Noted knife writer Jerry Van Cook, wrote in Tactical Knives Magazine: “Tactical Operational Knives (TOPS) have a distinctive look about them. When you see one, you immediately know it’s from TOPS because their very essence shouts… all about business…”

On a recent trip to the Peruvian Amazon, Jerry carried the ‘Dawn Warrior’ and wrote: “la selva (the jungle), however was a real proving ground. The ‘Dawn Warrior’ was my only blade and the ‘Dawn Warrior’ was constantly wet with a combination of rain, humid precipitation and human perspiration. In the jungle, it cut everything from paracord, rope and vines to the sleeves off two long sleeve t-shirts.” Upon Jerry’s return from the jungle, he called TOPS and said “I think it might be even better suited for self defense”… and so the story went on…