This value-packed pocket knife puts Civivi on a bold new path

At this point in time, Civivi is a respected, beloved knifemaker known for striking a spectacular balance between style, substance and cost. And it’s actually a member of a three-pronged family.

Civivi’s sister outfits include Sencut, a respected ultra-budget marque, and We Knife, a flagship, premium brand. Long has Civivi slotted between them.

Welcome to Power Moves: Diving deep into the product and brand moves that can change where a category is headed. Discover more here.

However, it is now stretching even wider with a new lineup that seeks to offer even more elevated and refined bladed tools while still maintaining overall approachability. The Civivi Elite Brova is the first offering in this endeavor.

All in the family

While Civivi has always been a solid mid-range option, it has consistently been closer to Sencut in terms of affordability. While that’s largely a good thing, it does mean there’s a lot of ground between Civivi’s offerings and those from We Knife.

The Elite lineup is meant to better bridge that gap. For reference, We Knife offers only a few knives that come in at under $200 (aside from deep discounts), while Civivi’s largely top out at about $140 (beyond special configurations, that is). That $60 price gap leaves a lot of room to play around in that neither brand is really making use of.

As such, it makes sense that Civivi’s Elite Brova comes in at $145. At the lower end of the gap between Civivi and We Knife, it is the ideal first step into this new endeavor, but it also signals what to expect going forward.

At the moment, the brand plans to offer a new knife in the Elite collection every two months, so there should be plenty to choose from in a relatively short span of time.

Slice of life

A price point alone does not make a compelling argument for an EDC knife. Thankfully, the Brova has a lot more going on than just an increased cost.

Measuring 8.08 inches total and boasting a 3.41-inch blade, the Brova is pretty beefy. That said, at 3.78 ounces and with a relatively sleek silhouette, I’d hardly call it bulky.

That’s aided by its lightweight yet durable anodized aluminum handle. Along with being sturdy and light, it also gets ergonomic contours, a lanyard hole, a reversible pocket clip and, most crucially, a button-actuated top liner lock that’s as strong and reliable as it is convenient and easy to use.

Opposite the handle, the blade is made of S35VN steel, a significant upgrade over the brand’s typical choices of D2, 9Cr18MoV or Nitro-V. It also gets a thumb stud deployment, spine jimping and a stonewashed finish in black or brown.

Altogether, this knife isn’t a steep departure from what Civivi was already doing. But it is smartly, carefully upgraded to offer greater overall performance, refinement and more. And it makes me excited to see what the Elite line has in store going forward.

Availability and pricing

The Civivi Elite Brova is now available for preorder on the brand’s official site for $145 apiece in three distinct colorways.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.