Have you seen the TOPS Poker? It’s on our Top Ten Most Interesting Knives list of 2020. TOPS tells us, “One weekend, while [TOPS’ General Manager, Craig Powell] was working on a leather sheath project that he wanted to do, he came up with the idea to make a kiridashi style knife close to the traditional Japanese style (with a sort of chisel ground blade) that he could use specifically for cutting leather for projects and other things around the house.” He later tweaked the design to include a karambit-style finger ring. As we can clearly see, the result is something of a Wharncliffe mixed with something of a Sheepsfoot that looks like no other blade we’ve ever seen. This small fixed blade is a kiridashi-karambit with just a ton of utility.

It features a 2.5” 1095 carbon steel blade with an acid rain finish. It has a blade thickness of 0.13” and a 56-58HRC. Although the blade shape kind of looks like a boot, it’s stinking cool. The sloped spine reinforces and strengths the piercing tip which gives it more strength than you might immediately notice. It has a straight slicing edge with a cutting length of 2.25”.

The Poker is full tang constructed and has tan canvas micarta handles with black canvas micarta underliners. The contoured handles are comfortable with a three-finger grip. The ring not only adds a touch of self-defense, it also extends the grip to a larger hand size and enables security in a variety of grips.

The Poker comes with a black Kydex sheath with a Beta loop and multiple attachment points. You can carry this knife in almost any conceivable way. It’s 6.88” overall and weighs 2.7 ounces.

TOPS Poker Details

  • 1095 Carbon Steel, Acid Rain Finish
  • 2.5” Kiridashi Blade
  • 0.13” Blade Thickness
  • 56-58HRC
  • Full Tang
  • Micarta Handle
  • Karambit-Style Ring
  • Hardware Torx
  • Black Kydex Sheath with Beta Loop Attachment
  • 2.7 Ounces, Knife Weight
  • 3.6 Ounces, Knife and Sheath Weight
  • 6.88” Overall
  • Made in the USA

The TOPS Poker is an awesome knife with an interesting look and ton of utility. You can get one for about $87. If you’re interested in this knife, click any link in the article or simply click the button below.

All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smkw.com.