When we first got the Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 folding knife we werenโt sure what to make of it. We didnโt even understand what the name designation meant. Military Spec? This was a knife that had us pondering on a number of levels. As it turns out, a little research goes a long way. The name ย Mil-SPIE is actually short for Military-Special Projects Individual Equipmentโand itโs pronounced โmill spyโ. I think thatโs your typical overanalyzed โtoo much time on their handsโ military naming convention for you (though much better than naming it the long version!)
The knife is very much designed for that type of environmentโnamely, special ops use whereby military personnel can develop and test new equipment that might be handy in the fieldโฆitems that might not be mass market or available through the typical means. Iโm not sure a commercially-available knife like this is all that mysterious, but it certainly plays up its name well.
Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 Folding Knife Design and Features
First and foremost, this is, considering its size, a little brute of a knife. Thereโs no wobble on the N690Co steelย blade, and itโs got a very textured grip. Unfortunately, while the grip is very textured (as is the blade and even the belt clip), it doesnโt come across as particularly grippy. If youโve got something on your hands (blood, gutsโฆum, blood) it may still tend to slip.
It doesnโt have an assisted open because, well, thatโs for sissies, and this is a military knife, right? Well, letโs just roll with that and move on. Seriously, though, not every knife can be an assisted-open model. Thereโs got to be a place for a simplistic folder that just works. he trouble is, this one is actually a tad hard to open, and you really canโt do it well one-handed. The thumb stud is placed a bit too close to the fulcrum, keeping you from effectively using it to smoothly open the blade.
Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 Size and Feel
Theย Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 folding knife feels very stiff. It feels tough and is equally tough on the user. Iโm not so sure thatโs a great thing unless you have bigger hands. When we passed it around, those with slightly larger (ahem, manlier) hands seemed able to give the blade a nice gradual and deliberate swing open.
We like the polished accents throughout the design. We found a total of seven oval or circular agents cut into the left side of the 6061-T6 aluminum handle. Three live on the reverse side.
The center oval is actually a bottle opener. Top may not have designed theย Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 folderย that way. If not, then you heard it here first. Oddly enough, the aluminum used in the handle of this knife is the same kind used in the secondary chambers of many pistol suppressors.
Cut and Carry
The design of this knife allows tip-up carry only. While unusual, we got used to it quickly enough. The entire Top Mil-SPIE 3.5 is very lightweight and so itโs an easy knife to wield. The blade came sharp as a razor and it stayed sharp. It also took an edge quite easily and held its own, even after running it through a lot of work on hard and soft woods, cardboard and even PVC. The N690ย Cobalt Vanadium Steel felt familiar and is an alloy Iโd like to continue to play with some more as I find it to hold up well, and it was equally easy to sharpen.
Tops Mil-SPIE 3.5 Knife Specifications
- Model: Mil-SPIE 3.5 (MIL-35F)
- Blade Length: 3-1/2 in.
- O/A Length: 8 in.
- Cutting Edge: 3-1/2ย in.
- Length Closed: 4-1/2ย in.
- Blade Thickness: 1/8ย in.
- Handle O/A Thickness: 1/2ย in.
- Handle: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Blade: 1-1/8ย in. wide N690Co
- Black Traction Coating
- Blade Hardness: RC 58-60
- Liner Lock: Tool Steel RC 50-55
- Manufactured: USA (Rocky Mountains)
