Three CIVIVI and Benchmade Knives Worth a Look: Perco, Elementum Slip Joint, and Infidel Mini

Introduction

CIVIVI has been covering a lot of ground with its recent releases, and this batch is a good example. On one end you have a slip joint Elementum dressed in Damascus and carbon fiber, designed to be welcome in far more environments where stronger knife restrictions apply. On the other, the brand released the Perco, a dagger-style folder that is very much the opposite in intent and design language. Between those two sits the Benchmade Infidel mini, a slim automatic-style folder with a spear point profile that echoes classic dagger shapes. Here is how the three compare, and who each one is really for.

CIVIVI Perco

The Perco is CIVIVI’s take on a classic dagger design: a longer, pointed blade sharpened on one side, with gray tiger-striped G10 scales and dual guards. Traditionally, daggers are blades built around a pointed profile, sometimes sharpened on both sides, and their intent is clear from the shape. The Perco leans into that heritage while keeping one edge, which keeps it legal in more jurisdictions than a fully double-edged blade would be.

There is thoughtful detail in how it handles. The thumb jimping sits on the back side opposite the blade, which works as a natural index point. Since the sheath is symmetrical, you can insert the knife either way, so having that jimping, or the CIVIVI branding on one side, gives you a way to orient it consistently. One thing to note: the striped pattern can slightly confuse the visual read of the knife, so a bit of extra attention is warranted when moving it around.

If you like daggers as a design category and want a modern interpretation from a brand known for innovative folders, the Perco is a pleasantly surprising release. It does what this class of knife is designed to do very well.

CIVIVI Elementum Slip Joint with Damascus and Carbon Fiber

This is the friendlier half of CIVIVI’s recent releases: an Elementum built as a slip joint, with a Damascus blade and carbon fiber handle. The slip joint action means no locking mechanism, which makes it a better fit for places with tighter knife rules and for users who simply prefer a traditional, non-locking carry.

The Elementum shape is one of the most respected small folder profiles around, and the Damascus-and-carbon-fiber treatment elevates it into something you would be happy to display as well as use. For everyday cutting tasks, envelope duty, and general pocket carry, this is the most broadly practical knife of the three.

Benchmade Infidel Mini

The Infidel mini follows a similar blade philosophy to classic dagger profiles, with a spear point that is more pointed than your average work folder. The source of this comparison describes it as a slim pocket folder that was once carried as an office knife, which gives you a sense of its scale. It is not primarily a slicing or box-opening tool; the profile makes its purpose fairly obvious.

If you are drawn to the dagger aesthetic but want something slimmer and more discreet in the pocket, the Infidel mini occupies that middle ground. It shares the Perco’s design DNA while folding up much more compactly.

Handling and Sheath Details

One practical point worth repeating: with any blade where both sides could plausibly be sharp, or where it is hard to tell at a glance, you need to pay greater attention than usual when handling and storing it. The Perco’s symmetrical sheath solves storage but creates an orientation question, and the thumb jimping is the answer. Assume both sides are sharp until you have indexed the knife properly.

A quick note on sharpening too: some dagger-style knives ship dull from the factory, and the single-edged Perco leaves the option of sharpening the false edge if your local rules allow it. Historically, sharpening both sides was nothing new, but a double-edged blade halves the number of places you can carry it, so the single-edge approach here is a deliberate, sensible choice.

Buying Advice

Choosing between these three comes down to intent. If you want maximum legal carry flexibility and everyday utility, the Elementum slip joint is the easy pick. If you specifically want a modern dagger with quality scales, guards, and a one-edge design, the Perco is the standout release here. If you prefer a slimmer, discreet folder with a pointed profile, the Infidel mini fits that niche. Also worth remembering: if pure cutting performance is the goal, kitchen cutlery still outcuts all of these, and good quality there does not have to cost much more than a budget folder.

Conclusion

This trio shows how wide the modern folding knife spectrum runs, from a traditional slip joint you can carry almost anywhere, to a dagger-styled design that leans fully into its silhouette. Match the knife to your actual use and local rules, and each of these makes sense for a different kind of owner.