TOPS D.a.r.t. (s30v)

Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

The D.A.R.T. is a TOPS knife that first caught my eye a few years ago. I liked the over-all design right off the bat. It combines elements of two of my favorite blade designs: the kukri, and the barong. At that time I didn't know all that much about S30V steel so I had to read up on it some and get some practical experience with it. I liked what I read about its great corrosion resistance since I live in a very wet environment, and I like what I read about its great edge retention, I liked a lot of what I heard about it from some with personal experience and I liked what I saw of a couple of smaller knives made of S30V in use. So....

The Specs as taken from the TOPS website:

Blade Length:..........7.0"
O/A Length:............12 3/4"
Cutting Edge:..........6 1/2"
Thickness:.............3/16"
Blade Color:...........Black Traction Coating
Steel:.................S30V - RC 60
Handle Material:.......Black Linen Micarta®
Blade Weight:..........0.95lbs
Sheath:................Combat Ballistic Nylon
Heat Treating by:......Paul Bos

Handcrafted in the USA,

The D.A.R.T., which by the way stands for: Direct Action Rescue Tool, has a re-curved blade with a type of hybrid grind that is steeper near the handle for strength and higher and shallower near the tip for good slicing.

It comes in a molle-backed ballistic nylon sheath.

The handle scales are black linen micarta. The scales on this one finished with TOPS Rocky Mountain Tread for enhanced grip under muddy or other slippery conditions. The knife can be gotten with the smoother handle scales.

The extended tang serves as both a lanyard ring and as a surface to strike with, but it is not sharpened so there is little chance of the user injuring themselves while carrying the knife.

End part 1 of 5

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Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

Some in hand shots in various grips.

The knife came with a very sharp edge, and I found it easy to control when whittling.

End part 2 of 5

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Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

I had no problems chopping heavier pieces of bamboo

And the re-curved blade also worked well as a draw knife.

and it easily cut through smaller limbs in one clean cut.

For a little chopping I chose some seasoned hickory. The RMT scales can be a little rough on bare hands if you're not used to it, but I didn't experience any real hot spots or get any blisters. If not intended for extreme outdoor or military applications the smooth scales may be a better option for the sportsman. In chopping the thinner edge out at the sweet spot near the tip bit in very well.

End part 3 of 5

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Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

So far no damage to the blade and it would still shave arm hair in that spot even after the chopping in the bamboo and hickory.

Later I used the knife to chop a hard seasoned sycamore limb into manageable pieces, and then used a baton to split some kindling

end part 4 of 5

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Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

You can see that the coating is finally starting to wear, but even the area of the blade that has had the most wear is still sharp enough to whittle some nice curls. The S30V is showing itself to be very durable and holding a good edge.

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deepfry · Apr 1, 2011

Looks like some encouraging results from the S30V steel. I don't think I've ever seen it used in that type of knife before.
That looks like a pretty handy size and shape blade and the choils actually look large enough to be comfortable for those of us with large/fat fingers.
:thumbup:

TheGame · Apr 1, 2011

Looks like a nice knife, but I'd rather see one in 1095 or 5160. Not that S30V is bad, I just prefer me some good carbon steel. Not sure about the handle texturing, I'd probably prefer it a little smoother, but I guess I would need to hold one to find out for sure.

Mistwalker · Apr 1, 2011

deepfry said:
Looks like some encouraging results from the S30V steel. I don't think I've ever seen it used in that type of knife before.
That looks like a pretty handy size and shape blade and the choils actually look large enough to be comfortable for those of us with large/fat fingers.
:thumbup:

Definitely liking the results so far. That bent sycamore was hard and it put the blade in a bind so it wasn't just splitting it like a wedge. The edge was in contact most of the way through the split on three fairly large pieces. I see no ill effects on anything other than the coating. The size is great for me. It gives me plenty of length and weight to lop briers and limbs in the thicker scrub without being overly large plus is thick enough to handle some rough work as well. And yes I have fat fingers too and the choil works great for me.

TheGame said:
Looks like a nice knife, but I'd rather see one in 1095 or 5160. Not that S30V is bad, I just prefer me some good carbon steel. Not sure about the handle texturing, I'd probably prefer it a little smoother, but I guess I would need to hold one to find out for sure.

Oh I know what you mean, if it had been available in 1095 I would have gotten one sooner. Partly because I assume the 1095 would have been cheaper, but also because I have put several TOPS 1095 knives through the ringer and loved how they did. In fact after I got this one and used it for a week or two I wrote them and asked if they had ever considered offering the knife in 1095. The reply I git was that indeed they had, and were still considering doing that. Now that I have had it out in the field for the last few weeks and have seen how it is handling the use and abuse I rather like the S30V though. It is proving to be tougher than I expected, though I should have known with it being a TOPS knife, and it has been rode hard and put up wet a few times out in the spring rains here. Even with the rain, tree sap, mud and sweat the exposed areas show no signs of corrosion.

