Black Star (by TOPS)

kgd said:
Wow Mist, you are getting new knives like crazy lately! That looks like a decent design. I like how the choil integrates with the finger guard. I bet your index finger just naturally goes there and it looks comfy too!

Your earlier rhetort on the choil reminds me of when I first received a BK7 from DocCanada. I started to use it, and out of habit from all my other larger blades, my index finger unconsciously positioned itself right onto the back of the blades. Ouch - drew blood :D
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Well...I am somewhat of a knife guy anyway...then add to that I have been studying a lot of things simultaneously, and from one extreme to another (urban/modern - bushcraft/primitive), learning new things and new techniques and so looking into different tip types in two separate directions. The HEST and the Pry-Knife are part of the urban studies, and the Izula & RC4 more from the primitive studies...and then the Black Star that is sort of both.

Yep, had the same issue with the BK-7 and the first Recon knife I got from Bryan. I thought having more sharp edge was going to be better but I really just prefer to have the choil, quickly grew tired of bleeding :) .


Tostig said:
That is one good looking knife and a great review , thanks :)

I'm curious as to the purpose of the false swedge , for ferrocium rods/etc ?


Tostig
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Thanks man, glad you liked it.

No, I think it's just for easier penetration.
 
You bet.
Even if the idea is not new, the way you explain it and view on the camera that works; which make it unique=interesting :thumbup:
 
Great review, great pics and good looking knife! Nothing beats some user pictorial presentation like this.

TOPS makes knives from really interesting to really ridiculous, but I do dig this one.
 
A.L. said:
Great review, great pics and good looking knife! Nothing beats some user pictorial presentation like this.

TOPS makes knives from really interesting to really ridiculous, but I do dig this one.
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Thanks man! Yeah, they do have some very interesting designs.

I am really digging this one too. Since I am currently personally in somewhat of a down-sizing phase...or study at least... I think it's probably going to be my primary belt fixed blade (until I can make the one in my head :)...which has many similarities to this one) with sometimes a larger one in or strapped to my pack, and definitely one of my shorter/lighter knives handy on my shoulder strap.


kgd said:
I like how the choil integrates with the finger guard. I bet your index finger just naturally goes there and it looks comfy too!

Your earlier rhetort on the choil reminds me of when I first received a BK7 from DocCanada. I started to use it, and out of habit from all my other larger blades, my index finger unconsciously positioned itself right onto the back of the blades. Ouch - drew blood :D
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I meant to do this yesterday but YES I do love the choil on this knife, it fits my finger perfectly!

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Thought I'd post a couple of pics I took while I was out for a walk and sit in the woods today...and of course playing with some knives.

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Excellent review and pics as always! :thumbup:

That method of making a compass was demo'ed in the movie The Edge, although I believe they used a paper clip. Didn't work too well though, they still got lost. And then ran into a particularly unfriendly grizz. ;)

Navigating in the woods without a map and compass must be extremely tough.
 
Buffalohump said:
Excellent review and pics as always! :thumbup:

That method of making a compass was demo'ed in the movie The Edge, although I believe they used a paper clip. Didn't work too well though, they still got lost.

Navigating in the woods without a map and compass must be extremely tough.
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Thanks man, glad you liked it!

Hmmm seen it done with a needle...I've had no luck with paper clips.

Yeah, it is difficult in unfamiliar woods...especially when you really don't know where you are and only have a general idea of which direction you need to go. In thick forests it's hard to see far enough to sight an azimuth, so you really need to be able to check yourself as you move.
 
What about the stars? Anything in that? Doesn't help much because you can't really move at night but can it help orientate you at least?
 
Buffalohump said:
What about the stars? Anything in that? Doesn't help much because you can't really move at night but can it help orientate you at least?
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Oh, if the upper canopy isn't too dense... and it's not too cloudy...then they can definitely help orient you. If you can locate Polaris, or are familiar enough with the constellations around it to hazard a guess then you can lay out a stick pointing north and then sight along that line the next morning or lay another stick as close to parallel as you can in a place where you can sight as far as possible.

There are things in the natural world that give you clues as to direction...but not so much in the deep dark forests where the lighting is subdued and the winds are altered. In open areas you can be reasonably sure of south, and therefore north, by looking at the over-all growth patterns of the trees, and in wide open spaces you can determine the prevailing winds... which only helps if you know them for that location. Lost in a deep dark forest I would likely follow the water down stream if I could find any.

Here, if you are in the ridges, I advise not moving at night unless you have no choice because it can be very dangerous. In the desert the rule is the opposite.
 
Mistwalker,
I whole heartedly enjoy your reviews! Another great one! Very comprehensive and very gas inducing :D just like a great review should be. Tops HAS to be happy w/ them!
 
Buffalohump said:
Awesome, thanks for the insights!
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Any time man :)


theedge13 said:
Mistwalker,
I whole heartedly enjoy your reviews! Another great one! Very comprehensive and very gas inducing :D just like a great review should be. Tops HAS to be happy w/ them!
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Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy them so much.

I think they liked them, I think a couple of my photos may get used on the TOPS website :) I know I've certainly enjoyed working with their knives!
 
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