Video Overview

Max LVL EDC takes a deep look at Buck Knives’ latest lineup, arguing that the legendary American brand has made a significant leap forward with its newest releases. From the slim, modernized 110 and 112 Slim Elite models to the newer 700, 791, and 698 platforms, Buck is updating its classic DNA for the modern EDC carrier. If you’ve ever written off Buck as a brand living on nostalgia, this video will make you reconsider. Max LVL EDC is one of the most thorough knife and multitool reviewers on YouTube — follow the channel at maxlvledc.com.

Items and/or Gear Mentioned in the Video

• Buck 110 Slim Elite – Purchase on Amazon
• Buck 112 Slim Elite – Purchase on Amazon
• Buck 791 Folding Knife – Purchase on Amazon
• Buck 700 Folding Knife – Purchase on Amazon
• Buck 698 Folding Knife – Purchase on Amazon
• Buck Alpha Series Folding Knives – Purchase on Amazon

The Buck 110 and 112 Slim Elite are the flagship redesigns — taking Buck’s iconic lockback silhouettes and shaving down the profiles for modern EDC use. The Alpha Series and the 791 and 698 models represent newer directions for the brand beyond its legacy designs.

Editor’s Insight

Buck Knives has been making folding knives in the United States since 1902, and the Buck 110 is arguably the most recognizable folding knife in American history. For decades it was the knife your father carried, and his father before that — a heavy, brass-bolstered lockback that defined what a folding knife could be. The problem, from a modern EDC perspective, is that the original 110 is thick, heavy, and slow to deploy. It’s a great knife from another era.

The Slim Elite redesigns change that calculus entirely. By reducing the blade thickness, thinning the handles, and refining the lockback mechanism, Buck has produced versions of the 110 and 112 that carry and use like modern knives while retaining the visual heritage that makes them instantly recognizable. This is a genuinely difficult design problem to solve — you can’t just make a knife thinner without compromising either the blade geometry or the handle feel — and the fact that Buck has done it well suggests serious engineering investment.

The 110’s 3.75-inch blade in the Slim Elite version gives you meaningful cutting utility without the bulk of the original. The 112’s shorter 3-inch blade makes it a more discreet daily carry for environments where a larger blade would raise eyebrows. Both models use Buck’s updated steel choices, which represent another area where the brand has leveled up — the old 420HC that defined Buck’s value tier has been supplemented with higher-performance options.

The Buck 791 and 700 represent the brand pushing beyond its lockback heritage. These are more modern platform designs with flipper openers and liner or frame locks — the mechanism that most of today’s EDC knives use. For buyers who want Buck’s American manufacturing and brand heritage without the traditional lockback aesthetic, these models are the answer.

The 698 is another interesting entry — a slimmer, more refined design that sits between the classic aesthetic and the fully modern platform. It suggests Buck is thinking carefully about the spectrum of buyers it wants to reach, from the nostalgic 110 loyalist to the person who wants a modern EDC knife from an American manufacturer.

The Alpha Series is perhaps the most ambitious move: an entry-level lineup that aims to give buyers quality Buck construction at accessible price points. Expanding your buyer base without diluting the brand is a tightrope walk, but Buck’s manufacturing history gives it credibility that a newcomer couldn’t claim.

Max LVL EDC has been covering Buck Knives for years and understands the context that makes these releases significant. His channel is dedicated to practical gear evaluation — not hype, not affiliate-first content, but genuine assessment of whether a tool does its job. His read that Buck is “not messing around” with this lineup carries weight coming from someone who has handled most of what the category offers.

For EDC carriers evaluating their knife, the Buck Slim Elite lineup is worth serious consideration. You get American heritage, proven lockback reliability, and a form factor that now fits comfortably in a modern pocket. That’s a combination that wasn’t available even five years ago.

Closing Remarks

Buck Knives is making a compelling case for its place in the modern EDC market with the Slim Elite redesigns and its expanding lineup. Whether you’re a longtime Buck loyalist or a first-time buyer, this video from Max LVL EDC is worth watching before you decide. What knife are you carrying right now? Let us know in the comments. Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links — purchases made through our links support the site at no additional cost to you.

