Civivi Concept 22 Fixed Blade Review — When Cool Design Trips Over Itself

Quick Take
I wanted to love this knife. It looks great, feels fantastic in hand, and came wicked sharp. But the blade geometry kills it. The “cool factor” is undeniable, yet the design just doesn’t translate to real-world use. The bottom point where the two grind angles meet constantly catches and binds — right where your natural cut path should flow. That makes the Concept 22 a disappointment in actual cutting, no matter how sharp or stylish it is.

First Impressions

I’m usually a fan of Civivi. They’ve built a reputation for high-value knives that punch above their price without gimmicks. The Concept 22 looked like more of that magic: D2 steel, G10 scales, full tang, and a clean, almost futuristic modified tanto design. On paper, it checked the boxes — and in hand, it actually feels great.

This is a Jeff Blauvelt (Tuff Knives) design, and you can tell he went for a distinctive look. The ergos are solid, the contouring is clean, and it gives off that tough, tactical vibe Civivi’s been doing well with lately. But once I started cutting, things fell apart fast.

Specs and Build

• Overall Length: 9.88 inches
• Blade Length: 4.8 inches
• Handle Length: 5.08 inches
• Blade Thickness: 0.16 inches
• Handle Thickness: 0.47 inches
• Weight: 7.09 ounces
• Steel: D2
• Handle: G10 (Green or Black)
• Sheath: Kydex-style taco sheath with Civivi’s Terzuola-style clip

For about $90, you get decent materials and a truly premium sheath. Civivi’s fixed-blade sheaths are some of the best in this price range — rock-solid lockup, no rattle, smooth draw, and an adjustable clip that lets you carry horizontal or vertical. The fit and finish are excellent. No argument there.

So far, everything sounds good. But then we get to the blade.

The Blade Design Problem

This is marketed as a modified tanto, but in practice, it’s more of a confused dual-grind experiment. You get two distinct cutting planes meeting in a low, abrupt transition point — and that’s where the trouble starts.

Every time you cut something with resistance — cardboard, rope, rubber, even wood — that lower angle catches. It’s like hitting a small speed bump halfway through a slice. The problem isn’t the edge sharpness (it’s hair-shaving sharp out of the box); it’s the geometry. That secondary tip hits before your main belly engages, breaking your cut flow.

The result: hang-ups, stalls, and frustration, especially in pull cuts or controlled slices where precision matters. It’s also right where your hand naturally wants to guide the knife, so you feel it over and over again. It’s a subtle design flaw that ruins an otherwise great tool.

Ergonomics and Grip

Here’s where the knife redeems itself — at least partially. The handle feels great. The G10 is contoured nicely, slightly thinner near the front and flaring at the back, so it locks into the palm. There are no real hot spots, even under pressure. The choil area is usable, though tight. Civivi calls it a sharpening choil, and they’re right — it’s too small for comfort if you try to choke up aggressively.

For everyday or light-duty carry, the grip feels controlled and balanced. I’ll give Civivi credit for nailing the comfort and build quality. If the blade matched the handle’s design refinement, this would have been a winner.

Sheath and Carry

The sheath is a home run. Civivi’s Kydex-style sheaths have excellent retention — that satisfying “click” when you reholster is confidence-inspiring. The Terzuola-style clip is adjustable for orientation and makes it easy to mount to belts, packs, or webbing. No complaints here. For a sub-$100 fixed blade, this is as good as it gets in factory carry systems.

Real-World Cutting Performance

I ran the Concept 22 through my standard lineup: rope, paracord, cardboard, plastic tubing, and rubber inner tube. The D2 steel held a great edge, and it cuts aggressively… when it’s not catching. But that hang-up point ruins the rhythm of cutting tasks. On harder materials like cardboard or rubber, it almost feels like the blade wants to bite twice — once at the secondary edge, then again at the main.

It’s not unsafe, just awkward. And the more you cut, the more noticeable it gets. If this were a pure defensive or stabbing-style knife, maybe that would be fine. But for utility, camping, or general fixed-blade work? It’s frustrating.

Sharpening and Maintenance

No issues here. D2 sharpens up nicely with a Work Sharp or a basic ceramic setup. After a touch-up, the edge was back to surgical levels. The problem isn’t steel or sharpness — it’s the design. You can make it razor-sharp, but you can’t grind away that awkward edge transition without completely reshaping the knife.

Performance vs. Purpose

Here’s the real dilemma: Civivi hasn’t made it clear what this knife is for. The design looks tactical, but the grind and handle lean more toward EDC or light camp use. It’s too heavy for daily carry, too awkward for camp chores, and too small for a serious field knife.

If you collect knives for looks or want something unique on the shelf, sure — it’s a conversation piece. But if you’re buying to actually use it, this is where function loses to form.

Pros

• Excellent fit and finish
• Great sheath with strong retention
• Razor-sharp D2 edge out of the box
• Comfortable handle shape and contouring
• Unique aesthetic and solid ergonomics

Cons

• Blade geometry catches and binds during cuts
• Choil too tight for a real finger hold
• Handle might be too thin for extended work
• Lacks clear purpose — not great for utility, camp, or defensive use

Final Verdict

I really wanted to like the Civivi Concept 22. It feels fantastic in hand, looks great, and shows off Civivi’s excellent production quality. But the blade shape is a deal-breaker. The geometry looks stylish, but in practice, it works against you. That bottom angle — where the two grinds meet — constantly hangs up, stopping cuts right when you need smooth flow.

If this design were tweaked, even slightly, it could have been something special. The materials, comfort, and build are all solid. But as it stands, this knife is more showpiece than workhorse.

Verdict: Great concept, poor execution. It’s a pass for me.

Affiliate Disclosure: I purchased this knife myself. Some links on this site may be affiliate links that help support Tech Writer EDC at no extra cost to you.