WE Knife Banter XL Button Lock: The Fan Favorite Gets Bigger

The WE Knife Banter, designed in collaboration with Ben Petersen of Petersen Knife Co., has been a staple in the EDC community since its debut. Now the Banter gets its biggest update yet: the Banter XL Button Lock, featuring a 3.3-inch blade and an ambidextrous button lock mechanism.

The original Banter was a liner lock with a 2.9-inch blade, praised for its ergonomics and slicey hollow grind. The XL version keeps the same blade shape but adds length, making it better suited for users with larger hands or those who prefer a more substantial blade for daily tasks. The button lock adds a new dimension of fidget factor — press the button and the blade drops free without touching the blade edge.

Handle materials have been upgraded to include natural canvas micarta and textured carbon fiber options, moving beyond the original G10. The steel remains CIVIVI/WE's reliable 14C28N, though a premium S35VN sprint run is rumored for later this year. Pricing starts at $68 for G10 versions and goes up to $88 for carbon fiber.

Compared to the CIVIVI Mini Praxis Button Lock ($65) and the Kizer Original XL Button Lock ($72), the Banter XL competes well on materials and build quality. The Ben Petersen design pedigree adds collectibility, and the button lock action on WE's production line is consistently excellent — crisp, non-binding, and adjustable via the pivot.

Verdict: The Banter XL Button Lock is a worthy evolution of a modern classic. If you liked the original but wanted more knife, here it is.