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.