TOPS Pry-Knife

[Mistwalker]

I just got another tool in for the urban studies project. It's a TOPS Pry-Knife. It's a little more suited to a combat or post-disaster rescue situation but for part of my studies I think it's a great tool. It has a blade shape and design that is well suited for working with materials found in an urban environment. It has a single bevel grind with a "chisel" tip. It comes in a ballistic nylon sheath that is molle equipped, has dual retention straps, and has has a large pouch on front for the accessories that come with it.

It has a heavy blade made of 1/4 1095 steel and it has two different types of heavily textured serrations much like the ones RAT uses (which I happen to like a lot).

It comes with some cool accessories. It has a pry, punch, and probe tool, a folding saw, and a z shaped slotted/philips screwdriver. The P.P.& P. tool is 5140 alloy with an RC of 55-56

while it's grind is steep it is still VERY sharp, and though it takes a slightly different technique to do so it will still whittle shavings fine enough for tinder.

The serrations make notching things such as v notches for hearth boards or trap triggers a good bit easier. The lower point of the chisel tip did fine for starting a spindle divot in a bearing block.

 

[Mistwalker]

It also functions like a large wood chisel w/benefits!

How is this beneficial? Well, not only can it be used to great benefit making various notches in wood in the woods... in an emergency egress or entry situation in an urban environment it would be a great tool to have along. In commercial buildings even most wooden doors are heavily made because of fire codes, they aren't the easiest doors to kick in. However having been a carpenter for the last 20 plus years I know that, as with most things, all wooden doors have their weaknesses that can be exploited if you know them and have the right tools to do so. They are weakest where the bolt passes between the knob and jamb, and where the hinges attach. Using this knife and a baton or some sort of improvised hammer like a hammer and chisel it would be easy to exploit those weaknesses.



Since I was making the last batch of chicken and dressing for the winter tonight I tried it out on meat while separating the legs and thighs of 8 eight pounds of leg quarters tonight. The knife has a great edge.

 

[beef]

Very interesting. I understand Rowen does work for both Rat cutlery and Tops.

 

[grunt soldier]

i would say thats a amazing urban rescue and survival tool. you got alot of stuff just add fire making and you would be there for sure. i will have to look into one of those. i will be looking at this and the esee kit set up with a rc-6

 

[6shooter]

Nifty looking piece. I'm digging this urban studies project of yours, looking forward to further installments:thumbup:

 

[TheGame]

Looks like it would be a great urban tool. There is a lot of things that I can see that being used for if you needed to 'survive' the city.

 

[remmmm]

I would like it better if it didn't have the top serrations and small guard with the hole. They should have either just left it flat or made it into a really useful saw like on that SOG you reviewed.

 

[Mistwalker]

Very interesting. I understand Rowen does work for both Rat cutlery and Tops.

I don't know but they both sure make great knives. I've really liked every TOPS & every RAT I've tried out so far.

i would say thats a amazing urban rescue and survival tool. you got alot of stuff just add fire making and you would be there for sure. i will have to look into one of those. i will be looking at this and the esee kit set up with a rc-6

My thoughts exactly. I know I could make a bow drill with it, and there's plenty of room in the pouch for a fire steel. It's a sweet tool. I am going to see how small, and yet functional, of a cheater-bar I can make for the PP&P tool.

The ESEE-6 is on my to get list too.

Nifty looking piece. I'm digging this urban studies project of yours, looking forward to further installments:thumbup:

Yeah, I think it is pretty cool.

Thanks! Me too, I'm off to a slow start with part -II...but I have about half of the first post written up. Weather and work haven't exactly left me much time to work on it but I'm getting there

.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Cool!

Someone who actually intentionally made a sharpened prybar!!

 

[MustardMan]

It looks like a more "tacti-cool" version of the Graham Razel type knives. Normally the tactical stuff doesn't appeal to me very much, but this seems like it would have a lot of utilitarian benefits as something to throw in a tool box or trunk of a car.

As another poster suggested, I'd like it better without the top serrations.

 

[pitdog]

What an ugly looking beast ! You have proved in your post that it is very functional though, good stuff !
Didn't Becker also have something similar out once upon a time ?

 

[ROCK6]

Yeah, Becker has something similar...CRKT did a smaller type SAR knife as well. It is good to see somebody actually call it a Pry Knife:thumbup: Most of TOPS knives use to resemble sharpened prybars, but they have really been creative with solid products even if they don't appeal to most of us here. I had Justin Gingrich (Ranger Knives) make me a similar knife for use in Iraq. This style is perfect for urban/combat duties...prying open windows/boarded areas, cutting wire, slashing sand-filled sandbags, raking broken glass on the window sill, chopping through sheet metal, cutting steel binding bands (all things I've had to do with a knife)...I'm a big believer in using the right tool for the job, but you don't always have the right tool when you need it.

