In TOPS Knives’ more than 20 years in the blade business, the company has produced a wide variety of specialty tools and knives, though for whatever reason had never experimented with a purpose-built cigar knife, despite the trend becoming increasingly popular with other big-name knife makers in the industry in recent times. TOPS is changing that, however, with the release of its first cigar-specific blade, the 208 Clipper.
Designed by Leo Espinoza and inspired by TOPS’ first-ever knife model, the Steel Eagle 107D, the 208 Clipper features a 2.25” Tanto-style (58-60 HRC-rated) CPM S35Vn steel blade that was specifically shaped for cutting cigars. Sporting a jimped back and deployment nib, black Cerakoted steel liners, and a tumbled-finish, the blade is mated to OD Green G10 handles with a central opening that allows the scales to act as a cigar cutter. Weighing in at 4.7oz, TOPS’ 208 Clipper is sold with a belt loop clip-equipped double-stitched black leather sheath. The TOPS Knives 208 Clipper Knife is available now on the manufacturer’s website, with pricing set at $184., though TOPS also offers a partially-serrated blade for an additional $15, though it will likely inhibit the blade’s ability to cleanly cut a stogie.