Video Overview

Max LVL EDC delivers a focused look at the Civivi Over Yonder — a budget-tier folding knife that punches above its price point. Max LVL EDC has reviewed enough knives to know the difference between a genuinely good budget blade and one that just photographs well. The “budget banger” framing signals something specific: a knife that delivers real-world carry quality at a price that doesn’t require justification. If you’re shopping for an affordable everyday carry knife that won’t disappoint in use, this review is worth your time.

Items and/or Gear Mentioned in the Video

• Civivi Over Yonder Folding Knife – Purchase on Amazon

The Civivi Over Yonder is the sole subject of this review — a compact folding knife from Civivi’s lineup that targets the $40-60 budget segment where the brand has built its reputation. Civivi has been one of the most consistent performers in budget EDC knives for several years, and the Over Yonder represents their latest entry in that category.

Editor’s Insight

Civivi has done something unusual in the knife market: built genuine brand credibility in the budget segment without chasing the mid-range. Most knife brands treat their sub-$60 lineup as a stepping stone — a way to get buyers into the ecosystem before they migrate up to premium offerings. Civivi treats the budget tier as a destination, and that orientation shows in the product quality their knives consistently deliver.

The Over Yonder name evokes something about the knife’s character: a blade designed for practical outdoor and EDC use without the aggressive tactical aesthetic that dominates much of the budget folding knife market. Civivi has a design language that tends toward clean lines, functional ergonomics, and blade geometries that prioritize slicing performance over visual aggression. The Over Yonder, based on that brand consistency, likely follows that template.

The “budget banger” classification is meaningful in the knife world precisely because the budget segment has genuine quality floors. Below a certain price point — roughly $30 — the steel choices, heat treatment, fit and finish, and deployment mechanisms typically reflect the economics. Civivi operates above that floor. Their steel selections in the $40-60 range — frequently 9Cr18MoV or similar mid-grade stainless alloys — deliver edge retention and corrosion resistance that outperforms what the price tag suggests, largely because Civivi’s manufacturing in China has optimized the cost-quality tradeoff more aggressively than Western brands typically manage.

Deployment mechanism matters more than most knife reviews acknowledge. A liner lock or frame lock that engages with a satisfying, positive click is a daily carry pleasure. A lockup that feels mushy, rattles, or requires adjustment right out of the box is a daily carry frustration. At the budget tier, deployment quality is often where cost-cutting shows first — and it’s where Civivi has historically differentiated. The Over Yonder’s deployment feel is one of the things Max LVL EDC’s hands-on review will directly address.

Blade geometry is the other dimension where affordable knives frequently compromise. A blade that looks interesting in photos but has too thick a grind behind the edge will push through material rather than slice it — functional, but nowhere near as capable as the same steel with a thinner grind. Civivi’s designers have generally understood that a thinner grind serves most EDC users better than a robust one, and their affordable blades typically reflect that understanding.

For everyday carry specifically, the pocket clip is a daily interaction point that reviews frequently undervalue. A clip that sits the knife too deep to grab quickly, loosens after a week of pocket cycling, or marks up pocket fabric is a constant minor irritant. A clip that positions the knife predictably, maintains tension across use, and doesn’t snag on pocket lining disappears into the carry experience in the best way. The Over Yonder’s clip design is worth noting when you watch the full review.

At the price point Civivi targets, the Over Yonder competes against offerings from Kershaw, Spyderco’s Byrd sub-brand, and other budget-tier lines. The honest comparison isn’t whether any of these knives are as good as a $150 Benchmade — they’re not, and they’re not trying to be. The comparison is whether they deliver reliable, pleasant daily carry at an approachable price, and Civivi’s track record says yes more consistently than most. Big thanks to Max LVL EDC for the hands-on evaluation — watch the full video for his specific take on edge geometry, deployment, and carry ergonomics.

Closing Remarks

The Civivi Over Yonder makes a strong case as a go-to budget EDC folder — a knife that delivers real carry quality without requiring a premium price justification. If you’re looking for a new daily carry blade that won’t leave you wishing you’d spent more, Max LVL EDC’s breakdown is the place to start. What knife is currently riding your pocket? Let us know in the comments. Affiliate links support the site at no extra cost to you.