Tops xc est

[Mistwalker]

Purpose-built survival knives have always caught my attention for some years now. Nearly any time a new design comes along I check it out and if I can I pick one up. Many have been added to my collection of tools, and it is the one type of knife that I could be said to "collect". I saw the EX CST knife itself at Blade and it and the sheath caught my attention. Then when I read Len's write-up on it that caught my attention even more. They were on back-order for a while but I finally got one a few weeks back.

The specs are:

Over-all length...7.50 inches
Blade length......3.25 inches
Blade Thickness...0.187 inches
Steel type........440C
Hardness..........RC 58-59
Weight of knife...
Weight of kit.....
Handle material...Micarta
Sheath ...........Ballistic Nylon




The acronym Xc EST stands for Cross Country Emergency Support Tool and it doesn't come as just a knife alone but rather as a knife and a few useful tools together in a sheath that makes up a handy survival tool kit. Because of this I only reviewed the knife and it's various systems in doing their individual jobs. In fire craft I tested ignitions only and didn't go for sustained fires every time. Doing one in-depth post on the knife would be impossible for me so there will also be other parts added over time or other threads done.

Supplied accessories (mostly copy/pasted from TOPS website)

Survival Saw
Lansky Sharpener
2 Ranger Bands
Compass
Fishing Line
2 Fishing Hooks
Offset Screwdriver
P-38
Snare Wire
L.E.D. Light
Sail Needle
Fire Starter
Razor Blade
Snap hook
2 Safety Pins
about 30 inches of paracord for a thigh strap
Spindle divot in handle

I use the ranger bands to secure the items in the pouch.

Part 1 of 6
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[Mistwalker]

The knife has a full handle that is really comfortable, and I like that the handle scales are flush with the tang and not shadow-boxed.

It came with a great edge.

Part 2 of 6

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[Mistwalker]

Considering how often the ability to make fire on demand is very important in a survival situation...water purification, cooking, cold weather, signaling to name some important ones... I am glad to see how well that aspect are tended to in this kit. The knife comes factory with multiple accessories to deal with making fire. The knife is heavily made for splitting wood and prying off pieces, and it even chops better than you might think.

In this video I had chopped through the first half of the limb just checking out the knife. I liked how it did so well for a knife with a three inch blade that I did a video of the last half of it.

[youtube]VcY3YCjhYZo[/youtube]






There is a magnesium fire starter in the pouch that consists of to magnesium rods and one ferro rod press-fit into an aluminum cap. Finding a small base for the magnesium shavings you can quickly create a tinder that will burn very hot for a few seconds.

Part 3 of 6

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[Mistwalker]

The ferro rod will of course also work with natural tinders.

In this video I used the ferro rod and natural tinder under wet conditions.

[youtube]o59ji5OY_O4[/youtube]




The supplied magnifying strip also produces a good amount of heat, this was just using the early morning sun with tinders and leaves still damp from the frost. I imagine at high noon it will work even better.

Part 4 of 6

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[Mistwalker]

Last but not least there is the spindle divot that works really well. The sun was so bright and it was a little breezy so you have to look close to see the smoke in the last picture, but you can see it curling right in the notch.

While historically I have gone for more pointy knife blade tips...and would still prefer one in an offensive/defensive role...I do understand the reasons behind this design and it offers accessories that do have points which will suit most of my survival needs. The supplied sail needle or safety pins will bore small holes for an improvised water filter.

Part 5 of 6

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[Mistwalker]

Or I can augment those with a small heavier tool.

 

[DennisStrickland]

great review mist, it looks like very little of your time is spent indoors. this is great for we urbanites since you provide tons of info. i certainly did'nt know fatwood would ignite that well after retrieval from water.in the austin area i guess fatwood is'nt available. wonder if dead cedar roots would suffice? the kit you reviewed is certainly great in versatility, however i would opt for a different knife. the knife certainly did the job but lacks the profile to slice much in the way of meat or clean small animals.
dennis

 

[caine]

Cool review

 

[Mistwalker]

great review mist, it looks like very little of your time is spent indoors. this is great for we urbanites since you provide tons of info. i certainly did'nt know fatwood would ignite that well after retrieval from water.in the austin area i guess fatwood is'nt available. wonder if dead cedar roots would suffice? the kit you reviewed is certainly great in versatility, however i would opt for a different knife. the knife certainly did the job but lacks the profile to slice much in the way of meat or clean small animals.
dennis

Thanks Dennis, I'm glad you enjoyed the thread. The only thing I really remember about Austin is that with the river and all the trees it was the one city in Texas that reminded most of my native Tennessee. However that has been many years and I don't remember what types of trees were there.

