TOPS Tibo

[Mistwalker]

Well...I have a new neck knife to wear when I am out and about. It's made by TOPS and named the Tibo (which is filipino for "Stinger"). I won't get to review this one here because it's my design of what I wanted in a neck knife after four years of carrying other small knives in the field. Knives I happen to have liked certain aspects of very much. I'm sure certain features of the design give away the primary influences. Obviously the Izula and the BK-11, both of which I've carried extensively, were influential. Personally I wanted something with a good point for penetration purposes and still enough belly to be functional in skinning, with more grip texture in use with muddy, bloody, or oily hands. I wanted something that had comfortable ergos but also had texture on the rounded pommel to keep a baton from glancing as easily when using the knife in chisel fashion. I also really wanted something lighter than what I had available for use as a neck knife back up system because I am usually carrying a lot of weight as it is. So one day after a long day at work I sat down and drew out what I wanted, and a few weeks later got to see the finished product. It has an over-all of 6 1/2-inches and a blade length of 2 1/2-inches and is made from 1/8-inch thick 1095 steel and a weight of 1.9 ounces. The cord wrap isn't the greatest because that was exactly how much cord I had and it was about 6-inches too short to do the job right so I'll wrap it again later.

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[Varg Lobos]

I think it looks great!

Well done. I'd get one for sure. I'm a sucker for "neck" knives although I never wear them around my neck.

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[Mistwalker]

I think it looks great!

Well done. I'd get one for sure. I'm a sucker for "neck" knives although I never wear them around my neck.

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Thanks man! Yeah I know what you mean, half the time I just carry them in my pocket anyway. I like pocket knives that don't fold too

 

[TheGame]

The blade shape reminds me of the Izula a bit. Looks like a good little knife. I love knives that I can pocket carry. Definitely some of my favorite types of fixed blades. Hopefully I can get a hold of one of these in the future. :thumbup:

 

[Dan57]

Looks great... probably the best neck knife design I've ever seen! I really like the (relatively) long handle and the blade design. I just wish there were some scales for it... bare skeletonized handles don't do it for me, and a paracord wrap isn't a whole lot better.

 

[Mistwalker]

The blade shape reminds me of the Izula a bit. Looks like a good little knife. I love knives that I can pocket carry. Definitely some of my favorite types of fixed blades. Hopefully I can get a hold of one of these in the future. :thumbup:

Thanks man, yeah the Izula design influenced the blade shape. I like knives I can easily pocket carry too. They should be available soon after Blade and they shouldn't be too expensive.

Looks great... probably the best neck knife design I've ever seen! I really like the (relatively) long handle and the blade design. I just wish there were some scales for it... bare skeletonized handles don't do it for me, and a paracord wrap isn't a whole lot better.

Thanks man. I know, the skeletonizing makes for lighter carry, but isn't comfortable for some. The cord wrap adds comfort and an extra useful component to the knife. There may be some after market scales at some point in the future, I'll have to look into it and check into the costs of producing them.

 

[schmittie]

Looks good. I have often wished the Izula had more of a tip. Your design looks more up my alley.

What kind of sheath comes with it and will the Tibo be available soon if not already?

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks good. I have often wished the Izula had more of a tip. Your design looks more up my alley.

What kind of sheath comes with it and will the Tibo be available soon if not already?

Thanks man. I like a pointy tip too, but still like some belly. I'm pretty sure they will come with similary sheaths to other neck sized knives from TOPS like the Travelin' Man 2 and the Trail Mate, but I haven't gotten a sheath yet. The sheaths weren't done yet when they sent me a sample of the knife. I think some will be available by Blade and other shortly after. I'm not sure how many they do in each run of their knives or how many they did in this one.

 

[Ethan Becker]

Looks very nice Brian.......Remember sharing is caring.....Bring it up and we'il do lunch and some "testing".....See ya at BLADE.....

all best

Ethan

 

[Seanifred]

i want one please.

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks very nice Brian.......Remember sharing is caring.....Bring it up and we'il do lunch and some "testing".....See ya at BLADE.....

all best

Ethan

Thanks Ethan, I'll definitely look forward to that lunch! But it'll probably be after Blade. I was hoping for a couple of them right off but only have one so far. Will definitely be picking up a few more.

i want one please.

Cool, thanks man, they'll be available soon.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Looks great! Good job! :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks great! Good job! :thumbup:

Thanks Man!

 

[daizee]

I love that design, Mist. Nice work!
The BK11 was a big influence on my designs as well.

-Daizee

 

[tknife]

That's a very cool little knife. Nice design :thumbup:

 

[Chameleonbear]

I just realized, this is a Chicago legal knife. It's only a 2.5" blade which is legal to carry in downtown Chicago (ironically one of the strictest knife laws I know of). Brian if you could keep me apprised of the status of this knife I'd GREATLY appreciate it! It would fill the role I been lacking filling. I was thinking of getting a 14 and grinding it down to a 2.5" blade length. But this would fit the bill better.

 

[Mistwalker]

I love that design, Mist. Nice work!
The BK11 was a big influence on my designs as well.

-Daizee

Thanks man!

I imagine the BK-11 has influenced several designs.

That's a very cool little knife. Nice design :thumbup:

Thanks Tknife!

I just realized, this is a Chicago legal knife. It's only a 2.5" blade which is legal to carry in downtown Chicago (ironically one of the strictest knife laws I know of). Brian if you could keep me apprised of the status of this knife I'd GREATLY appreciate it! It would fill the role I been lacking filling. I was thinking of getting a 14 and grinding it down to a 2.5" blade length. But this would fit the bill better.

Cool, and sure I'll keep you updated. It should be available after Blade, which is next weekend.

 

[6shooter]

Love it, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for this one. An izula blade(ish), with a full length handle, and 1/8" stock sounds like the perfect necker to me. Nicely done man.

Keep the updates in this thread, I wanna know then they're available too :thumbup:

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Can you say---"SWEET"????

That is Sweet Bro!!!

 

[Mistwalker]

Love it, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for this one. An izula blade(ish), with a full length handle, and 1/8" stock sounds like the perfect necker to me. Nicely done man.

Keep the updates in this thread, I wanna know then they're available too :thumbup:

Thanks man. I thought when I drew it that it was the perfect necker for me. I wanted something light with a big enough, and textured, handle that I could keep a grip on even when slick (my hands always get slick when I clean fish and game), that had a high grind I could get scalpel sharp, that was still pretty tough for it's size. I haven't had a chance to beat on it any yet, that'll come soon enough, but as for size and weight I'm still thinking it's the perfect necker for me.

There may be some available at Blade, and should be more soon after. I'm sure they had several models to get in stock for Blade so not sure how many are available. I'm wanting a couple more for myself

Can you say---"SWEET"????

That is Sweet Bro!!!

Thanks Bill, I think so too