Civivi remixes its affordable smash-hit Metalhead EDC knife

Last October, Civivi launched a heavy metal-inspired EDC knife called the Headbanger. Designed by Blade HQ’s own Brandon Beecher (AKA @gravesitenightlight), it was an immediate hit due to its unique appearance and affordable price point.

But I (and many others) had one teensy gripe with the original.

It seems the brand and designer heard our prayers, as they’ve returned to that design with a follow-up called the Civivi Headbanger EP that addresses the issue head-on.

Headbanger’s ball

If you’re already familiar with the Headbanger and you’re looking at this new one, scratching your head to figure out what’s different, you’re not crazy. For the most part, it’s faithful to the original.

While this new edition offers a pair of new colorways (and two other alterations I’ll get to shortly), it shares the same overall silhouette and many of the same materials and mechanisms as its predecessors. That includes its signature element: a compound grind, drop-point blade made from hard-working Nitro-V steel.

It also still has the same thumb stud deployment, liner lock, reversible titanium pocket clip and more. It even maintains its blade spine jimping and the contours of its handle.

That means, like its siblings, this knife is also pretty marvelously affordable. But it’s not precisely the same, or else this wouldn’t be news, now would it?

Miniature metalhead

The Headbanger EP gets a couple of new handle treatments that were not available in the previous edition. One gets white G-10 handle scales, and the other is offered with clear Lexan.

Personally, I love a good transparent handle, and I think the Lexan offers more visual intrigue, but both are wholly serviceable options. They also both get deep purple hardware, which is another element I personally love.

But here’s the real kicker: the Headbanger EP is significantly smaller than the original. And that’s a good thing, at least by my estimation, as it shaves down the overall length from an overbearing 8.73 inches down to 7.68 inches (smack-dab in the center of my EDC sweet spot).

While that drops the blade length down from 3.8 inches to 3.31, it’s still plenty manageable for EDC tasks, even when the going gets tough. While the lack of a discount for that size difference might have you wanting to avenge your wallet, the value you might get from a knife that’s more carry-friendly makes up for it … let’s say, sevenfold.

Availability and pricing

The Civivi Headbanger EP comes out on Friday, July 17, at 12 pm EST for $89 in either configuration. But you can add it to your wishlist right now, and you’ll be notified as soon as it drops.