Most EDC knife buyers know exactly where they stand: under $80 gets you a solid folder that does the job, and anything above $150 starts to feel like a collector’s purchase. The $100-to-$150 bracket has always been the awkward middle: too expensive to be a casual buy, not premium enough to justify the leap. That space is hard to occupy convincingly. A few manufacturers have tried. Most end up satisfying neither crowd.
CIVIVI just made a move into that bracket with a new sub-brand called CIVIVI Elite. The question is whether the upgrade is worth it for buyers who already trust the standard CIVIVI lineup.
⚡ CIVIVI Elite Brova: $145 MSRP ($123.25 at KnifeCenter) | Pre-order on CIVIVI.com | Buy at KnifeCenter
What CIVIVI Announced
CIVIVI launched a new sub-brand called CIVIVI Elite. The company calls Elite “the next evolution of CIVIVI,” and frames the lineup as a step up in blade steel, handle materials, and finishing.
The first knife wearing the Elite badge is the Brova, a thumb-stud-operated folder with a top liner lock, aluminum handles, and CPM S35VN blade steel. It goes on sale July 27, 2026. All three colorways come in at $145, though KnifeCenter already has it listed at $123.25.
CIVIVI Brova Specs
- Blade: 3.41″ clip point, CPM S35VN stainless steel, hollow grind, 58-60 HRC
- Handle: Aluminum, chamfered edges, sculpted faux-inlay scales
- Lock: Top liner lock (button-operated, spine-side locking leaf)
- Opening: Thumb stud, caged ceramic ball bearing pivot
- Blade thickness: 0.13″
- Closed length: 4.67″
- Overall length: 8.08″
- Weight: 3.78 oz
- Clip: Reversible deep-carry
- MSRP: $145 (KnifeCenter pre-order: $123.25)
Variants
All three share the same materials and price. The choice comes down to color preference.
What CIVIVI Elite Actually Means
CIVIVI Elite is not a new company or a separate manufacturing line. It is a designation for select CIVIVI models that use higher-grade materials and more refined construction. Think of it as a tier within the brand, not a spin-off.
Standard CIVIVI knives typically use steels like 14C28N, Nitro-V, or D2. Elite moves up to CPM S35VN for the blade and aluminum for the handle. The lock itself is a top liner lock: a button releases a spine-side locking leaf that wedges against the blade to secure it, similar in concept to Spyderco’s Compression Lock but button-actuated. The chamfered edges on the aluminum handle and the sculpted faux-inlay scales are finishing touches that would look out of place on a $60 CIVIVI.
CIVIVI says Elite “bridges the space between CIVIVI and WE Knife.” That feels about right. WE Knife Co.’s own branded knives are mostly premium $200-plus models. The Brova sits below that, offering a meaningful upgrade over standard CIVIVI without jumping to WE-level pricing.
Why EDC Buyers Should Care
The $100-$150 price bracket is a competitive spot in the folding knife world. A lot of good options live there, and most of them use good steel. The Brova’s S35VN blade is a legitimate upgrade in real terms: it holds an edge longer, sharpens well, and resists corrosion better than the budget steels in the standard lineup.
The aluminum handle is another upgrade. Standard CIVIVI knives use aluminum occasionally (the Elementum II button lock, for example), but the Brova’s handle looks more premium than anything CIVIVI currently makes. The top liner lock is the most unusual feature, and it is an entirely new lock type for CIVIVI.
For collectors who track CIVIVI’s evolution, the Elite line may become a separate lane that CIVIVI expands over time. The Brova is the first marker of that direction.
Who Should Consider It
EDC buyers who already own a few CIVIVI knives and want something that feels and performs a step above without jumping to WE Knife territory will find the Brova interesting. The S35VN steel, aluminum handle, and unusual lock add up to a knife that stands apart from the Elementum II or the Vision FG without doubling the price. Buyers who value lock innovation will also want to look at this one.
Who Should Skip It
Buyers on a strict budget under $100 will find better value in standard CIVIVI models like the Elementum II ($65 to $90) or the Vision FG ($80 to $100). The steel on those knives is adequate for most daily tasks. Buyers who prefer premium steels like MagnaCut or CPM 20CV will not find them here. S35VN is a solid steel, but it is not the newest or the highest-performing option available in 2026.
Price and Availability
The Brova launches July 27, 2026, through CIVIVI’s official store and select retailers. All three variants are $145 MSRP. KnifeCenter currently shows the CE25093-2 (black) model available for pre-order at $123.25 with free shipping, which is a solid discount off MSRP.
Final TG Take
The CIVIVI Brova is not a revolutionary knife. It is a well-executed mid-range folder with a steel upgrade, an interesting lock, and a clean aluminum handle. What makes it worth paying attention to is what it represents: CIVIVI’s first deliberate step upmarket after years of owning the sub-$100 segment.
The Elite line marks a new direction for the brand, and the Brova is the opening statement. If CIVIVI follows through with more Elite models in the same vein, this could become a meaningful tier in the EDC landscape.
⚡ CIVIVI Elite Brova: $145 MSRP ($123.25 at KnifeCenter) | Pre-order on CIVIVI.com | Buy at KnifeCenter
For now, the Brova stands on its own as a solid, well-specified folder from a manufacturer that knows how to make good knives at scale. Pre-orders are open now, and the July 27 launch is the date to watch.
2-Pack LED Video Light Kit, NiceVeedi Studio Light, 2800-6500K Dimmable Photography Lighting Kit with Tripod Stand&Phone Holder, 73" Stream Light for Video Recording, Game Streaming, YouTube
(as of July 10, 2026 02:12 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
