A Venerated Outdoor Brand Makes One of Its Most Formidable Knives Way More EDC-Ready

Several years ago, beloved tactical and outdoor bladed-tool-making brand Tops Knives launched its first-ever chef’s knife, the Dicer 8. To coincide with that unusual launch, the brand’s president chose to also launch a rugged reinterpretation of a classic kitchen knife, a cleaver, for the outdoors, a kind of cheeky bookend. Thus, El Chappo was born.

Now, the brand has returned to that intimidating butcher’s blade, albeit in an even more unusual way. The aptly-named Tops Knives El Chappito is a much more EDC-friendly take on that beefy backcountry blade.

Tops Knives

Butcher’s baby

Like its literal big brother, El Chappito is an outdoor-ready take on a kitchen cleaver. Believe it or not, that classic butcher-style blade is actually perfect for both EDC and outdoor usage, especially in this instance.

That’s because the shape of the blade offers a long belly — great for long, consistent cuts (like you make when opening packages) and it still has a decent piercing point (great for starting those long, consistent cuts). The wide blade also keeps the knife from having the same kinds of weak points, like thinner tips, that are prone to snapping under pressure, making El Chappito (and El Chappo) pretty durable.

Tops Knives

El Chappito is also a full-tang blade, meaning the steel extends from the tip to the butt of the handle. That further increases its strength and stability and prevents it from having other weak points, namely, where the blade ends and the handle begins, which can more easily break on knives without full-tang blades.

As such, this knife is as good at precision cuts as it is at more forceful chops, making it a pretty spectacular dual-threat, as is its larger sibling. However, unlike its predecessor, El Chappito is a hell of a lot more compact.

Tops Knives

“Little shorty”

As its name suggests, El Chappito is a much smaller version of El Chappo. In fact, it’s nearly half the size of the original, down to just 6.25 inches total, as opposed to 11.0 inches.

However, they’re not as different as you might expect otherwise. The blade, for instance, while down to just 3.38 inches (instead of 6.0), is still crafted from tough, durable 1095 steel — a classic choice for outdoor knives, and one that Tops Knives employs frequently. It also has a Coyote Tan finish that adds even more durability and a bit of styling.

Tops Knives

The handle also mimics the larger knife, stylistically and materially. Along with a similar ergonomic shape, the scales are made of Micarta, finished to match the coyote tan of the blade.

The whole thing weighs a paltry 3.2 ounces, making it extremely easy to carry, bolstered by its small stature. However, since it’s a fixed blade and can’t fold for easier storage, it comes with a Kydex sheath, which can be attached to a belt or pack quite easily.

Tops Knives

Available now

The Tops Knives El Chappito is now available on the brand’s site for $185, down from its $230 MSRP.

Tops Knives

Tops Knives El Chappito

• $185 at Tops Knives
  $230 (20% off)

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