If you are looking for a versatile and reliable tool that can handle various tasks, from kitchen prep to outdoor adventures, look no further than a paring knife. This simple yet efficient knife design has been a staple in kitchens worldwide for decades, and for good reason. Its compact size and sharp blade make it an excellent choice for precision cuts, peeling, and coring fruits and vegetables. However, the usefulness of a paring knife continues beyond the kitchen.
Its lightweight design and thin edge make it an ideal tool for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and butchers. Let’s dive into the benefits of using a paring knife for various utility to camp craft tasks and cover The TOPS Knives El Pionero, a unique collaboration between a renowned security consultant and a top-tier knife manufacturer, resulting in a versatile and innovative fixed-blade knife design.
Señor Calderon
Ed Calderon is a security consultant and trainer specializing in Mexican criminal culture and its impact on personal security. He is the founder of Ed’s Manifesto, a platform where he shares his insights and experiences from his former career as a police officer in Tijuana, Mexico. Ed is also a frequent guest on podcasts and media outlets, where he discusses topics such as cartel violence, kidnapping, human trafficking, and survival skills. He is known for his expertise and authenticity in the personal security field that has come out of Mexico.
Above: The TOPS El Pionero is made of high carbon 1095 steel with a Tumble Finish for durability.
TOPS Collaboration
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In the past few years, Ed Calderon had the chance to conduct one of his most acclaimed training courses at the TOPS Knives facility. During his stay, he was invited to be a guest on TOPS Daily Grind (podcast), where he conversed about edged tools and weapons with Leo, the president of TOPS. One of the discussion topics was a potential collaboration between the two to create a unique knife design that would be both functional and innovative.
After much brainstorming, Ed and Leo agreed that a paring knife would be the perfect design base. The knife’s simplicity and versatility make it one of the most common knife types worldwide, and it would also be a great starting point for customization. Thus, the idea for El Pionero was born. It’s a knife that blends functionality with elegance, and it’s designed to be a reliable tool for everyday use.
Above: The TOPS El Pionero has a black Kydex sheath and a Multi-Position Spring Steel clip for versatile carry.
Undercover Paring Knife
The El Pionero Knife is a versatile, reliable fixed blade designed for outdoor enthusiasts, butchers, and individuals seeking a reliable self-defense tool. With an overall length of 7.63 inches, this knife packs a punch with its 3.38-inch blade length and a cutting edge of 3.13 inches. The blade thickness of 0.090 inches ensures that the knife can easily handle challenging tasks.
The El Pionero features TOPS’ staple steel, high carbon 1095 with an RC 56-58, and a Tumble Finish, making it a durable and long-lasting tool that can withstand harsh conditions. The Tan Canvas Micarta handle scales provide a comfortable grip and exceptional durability, ensuring the knife stays firmly in your hand during use.
The graphic on the El Pionero is a skeleton pattern engraved on the micarta scales. The handle pattern is designed to enhance the aesthetics and grip of the knife and reflect its tactical and practical nature. The skeleton pattern is also a signature of Ed Calderon.
Above: Tan canvas Micarta scales offer a secure grip. The finger divot is his signature technique learned from his mother.
Weighing in at only 2.9 ounces, the El Pionero is one of the lightest knives that TOPS makes. With the included black Kydex sheath and Multi-Position Spring Steel clip, the knife weighs in at 4.1 ounces, making it easy to carry with you on any adventure.
The knife has many other features that Ed has found to be useful on knives throughout his experience. The finger divot is a signature of his that he originally learned from his mother and is designed to make it easy to know where the edge is oriented based on where that divot is felt. It also helps when extracting a knife that has been stabbed into something and may be somewhat stuck. The false edge aids in penetrating as well. The Kydex sheath is low profile and easily customizable by the end user to be worn in multiple configurations.
Above: The TOPS Knives El Pionero Knife features a 3.38-inch, 0.090-inch thick blade, it is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and individuals seeking self-defense options.
Tactical Meets Practical
I got the knife just in time to photograph and take to the woods for some preliminary tasks before the big trip coming down the pipe. I was rigging up tarps for camp and doing some camp crafts requiring cutting 550 paracord and making a fire.
These seemingly mundane tasks can reveal a lot about a piece of gear, especially a knife. I was curious to see how the knife would perform and how well it would carry on my person during several hikes and on my upcoming international trip.
