Tops KnivesFieldcraft by Brothers of Bushcraft Full Tang Fixed Blade- Black Traction Coating Finish- Black Kydex Sheath w/Rotating Spring Steel Clip (Tan Canvas Micarta Handle)

Weights not published here:Knife Alone: 9.6ozSheath, Fire Steel & Whistle (as shipped): 4.1ozSheath without Fire Steel kit & whistle: 3ozHANDLE: The handle is better than any other field knife I own; Plenty long enough for my XL-sized hands, but not too fat... just perfect! I like it much better than the ESEE 4 handle, the Becker full size handles, etc. Oh, and the lanyard tube is huge! Which allows for the easy insertion of a 550 cord loop; I wish all my knives had a lanyard hole this big! UPDATE: I pulled the handle so I could do a custom etch and patina on the knife. I found that TOPS used Red threadlocker on the handle screws (doh!). Make sure you have two (2) 3/32" Allen wrenches if you plan to take the handles off, as two are needed in order to hold one while turning the other... considering the amount of force required to removed Red threadlocker, you should not try to use a torx wrench or mis-sized allen wrench, as it will likely just strip the screw.BLADE: The blade, IMO, is just perfect... thick, but not too thick. Perfect drop point. Strong and pointy Tip. Wonderful grind and polish. The "modified Scandi grind" (as TOPS describes it) I think is better described as a "Low Flat Grind with secondary convex bevel": it has all the basic design of a Scandi grind, except at the last 1/8" of the the edge, which tapers into a "secondary convex grind", just like the edge of a "High Flat grind". Sharpen it like a secondary convex edge and it will be good to go. (this convex edge will be tougher and last longer than a Scandi or v-grind and be more durable as a chopper, so I think it was a good choice... just not very well explained by TOPS). You could always re-profile this edge to a V-Grind if you prefer, but I like it the way it is.FIRE STEEL CUTOUT: I actually like the IDEA of the fire-steel cut-out on the pommel. Unfortunately, it doesn't throw much spark, even though I removed all the black coating from the area. While there is enough pommel remaining on both sides of the center cut-out to still provide plenty of smashing capability, I'm finding that I really don't like having the semi-sharp edge of the fire-steel cutout on the pommel, as it is a possible "hand-cut" risk. I think the next version/run of the knife should drop that notch, as the small choil of the blade works just find to throw a good spark from the provided steel.SHEATH: The sheath is pretty darn good! I found that it works great in a behind-the-back/scout carry as well by just adding a small loop of 550 cord for a second belt loop. The open design at the top of the sheath provides plenty of room for easily getting the knife back in the sheath without much effort required: Bravo! Even though the 2" clip is plenty stable on my 1.5" Wilderness Products 5-Stitch belt (my EDC belt), I would not want to go with a 1" or 1.25" belt, as the extra rotation of the clip on a smaller belt could result in the clip popping off the belt. As it is now, I get maybe 15 degrees of total movement with the 2" clip on a 1.5" belt, which is about as much movement of that clip I would want. Oh, the adjustable 360 degree angle of the clip system itself allows for a comfortable "FBI Forward Cant" on the hip, so combined with the shortish overall length of the knife, there are no worries for comfort or security when sitting down in a chair.Sorry for all this discussion on the sheath, but I'll pay $50 for a custom kydex sheath or $80 for a leather sheath if I love the knife, but find problems with the sheath... this sheath actually passes my quality and functional tests, so not having to go out and buy a custom sheath for this knife right away is a big financial bonus for me, and likely for you too! If you are dead set on a leather dangler sheath, but don't want to pay the price for a Sky Storm Leatherworks solution (Yum!), check out the Blind horse knives #6 dangler pouch sheaths for about half that price... good stuff! I also have a Spec-Ops Mini sheath coming in to see if it will fit this knife; I'll update this weekend. UPDATE: The knife will fit the Spec-Ops Mini if you mod the sheath liner; go see my review of the Spec-Ops Mini (tactical) sheath for more info.FIRE STEEL: Ya, whatever; I tried it, it works well using the choil. I live in Southern California, where it rarely gets below freezing at night, and it's pretty much illegal to cut limbs off a tree or light a fire anyway, as almost all open land is government owned "no fun" zones. And heck, it seems like every other guy who lights a fire in the field in CA has never heard of clearing brush or building a fire wall... resulting in them starting a raging wildfire!WHISTLE: Yes, that is what that rectangular thing is in the photos with the writing on it, attached to the fire steel... a whistle. Sure, it works. But I carry an orange Fox-40 in my regular hiking kit, which is much louder; this thing is already sitting in my knife drawer gathering dust, but it might be useful for a small survival kit.COLOR OPTIONS: They offer a "limited edition" with a black/green handle for an extra $15. While I was tempted, I decided to go with this brown handled model to keep it looking like a camping knife, rather than a more 'tacticool" looking knife that might risk scaring a lessor prepared day-hiker in the urban areas. The second benefit of going with the lighter brown handle is to make it easier to find it in the dark if/when I drop it.There you have it! I have FINALLY found my perfect "If there could be only one" knife for dog walks, day hikes, overnights, a camp knife, and a heavy duty yet still functional bushcraft knife. Considering that this great knife includes a decent kydex sheath, a fire-steel/magnesium rod with removable holder, and is made in the USA, I couldn't be happier for the price-point.Highly Recommended!

