EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Sometimes, you just need a big knife.
I tend to be a “small knife” guy, especially as I have gotten older.
I like smaller knives because they feel easier to control. Smaller knives are also easier to carry.
But sometimes, you just need something “big” to get the job done.
During the summertime, you might need a big knife for camping trips, day hikes or working around the yard.
I also like to bring a big knife with me when I go on a road trip, just to have in my car.
Off and on for the past couple of months, I have been carrying around a Civivi Photonix as part of my everyday carry.
Make no mistake about it: The Photonix is a big knife.
Let’s take a look at some numbers, even though they only tell part of the story.
The knife has a 3.7-inch drop-point blade. It is nearly 9 inches long when opened and 5.22 inches when closed.
The knife weighs nearly 5 ounces, giving it a substantial, weighty feel.
To put that into context, it is bigger than my Buck 110 LT and my Cold Steel Double Safe Hunter.
The only folding knife that I own that is bigger than the Photonix is my Rough Rider Desert Fox folding hunter. And the Rough Rider edges the Photonix by just a nose.
As for the blade, I find a drop point — like the one the Photonix has — to be versatile and useful.
The version of the Civivi Photonix that I have has OD green G10 handles. The handles have two different types of texturing on them, giving them some extra “grippiness.”
The knife has two methods of deployment – ambidextrous thumb studs and a back flipper. Both really rocket the blade out. I enjoy the thumb studs the best. You get a really satisfying click when deploying the knife in that manner.
The blade has some swedging over the front two-thirds and some gimping on the back end of the spine. The gimping is perfect for choking up on and gaining more control over this big knife.
The handle has a couple of indentations that serve as finger grooves. For my hand, this knife fits almost perfectly.
The blade centering is perfect and the knife — sample size of one — just feels well-constructed.
A couple of other features of note: The knife has a reversible deep carry pocket clip, a spot for a lanyard and a liner lock, giving this knife some traditional vibes.
From the moment I got this knife earlier this year, it just felt like it has some serious Buck 110 “DNA” to it. It just felt like a knife that would be perfect on a camping trip or a long road trip.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the knife brand Civivi, it is part of the WE Knife family. Civivi is the company’s mid-range brand. (Sencut is its budget line and WE is its upper-end knives).
A special shoutout: I won this knife in a giveaway from YouTube channel Big Red EDC. JB, the creative force there, has been probably my main mentor in this hobby. I have learned about so many different brands of knives that I never would have discovered without his patience and mentorship.
Civivi is one of those brands.
The Photonix also comes in black G10 with a black-washed blade, dark green micarta and wood.
The Photonix ranges in price from $65 for the G10 versions, $67 for micarta and $105 for wood.
Here are links to the Photonix and to the Civivi homepage.
Here are some YouTube channels I find informative and fun.
The Cutting Edge (formerly Last Chance Knives)
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