TOPS Knives has introduced two new blades focused on watersports—fishing, diving, scuba, and all-around adventuring when you’re apt to come into contact with Earth’s most abundant liquid.
TOPS Sidekick Diver
The Sidekick Diver is built for hard use when your gear matters most. Made from N690 stainless steel, it holds a sharp edge and resists corrosion in saltwater. The contoured G10 handles stay secure in wet hands or gloves. A fine tip, serrated edge, and spine-mounted line cutter give you the control to dispatch fish, cut rope, and clear lines fast.
A lot of dive knives function as emergency gear that often dull after just a few uses. Designed for divers who rely on their gear in critical moments, the Sidekick Diver maintains its edge through heavy work. Whether you’re dispatching a fish or freeing yourself from entangled lines, this knife stays ready.
Ana Espinoza designed this blade for TOPS’s annual employee design challenge, using a different approach than most dive gear. Instead of chasing maximum corrosion resistance at the expense of performance, it was designed to function as a high-quality cutting tool first.
The object was a knife that held an edge well but was also easy to sharpen, with steel that had good corrosion resistance. Prototypes were run through repeated saltwater cycles: Fully sheathed knives were soaked in high-salinity brine, then left to air-dry without rinsing to simulate real neglect between dives.
- N690 stainless steel keeps a sharp edge and offers good rust resistance during long sessions in saltwater.
- Large contoured G10 handles provide a secure grip even when wet or when wearing gloves.
- Blade geometry includes a fine tip for dispatching fish and a serrated edge for slicing rope.
- Integrated line cutter on the spine helps clear debris from your path while protecting your main edge.
- Black powdercoat finish adds a secondary layer of protection against corrosion.
TOPS Sidekick Diver specs
SKU: SDIV-01 (single edge) / SDIV-02 (top edge sharp)
Overall Length: 11.25 in.
Blade Length: 5.75 in.
Cutting Edge: 5.75 in.
Secondary Cutting Edge: 3.5 in. (SDIV-02 only)
Blade Thickness: 0.19 in.
Blade Steel: N690 RC 58-60
Blade Finish: Black Traction Coating
Handle Material: Gray/Black G10
Knife Weight: 12.8 oz.
Weight w/Sheath: 16.8 oz.
Sheath: Black Kydex
Sheath Clip: Kydex belt clip
Designer: Ana Espinoza
TOPS Snake River Rescue
The Snake River Rescue is a specialized tool developed for scuba professionals. Designed by Jon Garcia, this knife addresses the common failure of dive tools to maintain a functional cutting edge.
Constructed from N690 steel with a protective Black Traction Coating, it offers superior corrosion resistance and consistent performance. The design features a blunt safety tip, a tank-tapping pommel, and a secure G10 handle, ensuring reliability in the most demanding aquatic environments.
Most dive knives are treated as an afterthought—poor steel, questionable edge retention, and designed only for emergencies. When you are underwater, you need a tool that works the moment you pull it from the sheath. The Snake River Rescue is designed for divers who need a tool that acts like a knife first and a safety device second.
Like the Sidekick Diver, this model originated from TOPS’s Employee Design Challenge. That year, there were two winners—the Snake River Rescue and the Sidekick Diver. While the Sidekick Diver focused on the needs of spearfishermen, Jon Garcia designed the Snake River Rescue to be a capable, all-around cutting tool.
Even though the desert-bound Garcia had to do his homework to understand the specific needs of a diver, the resulting tool has been tested by rescue professionals working in treacherous, dark waters.
- N690 steel with Black Traction Coating for excellent corrosion resistance and toughness, making it easy to resharpen while maintaining an edge through extended use. The black traction coating adds an extra layer of protection.
- Dual-edge geometry—The serrated spine is built for slicing through nets, fishing lines, and stubborn rope, while the main edge handles all standard cutting tasks with ease.
- High-visibility G10 handle with a thick, contoured grip to ensure complete control with or without gloves, and the high-visibility color stands out if the blade is dropped in the water.
- Extended metal pommel serves as a functional tank tapper to monitor air supply, adding utility without adding bulk.
TOPS Snake River Rescue specs
SKU: SNRR-01
Overall Length: 9.38 in.
Blade Length: 5.5 in.
Cutting Edge: 5.38 in.
Secondary Cutting Edge: 2.5 in. (fully serrated)
Blade Thickness: 0.19 in.
Blade Steel: N690 RC 58-60
Blade Finish: Black traction coating
Handle Material: Yellow/Black G10
Knife Weight: 10.9 oz.
Weight w/Sheath: 14.7 oz.
Sheath: Black Kydex
Sheath Clip: Kydex belt clip
Designer: Jon Garcia
TOPS Knives
Sidekick Diver
MSRP: $395 ($400 double-edge)
Snake River Rescue
MSRP: $395
URL: topsknives.com