Tops knifes are made in the U.S.A. A definite example of pride for those American workers at TOPS. Review the Tops Factory tour on You Tube, you will be impressed with the detail that goes into the making of each Tops Knife and sheath. They are very high quality and will last a lifetime if taken care of. I own knives such as the Esse 5, Esse 6, Laser Strike, an authentic Military Kukri made in Nepal made for the Army, some Kabar's and a Buck 119. Owning, touching and using these knives, I have formed a pretty good opinion on them.The Tops BOB (Brothers of Bush craft) knife is example of a well thought out design. The 1095 High carbon steel blade comes hair shaving sharp out of the package. The 1095 will rust if not kept oiled but is easy to sharpen and maintains an edge for long periods of time needing only touch ups. The grind is a modified Scandinavian with a tiny bevel on the edge to really make it sharp and to keep it sharp.The fit and finish of this knife is superb. It is designed for bush-craft, (For the minimalist) small camp work and the blade is thick enough that you could baton fire wood if needed. It will also be excellent as a skinning knife for med to large game. The knife is well balanced and feels good in the hand with no hot spots. The Kydex sheath fits it like a glove with no rattles for the hunters out there that need to be quite.The fire starter that comes with it is a little cheesy and hard to get a spark from. "Use the tube of the three that is black (Scratch off the coating) and with some practice, it will spark using the end of the handle. (The Knife handle end has a small area without the coating on the end of the handle for this purpose) For an all around Camp, Hunting partner, Hiking knife I would recommend it for the money. I bought this for $116. Also check out the Esse 6, which around the same $, just a little larger and it has a finger chole to allow choke up to do the same task. I got the brighter Orange handle so if I layed it down somewhere in the woods, it would easier to spot. A very comfortable carry. I am glad I have it in my collection and will pass this one on to my grandson one day.

Haven’t gotten it out into the field yet but immediately impressed. Well built, true to description and shaving sharp out of the package. Comfortable grip and balances at index finger position. I can’t wait to do more than just easily cut open the rest of my gear packaging with it!4/5 because I haven’t tested it in the field yet, otherwise 5/5

Costoso, ma talmente bello che è un peccato usarlo. Tops è una garanzia, si sa, ma al di là della qualità costruttiva e dei materiali con cui è costruito a colpirmi è stata soprattutto la cura verso i particolari "pratici", più che estetici. Si vede che è un modello studiato specificatamente per il Bushcraft, fin nei minimi dettagli. Non c è altro da dire che non sia già stato detto in altre recensioni se non, appunto, che una volta toccato con mano mi è risultato talmente bello che adesso ho paura di usarlo, ho quasi il terrore di rovinare una simile meraviglia. Oggettivamente un coltello mostruoso e che regala immense soddisfazioni nel Bushcraft, soggettivamente un pezzo da tenere orgogliosamente in vetrina.

Für meinen Geschmack aussergewöhnlich schönes Messer, es zählt gewiss zur Spitzengruppe der sogenannten "Bushcrafter": Grösse, Verarbeitung, Stabilität, Handlage (Handschuhgrösse 11) passgenaue Scheide für meine Begriffe optimal, der Micartagriff reicht selbst für noch grössere Hände zu, er ist eindeutig glatter (haptisch weniger "textilartig") als die Griffe von Ontario RAT und Esee, seine Oberfläche ist leicht rau, aber geschlossen.Die lederbraunen Micaetaschalen sind mit roten Linern passgenau unterlegt und weisen einseitig eine Mulde auf, die Waldläufern (neben der Feuerstahlkerbe am Griffende) zum Anfeuern mittels Bogentechnik dienen soll, wenn sie denn partout kein Feuerzeug, Streichhölzer oder eben den beigefügten Feuerstahl dazu verwenden wollen.Ich habe nicht den geringsten Zweifel, dass dieses rasierscharf out of the box (bag:-) gekommene Messer alles, wirklich alles kann, was sinnvollerweise von einem Messer in Wald und Flur erwartet wird, ja selbst erheblichen Missbrauch wird es anstandslos in Schönheit verzeihen!

Have had my eye on this knife for awhile as an upgrade to an old, beaten Mora. Finally pulled the trigger and very happy with it.

Mein Messer hat nach kurzer Zeit ein Haarriss in der Klinge der sich zu einer tiefen Kerbe entwickelt hat. Zudem ist das Messer sehr sehr schwer.