TOPS Power Eagle 12

[Mistwalker]

I looked closely at the TOPS Power Eagle 12 when I was at the 2010 International Blade Show in Atlanta this past June. Even though I really liked the looks of the design a lot, I really didn't have the money to spare at that time...it took me a few months to get one, but I still managed to get it at the current introductory price. I have had it for a month or so now and have put it through some paces.

The specs are:

O/A Length:......17 5/8"
Blade Length:....12"
Thickness:.......1/4"
Steel:...........51-60 Spring Steel
Handle:..........Tan Canvas Micarta
Blade Color:.....Black Traction Coating
Sheath:..........Nylon
Weight:..........1.6 lbs
With sheath:.....2.0 lbs
Designed by:.....Leo Espinoza






The knife has a full, contoured, tapered handle with a bird's beak pommel, that is actually pretty darn comfortable as far as machete handles go. That was a pleasant surprise for me.

The handle has a pre-made lanyard they wraps around the back of the hand, I found this is even useful in a rearward grip if you are just used to that wrist action.

There is a nice unsharpened area in front of the guard that can be used for added traction during extrication, or for choking up on when whittling fuzz sticks...which by the way it does pretty darn well for such a large knife, it came with a great edge.

The balance point is about 2 inches forward of the handle. So even though it is blade heavy as a chopper should be the balance isn't uncomfortable when it's employed in a knife role.

End part 1 of 5

.

 

[Mistwalker]

The sheath is a "molle-back" sheath that work with molle or pals webbing, it has eyelets for multiple attachment points, as as often with TOPS' sheaths it has eyelets that also serve as a secondary or alternative retention point.

Being as the knife is obviously designed primarily as a chopper I have done a lot of just that. And since it is 5160 spring steel which is known for it's toughness and edge retention I have mostly been chopping in some very hard woods, and periodically stopping to check the edge.

I'm really not sure what type of wood this is...maybe maple...but It is a very hard wood that I have used to test more than one edge on.

But even after a few minutes spent making a deep notch in it the edge was still doing fine.

Then I set into a nice hard Dogwood tree, a recent victim of the blight, which it handled with ease.

Next up was some seasoned Hickory. It severed some one inch thick limbs easily in one quick cut on the bias, and using the hickory log for a chipping block easily chopped them in two cross-grain as well.

end part 2 of 5

.

 

[Mistwalker]

and even after multiple cuts through larger seasoned Hickory limbs the edge was still doing very well.

It handled well, and did very well when I used it to cut the structural members and stakes for this shelter.

end part 3 of 5

.

 

[Mistwalker]

The full flat ground blade will bite deeply, it took all of three seconds to make this notch with two cuts.

The knife also lends itself to being used as a draw-knife.

and has a nice pointy tip, which is always a plus in my knives.

End part 4 of 5


.

 

[Mistwalker]

The tough 5160 has also handled some rough use in being batonned through some hard, knotty Cedar.

And still even the most used portion of the edge will whittle some thin curls very easily.

Plus included with the Power Eagle, in the utility pouch on the sheath, is a smaller pointy tool...an ALRT XL-01, for more detailed tip work with less fatigue to the wrist that I haven't even begun to experiment with.

.

 

[J.Davey]

FINALLY! I've been waiting for someone to do a review of this monster. Glad to see it was you, Mistwalker, as your reviews are always thorough and realistic. Thanks! I think I might have to pick one of these up when finances allow.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Sweet review of a sweet tool. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

FINALLY! I've been waiting for someone to do a review of this monster. Glad to see it was you, Mistwalker, as your reviews are always thorough and realistic. Thanks! I think I might have to pick one of these up when finances allow.

Thanks, sorry...I have been working on the review for a few weeks, but I've just been really busy.

It's definitely one heck of a tool, handy to have around in the bush :thumbup:

Sweet review of a sweet tool. :thumbup:

Thanks bro, and yeah...this thing is reeeeaally sweet!

 

[caine]

Nice you and Joezilla suck. I want a power eagle lol

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice you and Joezilla suck. I want a power eagle lol

topsknives.com

 

[RickJ]

I have been wanting one for a while now! I hope to get one early next year, it is a awesome looking blade.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I think the goloks and parangs have been hogging their fair share of the attention lately--about time some barong-like shapes start getting attention!

 

[pitdog]

I knew that blade would be a winner the moment I saw it with the full flat grind and Bolo/Chete shape.

Do ya have a ESEE Junglas, wonder how that compares ?

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great review..:thumbup: i was reading Joezilla's write up in the new TK, those don't look too bad...

 

[Zombie Zeke]

Mist that's a beast...

Can you tell me on the continuum of choppers you've used, how you would rank it overall?

 

[Mistwalker]

Mist that's a beast...

Can you tell me on the continuum of choppers you've used, how you would rank it overall?

Honestly I like it better than most all the choppers I've ever had, including some other large TOPS knife like the Steel Eagle. The full flat grind 1/4 inch thick blade bites amazingly well, and the 5160 really takes some abuse. The heat treat is spot on because it has awesome edge retention even versus the hard woods I have tackled. It gives me a good usable point which I like and I like the design of the guard a lot. I'd take it over any hatchet or normal machete I have ever owned with the only possible competition being a custom machete I have and even at that if I was reasonably sure I'd be tackling larger hardwood logs...4" and up...I'd still take the Power Eagle because it is more designed for such work.

I was showing it to a friend who drives a K-9 unit last night and he really liked it. I think he is going to get one too.

 

[GRIM 62]

Wow mist,That really looks like a winner!I like the shape of blade,it's not so radical that you could'nt sharpen it with most stones.That 5160 is some tough stuff huh!!Great review pard!

 

[JUST1MOR]

Mist, that knife looks like it could handle anything thrown at it. Pit beat me to it, have you had a chance to compare it to a Junglas yet? Would be pretty interested in your opinion of the two. How did the "retaining strap" on the handle work out? Good shots, thanks for the information, looks like an interesting tool to be considered.
Be safe.

 

[Mistwalker]

I have been wanting one for a while now! I hope to get one early next year, it is a awesome looking blade.

It is an awesome blade indeed.

I think the goloks and parangs have been hogging their fair share of the attention lately--about time some barong-like shapes start getting attention!

Agreed!!

I knew that blade would be a winner the moment I saw it with the full flat grind and Bolo/Chete shape.

Do ya have a ESEE Junglas, wonder how that compares ?

I don't have a Junglas...at least not yet....I was drawn to the full flat grind.

great review..:thumbup: i was reading Joezilla's write up in the new TK, those don't look too bad...

Thanks Mike, I liked Joe's write up on it too.

Wow mist,That really looks like a winner!I like the shape of blade,it's not so radical that you could'nt sharpen it with most stones.That 5160 is some tough stuff huh!!Great review pard!

Thanks, man glad you liked it. The shape of the blade lends itself to many uses in the field, even digging if needs be but I didn't try that...

Yep, the 5160 is really tough.

Mist, that knife looks like it could handle anything thrown at it. Pit beat me to it, have you had a chance to compare it to a Junglas yet? Would be pretty interested in your opinion of the two. How did the "retaining strap" on the handle work out? Good shots, thanks for the information, looks like an interesting tool to be considered.
Be safe.

As i said above I haven't had a chance to do more than handle a Junglas. I did really like it, and I am sure it is a very capable knife, but I was just more drawn to the Barong shape and full flat grind of this one.

 

[untamed]

1/4" thick? Other than that, reminds me of the all-'rounders we have in this part of the world (SE Asia).

As always, nice bushcrafty-applications review Mist!