Tag Archives | TOPS 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

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

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.

The TOPS Knives Tanimboca Puukko is Now Available

The story and man behind the TOPS Knives Tanimboca Puuko is fascinating. The designer, Goran Mihajlovic, was born in Serbia, grew up in Germany, and now lives in Columbia where he owns a nature preserve called Tanimboca. He makes knives there, including Puukos which are his favored design. The Tanimboca Puuko is the brain child of Serbian born, German raised knifemaker who makes traditional Scandinavian knives in Columbia. That is pretty cool in my book.

The Tanimboca Puuko is now one of the only production, full tang Puuko designs on the market. It is sure to be popular among the bushcraft crowd.

According to TOPS:

The TOPS version of his design mixes traditional elements with TOPS’ style. It has the classic Puukko blade with a very slight clip point. The spine is ground to 90 degrees for scraping tasks. Well-rounded Tan Canvas Micarta handles with red liners honor the traditional style. The knife sits deep in the leather sheath. Add a breakaway chain or paracord and it can easily be worn as a neck knife when needed. Once you get your hands on the Tanimboca Puukko, you won’t want to put it down.

Specs:

Knife Type Fixed Blade
Overall Length 7.75″
Blade Length 3.63″
Cutting Edge 3.50″
Blade Thickness 0.130″
Blade Steel 1095 RC 56-58
Blade Finish Tumble Finish
Handle Material Tan Canvas Micarta
Knife Weight 5.1oz
Weight w/ Sheath 7.6oz
Sheath Included Yes
Sheath Material Brown Leather
Sheath Clip Belt Loop
Designer Goran Mihajlovic

Check out the Tanimboca Puuko at TOPS Knives

TOPS Knives to Sell Pre-Production Fieldcraft Folder

The Fieldcraft Folder is perhaps the most anticipated knife that TOPS Knives has ever dreamed up and the pro-production version is about to go on sale. On July 18th, TOPS will offer a special edition of the Fieldcraft Folder that is limited to 50 pieces – the first 50 knives made to production specs. These pre-production models were produced after TOPS spent years dialing the processes that it would take to produce their first in-house production folding knife.

Each of these 50 special editions will come with a serialized box to match the knife, a knife cleaning mat, a bottle of Breakthrough Clean knife oil, and of course a TOPS whistle.

The Pre-Production Fieldcraft Folders go on sale July 18th. Stay tuned for additional details.

TOPS Knives

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes