Civivi Buster FG
Review
Over the last few years I’ve really come to enjoy collecting knives. They are so fascinating and the designs that people come up with are really interesting. One brand that I have found myself loving and trusting with an excellent build quality is Civivi. As I’ve collected knives I’ve noticed that I like larger folding knives. So when I saw the Buster FG, I just had to get one. From the massive size of the knife to the new locking style, we’ve got a lot of great stuff to talk about. So let’s see what makes this knife my new favorite Civivi.
Handle:
The Buster FG features a coarse black G10 handle over a golden stainless steel frame to give it a great two tone look. I personally really wanted this color option because it reminds me of my favorite comic book crime fighter who dresses like a bat. The coarse G10 scales on the handle have a rough finish on them to give you the ability to get a really good grip on it. And with the handle being roughly 5 inches long, you can definitely get a great grip on this knife! Plus it has a reversible pocket clip. Because of the handle material, it stays in my pocket really well. One of my only gripes about it, which is to be expected by a knife of this size, is when it's closed… it’s massive in your pocket. But again, when opened it's almost 10” long. So it’s a big one!
Blade:
One thing that makes the Buster FG different from a lot of Civivi’s knives is its size. This is one of the largest folding knives they have released. The blade on this knife is a sheepsfoot style that measures in at a whopping 4.2” / 106.8mm. To top that off, the blade material is Nitro V. Which is a really great steel for an everyday carry, particularly in corrosion resistance and edge retention. Nitro V is also a steel that can be sharpened very easily. I was helping a friend build some furniture and got the task of cutting down all the cardboard and styrofoam sheets. After slicing up multiple 5 foot sheets of cardboard and styrofoam, this blade is still wicked sharp! Like most folding knives, it has jimping on the back of the blade. When I first got the knife, I wasn’t crazy about it. It just didn’t feel rugged enough or like it had enough grip. But as I used it and really cut stuff, I noticed that it was actually a really great amount and helped me get good control of the blade.
Opening:
The opening on the Buster FG is quite smooth. I was very curious as to how Civivi’s new Super Lock would affect the opening. And just like every Civivi knife I own or have used, it opens really nicely and like I said… smooth. And that’s thanks to the caged ceramic ball bearings they use. For opening styles on the knife you get two thumb studs or you can pull back on the Super Lock and flick the blade out. That is something else about this knife, I wish it had a flipper for opening. But, with this new lock style, that just wouldn’t work because the flipper would get in the way of the lock.
The Lock:
For the Buster FG, Civivi used their new Super Lock. The lock works similar to a crossbar lock. On the backside of the handle there is a spring loaded bar with a finger tab sticking out. On the inside of the blade, near the bearing, there is a cut out slot. So when you open the knife, that slot lines up with the lock bar, then the spring pushes the lock bar into place, locking the blade. It’s a really great locking system that I have really come to enjoy and trust. It feels similar to a back lock, which is very common on Buck style knives. Once it clicks into place, it feels very solid like a fixed blade. I really like how easy it is to unlock. But it’s not easy to accidentally unlock it while using it. I would definitely like to see this lock more on other knives!
Summary:
Civivi has a lot of knives to offer ranging from big to small and in many different styles. The Buster FG has definitely become my favorite Civivi knife I own. It fits very comfortably in my hand and I really dig the new Super Lock. Plus, I love how massive it is (that’s what she said). If you are looking for a big folding knife to use as your everyday carry, I would highly recommend the Civivi Buster FG!
Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points
Claim to Fame:
A large folding knife with a unique, stylish design and a very convenient lock.
Target Market:
Anyone who is wanting a large and tough everyday carry knife that has a unique look.
Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:
Overall Length: 9.65" / 245mm
Width: 1.72" / 43.6mm
Overall Height(Include Clip): 0.68" / 17.2mm
Blade Length: 4.2" / 106.8mm
Closed Length: 5.47" / 139mm
Blade Thickness: 0.16" / 4mm
Handle Thickness: 0.51" / 13mm
Knife Weight: 6.46oz / 183.1g
Blade Material: Nitro-V
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Finish: Black Stonewashed, Satin Flat
Blade Type: Sheepsfoot
Handle Material: Coarse G10
Handle Color/Finish: Black
Back Spacer Material: Stainless Steel
Back Spacer Color/Finish: Black
Liner Material: Stainless Steel
Liner Color/Finish: Golden
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, L/R
Clip Material: Stainless Steel
Screws / Thumb Stud Material: Stainless Steel
Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing
Locking Mechanism: Superlock
Opener: Manual Thumb
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Neutral blue course G10 handle / Satin finished Nitro-V
Green canvas micarta / Black Stonewashed Nitro-V
What others are saying?:
Exceeded High Expectations
I was excited about this knife when I preordered it. You never really know how nice it is until you get it in your hand. This is the smoothest, sharpest knife (out of the box) in my collection. Flicking this knife open the first time was how I imagine every knife I order will be. Very few blow me an away like this one did. Especially in this price range. I haven’t seen any mark on the choil from the stop pin. Specx did an amazing job putting my mind at ease about that. Hair splitting sharp out of the box you really can’t go wrong. It was even bigger than it looks in the pictures. Same length as a Kizer Momo.
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP - $115.00
Retail - $97.75 on Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Great and secure locking system.
Fantastic grip on the handle
Very large, allowing you to get a good grip on it.
Awesome blade steel that has stayed sharp.
Cons:
When it’s closed and in your pocket. It’s almost a little too big.
I wish it had a flipper on it. But I understand why it doesn’t.