Tops Tanimboca Puukko

MolokaiRider

MolokaiRider

Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
9,089
I had my eye on this for a while.

I admire Puukko style blades, and this one has removable Micarta linered scales, a leather sheath, brass hardware, US made, broomstick/neutral handle ergos, and a full tang.

I just placed an order for one, even though I’ve never seen or held any Tops products.

I don’t see a lot of forumites talking about them, as they don’t seem very popular. Kinda curious on why?

They certainly offer a very wide range of designs albeit a few outlandish styles and
fatuous names.

Anywho...if anyone has some time using one (or any TOPS) could you share what your impressions and experiences have been? Anything to watch out for?
 
I have a few TOPS pieces. I picked up a Wolf Pax small axe/knife combo off the forum a couple of years ago, and I found them to be good quality and useful. It's more difficult for me to EDC a fixed blade where I live, it has to be fully visible. When I do it's usually a TOPS Little Bugger, which is a great little knife.

I think TOPS doesn't get much play in the forums for three reasons. One, they need to fire the person who names 85% of their products. I would like to try out a Street Scalpel 2, but I can't work my head around the name and don't want to ever have to try and justify that moniker to anybody. Two, their lineup for years consisted of sharpened pry bars or have serious WTF issues. Bottle openers wherever, sawteeth in tiny lengths, the list goes on. The Wolf Pup, the knife part of the Pax, would be a nice little skinner/whittler, but there is this bizarre hump instead of a thumb ramp or just a flat spine. There are some vestigial holes in line with the spine right below it, grinding it off to a straight spine is impossible. Why put holes there? Three, their steel isn't sexy. TOPS cranks out a ton of coated 1095, and that just doesn't get people hot and bothered. I think they do a good job on the heat treat, the edges hold a sharp edge quite well during use and they touch up easily. But it will rust if you don't take care of the uncoated parts. Not a big thing to me, but I like to strip and use Beckers and Kabars--their 1095 Cro-Van is pretty comparable. It's no super steel though.

Lemons happen, but I have only had good luck with them so far. Some of their newer offerings look to be more acceptable on the length vs weight ratio, and more slicey instead of choppy. If I thought I could sneak it past my wife I think I would try a Frog Market in the kitchen, but she is wise to me and my ways. Maybe as a Mother's Day gift......
 
That’s a good breakdown, thanks.

Many of names are indeed silly, although I do appreciate the effort in naming their models and not just using a number.

Overall your synopsis is pretty well aligned with what I suspected.

It will be interesting to see how their 1095 compares, and I am especially keen to see how the fit and finish compares to other offerings in this price range.

For the Puukko, I am also curious to see how stable the edge will be using a softer steel.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts.
 
I've handled a few and they are solid, well made knives! Just really never came across one that I had to have!! I have eyes that pukko quite a few times and thought it might make me take the leap. I'll wait to see what you have to say about it and how you put it to use I your Hawai'i knife life thread!! That's is of my favorites, by the way!! Please do post your impressions here, there, either worx for me. Oh and thanks for the above mentioned thread too. One.of the reasons I keep coming every day!!!

James
 
jfk1110 said:
I've handled a few and they are solid, well made knives! Just really never came across one that I had to have!! I have eyes that pukko quite a few times and thought it might make me take the leap. I'll wait to see what you have to say about it and how you put it to use I your Hawai'i knife life thread!! That's is of my favorites, by the way!! Please do post your impressions here, there, either worx for me. Oh and thanks for the above mentioned thread too. One.of the reasons I keep coming every day!!!

James
Click to expand...

Thank you for the kind words. I will certainly snap a few pics and post my impressions.

It looks like it’s going to be a few weeks before it arrives which is understandable during these uncertain times.

This little knife looks great on paper. We will see how it does in use soon I hope!
 
Knife arrived ten minutes ago.

I am currently in the “I Love It” stage.

Fit and finish is very good. The size is exactly what I was hoping it would be. A smaller hip carry with a nice double stitched leather sheath. Knife sits nice and deep inside it. Came with a whistle...nice little freebie.

Grinds are even and the tip is fine. Hardware is fitted well and no rounding in the philips screws. I really like the brass. I would have preferred no sharpening choil but some people like that. I find they hang up on stuff when cutting.

Handle is filling and very neutral, which I like for such a small knife.

I am excited to put it to work.
 
Sheath is a bit dry, but it makes sense to keep it dry while in its vacuum sealed bag. The bag came with a large desiccant packet. Zero corrosion on the blade most likely due to the attention to these little details.

The blade is stonewashed with the exception of the edge grind and the 90 on the spine. Only the blade spine has the grind. The handle spine is unground and stonewashed.

