Knife Magazine

Knife Magazine

  • LOG IN HERE
  • Newsfeed
  • SUBSCRIBE!
    • NEW Print Subscription
    • RENEW Print Subscription
    • Premium Online Membership
  • Books & Mags
    • Books
    • Magazine Archives
  • Events & Orgs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit Your Event
    • Knife Club Directory
    • Submit Your Knife Club
  • The Vault
    • Knife Markings (Goins Encyclopedia)
    • Worldwide Knifemaker Database and Directory
    • Magazine Archives
    • Digital Library
    • Knife Glossary
    • Submit an Entry
  • About
    • The Knife Magazine Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • Contest Entry
  • Log In
  • Create Account

Type and hit enter to display search result

Recent Posts
  • KNIFE Magazine July 2022 Sneak Peek
  • 5 from the Grinder: Jaymes Stevens (J.M. Stevens Knives)
  • Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
  • Winkler Knives: Extended Free Preview
  • Winkler Knives – The Tradition for the Past, a Legacy for the Future By Jamin Brackett
0 - $0.00
  • Help & Support
  • Cart
  • Log In
  • Create Account
Advertise With Us

Knife Magazine

Knife Magazine

  • LOG IN HERE
  • Newsfeed
  • SUBSCRIBE!
    • NEW Print Subscription
    • RENEW Print Subscription
    • Premium Online Membership
  • Books & Mags
    • Books
    • Magazine Archives
  • Events & Orgs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit Your Event
    • Knife Club Directory
    • Submit Your Knife Club
  • The Vault
    • Knife Markings (Goins Encyclopedia)
    • Worldwide Knifemaker Database and Directory
    • Magazine Archives
    • Digital Library
    • Knife Glossary
    • Submit an Entry
  • About
    • The Knife Magazine Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • Contest Entry
0 - $0.00
  • Home
  • /
  • Culinary
  • /
  • Housekeeping/Contests
  • /
  • Industry News / New Products
  • /
  • Knife & Accessory Review
  • /
  • Production Knives
  • Culinary   Housekeeping/Contests   Industry News / New Products   Knife & Accessory Review   Production Knives  

    100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway: TOPS Dicer 8 – Fourth of July Giveaway

    By H. Clay Aalders July 4, 2019
    TOPS Dicer 8

    It is Day 34 of our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway. It is also July 4th, so Happy Independence Day America! Or happy Thursday people everywhere else.We have a good one to give away today. The TOPS Dicer 8 Chef’s Knife. I wanted to choose an American-made knife that could feasibly be a part of the winner’s future July 4th celebration. A knife like the Dicer 8 fit the bill perfectly. It is a robustly built knife that comes with a Kydex sheath, allowing for easy transport to camp kitchen, beach party, or other in or outdoor affair.

    And while not everyone skins game, engages in bushcraft, everyday carry, or other niches within the larger knife world – Everyone eats, and should be able to use a good kitchen knife.

    If you want to win this knife, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here)

     

    I actually wrote about the TOPS Dicer 8 in “Knife News” in the June 2019 print issue of Knife Magazine:

    Kitchen knives are hot right now. Of course they have been foundational since the earliest stone tools days. Consumer grade sets are a virtual kitchen essential, and the custom market has been exploding of late. However there has been a vast gap in the middle between the consumer knives and the high end Bob Kramers and Murray Carters. Kai’s Shun brand was one of few notables in the $150 – $500 range.

    That is beginning to change as production companies recognize the growing niche of advanced home chefs, or even professionals who are not yet ready to shell out a mortgage payment for a premium custom. The bushcraft craze has begun to ebb as well, and designers have branched into new genres of knives.

    Idaho Falls based TOPS Knives, which is celebrating their tenth Anniversary this year, debuted their new Dicer series of knives at the SHOT Show in January. The first two knives in the series are now available to the public. While they eventually plan to expand the line, they are starting with the two most essential pieces, a 7.75” chefs knife, the Dicer 8, and a 3.5” paring knife, the Dicer 3.

