Archive | Knives

TOPS Knives Missile Strike

The new Missile Strike from TOPS Knives is now available. This combat knife was initially shown at SHOT Show earlier this year and has been teased a few times since.

From TOPS Knives:

Kelly McCulley spent seven and a half years in the US Army. During his time in the service, he searched for the right knife to meet his needs as a combat tool that could do the duty of a utility knife, too. In all his time in the service, he never quite found the one that would fit what he wanted in a combat knife. Sound familiar? It’s one of the same reasons that TOPS Knives was founded and one of the reasons that TOPS produces such a variety of models. Around 2010, Kelly started designing knives that his fellow servicemen and women could rely on as they were deployed. He has been making those knives since and has some smart designs under his belt.

The Missile Strike is a great combination of combat and utility. Its narrow blade with long swedge allows for great penetrating stabs (the swedge can be sharpened upon request). The 1/4” thickness provides enough weight to add some power in stabbing, slashing, and when smashing using the pointed pommel. There is a very generous finger guard to ensure that your hand will not slip onto the blade.

Given that the knife will likely be used as a utility tool more often than not, there are features that were included to facilitate that use. The comfortable Micarta handle scales will stand up to use and provide excellent grip. There is a choil so you can choke up for finer tasks, and it’s made from 1095 steel, which holds a great edge, and is easy to re-sharpen in the field (a must for those who don’t always have a proper sharpening system handy). It comes with a tan Kydex sheath that has great retention, but still allows for a solid grip from the moment it’s drawn.

Check out the Missile Strike at TOPS Knives.

nife Type Fixed Blade
Overall Length 11.34″
Blade Length 6.00″
Cutting Edge 4.75″
Blade Thickness 0.250″
Blade Shape Spear Point
Blade Steel 1095 RC 56-58
Blade Finish Coyote Tan Coating
Handle Material Black Linen Micarta
Knife Weight 11.5oz
Weight w/ Sheath 14.1oz
Sheath Included Yes
Sheath Material Coyote Tan Kydex
Sheath Clip Nylon Belt
Designer Kelly McCulley

knife2meetyou Non-Metallic Knives

You may not know the work of knife maker Knife2meetyou but you should! He posts his work on Instagram where he describes himself as a “knifemaker wannabe”. If he keeps innovating non-metallic knives the way he has so far, he will be able to drop the “wannebe” from that title.

He has produced a number of non-metallic designs from G-10. While the blade shapes vary, many of his design incorporate similar randomly textured handles and an ingenious integral clip. As you can see from the photos below, this clip allows for some interesting carry and concealment possibilities.

You can get in touch with Knife2meetyou via Instagram.

knife2meetyou G-10 knife shown with Sosby Blades Spike

New from TOPS Knives – Yacare 10.0

TOPS Knives’ latest creation, the Yacare 10.0, is a product of many influences. This knife is a direct result of testing and local knowledge gathered in the jungles of Columbia, the influence of traditional knife designs like the Barong, and the TOPS Knives design language.

The Yacare is a barong-like machete with a blade that is all-belly. This knife came about from inspiration that TOPS’ GM Craig Powell got from trips to both Costa Rica and Colombia. In Costa Rica he saw locals carrying machetes with similar looks, and after his Bushcraft Global trip in Colombia, it was time to see if he could design one that he would like. As far as machetes go, it’s made of thicker stock than most (3/16”), but it has a high grind to keep the weight manageable and give a fine edge for chopping or slashing. The Yacare is definitely worthy of jungle, mountainous terrains, and everywhere in between.

You can see some of the vetting and refinement that this knife went through in our previous post about TOPS Knives’ testing process.

Specs:

  • Overall Length: 15.50”
  • Blade Length: 10.25”
  • Cutting Edge: 9.88”
  • Blade Thickness: 0.19”
  • Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
  • Blade Finish: New Tumble Finish
  • Handle Material: Black Canvas Micarta
  • Knife Weight: 17.7oz
  • Weight w/ Sheath: 25.4oz
  • Sheath Material: Ballistic Nylon
  • Sheath Clip: Belt Loop
  • Designer: Craig Powell

Check out the Yacare 10.0 at TOPSKnives.com

Zulu Bravo Kydex Custom Training Knives

Very few custom and production knife makers offer training versions of the knives they sell. This leaves people who seek edged weapon training stuck with generic training knives that don’t match the actual knives they carry… unless they happen to know about Zulu Bravo Kydex.

Zulu Bravo Kydex can make a training version of any knife even if it isn’t necessarily a self-defense oriented design. They recently made the above trainers for an every day carry classic, the Benchmade 943. If you look closely, you can see that they replicated the shape and even added texture to replicate the jimping found on the live knife.

ZuluBravoKydex.com

TOPS Knives Grandpa’s Ax – Now Available

Apparently cutting tool design runs in the Espinoza family’s blood. TOPS Knives newest tool, Grandpa’s Ax, was designed by Lorenzo Espinoza, father of TOPS Knives President and Chief Designer, Leo Espinoza.

In 2016, a challenge was issued to the employees of TOPS Knives. Whoever can design the best hatchet, tomahawk, or ax will get it approved as a design, be credited as the designer, and TOPS will produce it. This hatchet was the winner of that contest. The winner? Lorenzo Espinoza Sr. Lorenzo is Leo’s father. Leo is the President of TOPS Knives, the main designer, and the guy who approves all outside designs. You know what they say: like father, like son.

Grandpa’s Ax is an excellent mix of size, weight, and chopping capability for a small hatchet. Weighing just under 1.5lbs, this is a tool that can be easily carried long distances, making it excellent for backpackers and minimalist campers. The weight is in the head of the hatchet and its shape leaves it balanced to chop very well for its size.

Specs:

Overall Length: 11.0”

Blade Length: 4.0”

Cutting Edge: 4.0”

Blade Thickness: 0.25”

Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58

Blade Finish: Tumble Finish

Handle Material: Green Canvas Micarta

Knife Weight: 22.7oz

Weight w/ Sheath: 27.1oz

Sheath Material: Brown Leather

Sheath Clip: Belt loop

Designer: Lorenzo Espinoza Sr.

Check out Grandpa’s Ax at TOPS Knives.

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