Actually I don't think I would have any trouble at all processing game with this knife. I do find myself longing for a point which I am used to having, but so far only because I am used to having one or if it came to using the knife in a defensive role. So far I have managed everything I have deeded to do with it. There is still more to do with it as time goes on.

Cool review

Thanks bro, glad you liked the post.

 

[Brennanscott]

You do awesome reviews Mistwalker.

 

[Zombie Zeke]

Mist beautiful pics and great sensibility with the review, I know you've waiting to get your hands on one of these babies.

After your review, I think this is a great piece of kit but not my cup of tea, the Apache Falcon will be my next one, because of what you had mentioned of a pointier tip.

I never stop finding new things when I read your reviews, the use of that nut as a small fire basket is brilliant.

:thumbup:Great job, thank you!:thumbup:

 

[cramsey3006]

I love the overall concept of the system and the design of the knife. I think an extra 1" of blade length would make it much better. They do that and make it in 1095 or some other carbon steel, I'd probably buy one.

 

[Mistwalker]

You do awesome reviews Mistwalker.

Thanks Brennan, glad you enjoy the posts.

Mist beautiful pics and great sensibility with the review, I know you've waiting to get your hands on one of these babies.

After your review, I think this is a great piece of kit but not my cup of tea, the Apache Falcon will be my next one, because of what you had mentioned of a pointier tip.

I never stop finding new things when I read your reviews, the use of that nut as a small fire basket is brilliant.

:thumbup:Great job, thank you!:thumbup:

Thanks Zeke, yeah I have been waiting a while lol.

The point was a concern for me but I really liked the line of thinking the knife came from and decided I could add a small point and wanted to try the knife out anyway. I really do like the over-all system very much, but if they ever make a longer, pointier version I'll be all over it. Personally I'd love to have this sheath system and handle mated to a blade like that of the MIL SPIE 5.

Thanks man, I'm glad you enjoy the threads.

I love the overall concept of the system and the design of the knife. I think an extra 1" of blade length would make it much better. They do that and make it in 1095 or some other carbon steel, I'd probably buy one.

I think with this one they were going for as small a foot print as possible and still be effective in the field. I spent some time yesterday driving into old logs and prying off hunks looking for dry solid wood and grubs (pics in a later addition), I love the strength of this little knife. As for the steel, having spent a lot of time in the gulf and glades and...hoping to go back...I like that it has corrosion resistance. That said I'd still be all over a longer version with more of a point

 

[TheGame]

I am not a fan of a lot of Tops knives, but I was intrigued when I first saw this on a video a while back. I wasn't sure what to think of it. Whether to like it or not. The tip is a little awkward, but other then that I think your review has me sold on liking it.

Nice review bro :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

I am not a fan of a lot of Tops knives, but I was intrigued when I first saw this on a video a while back. I wasn't sure what to think of it. Whether to like it or not. The tip is a little awkward, but other then that I think your review has me sold on liking it.

Nice review bro :thumbup:

Thanks bro, I'm glad you enjoyed the thread.

Yeah, I know what you mean. With my historically preferring pointy tips I had to put a lot of thought into what all I do use a tip for. For most of my uses for a pointy tip there is another option among the accessories. The only thing left was the defensive role and I am really hoping that doesn't become an issue again at this point in my life...I'm getting to old for that crap anyway . Besides the looking more like a tool and less like a weapon could come in handy in some situations.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Nice review, this one is on my "list" to get!

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice review, this one is on my "list" to get!

Thanks Chris. I've been checking it out a lot lately and it's definitely a good piece of kit in my personal opinion.

 

[Mistwalker]

I've put it through some pretty rough paces lately and it's proving to be tough. I beat it up pretty good and did a good bit of prying with it the other day while I was out.

And I'm thinking with it having so short of a blade, and looking more like a tool and kit and less menacing or weapon-like that it might just be a really good option for a survival kit in an urbanized environment as well.

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[mykel m]

Score another thumb up for mistwalker.

 

[lagarto]

Mistwalker,

First off, awesome review of a great knife. I've been looking at one of these for a while now. I'm thinking of getting my brother either this or an M1 Midget from TOPS for Christmas. He spends a good chunk of his life both for work and pleasure in the outdoors. Hunting, big wall climbing, etc.... and I want him to have a tough, light knife. My question is, what do you think of the components with this one? Are they worth the money, or am I better to get him another knife and just build the kit myself? Thanks for any insight you can offer.

Lagarto