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If you’ve browsed “best EDC under $100” lists in the last few years, you’ve seen the CIVIVI Elementum. It’s a compact drop-point flipper that hit a sweet spot: light, smooth bearings, honest price, and enough handle for real cutting without feeling like a brick in the pocket. Then CIVIVI spun the same silhouette into a button lock, a larger button-lock sibling, and a fixed blade—so “which Elementum?” is a real question now.
Quick honesty note: I haven’t carried an Elementum myself yet. This is a researched buying guide. Specs and prices below come from CIVIVI’s official product pages and Blade HQ listings, checked in October 2026. When I mention what owners say, it comes from those retailer reviews—not from my own use. When I get one in hand, I’ll update this post.
I already call out the Button Lock Elementum II as a strong first-knife gift in my pocket knife gift guide. This post is the full family breakdown so you can pick the right lock, steel, and size.
The Short Version
- Best classic / proven budget flipper: Elementum liner lock (C907A) — ~2.96″ D2, G10, liner lock, ~2.89 oz. $59 at CIVIVI and Blade HQ.
- Best modern fidget / one-hand close: Button Lock Elementum II (C18062P-1) — same ~2.96″ class blade, Nitro-V, button lock, ~3.12 oz. $76.50 MSRP at CIVIVI; $65 street at Blade HQ (matches what I saw for gifts earlier).
- Want a longer folder: Button Lock Elementum (C2103A) — 3.47″ 14C28N blade, bigger closed length. $75.90 at CIVIVI. Not the same knife as Elementum II.
- Want a fixed blade in the same vibe: Fixed Blade Elementum (C2105A) — 3.98″ D2, G10, Kydex sheath, ~4.89 oz. $87.65 CIVIVI / $87 Blade HQ.
- Not ideal if: You need a lefty-friendly clip on the Elementum II (CIVIVI lists tip-up right carry only), or you want something under $50 (see my budget EDC under $50 list instead).
Elementum Family at a Glance
These share the Elementum name and a drop-point / hollow-grind personality, but the SKUs are different animals.
| Model | SKU example | Blade | Steel | Lock / type | Weight | Typical price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementum (classic) | C907A | 2.96″ | D2 | Liner lock folder | 2.89 oz | $59 (CIVIVI, Blade HQ) |
| Button Lock Elementum II | C18062P-1 | 2.96″ | Nitro-V | Button lock folder | 3.12 oz | $76.50 MSRP / $65 Blade HQ |
| Button Lock Elementum (larger) | C2103A | 3.47″ | 14C28N | Button lock folder | 3.38 oz | $75.90 (CIVIVI) |
| Fixed Blade Elementum | C2105A | 3.98″ | D2 | Fixed + Kydex | 4.89 oz | $87.65 CIVIVI / $87 Blade HQ |
Base black G10 versions above. CIVIVI also sells Ultem, micarta, Damascus, and exclusive handle runs at higher prices. Street prices move—confirm before you buy.
Classic Elementum: Liner Lock Flipper (C907A)
This is the one that made the name stick: flipper tab, liner lock, ceramic ball bearings, thin G10 handle.
On paper (CIVIVI C907A):
- Blade: 2.96″ (75.2 mm) drop point, D2, satin, hollow grind, 0.12″ thick, HRC 59–61
- Handle: Black G10, 0.43″ thick; handle length 4.03″
- Overall length: 6.99″
- Lock: Liner lock
- Pivot: Caged ceramic ball bearing
- Weight: 2.89 oz (82 g)
- Clip (Blade HQ): Tip-up, right-hand
- Price: $59 on CIVIVI.com and Blade HQ (Oct 2026)
- Made in: China (per Blade HQ)
Who it’s for: Everyday box opening, pocket carry, and anyone who wants a traditional liner-lock flipper without paying premium-brand money. Owners on Blade HQ repeatedly call out smooth action and value.
Watch-outs: D2 holds an edge well but isn’t as corrosion-resistant as stainless steels like Nitro-V or 14C28N—wipe it dry after wet use. The factory clip is tip-up right-hand on the Blade HQ listing; don’t assume lefty out of the box.
Product links:
Other classic C907 variants (same lock, different furniture)
CIVIVI still lists dressier C907 builds—for example Ultem/D2 around $72 and carbon-fiber/resin Damascus around $115. Same ~2.96″ Elementum core; you’re paying for materials and looks.
Button Lock Elementum II: The Modern Pick (C18062P)
CIVIVI moved the Elementum idea to a button lock and updated the steel. Blade HQ describes Elementum II as taking the button-lock idea back toward the classic Elementum look, with updated clip and blade steel. On the black G10 model, deployment is still a flipper, with the button for lock release / closing.
On paper (CIVIVI C18062P-1):
- Blade: 2.96″ (75.1 mm) drop point, Nitro-V, black stonewash, hollow grind, 0.12″ thick, 58–60 HRC
- Closed length: 4.11″; overall length 7.06″
- Handle: Black G10, 0.51″ thick (a bit thicker than the classic 0.43″)
- Lock: Button lock (CIVIVI notes spring tension under the button to resist accidental open while still releasing cleanly)
- Clip: Tip-up, right carry (CIVIVI)
- Weight: 3.12 oz (88.5 g)
- Price: $76.50 CIVIVI MSRP; $65.00 Blade HQ street (Oct 2026)
Who it’s for: People who want one-hand open and easy one-hand close, fidget-friendly action, and a more stainless blade steel than classic D2—still under ~$80 street. It’s the version I flagged as a strong “first real knife” gift.
