TOPS Brakimo Fixed Blade Knife, 1095 Carbon, Micarta, Kydex Sheath, BRAK-01

The purpose of the Brakimo (pronounced BRAH-key-moe), designed by Joe Flowers, was to be a backup to a machete or to serve as a main camp knife. He runs a survival school of sorts called Bushcraft Global, which takes people of all skill levels into the Amazonian jungle to teach them survival skills. Not just skills specific to the jungle, but a mindset that will serve people regardless of location. He needed a knife that could be the flagship knife of the company and has designed the Brakimo to fit that need.

It has a fairly wide blade profile combined with TOPS’ modified Scandi grind that gives it great cutting and splitting power. The tip narrows dramatically to make it useful for drilling holes for bow-drill fires, blow gun mouth pieces, traps, etc. The simple design is perfect for many different uses. Made with 1095 high carbon steel, it’s easy to maintain the edge while out in the field. We found through testing on the 2015 Bushcraft Global trip that by keeping it dry whenever possible, rust was not an issue.

The word Brakimo comes from the Matis language (which is unwritten as far as we are aware). The Matis is a tribe found in Brazil that was uncontacted by the modern world until 1975-1976. The tribe has a unique way of life that would challenge the survival skills of any survival expert. If you’re lucky enough to participate in a Bushcraft Global adventure, odds are that you’ll get to meet one of these extraordinary people and learn a few of the skills they use to survive daily life in the jungle.