User:Emmy Rosenberg/sandbox

TOPS Knives, Inc. is a tactical knife manufacturer located in Eastern Idaho. The company was established in January, 1998 and is owned by Michael J Fuller and operated by General Manager Leo Espinoza. History TOPS Knives was created in December 1997. Several old friends from the Vietnam era developed a concept based on their experience and disappointment with the knives they were issued during the war. The lack of strength and durability of the issue knives and how to correct the problem became a passion for the group.

The first knife the group designed was the Steel Eagle 107D. They passed samples of the knife around to old military buddies to get input and feedback on style, comfort and functionality. After some tweaking and improvements, the first 20 pieces were produced and sold at their first knife show. Soon after, requests for special knives and tools started rolling in from the special operations community, law enforcement agencies and members of the survival community.

Currently, TOPS has over 250 models ranging from a 3/8” bottle opening neck knife to a 22 ½” inch tactical machete. Products are sold worldwide and have been recognized as some of the highest quality available by military and outdoorsmen. All manufacturing of Tops Knives is done in the United States of America. TOPS Knives was founded by veterans and enthusiastically supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

Materials

The majority of TOPS Knives are made using 1095 high carbon alloy steel because of its strength and ability to hold an edge. The handle materials used are linen, canvas, or paper micarta, different colors of G10, or para cord in various colors. Each knife is sheathed in custom fit sheaths of kydex plastic, nylon or leather, depending on the model and function of the knife. Certain models are 440C stainless steel, 154cm stainless, 5160 high carbon, or ATS-34 (a Japanese version of 154cm) and occasionally Tops will do a special run of demascus steel blades for collectors, charity or special occasions.

Production Methods

Knife designs are stored in a computer and then the steel blanks are cut out using CNC machines. The CNC machine allows for total accuracy in each rough cut so that knife dimensions are true. The next step is to sand all the grooves from the piece. It is then placed in the CNC machine again, and finally put into a rock tumbler to get rid of any machine marks that may be left from the previous processes. Then the blades are given a differential heat treatment. This heat treatment gives the knives the super strength TOPS Knives are known for. The blades are then oil quenched and sandblasted to remove all the grime from the heat treatment. The knives are then inspected and powder coated or coated by other means.

Handles are cut out of micarta or G10 on CNC machines to be a perfect match for the blade. They are then contoured, beveled, rough sanded and shaped to improve grip and beauty. All TOPS Knives handles are hand-fit to guarantee a tight fit. Knives that feature a para cord wrap are wrapped by hand. The knives are then hand sharpened, buffed and paper tested.

Most TOPS Knives feature a kydex sheath. The kydex sheaths are shaped in house. They are individually heated and pressed. They are then ground, polished, buffed and custom fit to each knife.

Collaborations

•	Camillus Knives •	Buck Knives •	Pathfinder School •	Brothers of Bushcraft •	Battle Blades •	Slysteel •	Vulture Equipment Works •	Ruana Knives •	Uberfire

Designers

•	Abe Elias •	Alan Jensen •	Andy Tran •	Anton Du Plessis •	Brent Beshara •	Brian Griffin •	Caleb Musgrave •	Chad Los Banos •	Colin Despins •	Daniel Certo •	Dave Canturbury •	David Williams USMC (Ret) •	Iz Turley •	Jason Breedon •	JB Hokinson •	Jeff Knox •	Jeff Prather •	Jerry Van Cook •	Joe Flowers •	John Greco •	Joseph Teti •	Joshua Swanagon •	Kevin Reeve •	Laci Szabo •	Larry Keen •	Leo Espinoza •	L.V.I. Bushcraft & Survival •	Michael Fuller •	Paul Ehlers •	Ron Hood •	Ruben Bolieu •	Shane Sibert •	Snake Blocker •	Steven Dick •	Terrill Hoffman •	Tom Brown Jr. •	Trace Rinaldi •	Waysun Johnny Tsai

References

http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/topsbuck-nighthawk/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/topsszabo-usmc-combat-knife/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/bucktops-csar-t/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/tops’-new-warrior’s-bowie/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/kung-fu-cuma/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/power-eagle-has-landed/ http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/guns-and-weapons/tops-x-buck-fdx-cutter/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/tops-new-mountain-lion-2/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/neck-knife-with-survival-magnetism/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/tops-mountain-lion/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/tops-stryker-defender/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/tops-max-punisher/ http://www.tactical-life.com/news/buck-knives-and-tops-knives-in-new-collaboration/ http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-handguns/bold-new-serrated-blades/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/high-profile-jungle-busters/ http://www.tactical-life.com/tactical-knives/the-defense-never-rests/ http://www.tactical-life.com/knives/tops-knives/ http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2013/05/tops-knives-surv-tac-7/?scrape=true http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2013/01/tops-knives-mil-spie-3-5-inch-folder/?scrape=true http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2014/06/tops-unveils-thin-multi-purpose-frog-market-special-knife/?scrape=true http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2013/09/survival-tops-lite-trekker/?scrape=true