TOPS KNIVES UNZIPPER | Ultimate self protection blade for $115?
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- Shop for Tops Knives here: shrsl.com/3uluq
Tops Unzipper amzn.to/3xD4iTJ
The Tops Unzipper is a take on the pikal knife that has slowly been gaining popularity in the tactical and edc community. This fighting tool has been notably popularized by Craig Douglas of ShivWorks and Ed Calderon from Ed’s Manifesto. Further assisting this rapid popularization is that of Scott Babb creator of Libre Knife fighting. So how does this self defense tool stack up against other popular reverse edge knives such as the Elvia?
To answer that question we are going to put this knife up against the Tactical Tavern Test With 25 possible Points based on Price, Functionality/Design, Dependability, Versatility, and Carry Ability. By the end of the video you should have knowledge on the tactical capabilities and limitations of this knife for your everyday carry!
#edc #TOPSknives #tactical
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DISCLAIMER: This video and all videos featured on the Tactical Tavern are for entertainment purposes only. Tactical Tavern and anyone shown in videos does not hold any responsibility or liability for misuse or improper carry for any tools shown. All items shown are handled by a trained professional. Do not try at home. Follow all your local laws and regulations.
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Got mine last week. I really like it! It wears comfortably concealed and the ergonomics are great. Love the handle's G10! It came well sharpened and keeps an edge after little cut testing.
Yes!! The handle scales are amazing
Excellent review. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you and subscribed.
Thank you! Much appreciated and welcome to the Tactical Tavern!
Great channel brother. Love your delivery and enthusiasm
Much appreciated! We are just getting started 🔥🤘🏼🔪
Yes been waiting for this 🔥🔥
Awww yeah 😏🔪🔪
Love this knife 🔪 Great review‼️
Hey! Thank you 🔪🤘🏼
Big fan of Tops!! Great video my friend!! Subscribed
Thank you! Welcome to the Tactical Tavern 👊🏼🔪
This Unzipper is essentially a re-grind of Tops Lioness model, which is why they kept the extended pommel with lanyard hole. As you indicated, that's a miss for point-down, edge-in which always requires capping with the thumb. Easy/Peezey for Top to create a new model with few variations. Marketing miracles 😎. I await the "V2," wherever and whenever. Thanks for the great overview as always! 🗡️👍🤔
Agreed- smart on their end for faster production but the pummel needs to go! It’s much more comfortable after I ground it off. It takes a keen eye to spot that too!
Thanks for watching!! 😎👊🏼
love the video.
Thank you TOPS KNIVES!!! 🔥🔪
I love TOPS knives. I have quite the collection. 👍
Yes! Their knives are tanks
Great video! Do the Tops Cockpit Commander next
Hey! Thanks for watching
I currently don’t have that knife but when I do you bet there will be a review 👊🏼🔪
@@tacticaltavern For my money it's the best self-defense knife on the market. Only thing lacking is the sheath; you'd need to have a custom one built. For some bizarre reason the ring is entirely concealed and makes drawing it far more difficult than necessary.
@@the2ndsaint Huh that is strange because the ring seems like the hole point!
I appreciate the heads up!! 👍🏼🔪
Pikal style knives are my go to! Gotta get that clip for it though that belt loop isn’t gonna work for me.
Yessir! They work amazing
discreetcarryconcepts.com/
Hey buddy what’s the name of that pocket clip you got and where do I buy it?
GREAT review, but it would be nice to see you actually putting it to use - just some critique for your next review
A bigger clinch pick. It is top's and they make great stuff! Great grading system!
Totally agree!
I just got mine in today and even though I'm not familiar with the pikal style of knife fighting it's definitely a style that I would love to learn. The only downfalls so far are the sheath and the retaining system. Probably get a better clip so I can carry it tracker style.
Hell yeah!
The sheath needs a bit of a redesign in my opinion. Check out Pull the Dot tabs and My personal favorite Discreet Carry Concepts clips🔥🔪
Congrats on the new knife!!
@@tacticaltavern yeah the blade itself is really well-built except for the lanyard hole at the handle and like I had mentioned previously the sheath and the carry design. Don't get me wrong it does the job, but leaves so much more to be desired especially when it comes to what the intention of it is ment for ie self-defense and personal protection.
@@damndevil13 Yes and if you are looking for a new ambi- kydex sheath, check out my man Offensive Industries - that’s where mine is headed soon 🔥🔪
@@tacticaltavern will do my brother
I love the pikal style, in self defense it is effective, you can hold it in your hand without the aggressor seeing it. Surprise in self defense is important
Agreed! Thanks for watching Giuliano! 🔪
You have totaly No clue about SD buddy
Out of curiosity, what did you use to coat the pommel after you ground it down? I want to do the same thing and square it off, going just a bit into the handle so I can get a thumb on top. I know their steel isn't stainless. I don't want it to rust and I don't want to cover the orange liners.
Totally! Try clear nail polish ✅🙌🏽🔪
I could see where the reverse edge would also be helpful for cutting someone loose from their seatbelt; you could get the edge behind the belt and pull to cut and not risk harming the passenger, do you think that the nub, where the lanyard hole is, could be useful for breaking a car window in an emergency situation?
