TOPS Custom Shop

About

TOPS Knives was established in 1998 with a goal of providing high quality tools to military men and women. TOPS has been successful in that goal since day one. As TOPS has grown, it became necessary to provide more of a production environment to keep up with demand. There are still a lot of processes within TOPS that are done by hand and with an individual looking over the quality of each product.

The ONLY problem with this production model is that one-offs, custom projects, limited runs, etc. all become more difficult to do. TOPS Custom Shop is the answer to that. It exists to provide a creative outlet for Leo Espinoza (TOPS’ President/Owner and the designer of most TOPS models) to do what he loves most… make knives. It also provides TOPS Knives with a chance to provide more of a custom product for fans and people that would like something a little more “elite” or “exclusive”.

                Leo has had the idea to open a custom shop for years. Here and there, glimpses of the custom shop can be seen through some of the limited or 1-run models that TOPS has made. There are a few old TOPS models out there that even say “TOPS Custom Shop” on them (There is an Indio and a Spirit Hunter for example). Then for the 20th anniversary of TOPS, 2 models were produced as 20th anniversary edition knives - a Tom Brown Tracker #3 and Tex Creek. These were the final push that convinced Leo to make it happen.

In 2021, Leo built out a physical space specifically to be able to work on custom shop pieces. Over time, he is filling it with tools that will make the custom shop a reality. Here are just a few examples of things that will be in the custom shop:

·         Fully custom made 1-of-a-kind knives.

·         Regular production knives that get upgrades such as file-work on the spine, a different finish, customized hand-made handles, or other customizations added to a production piece.

·         1-time “mid-tech” runs of a production model with an upgraded steel, handle, or sheath.

·         Limited edition knives to commemorate important events (like the 20th anniversary knives).

·         And anything else Leo decides he wants to do.

Please follow our social media pages and this website to be made aware of drops that happen so that you can get your hands on a knife from the TOPS Custom Shop.