Tops El Pionero Knife
Is the Tops El Pionero Knife going to be my favorite Tops Knife yet?
The day we have been waiting for is finally here…The launch of the Tops El Pionero Knife! This is a collaboration between my friends at Tops Knives and Eds Manifesto. As a quick introduction, if you’re not already familiar with Ed Calderon: He worked counter-narcotics in one of the most dangerous areas of Mexico until he relocated to the USA. Nowadays, Ed has taken on a second career as an educator in the realm of what I would generally call “urban survival” (however, it goes a lot deeper than that…but, I’ll let you check his content out to get the full scoop).
Watch the video at the end of this article ↓
Because of Ed’s experiences, he has a very unique philosophy when it comes to utility and self-defense knives. As such, what we see in the Tops El Pionero is definitely his brainchild. At first glance, the El Pionero looks like a beefed-up steak or pairing knife. In fact, the ergonomics will feel comfortable and familiar to anyone who has handled a kitchen knife.
However, as you would expect, there are some modifications to this basic utilitarian design that set it apart from a basic Pioneer Woman Pairing Knife that you’ll find on the shelves of Walmart. The El Pionero is not just another “kitchen knife”.
Tops El Pionero Knife • Design & Specs
To kick things off – Let’s talk about the design of the El Pionero Knife before we get this knife out into the field & beat it up:
- Overall Design:
The design of the El Pionero is very simple, like your favorite pairing knife from the kitchen. And it feels satisfyingly familiar when you pick it up. - Unique Handle:
There is a finger divot in the rear end of the blade (shown in the photo above). This is a bit different than what most people are used to. But this divot aids in letting you know which direction the blade is oriented for low-light work, helps give some retention in self-defense situations, and makes certain grips more comfortable. - Blade Modifications:
At the tip of the blade there is a 1 ½” unsharpened swedge. This is perfect for skinning and processing animals. And it would sure enough aid in a self-defense situation as well. While this does thin the end of the blade out a bit, the tip is still plenty strong. - Specs:
– Overall Length: 7.63″ – Cutting Edge Length: 3.13″ – Blade Thickness: 0.09″
– Weight: 2.9oz – With Sheath: 4.1oz
– 1095 Carbon Steel
– Micarta Handles - Tops El Pionero Sheath:
Kydex Sheath & Metal Clip - MSRP: $220 • Retail: 20% Off
Tops El Pionero • In the Field
Now that we’ve got the specs out of the way – Let’s get to my favorite part: The Field Report!
My pre-release Tops El Pionero arrived as I was coming back from a fishing trip and I had a bucket full of fish that needed to be processed. So, I tore the box open (admittedly, like a kid at Christmas) and put the El Pionero Knife to work right away!
- From the first fish I processed, I knew this knife was going to be a winner…perhaps, even my favorite Tops Knife to date!
- I found that the handle design is comfortable any way I hold it: Fist grip, reverse grip, pinch grip…you name it.
- The next thing I noticed was how “slicey” this blade was. The blade itself is relatively thin and the factory edge is very sharp, which helps to make short work of game processing.
El Pionero Knife • For Survival, Bushcraft & Camping?
I know, I know…The Tops El Pionero was not designed as a “bushcraft or survival knife”. But how did it do for these tasks?
- For starters:
A knife that you use in a survival or bushcraft scenario actually has to be on your person when you find yourself in that situation. The El Pionero slips into a pocket (or on your belt) with ease. This comfort-of-carry makes it a no-brainer to carry every single day…Meaning, you will have it when you need it. - For Bushcraft & Survival:
– Sure, a Scandinavian Ground blade like my beloved Tops Tanimboca Puukko will definitely shine for bushcraft tasks. A “scandi” knife is simply better at wood processing, carving notches, and making feather sticks.
– However, a secondary bevel design (or “v-grind” as I call them), like the El Pionero, shines for most of the other tasks that we encounter and that’s why I love them. Some of the tasks that a V-Grind excel in are: Processing game, general utilitarian tasks that do every single day, and food prep. All of these need to be taken into consideration, not just things to do with wooden materials.
– With all of that said: I would feel perfectly fine with this as my “bushcraft” or “survival” knife if I found myself in one of those situations with only my EDC Gear. - For Camping:
Let’s just be honest: Whenever we’re camping, we are eating a ton, cutting some cordage for guy lines, and opening packs of bacon. This knife would be everything I could need on a typical camping trip.
I know testing this knife within the bushcraft & survival genre may seem odd, but I spend a ton of time outdoors. So, it is only natural for me to test this knife for some of the tasks that I find myself doing on a weekly basis. With that said, I would feel more than comfortable with the El Pionero as my outdoor blade.
Tops El Pionero • Urban Survival Knife
Most people who follow Ed Calderon are thinking in this lane when it comes to the Tops El Pionero Knife.
I do not claim to be a subject matter expert on anything. And I am certainly not the most proficient guy in Urban Survival. However, I can say that I will be carrying the El Pionero Knife as my primary blade whenever I am in any city or larger town. This knife design is so concealable for its size and it’s perfectly suited for self-defense (I pray none of us ever have to encounter one of these scenarios).
But, switching away from the grave uses of an Urban Survival Knife:
The El Pionero is perfect for making hobo gadgets, such as the penny stove shown above. The thin, yet tough blade is super slicey and nimble. The sharp and pointy blade tip allows you to do detailed work for any of your Urbanite crafts!
Tops El Pionero Kydex Sheath
Right out of the box, the Tops El Pionero is ready to rock & roll with its Kydex sheath.
- The El Pionero kydex sheath comes with a high-quality metal clip for attaching it to your belt or pocket.
- However, I took the metal clip off and replaced it with a Kevlar lanyard:
– The Kevlar lanyard attaches to my belt loop & the last eyelet of the Kydex sheath.
– All I have to do is pull the sheath up and out of my pocket to deploy the knife.
– The kevlar lanyard can also be used as an improvised saw for low-diameter materials such as wood or plastic. - The Tops El Pionero Sheath is very slim, conceals well in the pocket, and adds very little bulk to the overall package.
Tops El Pionero Review
My Final Thoughts on the Tops El Pionero Knife
I knew I was going to like the Tops El Pionero from the moment I first handled it at BladeShow 2022. But, I didn’t know I would love it as much as I do. This honestly might be my favorite Tops Knife yet…And that is saying a lot.
The Tops El Pionero will be getting a ton of carry time from here on out. I am 100% confident that this blade will handle the vast variety of things that I do on a daily basis. Whether I find myself in the backwoods, by the lake, in a shopping mall, or running errands around town, I feel well-equipped with the Tops El Pionero by my side.
Buy Tops El Pionero Knife
If you like the looks of the Tops El Pionero and want to pick one up for yourself, please consider purchasing from the links below.
I receive a small commission/per sale at no additional cost to you.
Buy at Smoky Mountain Knife Works