Great review Mistwalker...that blade will fit a great niche for several users and it's good to see it's still a sharpened piece of steel that can be used for typical knife chores.

ROCK6

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Very interesting. I understand Rowen does work for both Rat cutlery and Tops.

Nope! They USED to. Now they just do ESEE (formerly known as RAT) knives.

 

[LUW]

Man, that thing is ugly! But, as an urban survival tool I think it would work very well, like your experience proves it. For those of us who live in the city, and specially a big city, maybe this is a good option for a BOB.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Upon further thought, that really does look like a nearly idea urban survival knife.

 

[Bushman5]

would love to see a comparision between the Tops and the Becker Tac tool...

 

[Horn Dog]

That looks like a practical survival tool. For those who just can't seem to avoid prying things with the knife tip, this sharpened prybar looks like just the thing. Thanks for the review.

 

[barrabas74]

It looks like a more "tacti-cool" version of the Graham Razel type knives. Normally the tactical stuff doesn't appeal to me very much, but this seems like it would have a lot of utilitarian benefits as something to throw in a tool box or trunk of a car.

As another poster suggested, I'd like it better without the top serrations.

This is exactly what I was thinking. something to keep in the trunk of the car that has alot of uses and your not afraid to pry with cuz Thats what its made for!

I too would prefer it without the top serrations but I'd live with it.

 

[Mistwalker]

Cool!

Someone who actually intentionally made a sharpened prybar!!

Sort of what I was thinking. Being limited on what I could carry on most government construction projects I have modified several tools over the years to make them "more functional". Now I am just going to make a leather pouch sheath on my tool belt for this tool and have it handy when I am working in high-rises and such...ya just never know...ya know?

It looks like a more "tacti-cool" version of the Graham Razel type knives. Normally the tactical stuff doesn't appeal to me very much, but this seems like it would have a lot of utilitarian benefits as something to throw in a tool box or trunk of a car.

As another poster suggested, I'd like it better without the top serrations.

Yeah, I had looked into the Razel, and the Boker COP tool (still have the Boker on my to-get list), I really like those too, but I wanted something a little bit bigger.

What an ugly looking beast ! You have proved in your post that it is very functional though, good stuff !
Didn't Becker also have something similar out once upon a time ?

Thanks Pit, you know the old saying..."pretty is as pretty does". In the field looks are a moot point

They still do as far as I know.

Yeah, Becker has something similar...CRKT did a smaller type SAR knife as well. It is good to see somebody actually call it a Pry Knife:thumbup: Most of TOPS knives use to resemble sharpened prybars, but they have really been creative with solid products even if they don't appeal to most of us here. I had Justin Gingrich (Ranger Knives) make me a similar knife for use in Iraq. This style is perfect for urban/combat duties...prying open windows/boarded areas, cutting wire, slashing sand-filled sandbags, raking broken glass on the window sill, chopping through sheet metal, cutting steel binding bands (all things I've had to do with a knife)...I'm a big believer in using the right tool for the job, but you don't always have the right tool when you need it.

Great review Mistwalker...that blade will fit a great niche for several users and it's good to see it's still a sharpened piece of steel that can be used for typical knife chores.

ROCK6

Thanks Rock, glad you like the review.

Thanks for your input and sharing your experiences as well, it's much appreciated. If I were headed into an urban combat zone it's definitely something I'd pack along.

Man, that thing is ugly! But, as an urban survival tool I think it would work very well, like your experience proves it. For those of us who live in the city, and specially a big city, maybe this is a good option for a BOB.

Yeah, my thoughts too, and with my line of work my tool boxes are a part of my bob.

would love to see a comparision between the Tops and the Becker Tac tool...

Never done a physical comparison but I did a mental one. The Pry-Knife is shorter and thicker so with them both being 1095 I thought there would be less chance of me breaking the TOPS knife. Also I like how the handle offers me more striking options and what I feel is a better grip. Plus with it being sharpened on both sides I have more cutting options. Don't get me wrong, I've carried several Ka-bar knives and never had any real complaints but just on a visual comparison and looking at the specs I went with the TOPS Pry-Knife. So far I'm really happy with my choice.

That looks like a practical survival tool. For those who just can't seem to avoid prying things with the knife tip, this sharpened prybar looks like just the thing. Thanks for the review.

Paired up with a smaller, possibly folding knife with a "traditional" tip or a good multi-tool I think it would be an awesome combination in a hostile urban environment or as a rescue tool.

 

[Bushman5]

pair it with your Hest!!!