Watch-outs: Right-hand tip-up clip only on the stock C18062P-1. Button locks are popular for EDC cutting; they’re not the lock I’d pick for hard spine-abuse tasks. CIVIVI sells many Elementum II exclusives (Ultem, aluminum, Damascus, retailer exclusives)—prices climb into the $80–$117+ range for those.
Product links:
- CIVIVI – Button Lock Elementum II C18062P-1 | Check price on Amazon
- Blade HQ – Elementum II button lock
Don’t Confuse It: Larger Button Lock Elementum (C2103)
There is a different button-lock folder still named “Button Lock Elementum” (not “II”) with a longer blade.
On paper (CIVIVI C2103A):
- Blade: 3.47″ 14C28N, black stonewash, hollow grind, 57–59 HRC
- Overall / closed: 8″ / 4.53″
- Handle: Black G10, 0.43″ thick
- Weight: 3.38 oz
- Clip: Tip-up, L/R (CIVIVI)
- Price: $75.90 on CIVIVI.com
CIVIVI adds a legal note on this page: in some places a free-swinging button lock may be treated like a gravity knife—check local law before you buy or carry. A micarta olive version (C2103B) lists at $78 with similar specs and ~3.19 oz.
Who it’s for: Folks who like Elementum ergonomics but want closer to a 3.5″ cutting edge and left/right clip options, and who are fine confirming legality where they live.
Product link: CIVIVI – Button Lock Elementum C2103A | Check price on Amazon
Fixed Blade Elementum (C2105A)
Same family name, different tool: a small fixed blade with Kydex and a belt clip.
On paper (CIVIVI C2105A):
- Blade: 3.98″ D2, black stonewash, hollow grind, 0.14″ thick, 58–60 HRC
- Overall / handle: 8.48″ / 4.5″
- Handle: Flat black G10, 0.49″ thick
- Sheath: Black Kydex; T-clip (Bob Terzuola design noted by CIVIVI); black paracord lanyard
- Weight: 4.89 oz
- Price: $87.65 CIVIVI; $87.00 Blade HQ (Oct 2026)
Who it’s for: Light belt or pack carry, camp kitchen / trail tasks, or anyone who prefers a fixed blade over a folder but likes the Elementum shape. Micarta and Damascus fixed variants exist at higher prices on CIVIVI.
Product links:
Liner Lock vs Button Lock: Which Should You Buy?
| You want… | Lean toward… |
|---|---|
| Lowest price, proven flipper, classic feel | C907 liner lock (~$59) |
| Nitro-V + easy close + current “button lock EDC” vibe | Elementum II (~$65 street) |
| Longer folder blade (~3.5″) + ambidextrous clip listing | C2103 button lock (~$76), after checking laws |
| Sheath knife, no folding lock to fuss with | Fixed C2105 (~$87) |
| Under $50 total | Skip Elementum folders → budget under $50 picks |
Pros (family-wide, from specs + retailer feedback patterns)
- Strong value in the mid-$50 to mid-$70 street range for folders
- Light pocket weight (~2.9–3.4 oz on folders)
- Smooth ceramic-bearing action on the folders CIVIVI lists
- Lots of color / material variants if you want something less “all black”
Cons
- Naming is confusing (Elementum vs Elementum II vs larger button lock vs fixed)
- Classic uses D2 (great edge life; more rust-conscious than Nitro-V / 14C28N)
- Stock Elementum II clip is right-hand tip-up only
- Button-lock models may face extra legal scrutiny in some jurisdictions
- Not a hard-use “bash” knife—think EDC cutting, not batoning
How It Compares to Other SharpCarry Picks
- Under $50: The Elementum Utility (button-lock utility blade) shows up on my budget EDC list, but that’s a different tool—replaceable utility blades, not the full Elementum folder. For cheap folders, look at Opinel, RAT II, or the CRKT Pilar (~$40 class, shorter sheepsfoot).
- Gift shopping: Elementum II is already on the 2026 pocket knife gift guide as a first-knife pick around $65.
- Care: D2 and Nitro-V both benefit from a simple wipe-down and occasional touch-up—see the knife sharpening and care guide.
- Different personality: Prefer a longer traditional folder? The Buck 110 guide covers classic-to-modern 110 options. More “tactical flipper” options live in the CRKT M16 guide.
Bottom Line
Start with how you open and close a knife. If you want the classic, no-drama liner-lock flipper that put CIVIVI on so many budget EDC lists, get the C907 Elementum at about $59. If you want the 2025–2026 button-lock experience with Nitro-V and one-hand closing, the Elementum II at about $65 street is the one most people should buy. Reach for the larger C2103 only if you specifically want that ~3.47″ blade (and you’ve checked local rules). Grab the fixed C2105 when a folder isn’t what you need.
Specs and prices checked October 2026 from civivi.com product pages (C907A, C18062P-1, C2103A, C2105A) and Blade HQ listings for C907A, Elementum II, and the fixed blade. KnifeCenter product pages were not reachable from this research environment (access restricted), so KC street prices are not cited here except where already verified elsewhere for Elementum II in our gift guide. Confirm current price and stock before you buy.
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