    The TOPS Dicer 8 is the winner of TOPS’ annual in-house design competition. Its designer, Jesus Arellano, is TOPS’ photography and graphics manager, and his design was chosen from among 20 different submission from around the company.

    The companion knife, the Dicer 3, is designed by TOPS President Leo Espinoza. It could easily double as a small EDC fixed blade or a Bird and Trout pattern. Both knives feature premium, tumble finished CPM S35Vn blades, handles made from sandwiched Micarta and G10, in an attractive contrasting blue and black pattern. Both come with a black Kydex sheath, and would be perfectly at home in the most modern, or primitive of kitchens.

    Specs (from TOPS):

    Knife Type Fixed Blade
    Overall Length 12.25″
    Blade Length 7.75″
    Cutting Edge 7.75″
    Blade Thickness 0.090″
    Blade Steel CPM S35Vn RC 58-60
    Blade Finish Tumble Finish
    Handle Material Black Canvas Micarta/Blue-Black G10
    Knife Weight 9.1oz
    Weight w/ Sheath 11.0oz
    Sheath Included Yes
    Sheath Material Black Kydex
    Designer Jesus Arellano

    Personal Observations:

    The handle on the Dicer 8 is extremely comfortable, and the forward edge is highly chamfered, making a pinch grip intuitive. It indexes well, and fills my medium-sized paw with plenty of handle left over. This actually provides a comfortable backstop and will keep the knife from sliding forward in the hand.

    The fit and finish are quite good, even for TOPS which has a strong reputation in such matters. But there seems to be a level of refinement to the Dicer 8 which is beyond a camp chopper. I am curious how the curved shape performs for people more accustomed to a more traditional shape.

     

    Outside Review:

    As tempting as it was, I did not so much as dice an onion with this knife. I will therefore rely on what Tim Carpenter of EverydayTacticalVids has to say:

     

    I would like to thank TOPS for providing us with a Dicer 8 and a Rapid Strike for our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway.I am a big fan of the company and the people who make it up. I had a chance to visit them a couple of years ago at their Idaho Falls factory.

    Visiting TOPS Knives

     

    2 Tags: 100 Knives in 100 Days, TOPS, TOPS Dicer 8, TOPS Knives

    H. Clay Aalders

    H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives - spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Clay’s primary role is as Digital Editor, curating and creating new content for our website and blog, as well as maintaining the Knife Magazine social media accounts (FB/IG: @theknifemag, Twitter: @knifemagazine). He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine.

    You May Also Like

    David Kurt Knives RN Tactical

    100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway Finale: David Kurt RN Tactical Winner

    September 11, 2019September 11, 2019
    David Kurt Knives RN Tactical

    UPDATE: Final Day of our 100 Knives Giveaway – David Kurt RN Tactical Knife

    September 7, 2019September 16, 2019
    Knife World Knives

    100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway: Knife World Collector’s Knives

    September 6, 2019September 6, 2019

    2 Comments

    1. Reply
      Josh Navarrete
      July 4, 2019 11:35 am

      Another great design From TOPS-USA!!!!

    2. Reply
      cmeat
      July 5, 2019 12:43 am

      they both look sweet. 35 is very nice metal.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    About Us
    Author Picture:

    KNIFE Magazine is an oversized, full color, glossy print publication — 50% larger than a standard magazine and dedicated to serving collectors, knifemakers and other enthusiasts. KnifeMagazine.com is our online presence, offering news, events and other information to all visitors and a wealth of information to Premium Online Members including information on historical knife markings, knifemaker markings, about 500 magazine issues, and more!

    sales@knifemagazine.com 1-800-828-7751 (M-F, 9-5 EST)
    Knife Magazine - PO Box 11012 - Knoxville TN USA 37939
    Author Signature:
    CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE ISSUE!
    Stay Updated
    Recent Comments
    • Del Corsi on Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
    • Mark R on Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
    • Mark R on Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
    • cmeat on Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
    • StuartB on Weekend Open Thread: Combustion Inflation Conflagration Edition
    Knife Magazine

    © 2020. Knife Magazine - Site by Epic Nine

    Type and hit enter to display search result