There’s a fresh new TOPS fixed blade out now, from a first-time collaborator. The Tundra Wolf comes from Alaskan knifemaker Trevor Barrett, and it takes a unique design approach to the all-purpose outdoors knife concept.
We don’t think it’s a stretch to say that in general, fixed blades are more conservative with their blade shapes than their folding brethren. It makes sense: fixed blades aren’t (often) daily carry pieces, and they don’t have the fidget factor that folders do; folders are showier, so it’s only natural they would have the more avant-garde designs because of that.
But nobody could accuse Barrett of sticking to the Usual Things when it comes to the Tundra Wolf. Its 5.75-inch, 1095 blade is a sweeping, dramatic – drop point, maybe? That’s what the edge profile evokes. Spine side, there’s a sort of harpoon swedge ahead of massive inward curvature. It’s hard to classify, but equally hard to forget. Barrett’s background as an Alaskan means that he spent lots of time outside in rugged, trying environments, and that’s the world into which the Tundra Wolf is meant to be taken: chopping, fine cutting, working around the camp and out in the wilds.
The Tundra Wolf’s handle also shows a designer unafraid of challenging norms. It’s humpbacked, embellished with several cuts and grooves on both the top and bottom, with a flared butt-end that creates a light bracket in conjunction with the guard-style tang. This is a full-tang knife by the way, and it comes with a dangler-style Kydex sheath. In total, the the Tundra Wolf tips the scales at 17.3 oz. with the sheath.
It’s available now.
Knife in Featured Image: TOPS Knives Tundra Wolf
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