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![Civivi Stromhowl The Knife](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_TheKnife.jpg)
Civivi Stormhowl Review
- Pros: Unique two-tone blade finish looks awesome. Heavily milled aluminum handles add great texture and visual interest. Superb button lock action. Thin, slicey blade is great for EDC tasks. Excellent ergonomics and in-hand feel. Strong value at under $80.
- Cons: Satin logo and pivot collar slightly disrupt the overall aesthetic (nitpicking). Finger choil is only partial, not a full choil.
Greetings, knife enthusiasts, and welcome to my Civivi Stormhowl review. This one is a little different because it has two features I don’t think any previous Civivi has had, to the best of my knowledge. Pretty cool stuff.
Civivi, for those unfamiliar with it, is a Chinese knife company known for delivering impressive quality at budget-friendly prices. They’re always experimenting with new materials, finishes, and lock types. The Stormhowl is a perfect example of that innovation. It’s got a two-tone blade and heavily milled aluminum handles, both firsts for Civivi.
Key Takeaways
- The Civivi Stormhowl has two unique features never before seen on a Civivi: a two-tone blade and heavily milled aluminum handle scales.
- At $74, it’s a strong value proposition with excellent fit and finish.
- The action on this button lock is outstanding, as we’ve come to expect from Civivi.
- It has a slicey, thin blade with a very usable partial finger choil and great jimping.
- Ergonomics are solid with a slightly tactical feel reminiscent of some Vox designs.
I’ve been really excited to get my hands on this knife ever since I first saw the prototypes. It’s an in-house design with a bit of a Vox vibe to it, which I’m definitely digging. I’ve had it for about a week now, putting it through its paces, and I’ve got to say–I’m impressed. Civivi has really knocked it out of the park with this one.
But enough of my rambling, let’s dive into the details, starting with the specs and size comparisons.
Specs and Size Comparisons
Specs
Let’s start with some overall specs on this knife. The Stormhowl has an overall length of 7.64″, a blade length of 3.3″, and a rather thin 0.10″ nitro-V blade stock. It’s a clip-point-style blade with a nice thin and slicey flat grind.
The aluminum handle is 4.34″ long and 0.47″ thick. We’ve got a button lock, a reversible tip-up pocket clip that looks pretty good, and a weight of 3.04 oz. This is an in-house Civivi design, which is what I generally expect from them.
The price? A very reasonable $74. Below is a specs table for quick reference.
Specification | Stormhowl |
Overall Length | 7.64 inches (194.1mm) |
Blade Length | 3.3 inches (83.8mm) |
Closed Length | 4.34 inches (110.3mm) |
Blade Thickness | 0.1 inch (2.6mm) |
Handle Thickness | 0.47 inch (12mm) |
Knife Weight | 3.04 oz (86.2g) |
Blade Material | Nitro-V |
Blade Hardness | 58-60 HRC |
Blade Grind | Flat |
Blade Finish | Black Stonewashed, Satin Flat |
Blade Type | Clip Point |
Handle Material | Aluminum |
Handle Color/Finish | Black, Satin Flat |
Pocket Clip | Tip-Up, L/R |
Clip Material | Stainless Steel |
Screws Material | Stainless Steel |
Pivot Assembly | Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing |
Locking Mechanism | Button Lock |
Size Comparisons
Now, let’s talk size comparisons. I’ve got a couple other popular Civivis that I think will give you a good idea of how the Stormhowl measures up.
First is the Civivi Cogent–and I gotta say, the Cogent is probably the closest point of comparison to the Stormhowl in the Civivi lineup. It’s very similar in size and profile, just with different materials and finishes.
![Civivi Stromhowl Size Comparison](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_SizeComparison.jpg)
The Civivi Sokoke is another one that comes to mind. Again, it is very similar in overall size and blade shape to the Stormhowl. And if you’re maybe more familiar with some other brands, the Stormhowl is also very close in size to the Kizer Escort or the Vosteed Raccoon.
The Stormhowl isn’t a big knife by any means, but it’s got enough blade to handle most EDC tasks, and it’s not so small that it disappears in the hand.
That Awesome Two-Tone Blade
All right, let’s move this Civivi Stormhowl review on to talk about those two unique features, starting with the blade. Check out that two-tone finish! We’ve got a blackwash on the grind and satin flats. I cannot remember ever seeing a Civivi with a two-tone blade like this, and I think it looks really slick.