The secondary grind is very small and even, and came very sharp. I believe this is a smart move to add this rather than keeping a zero degree edge. This steel is run a bit soft, so in theory it would roll more easily with a zero grind.

A lot of thought was put into this package. If you can spare the hundred bucks and are looking for a hip companion this knife is a solid contender.

That said...I haven’t used it yet! Time will tell...
 
MolokaiRider said:
Sheath is a bit dry, but it makes sense to keep it dry while in its vacuum sealed bag. The bag came with a large desiccant packet. Zero corrosion on the blade most likely due to the attention to these little details.

The blade is stonewashed with the exception of the edge grind and the 90 on the spine. Only the blade spine has the grind. The handle spine is unground and stonewashed.

The secondary grind is very small and even, and came very sharp. I believe this is a smart move to add this rather than keeping a zero degree edge. This steel is run a bit soft, so in theory it would roll more easily with a zero grind.

A lot of thought was put into this package. If you can spare the hundred bucks and are looking for a hip companion this knife is a solid contender.

That said...I haven’t used it yet! Time will tell...
Click to expand...


Enjoy ! Mailman was quick for ya!!! Looking forward to seeing it work for you

James
 
Spent the day with the knife. It’s definitely easy on the eyes.

One bummer part....the blade is bent a few degrees to the right.
 
Handed an Esee 4 and this knife to my wife and asked her opinion.

She picked up the Esee first and commented how nice the sheath was. Spent a few moments admiring the kydex and clip, then focused on the knife.

First words were, “It’s heavy”. Then proceeded to chop on the table a bit. She also commented how nice the Micarta scales felt.

Next she picked up the TOPS. She fought with unsheathing it for a few moments. It’s definitely snug. I coached here to be aware of the blade side, and to pinch the butt and pull (Behave).

The knife pops out and she sees it. Big smile. Immediately looks for a coconut to open. She spends a few more moments admiring how the handle fits in all positions (Behave).

About a minute later asked for me to give it to her (Naughty).


It’s a good knife. I’m thinking about buying a spare.
 
Congrats on your new knife!

Surprise the wife with her own in the near future. Maybe try the rocky mtn micarta for her?
 
MolokaiRider said:
Knife arrived ten minutes ago.

I am currently in the “I Love It” stage.

Fit and finish is very good. The size is exactly what I was hoping it would be. A smaller hip carry with a nice double stitched leather sheath. Knife sits nice and deep inside it. Came with a whistle...nice little freebie.

Grinds are even and the tip is fine. Hardware is fitted well and no rounding in the philips screws. I really like the brass. I would have preferred no sharpening choil but some people like that. I find they hang up on stuff when cutting.

Handle is filling and very neutral, which I like for such a small knife.

I am excited to put it to work.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Tops builds great stuff now days. Some of their older stuff was too overbuilt but most of the newer stuff is good. Great grab
 
Stylistic choices aside,
The grind is too thick and the steel is heat treated too soft for a real puukko.

It won't cut wood as good like a real puukko side by side and it won't be able to handle thinner geometry to correct this because the HT is too soft. It will roll all day and the BTE is too thick to kick butt.

It's a survival knife shaped like a puukko.


That's not necessarily a bad thing. The Benchmade puukko is similar but at least has 3v which is rad.

I'd say if the design calls you, go for it.


MolokaiRider said:
I had my eye on this for a while.

I admire Puukko style blades, and this one has removable Micarta linered scales, a leather sheath, brass hardware, US made, broomstick/neutral handle ergos, and a full tang.

I just placed an order for one, even though I’ve never seen or held any Tops products.

I don’t see a lot of forumites talking about them, as they don’t seem very popular. Kinda curious on why?

They certainly offer a very wide range of designs albeit a few outlandish styles and
fatuous names.

Anywho...if anyone has some time using one (or any TOPS) could you share what your impressions and experiences have been? Anything to watch out for?
Click to expand...
 
DeadboxHero said:
Stylistic choices aside,
The grind is too thick and the steel is heat treated too soft for a real puukko.

It won't cut wood as good like a real puukko side by side and it won't be able to handle thinner geometry to correct this because the HT is too soft. It will roll all day and the BTE is too thick to kick butt.

It's a survival knife shaped like a puukko.


That's not necessarily a bad thing. The Benchmade puukko is similar but at least has 3v which is rad.

I'd say if the design calls you, go for it.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right, it’s definitely on the soft side. I have been enjoying the Sabre grind and handle. It’s been working well as more of a general purpose EDC.

I have a lot of respect for Puukko design.

As a side note, I enjoy your Utube content and the work done here on the forum sharing your experience with sharpening, design, and geometry. Good stuff man.
 
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