From KnifeNews Website.:
We are pleased to announce that the Civivi Baklash is the KnifeNews Readers’ Choice for Best New Value Folder 2018 (MSRP of $100 or less). WE’s new budget offering took first place over other well-regarded 2018 models including the Buck 110/112 LT models, KA-BAR Jarosz Flipper, Kizer Domin, and Steel Will Modus.
Whether working under their own label or fashioning OEM projects, WE Knife Co. is an absolute force of nature. When they announced the budget-oriented CIVIVI brand, there were obvious reasons for excitement – and the first batch of releases delivered on that promise.
Each in the initial trio of CIVIVI models had much to recommend them, but the Baklash was the perfect poster child for the new brand. If WE has a house style it’s in their blend of working blade shapes with technical flourishes. It’s a handsome, utilitarian design, with a 3.5-inch drop point blade as the work-ready centerpiece. And best of all: a sub-$50 price that was unprecedented for a WE-produced product. At the time, the company was hitting multiple price points (especially if you factor in their OEM work), but nothing in the difficult budget bracket.
Any time a company breaks into that budget arena, there’s always a curiosity as to whether or not they’ll be able to walk the tightrope between delivering quality and delivering a good price point. With its machined G-10 scales, ball bearing pivot, and anodized liners, the Baklash obviously exuded quality. The 9Cr18MoV steel provided relatively impressive performance too, and a reversible, deep carry pocket clip capped off the package. At their best, budget knives make users feel like they’re getting a lot for their money, and the Baklash managed to do just that.
“Winning the Best Budget Folder Award, WE get this recognition confirmed by the knife community that WE are on the right track,” says Henk Hakvoort, the company’s European Representative. The second batch of CIVIVI releases are already on their way, and WE plans to expand the brand into other types of EDC tools as well.