That finish isn’t something Civivi has done before to my knowledge. Usually, it’s just one finish across the whole blade, whether that’s a satin, a stonewash, a blackwash, or a coating. But this half-and-half look on the Stormhowl is new territory for them, and I’m really digging it.
The blade itself is nice and slicey, as you’d expect from a Civivi, with a 0.016″ thin edge. Civivi’s got a reputation for doing thin grinds, and this Stormhowl is no exception.
You also get sort of a partial finger choil up front but not a full 50/50 choil like you see on some knives. It’s really more of an indexing point than a full-on choil, just enough to choke up on for detail work. But I wouldn’t go putting my whole index finger there unless you’re really careful (or like Band-Aids). It’s a bit too shallow in my opinion.
That full flat grind comes down to a very keen edge, so this thing should be a laser through cardboard, food prep, or whatever else you’re slicing up.
![Civivi Stromhowl Jimping Spine](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_JimpingSpine.jpg)
One other thing I want to point out about this blade is the jimping. You’ve got jimping on the spine of the blade and on the flipper tab, and it’s some of the nicest, most functional jimping I’ve seen. Not too aggressive, not too soft–just a perfect middle ground that locks your thumb in place without shredding it.
Milled Aluminum Handle Scales
Now, let’s talk about that second unique feature—the milled aluminum handle. This kind of heavily milled texture is not something you typically see on a Civivi. Usually, you’ve got G10, Micarta, or maybe carbon fiber. But this aluminum with the milling looks and feels great. It makes the knife a little more tactical without going overboard.
Functionally, this milling serves two purposes. First, it provides a ton of grip. Your hand really sinks into all those little nooks and crannies, which gives you a very secure hold on the knife. Second, it helps to reduce the overall weight. By cutting away some of that aluminum, you’re removing material and therefore reducing weight without sacrificing strength or durability.
![Civivi Stromhowl Awesome Aesthetic Looks](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_AwesomeAestheticLooks.jpg)
Aesthetically, I think it looks awesome. It gives the knife a more high-end, premium look and feel. And it’s just a really cool, very modern design element. It definitely stands out from the pack.
Another nice touch on the handles is the little details around the edges. You’ve got this nice chamfering around the perimeter that softens things up and makes it more comfortable to hold. No sharp edges digging into your hand.
You’ve also got this pommel at the back end. It’s not quite a glass-breaker, but it has a little angle to it. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what the intended purpose is. Maybe it’s just to look cool. But it’s there and kind of neat.
![Civivi Stromhowl clip](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_clip.jpg)
Other than that, you’ve got your standard Civivi deep carry pocket clip, which is excellent, as always. It sits nice and deep in the pocket, goes in and out smoothly, and is set up for left—or right-hand carry. You’ve also got a lanyard hole back there if that’s your thing.
Action and Ergos
Of course, I’ve got to mention the action. Civivi has been absolutely killing it with their button locks lately, and the Stormhowl is no exception. Stupid smooth, stupid good. Right up there with the best of them. Snappy, drop-shutty, super fidgety. This thing flies open with authority and drops shut like a guillotine.
It’s honestly kind of ridiculous how good it is.
Now, when it comes to ergonomics, the Stormhowl is no slouch, either. In hand, it’s got a really nice feel to it. A little tactical, a little Voxy, and good ergos all around. My one tiny complaint is that I wish they’d gone with a black pivot collar and logo to match the blackwash blade. I think that would really complete the look. But that’s just me nitpicking. It’s a very minor detail and certainly doesn’t impact the performance at all.
The handle has a nice gentle curve to it that fits the natural contours of your grip. The milling adds a ton of texture without being abrasive. The chamfering around the edges keeps things comfortable. And there’s a nice generous cutout for the lockbar so you’re not fighting the spring tension when you’re trying to disengage the lock.
Video Review
Final Thoughts
As you can tell from my Civivi Stormhowl review, I’m pretty darn impressed with this knife. Those two unique features–the two-tone blade and the milled handle scales–really set it apart from other Civivis. It may not be my absolute favorite Civivi ever, but it’s a strong contender and an awesome addition to their lineup, especially for $74.
![Holding the stromhowl civivi knife](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Civivi_Stromhowl_Conclusion.jpg)
I’m excited to see Civivi trying new things, and the Stormhowl gives me high hopes for what’s to come.
Related: Civivi Conspirator Review, Civivi Elementum Review, Civivi Baby Banter Review