As for the handle, as i said earlier it can be gotten either way, in fact I am pretty sure the RMT is an up-charge. I asked for the RMT because a lot of the time lately I have been in river bottoms and swampy areas. The one time I have had the handle really good and muddy I liked the how the RMT enhanced the grip, but my hands were so muddy and it was raining hard enough that I didn't want to take the camera out of the waterproof case I pack it in.

TheGame · Apr 2, 2011

I understand about the handle completely. I think if I was always in wet environments, it would likely be a great improvement. Although I am rarely using knives in downpours, at least to where I would need a handle specifically for a great grip. As far as the 1095, if they do make one, I will want to try that one out for sure.

untamed · Apr 2, 2011

Mist:

The usual superb review :thumbup: One of these days though you're gonna suck! (I kid of course

)

When I first saw this blade years back when it was first released, I immediately liked it for its martial looks, maybe even handling (I'll have to live vicariously through you though to find that out). Trace Rinaldi, the designer, I believe tweaked his "Warhawk" model and if I recall correctly, he said it was even used by a European spec-ops unit.

I also keep forgetting how smaller its blade size is actually. One can easily think it was a 9" blade from a passing glance.

untamed · Apr 2, 2011

TheGame said:
Looks like a nice knife, but I'd rather see one in 1095 or 5160. Not that S30V is bad, I just prefer me some good carbon steel. Not sure about the handle texturing, I'd probably prefer it a little smoother, but I guess I would need to hold one to find out for sure.

If I'm not mistaken (it has been a few years back already since its release in '03 I think?), they did. The very first run of these blades were in 1095. S30V though was gaining ground as the new wonder steel at that time which I think made it easier for TOPS re-launch it in its current steel.

Mistwalker · Apr 2, 2011

untamed said:
Mist:

The usual superb review :thumbup: One of these days though you're gonna suck! (I kid of course :wink: )

When I first saw this blade years back when it was first released, I immediately liked it for its martial looks (maybe even handling). Trace Rinaldi, the designer, I believed tweaked his "Warhawk" model and if I recall correctly, he said it was even used by a European spec-ops group.

I also keep forgetting how smaller its blade size is actually. One can easily think it was a 9" blade from a passing glance.

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. I hope not...lol, that would...suck...

I've heard it is in use by some specialized units in Europe. After handling and using it I can believe it.

It does have a deceptive appearance, but makes very good use of it's seven inches of blade.

cut it out · Apr 2, 2011

great review mist!!!!! it is one good looking design. I like it! thanks

Saskabush · Apr 2, 2011

Do you receive compensation from TOPS? Just wondering if this a review or promotion? Please don't take offense.

Mistwalker · Apr 3, 2011

cut it out said:
great review mist!!!!! it is one good looking design. I like it! thanks

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. I like it a lot too, been wishing I had gone ahead and gotten it sooner.

Saskabush said:
Do you receive compensation from TOPS? Just wondering if this a review or promotion? Please don't take offense.

No compensation. I do get a few little goodies thrown in with some of them; whistles, mirrors, saws, firestarters and such... but since I have seen that mentioned on their website I assume others do too. It's definitely a review. As for promotional...maybe a little, I do like the products...but no more so than the reviews of products I have liked made by a dozen or so other makers and manufacturers. It's a question asked on an internet forum, why would I take offense?

untamed · Apr 3, 2011

Some folks just happen to have their own, specific "niche" liking of knives or manufacturers.

William M./Dr. Bill for example is the go-to guy for Siegles. There's also a serious Spydie collector from the Netherlands here.

I'm glad Mist does TOPS and he does them well.

Mistwalker · Apr 3, 2011

untamed said:
Some folks just happen to have their own, specific "niche" liking of knives or manufacturers.

William M./Dr. Bill for example is the go-to guy for Siegles. There's also a serious Spydie collector from the Netherlands here.

I'm glad Mist does TOPS and he does them well.

Thanks man.

Yeah, Bill is wearing me down on those Siegles...he's shown some really nice ones, and I've heard good things about the man's work. If i can find one, and at a price I can manage, I am going to pick up a SAR-4.

Trace Rinaldi · Apr 5, 2011

Very cool review... Glad you like the design, and its working well for you..

Mistwalker · Apr 6, 2011

Trace Rinaldi said:
Very cool review... Glad you like the design, and its working well for you..

Wow, Mr. Rinaldi himself! Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. As I said at the start of the thread, I love the design. It combines some of my favorite design features in a size that's easy to carry, and it works really well for me. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be beating the crap out of one of your LEOs or Enigmas

Trace Rinaldi · Apr 7, 2011

Mr. is WAY too formal for me sir. You can call me Trace. If you ever want to come out to N. Idaho and test knives, we can make something happen...

Again glad your making good use of that DART. THR