No, I didnt deplane clutching some locally grown russet in hand.
Springfield Armory needed a worthy knife to accompany its Model 2020 Waypoint centerfire rifle.
Idahos preeminent TOPS Knives, Inc. was chosen to produce this exclusive drop point hunter.
When testing the Springfield Armory Model 2020 knife, the author took it to its state of origin and hiked the Sawtooth Mountains.
To quote the accessory product manager at Springfield Armory, Springfield wanted a Made in USA knife.
The Model 2020 rifle has a unique look.
We wanted to have a knife that would share those similar looks.
Made in the U.S.A., this TOPS Knives creation performed admirably both on the trail and in the kitchen.
They are made in the USA and have great connections to the veteran and military communities.
Seemed like a perfect fit with the Springfield Armory brand and our customers.
We had Tops design the blade shape and used a traditional drop point hunter blade design.
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 fixed blade knife has an olive-colored Cerakote finish on its high-carbon 1095 steel blade.
It had agorgeous dark olive Cerakote finishand mesmerizing carbon fiber handle scales.
This was one nice fixed blade.
To its credit, the 2020s factory edge was unnervingly sharp.
The Sawtooth mountains provided a beautiful setting for evaluating the Springfield Model 2020 knife.
I liked it already.
It weighed 5.2 ounces on my digital scale.
The steel was flat-ground high-carbon 1095, known for its edge-holding, ease of resharpening, and durability.
The Springfield knife was one of the essential tools carried by the author in his Idaho expedition.
The evenly applied Cerakote was a nod to both steel protection and positive aesthetics.
The carbon fiber scales were securely bolted to the frame.
Tan liners made for good contrast between the green and black.
The author carried the Springfield knife in the included sheath. It carried easily and securely through many days of hiking and camping.
A lanyard hole completed the tang.
Carry of the 2020 knife was achieved via a black friction-fit leather sheath with a drop belt loop.
A great knife is of no use without a commensurate method of travel.
Lacking game to butcher in the field, the author used the knife on a pork roast at home. The sharpness of the blade and ease of cutting through bone and flesh impressed him.
The belt loop positioned the knife just right below the hip.
It did not interfere with activity or sitting.
It felt light and unobtrusive.
In a field setting, a knife may be required for light chopping. The Springfield Armory Model 2020 knife is tough enough to handle this and other tasks.
I performed some camp/bushcraft functions shaving, whittling, and batoning wood.
The 1095, known as a users steel, drove through all with no concerns.
I used food-friendly canola.
With the carbon fiber handles removed, you can see the full tang of the blade. The author suggests that paracord could make for an alternative handle.
Kudos to the TOPS edge geometry and heat treat.
Rockwell hardness was done at 56-58 HRC by the maker.
I dissected a five-and-a-half pound pork roast for carnitas.
Cutting, chopping and other duties were all handled with ease. From a Florida kitchen to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, the Springfield Model 2020 knife performed well.
I tried out the forward jimping on the blades spine for more delicate work around the pork bone.
The jimped portions are lightly smoothed and did not cause abrasions to my hand.
The bone splintered apart without argument.
The Model 2020 fixed blade knife is a perfect example of American-made quality at a reasonable price that many readers desire.
Out came the Model 2020.
I touched up the edge on a kitchen steel and went to task.
Again, it was easy work with this hunter.
I certainly enjoyed using this knife as a butchers tool.
Continued torture testing was done on cardboard, hardwood branches, and some poor random pool noodle.
The knifes edge only slightly dulled and never chipped.
Yes, that will defeat any coating you put over steel.
In all my uses of the Model 2020, the handle configuration was comfortable.
The contours are rounded or relieved so as not to cause hotspots during hard cutting and/or repetitive motions.
Out of curiosity, I took the handle scales off of the knife by using two 3/32 hex wrenches.
Said Springfield Armorys representative, We wanted to complement the looks of the Model 2020 hunting rifle.
The carbon fiber handle with the Cerakote green seemed to do the trick.
But when we looked at it, we thought it needed something more to make it pop.
The knife was with us for every step.
I expect all three of us will be back.
Go to forum thread
Springfield ArmoryModel 2020 Custom Carbon Fiber Hunting Knife
Model 2020Waypoint Series