That’s a really great point using it for rescue!
I would like to believe that you certainly could break glass with it - I would recommend angling it so it has the smallest contact area on the corner and go for the bottom left or right areas of the car window and then commit!
(Until I try it for myself though I would still recommend the GTFO Escape Bracelet for a surefire way to get into or out of a car)
Have you noticed any corrosion from the bare metal where the lanyard hole had been?
Not yet, however I have heard of people putting clear nail polish on the exposed metal to prevent corrosion
I love TOPS, and I respect the design. That said, Ill take the Lioness over the Unzipper any day. Its just a more versatile knife, but I suppose I'm biased as I am only trained to use a conventional blade, but what can this thing really do that my fixed blade with a neutral handle and a standard drop point blade can't? or a double edged dagger for that matter?
Great point about training- use the tools you actually put some time into practicing with! The Lioness is more versatile for edc and outdoor activities - for cqc and confined spaces I feel the Unzipper excels
Thanks again for watching!
I like mine
I’d like to see a side by side with this knife and the wps disciple
Shivworks Disciple*
The jimping for the thumb seems to me like it is supposed to be used like a clinch pick. For raking backwards when someone has a two on one grip and your point is up and cut their hands in cqc scenarios. So in my worthless opinion the "reverse" grip isn't the focus but a more traditional grip
Certainly not worthless at all! I really enjoy the fact that you can use this tool in both grips rather comfortably - thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Do you think this could be worn in the same manner as the clinchpick? Or is it way too long?
Short answer: Certainly could!
Obviously the clinchpick is a bit smaller but this can be comfortably carried in a similar fashion - orientation and body type will determine comfortability
@@tacticaltavern thank you. I may give it a try. If the clinchpick was USA made i'd get it, but for the less$ and USA Tops quality I'll probably go w/Unzipper
What clip did you end up with?
Currently running a mod 5 clip and ranger band but I am switching over to a Mod 2 and drilling another hole to line up with the Discreet Carry Concept Clips 👌🏼🔪
I know there are Rhomphaia or cold steel frenzy designs, but the handle of this knife has a very strange design, maybe it is only suitable for stabbing.
As for knives that focus on stabbing ability, they are of the same size and have much better designs than Tops Knives UNZIPPER.
If I wanted to improve this knife, I would sharpen it to a double edge or give it a more special handle so that it would be like a Karambit.
What clip did you end up getting??
I played around with a Discreet Carry Concepts clip however I am getting a custom sheath made from Offensive Industries ✅
@@tacticaltavern excellent! Would love to see a short vid when you get the new sheath
Hi @@tacticaltavern Do you remember what Mod version of DCC fit the holes on the stock sheath? Thanks
hmmm..... this or the Shivworks Disciple? They're almost the same price...
Ugh you’re killing me! BOTH!!
I have only seen the Disciple and not actually handled it although I know it will be an awesome blade
I think that I would go with the Unzipper right now because it seems a bit more concealable (more flat) and has a very aggressive grip - my answer could change if I get some carry time with the Disciple because it looks bad ass too
If ur getting a ban tang disciple yeah but the regular one is made of a crappy steel atleast tops is made with a mid grade steel being 1095.
Bangtang disciple wins, but the standard one is bullshit compared to the tops. Overall, tops is definitely best for the money.
@@nevinstorie6838 that assumes steel grade has any relevance in a knife that is theoretically going to be carried in a sheath and used once.
Pikals tend to be less useful, the bigger they are, and 4+ inches is at the edge of the utility curve for them. Between that and the disciple's place as the original modern pikal design, I'd give it the edge.
Its the liones sharpened on the spine.
Yes exactly!
Tops just can’t seem get their heads around sheaths??? I use a bit of paracord attached to my belt, I can pull the knife and sheath free from my pocket a small amount then the paracord stops the sheath, drawing the knife. The sheath then dangles waiting to be re-fitted. I find it a simple and flexible way to deploy.
Hey I actually really like this idea! Almost like a static line and you can move it around! Excellent idea my friend!🔥🔪
@@tacticaltavern As a bonus by the time the blade leaves the sheath it’s well clear of your clothes, I kept catching my trouser pockets and waistband and destroying my clothes. Another advantage is as the knife leaves the sheath it has good velocity for karambit type slashing/tearing but still works well with a straight blade. Enjoy your channel. Subbed!
Better do the Felony stop
Very expensive box cutter!
I think this is meant for more than just boxes 😂
Poor design and carbon steel in that nice sweaty iwb carry 🤯
I can’t recall a knife Tops Makes that isn’t carbon steel 😂🔪
Basically the lioness with the edge on the Top rather than the bottom… My only question when I see these variations on the same blade is why don’t they combine them and make a double edge? Some beautiful examples by Dirk Pinkerton made by various makers.
Oooh I love that idea of doing a double edge!
Some email TOPS right now!!😂👏🏽👏🏽