TOPS Rapid Strike Review

100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway: TOPS Rapid Strike

We are rounding the final turn of our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway. It is day 74, and TOPS returns to the spotlight. They donated two knives to our contest, and we have already given away the Dicer 8 Chef’s Knife. Today we are taking things in a more tactical direction, with the TOPS Rapid Strike.

Available in either single (this one) or double edge, the Rapid Strike is a wicked looking sticker. But it maintains solid ergonomics and cutting geometry to making it a valuable tool for the 99.9% of the time you are not engaged in a life or death struggle.

 

If you want to win this or other knives from our 100 Days Giveaway, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here)

Here is what TOPS Knives had to say about the Rapid Strike:

Everything about the Rapid Strike makes it an excellent combatives blade. The cutting edge is long enough for good slashing cuts and thrusts. It can be single or double-edged to meet legal requirements or be even more dangerous. The G10 handle is strong and grippy and combined with the recessed jimping that goes all the way around the handle, it’s easy to keep it in your hand when you need it the most. The sheath was designed to allow for a combat grip straight out of the sheath (meaning the hand doesn’t have to be readjusted to grip the handle properly after it’s removed from the sheath). The thin blade material and narrow profile take up little space on a belt, on a vest, in a boot, or wherever else you choose to carry it. 154CM stainless steel was chosen to provide a strong blade with little maintenance needed to keep it clean and sharp.

So whether you’re deployed to one of the current hot spots around the world, serving and protecting in your neighborhood, or just a prepared citizen who wants something to help get you home safe, the Rapid Strike is perfect for you. Plus it makes a great steak knife too.

Specs: From TOPS:

Knife Type Fixed Blade
Overall Length 8.63″
Blade Length 4.13″
Cutting Edge 4.13″
Blade Thickness 0.130″
Blade Steel 154cm RC 58-60 Cryo Treated
Blade Finish Tumble Finish
Handle Material Black G10
Knife Weight 3.10oz
Weight w/ Sheath 4.6oz
Sheath Included Yes
Sheath Material Black Kydex
Sheath Clip Multi-Position Spring Steel
Designer Leo Espinoza

 

Personal Observations:

The textured G10 is complimented by large jimping grooves on the spine. Together they provide a solid grip in either traditional or a reversed tactical grip, though for the latter I would prefer a bit more of a guard bump. the finger grove does line up fairly well with my index and middle fingers.

There is enough handle to protrude slightly from my hand. So even larger paws ought to do fine.

The fit and finish of the TOPS Rapid Strike are what one expects of an American company with TOPS’ reputation. The grind lines are even, the scales fit cleanly, and the sheath locks the knife in tightly.

Outside Review:

We frequently share the Knife Junkie Podcast on our newsfeed, but this is the first video review. Bob knows his stuff:

I love an IWB loop. Not that there is anything wrong with the clip, but I have used a loop on several other knives and vastly prefer it.

 


We would like to thank TOPS for providing us with both of the knives. I am particularly fond of TOPS as a company, I lived in Idaho Falls for 4 years in the early 2000’s, before I had ever heard of them.  I had a chance to visit their factory when I went back to visit a couple of years ago, and they are a class act from “TOPS” to bottom.

Visiting TOPS Knives

Remember, if you want to win this or other knives from our 100 Days Giveaway, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here)