Gear Eyes On: Tops Knives C.U.T. 4.0 Industry News September 22, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. The collective “We” just got our hands on a wicked knife from Tops Knives called the C.U.T (combat utility tool) 4.0 and it is sharp! You know, in a couple senses of the word. Eyes On: Tops Knives C.U.T. 4.0 The C.U.T. 4.0 looks and feels like the mongrel love child crossbreed of a Karambit and utility knife, which is exactly what Joshua Swanagon (master knife breeder) was going for when he bred them:a utility knife with combat functionality. Traditional to its Karambit side, the C.U.T. 4.0 features a finger-hole big enough for a gloved hand to slide in and slide out with relative ease. Reports indicate that's how this knife was conceived — UNGLOVED of course. Photo Credit: Fox tv show- Last Man On Earth. The handle of the knife feels solid, supported by a full tang, with grooves for your fingers and serious jimping on the spine for your thumb. Once you get a sure grip locked on, it feels like it becomes an extension of the arm. The handle also has a slight curve to it, seemingly ideal for forward thrusting motion in combat, or sharpening a stick prepping defense, or even whittling wood for whittling purposes. That's right, hipsters. You can use it to whittle wood to pass the time while your friend types on their depression era typewriter at Starbucks. Photo Credit: javalush.com As for the cutting edge of the C.U.T 4.0, you'll notice that unlike the curve of a Karambit, this tool sports a four-inch spear point. It is this straight edge that gives this tool so much potential for utility. The damn near quarter inch of a steel that constitutes the knife, gives the C.U.T decent weight of 6.3 oz (9 oz with the sheath) without being too cumbersome or bulky — good heft, but not so much that you need suspenders or a baldric for it. If you're not into tie-dye folders with near zero functionality or cheap stabby things built to look like props from a Wuxia movie, go check out TOPS Knives. Keep an eye on this part of the interwebz — we'll be reporting back once we put some serious miles on the C.U.T. 4.0. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
