Black Star (by TOPS)

[Mistwalker]

It seems I've been bitten by the TOPS bug. Since I have already been bitten by the friction-fire bug lately I am experimenting more with tip and handle types for all of the whittling and boring. I really like the Black Star because it's like a tactical "bushcraft" knife. It's a great field knife that is still a very capable fighting knife. TOPS just blows me away with their fit and finish and I was smitten by this knife as soon as I pulled it out of the box.

It is made of 3/16 1095 steel, has a blade length of 5 inches with 4.75 inches of cutting edge of which 1.25 inches are serrations (the kind I really like too) and an o/a of 10 inches. The textured micarta scales are great, I can get a really good grip on this thing.




The sheath is well thought out. The liner fits the blade tight so there is no movement or rattle, but the opening is "belled" so that it is easier to re-sheath the knife after use. The retention strap gets a great grip on the textured handle, but there is also a piece of paracord supplied as a precautionary measure, should the velcro become damaged you still have a way to retain the knife. The sheath is molle equipped and the pouch on the front is big enough to pack along you favorite extras.

The nearly symmetrical handle is comfortable in every grip I can think of.

 

[Mistwalker]

The jimping on the spine feels awesome, great "traction" for my thumb.

It come with a fantastic edge!

Even though the spine has been thinned down for better penetration, it is done in such a way that the tip of the knife is left nice and stout for tip work.

Then I couldn't resist a couple of other shots...just because I like them.

 

[Mistwalker]

I had planned on making a hearth and spindle today during the break in the rain, but one of the guys I am teaching stopped by to show me that he had a bought a nanostriker out at the local army store and then got me side tracked on direction finding.So his impromptu lesson for today, and for the skills portion of this review, is another reason for packing along a small fishing kit in your pack when traveling through the wilderness.

Fish hooks are good for more things than just catching fish. For one you can straighten them, grind off the barb and flatten the eye and you have a functioning needle for digging out splinters even sewing... it will work, but the eye is still a pain in the neck even after flattened. Secondly with a couple of other things they can help you find your way. Most of us carry a compass of one kind or another when we hit the woods.

But what if it gets lost or broken? Yes you can roughly gauge direction looking at the growth of the flora, and yes you can figure it out using the sun if it is visible, but here is another way. This... and some water... is all you need to throw together a quick field expedient compass.

First straighten the hook. This is easier to do with pliers but can be done with a split twig.

Next you'll need a small piece of cork or wood that will float. Cut a slice across the center of the mass deep enough to seat the hook in. Then holding the straightened hook point out scrape the tip end with a knife quickly and with some pressure, scraping away from your body and toward the tip several times.

Then push the hook into the slice and it should look something like this.

 

[Mistwalker]

Next you need a pool or non-metallic container of water. If there are none handy you can make your own pool of water if you have a ziploc bag or other piece of plastic...even a space blanket. Just dig a small depression in the ground, line with the plastic, add water, the set the piece of wood with the hook in it on the surface of the water (wind is not your friend here, it will push your "compass" to the side).

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In a more urbanized area you could use a saucer or cup. Needles also work like this but so far no luck with paper clips.

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[WILLIAM.M]

Great Photos

I have a few TOPS Knives I love as well

You must be a big man--as you have some of the largest hands I've ever seen

How tall are you bro??

Dr.Bill

 

[Mistwalker]

Great Photos

I have a few TOPS Knives I love as well

You must be a big man--as you have some of the largest hands I've ever seen

How tall are you bro??

Dr.Bill

Thanks man, I've loved every TOPS knife I've messed with.

Lol, I'm 6-3

 

[Kiah]

Nice review and a neat blade. I do wonder if they have Mike and Jeff's blessing to produce what are basically Laser Strikes under a different name though.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice review and a neat blade. I do wonder if they have Mike and Jeff's blessing to produce what are basically Laser Strikes under a different name though.

Isn't the Laser Strike a TOPS knife ?

 

[TKAZ]

Great knife from a great company.

never had a single return or complaint from any one of their knives that I sold.

Now all you need is a nice custom Kydex sheath from Kiah.

BTW- you have some great pictures there, nice shots.

 

[Kiah]

Isn't the Laser Strike a TOPS knife ?

TOPS (or Rowen for TOPS?) made them, but it's a RAT design.

 

[Kiah]

Great knife from a great company.

No doubt. I've handled a lot of TOPS blades, and while they're not always my style, they never fail to impress on quality.

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

Looks pretty cool.

 

[Mistwalker]

Great knife from a great company.

never had a single return or complaint from any one of their knives that I sold.

Now all you need is a nice custom Kydex sheath from Kiah.

BTW- you have some great pictures there, nice shots.

I've been right impressed with every TOPS knife I've ever used. They do a great job on fit and finish, their edges are fantastic, and their heat treat is great!

I am working on an idea for a different sheath. I like this one just fine for what it was meant for, but I think I want something that isn't black.

Thanks man, glad you liked the shots!

TOPS (or Rowen for TOPS?) made them, but it's a RAT design.

I knew it looked like the Laser Strike but knew the Laser Strike was a TOPS knife so I didn't think anything else about it.

 

[absolutindian]

The only complaint I can come up with is that choil - I just dont like them. Same with the RC-3, only complain is the choil.

 

[Mistwalker]

The only complaint I can come up with is that choil - I just dont like them. Same with the RC-3, only complain is the choil.

yeah..choils aren't for everyone I know, but I'm just used to having them or a flat area in front of the guard...now the actions are muscle memory and without them I tend to injure myself

 

[PayetteRucker]

a solid design but like everything with TOPS' name on it, too much money for me to justify.

 

[Mistwalker]

a solid design but like everything with TOPS' name on it, too much money for me to justify.

I have to admit I sometimes wonder why any of them cost so much...but considering this one costs a good bit less than some of the imports I've bought and loved I have a hard time complaining about the price. In this economy the fact that that money is staying here is even better.

 

[PayetteRucker]

true that. the only import i'm looking hard at right now is ROSARMS, a Stalker and a Fry 2 would be pretty awesome.

 

[TheGame]

I don't really like a lot of the TOPS stuff, however I do like the reviews you put out of the products. Great reading material. Great job, bro :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

true that. the only import i'm looking hard at right now is ROSARMS, a Stalker and a Fry 2 would be pretty awesome.

Nice knives, that Stalker looks great...but apparently Rick (Magnussen) finally wore me down and I'm hung up in a full tang phase... for the moment at least. Though I am liking the looks of SOGs new North West Ranger, still waiting to see what the sheath looks like.