The first test I conducted was to see how well it could shave hair off my arm. People should know two things about TOPS Knives: they always have hair-popping, wicked sharp edges, and they’ve mastered 1095 carbon steel!
In the Northeast Woods, I split firewood with a heavier cutting tool and used finger-to-thumb diameter pieces to make tinder by way of feather sticks. I prefer a 3-inch to 3.5-inch blade for camp crafts. The El Pionero sliced wood like a lightsaber, easily making thin, curly feathers. I’m a fan of making my own tinder, so making feathers that will take a spark is essential, especially for my next trip into the Amazon Rainforest!
Above: Pineapples were sliced in the jungle with the El Pionero over several days. The blade remained sharp despite the harsh jungle floor as the cutting board.
Jungle Companion
The first real-world test for the El Pionero was slicing pineapple along the trail in the jungle. Naturally, the thin, sharp blade was perfectly up to the task. I didn’t bother cleaning the excess juice off the knife. Eventually, the accumulation of all things gunky and the humidity would take their toll.
Fire preparation in the jungle is a communal task. I like being in charge of the small elements like thin twigs and feather sticks, which are often overlooked. Since this was a trip with students, I wanted to set a good example of how much of the small prep is needed. Those little things—there’s nothing bigger. I wanted to show off my El Pionero and how valuable a small paring-style knife can be in a long-blade culture. As expected, it made nice curls, the likes of which would make Mors Kochanski proud.
Above: Cleaning animals for food is routine in the jungle, as is using cutting tools. The El Pionero skinned this boa constrictor, which fed 12 people.
While preparing the ground and the surrounding area for my camp, one of our reliable local guides called my name repeatedly. They spotted a red-tailed boa in the creek and handed it to me. The whole camp knew that we would enjoy a feast the following day.
We had procured two live chickens along with the boa, which would also be grilled for the feast. For skinning and cutting the boa, we used the El Pionero, which was also used for various other purposes like preparing fire, cutting cords, and carving spoons out of palm. Despite its multiple uses, the knife remained razor-sharp and did a great job skinning the tough serpent into manageable pieces.
After one chicken was dispatched, I wasted no time defeathering it while it was still warm. Then, I cleaned the jungle bird using the knife in an inverted position, choking up on the spine toward the knife’s point. After the bird was cleaned, it got a quick dunk in the river before the butchering. The El Pionero was perfect for quartering the jungle bird for the swamp grill.
Above: The El Pionero is comfortable in a reverse thumb-supported grip and a reverse edge in grip style.
Aftermath
The El Pionero knife is perfect for outdoor activities, butchering, and self-defense. Its lightweight design and durability make it ideal for any outdoor enthusiast or professional.
I carried the El Pionero confidently clipped on my pocket and inverted on my belt. The clip held up well. As expected, the handle offered a secure grip even when wet from animal fat and blood. The 1095 carbon blade remained sharp with a fair amount of surface rust and the start of a promising patina. The environment alone is harsh on gear and people alike—easy doesn’t live in the jungle!
Above: TOPS El Pionero looking well used after a trip to the Jungle
Conclusion
The success of this project showcases the power of teamwork and creativity. The knife underwent several design iterations before achieving the perfect balance of form and function. The outcome is a durable, practical, and aesthetically pleasing knife that embodies innovation and practicality. It’s a testament to the skills and dedication of Ed Calderon and the team at TOPS Knives.
El Pionero Specs
- Overall Length: 7.63 inches
- Blade Length: 3.38 inches
- Cutting Edge: 3.13 inches
- Blade Thickness: 0.090 inches
- Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
- Blade Finish: Tumble Finish
- Handle Material: Tan Canvas Micarta
- Knife Weight: 2.9 ounces
- Weight w/ Sheath: 4.1 ounces
- Sheath: Black Kydex
- Sheath Clip: Multi-Position Spring Steel
- Designer: Ed Calderon
- Made in the USA
- MSRP: $220.00
Source
About the Author
Adventurer, writer, photographer, and survival instructor for Randall’s Adventure & Training, Reuben has spent most of his life hiking and backpacking through the wildernesses of the world. He has traveled abroad in extreme environments and seeks out primitive survival techniques, construction, and uses of knives and edged tools. Reuben has published many articles on survival, knife and tool use, and woodcraft. He remains a lifetime student of survival!
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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.
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