostly for light cutting and you value discretion over capability, it is easy to recommend. Retail coverage backs that read: [KnifeCenter stocks the line](https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CIVC24075B1/civivi-knives-ben-petersen-slippy-sendy-slipjoint-folding-knife-nitro-v-satin-clip-point-blade-green-g10-handles-with-red-g10-spacers "CIVIVI Slippy Sendy at KnifeCenter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"), and [Gear Patrol's first look](https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/civivi-slippy-sendy/ "Gear Patrol on the Slippy Sendy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow") called the new G10 editions a modern take on a traditional silhouette. If you need a hard-use folder, look elsewhere; the CIVIVI Ki-V family guide and our other CIVIVI buying content will point you to locking options that fit better.
FAQ
Is the CIVIVI Slippy Sendy a locking knife?
No. The Slippy Sendy is a slip joint knife with no locking mechanism. A backspring holds the blade in the open and closed positions, and the blade is folded away manually past a half-stop.
What steel does the Slippy Sendy use?
Both versions use a 2.81-inch Nitro-V blade heat-treated to 59-61 HRC. The G10 version has a satin finish, while the Ultem version is black stonewashed.
Does the Slippy Sendy have a pocket clip?
No. Neither version includes a pocket clip. Both rely on attached lanyards — brown leather on the G10 model and black paracord on the Ultem model — for pocket retrieval.
What is the difference between the G10 and Ultem versions?
The G10 version ($75) has milled green and red G10 scales, a satin clip point blade, and a leather lanyard. The Ultem version ($73.70) has bead-blasted yellow Ultem scales, a black stonewashed blade, and a paracord lanyard. Specs are otherwise identical.
Is this a hands-on review?
No. This article is based on official CIVIVI product specifications, listed prices, and retail listings. We have not carried or tested the Slippy Sendy ourselves.