Civivi
Civivi Elementum
$44.99Cheaper
Best Pocket Knives · head-to-head
Civivi Elementum vs Cold Steel Recon 1
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Civivi Elementum is cheaper at $44.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Cold Steel
Cold Steel Recon 1
$169.99
Which is better: the Civivi Elementum or Cold Steel Recon 1?
The Civivi Elementum wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Civivi Elementum is the cheaper at $44.99. The Civivi Elementum both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Civivi Elementum | Cold Steel Recon 1 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $44.99 | $169.99 |
| Brand | Civivi | Cold Steel |
| Released | — | — |
| Blade length (in) | 2.96 | 4 |
| Blade steel | D2 | CPM S35VN |
| Lock type | liner lock | Tri-Ad lock |
| Opening mechanism | thumb stud/flipper, caged ball-bearing pivot | dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening |
| Blade shape grind | drop point, hollow grind | clip point, flat grind, DLC coated |
| Handle material | G-10 | G-10 |
| Closed length (in) | 4.03 | 5.375 |
| Weight (oz) | 2.89 | 5.3 |
Sources — Civivi Elementum: civivi.com (verified 2026-08-11). Cold Steel Recon 1: coldsteel.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the Civivi Elementum and Cold Steel Recon 1?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Blade length (in): Civivi Elementum 2.96 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 4
- Blade steel: Civivi Elementum D2 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 CPM S35VN
- Lock type: Civivi Elementum liner lock vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tri-Ad lock
- Opening mechanism: Civivi Elementum thumb stud/flipper, caged ball-bearing pivot vs Cold Steel Recon 1 dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening
- Blade shape grind: Civivi Elementum drop point, hollow grind vs Cold Steel Recon 1 clip point, flat grind, DLC coated
- Closed length (in): Civivi Elementum 4.03 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.375
- Weight (oz): Civivi Elementum 2.89 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.3