Your CIVIVI pocket knife, be it an Elementum with a button lock, a Praxis, or any of the other popular models, exhibits quality that engenders longevity.
With that said, these workhorses need to be stabled and maintained from time to time. Even corrosion-resistant stainless alloys and advanced synthetics benefit from a little TLC.
So, what are some things you can do to make sure your CIVIVI is still kicking years from now? Here are a few things.
General Maintenance Pointers
While these suggestions are specifically for CIVIVI owners, they’re applicable to literally any folding knife, so if you landed here by accident, you’re in luck.
- Keep it sharp: You’re more likely to slip and injure yourself with a dull knife, so keeping your CIVIVI sharp will make it safer, not to mention more enjoyable to use.
- Dry it after use: Even if your CIVIVI is made with a high-quality, corrosion-resistant steel like 14C28N or Nitro-V, you should never put a knife (folding or otherwise) away wet. Always clean and dry it before use; that will help prevent corrosion and pitting.
- Don’t store it anywhere humid: Whether or not the knife is clean and dry, do not store it in any high-humidity location. Even corrosion-resistant alloys won’t last long under those conditions.
- Keep the pivot and internals clean: Keeping the pivot mechanism and the “inside” of the knife clean is one of the keys to longevity. Use a nylon brush or a pick to remove any detritus and rinse it out with water before drying. Alternatively, you may be able to use compressed air to blast out debris.
- Don’t overuse liquid lube: A little bit of oil on the blade and pivot can keep things working smoothly and prevent corrosion; too much will trap dust. Less is more.
What Not to Do
The other component of maintenance is knowing what constitutes abuse so you can avoid it. Whether your folder is a CIVIVI or something else, here are some things not to do – they are categorical abuse.
- Don’t throw it: Never throw a folding knife, CIVIVI or otherwise. Just don’t. You’ll break the tip or pivot.
- Don’t stick it in the ground: This can damage the lock, will wear the blade, can scratch the finish, and will accelerate corrosion if ground conditions are wet.
- Don’t baton with it: Batoning can notch the blade, break the pivot, or cause lock failure. It’s also dangerous and can cause the blade to fold on your hands.
- Don’t pry with it: This is another way to break the tip or pivot.
- Don’t abuse it in any other way: It’s impossible to compile a comprehensive list of what you shouldn’t do with a knife, so we’ll leave you with this. If at any point, you think “Should I be doing this?” you probably shouldn’t, so don’t.
Where to Get a New CIVIVI Pocket Knife
Want a new CIVIVI pocket knife? Check out what White Mountain Knives has in stock. They carry a wide range of popular models from this and represent tons of other popular brands as well.
For more information, consult their website. They offer low prices, have lots of exclusives made in collaboration with leading manufacturers, and offer free shipping in the United States.
