TOPS has dropped its latest chopper, the El Machete .230X. The .230X sticks to the pure fundamentals of the machete concept and aims to deliver a high-quality, rugged tool for demanding work.
Everybody who has been to a big box store will know the kind of machete is referencing when it calls out “Flimsy stamped sheet metal” pieces in its copy for the .230X. It’s hard for some of us to resist the call of the machete, and it can be tempting, even for seasoned knife aficionados, to grab one of these and start hacking away. But the truth is that, often in the knife world, you get what you pay for and what you’re paying for with those kinds of blades is something that looks the part, but doesn’t hold up under the real-world scenarios machetes were made for.
The .230X is obviously aimed to walk the walk, with a hard 15.75-inch blade made from rough-and-tumble 1095 carbon steel. TOPS likes a thick knife, no doubt about it, and that inclination perfectly compliments the .230X purpose-built design: a spine thickness of .13 inches ensures that this machete will be able to withstand the shock and torque that may come its way while hacking through the undergrowth. And – another TOPS staple – a full body black traction coating on the blade cuts down the risk of rust by a notable amount.
A big blade means a big handle. Looking at the grip on the .230X, with its straight posture and flared “pommel,” we can’t help but thinking of the handles of swords rather than other knives – and really, the .230X is probably more of a sword than a knife anyway, by dint of its sheer size if nothing else. Anyway, the full, thick black-and-tan canvas Micarta handle scales maintain their high traction whether wet or dry, and there’s also a hefty lanyard/cordage loop hole as a bonus. The .230X sheath is made from ballistic nylon, and the knife/sword on its own weighs 21.2 oz.
The .230X is available now.
Knife in Featured Image: TOPS .230X
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