Pocket knives · owner-verdict comparison

Civivi Baklash vs CRKT Pilar: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Civivi Baklash: 78% of 27 owners recommend it, vs 69% of 84 for the CRKT Pilar.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Civivi Baklash

78%of 27 owners recommend
78% recommend · 22% neutral · 0% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional value at its price point, with owners calling out $22-$40 price tags as a steal for the quality
  • Owners keep rebuying it, some own two or three, and call it a favorite Civivi or an all-time favorite knife
  • Thin, slicey blade grind that cuts noticeably better than thicker rivals while staying light and slim for EDC
Owners complain about
  • Fine tip can snap or chip under harder use, though Civivi ships a replacement blade cheaply
Full owner report →

CRKT Pilar

69%of 84 owners recommend
69% recommend · 17% neutral · 14% don't
Owners praise
  • Outstanding value, a tough workhorse for the low price
  • Comfortable, ergonomic grip that fills the hand
  • Beloved Voxnaes design and blade shape
Owners complain about
  • QC issues and low-end materials (Teflon washers, 8Cr steel)
  • Blade ground too thick behind the edge
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Civivi Baklash if
  • ✓EDC users who want a thin, slicey blade for everyday cutting tasks
  • ✓Budget-conscious buyers wanting Civivi fit and finish under $40
  • ✓Collectors who like swapping scale materials like G10, Micarta, and brass
  • ✓Anyone who wants a smooth flipper action with a real, usable finger choil
Skip it if
  • Buyers wanting a hard-use blade, since the thin grind gives a weaker tip than tougher alternatives
  • Anyone sensitive to weight, since some owners find it heavier than expected for its size
Get the CRKT Pilar if
  • ✓EDC carriers wanting a cheap, replaceable beater
  • ✓Tradespeople and factory workers needing a tough cutter
  • ✓Fans of the ergonomic Voxnaes design and comfy grip
  • ✓Smaller hands wanting a compact pocket knife
Skip it if
  • Anyone wanting a thin slicer, the blade runs thick
  • Buyers expecting flawless fit, finish and QC

What Civivi Baklash owners think

Owners talk about the Baklash like a knife they keep coming back to, several have bought two or three over the years and call it their favorite Civivi or even their favorite knife period. The appeal centers on a thin, slicey blade grind paired with smooth, snappy action and a finger choil that earns its keep, wrapped in fit and finish people expect to pay much more for. Price comes up constantly, with owners naming $22 to $40 tags as a steal and calling it one of the best budget blades around. A few isolated notes mention a snapped and reground tip after hard use, or a rival's thicker blade holding up better to abuse, but those comments are scattered rather than a shared complaint.

What Civivi Baklash owners say

“I just bought a second Baklash. I’ve been using my current one for three years now, have snapped and reground the tip multiple times. My favourite knife of all time”
— Sammy1FISHY on Reddit
“the finger choil is actually functional; the ergos are very nice”
— Sanklo on Reddit

What CRKT Pilar owners say

“CRKT Pilar is my fave but mine has strong detente and isn’t that fidgety if you care about that. And it comes in copper which is nice.”
— reesa447 on Reddit
“Since I bought it, it has been my dominant/ primary EDC knife … honestly my #1 knife I’ve ever owned!!”
— OG-BigPapa-KJ on Reddit
“My Pilar broke.”
— @VinnyS9143101982 on YouTube

Civivi Baklash vs CRKT Pilar: frequently asked questions

Is the Civivi Baklash or the CRKT Pilar better?

Real owners lean toward the Civivi Baklash: 78% of 27 owners recommend it, vs 69% of 84 for the CRKT Pilar.

Who should get the Civivi Baklash?

Owners point the Civivi Baklash at eDC users who want a thin, slicey blade for everyday cutting tasks, and budget-conscious buyers wanting Civivi fit and finish under $40.

Who should get the CRKT Pilar?

Owners point the CRKT Pilar at eDC carriers wanting a cheap, replaceable beater, and tradespeople and factory workers needing a tough cutter.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Civivi Baklash is fine tip can snap or chip under harder use, though Civivi ships a replacement blade cheaply. For the CRKT Pilar, it's qC issues and low-end materials (Teflon washers, 8Cr steel).