Description
MIL-SPIE Background:
The name MIL-SPIE is an acronym that the DOD came up with several years ago. It stands for (Military-Special Projects Individual Equipment).This was to enable Special Operation Forces within the Military to help develop, test, evaluate and acquire 'out of the ordinary' and 'outside of normal channels' items that they require.
TOPS KNIVES is often approached by individual OPERATORS who advise us of their ideas and the criteria that needed to be met for their Unit or Team. The challenge was to develop a small and large Field Knife with a fairly narrow carrying profile, it had to be strong and light in weight. With this criteria in mind we created and named the MIL-SPIE Knives. Two sizes were developed, the MIL-SPIE 3 and the MIL-SPIE 5.
MIL-SPIE 3
This model features a 3.5" blade that is 3/16" thick with an overall length of 8" and is made out of 154 CM steel. It weighs 5.1 OZ. The steel has an RC of 58-60. Heat treat by Paul Bos.
This size was more suited at being used as a neck or boot knife or undercover knife worn close to the body. The scales are black linen Micarta with our dot dash dot pattern imbedded in the handle.
The handle scales are removable and the skeletonized knife seems to be as popular as the one with handles.
The blades are coated with 'black traction coating'.
The sheath system is Heavy Duty Kydex, which locks the knife in place in the closed position and has a Steel Spring Clip which rotates for attachment in a variety of positions.