WE Knife
Founded 2000 · Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
WE Knife is the house that broke the prejudice that China did not make serious knives. It manufactures in Yangjiang with first-rate steels and watchmaking tolerances, and works with independent designers from around the world rather than copying other people's models. Its budget line, Civivi, is probably the best doorway there is today into the quality knife.
History
The company was founded in 2000 in Yangjiang, Guangdong province, the historic centre of Chinese cutlery. Its bet ran against expectation: rather than compete on price, compete on finishing — commissioning designs from independent makers and assembling them with bearings, premium steels and tolerances that until then were seen only on custom pieces. In 2018 it launched Civivi to bring that same factory standard down to an everyday price, with G10, micarta, wood and steels such as D2, 14C28N and Nitro-V in place of the CPM steels of the top line.
Iconic models
Elementum
The house's best-selling design — under the Civivi name — and the knife that convinced the world serious work was being done there.
Banter / Baby Banter
A Ben Petersen design, micarta handle and drop-point blade; the line's discreet EDC.
Praxis
Liner lock and bearings, one of the first models that made Civivi's name.
Button Lock (line)
The side button lock the house popularised in its accessible range.
Worth knowing
Civivi is not a cheap imitation of WE Knife: it is WE Knife. Same factory, same assembly standards, cheaper materials. That is why a Civivi at a fraction of the price closes with a fit that twenty years ago belonged only to custom pieces.
WE Knife at Reserva de Marcha
See all 12 in the catalogue →
Knife Co Ltd Banter Linerlock Black WE2004B
Knife WE20020C2: Saakshi Linerlock
Knife WE2001A: Kitefin Framelock
Knife WE190722: Roxi 3 Framelock Black Titanium
Knife WE190721: Roxi 3 Framelock Titanium
Knife WE200432: Smooth Sentinel Framelock G10
Knife Elementum 18062X-3 Black 20CV Stainless Steel and Black Titanium…
Knife WE19074AD: Eidolon Linerlock Blk Dp