CIVIVI's collaboration pipeline keeps pulling outdoor creators into knife design, and the newest addition comes from Zac Whitmore, whose backcountry-focused content has made him a familiar name in the hiking and camping space. The Lil Yonder C25025B-1 is a compact crossbar lock folder with a spey point blade, built around the kind of light-duty versatility that suits camp kitchen and trail carry. It is priced at $62.30 and offered as a pre-order, with CIVIVI listing an estimated shipping date of October 29.
Design Highlights
At 5.83 inches overall and just 2.2 ounces, the Lil Yonder is deliberately small. The 2.44-inch spey point blade is an unusual choice in the production EDC world, originally developed for livestock work, but its gently curving profile works well for food prep, whittling and detail tasks where a aggressive point gets in the way. The stonewashed finish helps hide scratches from honest use.
The crossbar lock is the centerpiece of the design. Ambidextrous by nature, it lets users of either hand release the blade with a pinch of the lock bar, and it keeps the handle sides clean of liners and cutouts. Deployment comes from a stainless thumb stud, with the blade riding on a caged ceramic ball bearing pivot for smooth, one-handed opening. The pocket clip is set for tip-up carry on either side, reinforcing the knife's handedness-neutral approach.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade steel | 14C28N (58-60 HRC) |
| Handle material | Black G10, stainless liners |
| Overall length | 5.83 in / 148 mm |
| Blade length | 2.44 in / 62 mm |
| Blade thickness | 0.09 in / 2.2 mm |
| Closed length | 3.39 in / 86 mm |
| Blade style | Spey point, flat grind, stonewashed |
| Weight | 2.2 oz / 62.5 g |
| Lock type | Crossbar lock |
| Designer | Zac Whitmore |
| Price (MSRP) | $62.30 |
| Status | Pre-order, estimated shipping October 29 |
Steel and Handle Breakdown
Sandvik's 14C28N has become CIVIVI's go-to steel in the $50 to $80 range, and for good reason. It is one of the easiest premium-feeling steels to live with: fine edge stability, excellent corrosion resistance from added nitrogen, and effortless sharpening even on modest stones. It will not match S35VN in edge retention, but for a small food-and-camp oriented blade, its refined, push-cut friendly edge is arguably a better fit than a hard-use super steel.
The black G10 scales keep the weight down while providing a confident texture that works wet or dry. G10's dimensional stability also suits the crossbar lock layout, where the internal channel routing demands tight tolerances. The overall handle profile is slim at 11.6 millimeters thick, so the Lil Yonder disappears into pockets or pack lids, matching its stated role as a light everyday and trail knife.
Market Position and Competitors
The $62.30 price puts the Lil Yonder in direct conversation with other compact crossbar lock folders, including CIVIVI's own Button Lock series and Kansept's small link-style designs. Its clearest edge is the combination of a non-traditional blade shape, a designer tie-in and ambidextrous operation at a mainstream price. Users wanting a dedicated small food knife with a lock will also find it hard to beat; most rivals in this bracket default to drop points.
The Verdict
The Lil Yonder C25025B-1 is a thoughtful little knife rather than a headline grabber: an unusual blade shape, an inclusive lock design and a steel matched to its mission. With pre-orders shipping from late October, it is a low-risk pick for campers, food-curious EDC users and anyone who prefers their small folders ambidextrous.