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Introduction to a Not-So-Normal Knife
Hey, good morning, everybody! Today, we have a slightly unusual prototype for you, which makes sense as I'm your slightly unusual knife reviewer. Okay, very unusual. But today we're looking at the Avian Knives Topaza, and maybe you've seen this one pop up on the influencer circuit already.
You know, sometimes I get the cool knives, and sometimes I don't. They may not trust me. I get it—it comes back covered in sticky residue. Tape residue! Let me clarify that.
But this time they did, and today let's look at the Topaza, named after a hummingbird. You know, okay, I know this is a prototype here, but let's hear me out. After my, you know, zip-zipper pouch thing that I had, what if Avian Knives just included a random extra zipper pouch case they have with every knife? I'm sure they have enough.
You accumulate a lot after a while. I threw away a Boker one that looked like it was wool. You know, someone would have appreciated it.
In This Article
- First Impression
- Dimensions and Specs
- Blade Steel and Finish
- Deployment Options
- Pocket Clip
- Comparison
- Final Thoughts
- Video Review
- Conclusion
First Impressions: Surprisingly Light
Let’s get started on this Avian Knives Topaza review. So, opening and holding this knife for the first time is a very unique experience. I don't know if everybody had this experience, but when I opened the 941 for the first time, the Benchmade, the weight and size and shape, it just felt different. It felt like it was an important knife, and the Avian is like that. The Avian Topaza—Avian has several knives that are going to come out.
It isn't a tiny knife, but it's extremely light in the hand, like it's 20g lighter than the similarly sized 941. You aren't entirely prepared for it. Let's look at those dimensions, though. Are you prepared for this?
The old dimension card, you know, well, the new one because there was an old one. It's not that new. The idea was this would make reviews shorter, but it did not, in fact, make them shorter. It saves me a little bit of time, though, and it's not that anybody cares.
The thing it hasn't changed though is I still screw it up. Now, the weight of the Topaza is directly attributed to its unusually thin blade stock and its extremely lightweight skeletonized frame. Pocket lint is going to love it, and so are your keys if you keep them in the pocket. Do not carry anything in the pocket with the Topaza, just the pocket knife.
Specs and The Narrows Rivalry
I think these are going to retail for a little under $300. Now, I have not yet held the Benchmade Narrows, and unless my life takes a turn for the worst, I don't intend to. But looking at the specs, because I did my own research, this one is just under 8mm thick, the Topaza, and the Narrows is just over 7mm.
So we're looking at about less than a millimeter difference. This one could have been named the Narrows, too, if only that name hadn't been taken. However, the Narrows is just under an ounce heavier, so suck it, Narrows! Until, of course, the Narrows Lightweight comes along. Everybody's Googling "Narrows Lightweight" right now.
Blade Steel and Finish: Move Over M390
Blade here is made from Magnacut, just like your grandpa's knife that you bought for him and he hates it. Anyway, I hope M390 realizes its days are numbered in great titanium flippers, 'cause Magnacut is the new one. So good luck there, Bohler.
We have a bead blast finish and a flat grind, although it looks like black DLC will also be available for those sorts of people. I will not cut with this knife because it is a proto-loner. However, I would expect its blade stock and fine edge to perform extremely well for the great titanium flipper crowd.
It will open all those knife boxes with ease. I know there's like a category of viewers out there that would like me to do edge-retention tests, and I'm not—I'm not ever going to do that. I'm sorry.
Deployment Options: Finding The Sweet Spot
Next up for the Avian Knives Topaza review: action and deployment here—you have two options. You can flick it open via the port. You know, my middle finger works the best. Or you can use the barely-there tab. Both work extremely well, and once you get the tab geometry down, such as where you got to hit that tab, because if you hit it in the wrong spot, you're going to be like, "Why is it not opening?"
But if you hit it in the right spot, it's a dream. It flies out. You just have to place the pressure on the right spot, and it's extremely easy to deploy. And the hint is: the closer to the tip, the better. And I realize how that sounds.
So you pop it, and it slings open very smoothly. It's a thumb or pointer or flipper. It is not a drop shut. The handle is nice. It's not massive.
If you like a big knife, well, then this might be too tiny for your Alpha mitts. It's pretty good, though. You can see right through it. It has that cool skeletonization and a lot of milling work here. You know, the more expensive the knife is, the more that has been milled away from it.
Pocket Clip and Jorts Compatibility
The pocket clip is milled titanium. It has a steep rise, though. It stays in the pocket well, and if you have a Microtech or a Cold Steel, it kind of has that "I don't want to get out of your pocket" feel.
If you, like me, enjoy pocket wear on your JNCOs or your Costco jorts, you will like this. You don't need to spend the money on JNCOs if you just buy your Costco jorts three sizes too big, dude. Save a little bit of money there. It's a little lifestyle tip. I see kids these days are back into that anyway. Ugh.
Comparisons and Beer Sponsorships
Comparisons: First, the 940-1 is also lightweight and very premium, like the Topaza. And, of course, Pabst. This knife is a favorite of mine. Man, if I had a Pabst sponsorship, that'd be pretty dope. I don't even need a lot.
Like, I could just do—what would an ad cost for every article? Like $50 an article? I think that's reasonable. Anyway, any shitty beer companies want to reach out—not the Pabst, the shitty—go right ahead.
You thought the 941 disappeared into your pocket, huh? Yep. And a can of Pabst. If you have a pair of JNCOs, the can of Pabst will disappear into your pocket. Now, the Chris Reeves Sebenza 21 large—if you remember, you know that I sold it to a dude. Well, that dude said he didn't want it anymore, and he sold it back to me, and now I have it, and now you have this story.
I get it, though. The reason he sold it to me is the reason I sold it to him. Maybe he wants a 31. Are Chris Reeve knives drop-shut? Huh? Huh?
All right, what about the HEA Designs Poison? Yeah, like the band. Or also like the green sticker, I mean, you were drunk, and the Windex looked like it was Gatorade. And it doesn't help that you put some Windex in an old Gatorade bottle. Who among us, right?
Final Thoughts: Featherweight Magic
All right, that wraps up my Avian Knives Topaza review. I wanted to make this quick look, and I don't know if I succeeded. This is a pretty interesting pocketknife. I like it. Its lightness and its thinness are jaw-dropping. Now my jaw sometimes is slack anyway, so it didn't have a whole lot further to drop.
These will be purchased on the website soon. Thanks to Rit at Avian for letting me check this out.
He designed the Avian, or he's Avian Knives. It is him, and he designed it under the Avian. I don't know; I don't know how that works. I could have asked him, I guess, since he did send this to me to take a look at.
Watch This Review
Bestech OEM and Technical Achievements
Now, Bestech is the OEM here, and even though they are completely different knives, this one gives me Winter Blade Co. vibes. You know, Bestech, as you know, OEM for Winter Blade Co, and this is a very technically impressive and well-considered pocket knife too, just like those.
Like those, the magnets and deployment or the gimmick and the fidget factor, this is extremely lightweight. This is the technical achievement here. Now, 1.6 oz is basically magic, and you're going to have to trust me because I know a few magicians. This is probably the lightest titanium flipper out there, and certainly, in its size class, it is way lighter than anything else.
Actually, outside of the size class that doesn't run a synthetic or carbon fiber linerless handle, in this size, you will not find anything lighter. Most titanium flippers in this range start at about 3 ounces, and the sky is the limit.
So I don't know how much I can emphasize the lightness of this and the impressive technical achievement that the Topaza is. That's why it's named after a hummingbird. It's kind of on the nose anyway.
Thank you for reading.
