With a TOPS TEX Creek 69 on your belt, there’s no such thing as “up a creek without a paddle”!

Recently, the wife, granddaughter and I went RV camping near Mason, Texas. Mason is located in south central Texas. This small-town America is a very neat and friendly place to visit. Mason is on the edge of “Hill Country” and has bragging rights on their beautiful scenery.

One of our activities was to take a “float trip” down the Llano River. My wife and granddaughter chose to not participate. However, my Sister-in-law and her Husband Rocky and family were all about the river adventure. For me, I felt this was a good time to test out the TEX Creek 69 fixed blade from TOPS. A float trip involving boats, ropes, woods, brush piles and swift water is a perfect test and evaluation arena. So, I dawned my shorts, tee-shirt and way too thin sole canvas shoes. I placed my LEO ID in one zip-lock bag and my small Sony Camera in another. In order to check out the TEX Creek 69 properly, I placed it on my leather belt. The TEX Creek 69 comes with a very nice open top leather sheath. I figured let us see how the leather sheath works around water. After all, in field use the TEX Creek 69 would experience all forms of weather including rain.

Ruger Firearms

When we arrived at Llano (Flat) River south of Mason, I could see we were going to use the “On-Top” style of Kayak as well as two canoes. I was assigned one of the On-Top one person Kayaks. I have never used or been in such a boat. So, after three hours of river fun, I rolled over my Kayak three times. I was swept down stream once and submerged all three times. The zip-lock bags did their jobs and my TOPS leather sheath did its job. After being rolled around on the bottom of the river and turned upside down several times, the TEX Creek 69 blade was still secure in its leather sheath. I was impressed. And, by the way, it was not much of a float trip but rather a paddling trip……much paddling.

The TOPS TEX Creek 69 fixed blade knife, in one way, is like all other TOPS knife products, this blade is one hell of a fine knife. A knife one can take into any adversity. A knife one can depend on. A knife which will not let down a warrior when times get tough and deadly. Like most TOPS blades, the TEX Creek 69 is made of 1095 steel. This means if it is not taken care of properly then it will experience some rust. Once a week or so just wipe the entire knife down and apply a thin layer of oil or some of the TOPS excellent HP100 knife oil. If properly taken care of, this knife will last many generations.

The overall length of the TEX Creek 69 is nine inches with a blade at 4.19 inches in length. My sample has 1.5-inch serration and camo finish on the blade. The serration and camo will cost extra. The blade shape is classified as “Hunter’s Point” but can also be called a drop-point. The heft of this blade is reassuring while gripping the tan canvas Micarta handle. I love the natural and comfortable feel of the TEX Creek 69 handle which includes a very nice lanyard hole in the end. TOPS calls the TEX Creek 69 handle style “Rocky Mountain “Bull’s-eye”. The total weight of this bad-boy is right at 9.5 ounces.

The TOPS TEX Creek 69 would serve well in the arena of hunting, survival, EDC, camping, backpacking and general all-around use on the farm or ranch. The blade is 0.190 (a little over 3/16) inches wide which makes it a strong knife. I don’t recommend any heavy prying with a knife blade, but the TEX Creek 69 will stand up to some light to medium prying. Always be mindful when using any knife but especially a TOPS knife as they are made sharp. This blade is no different. One could have used the TEX Creek 69 for cutting off lengths of rope for securing the Kayaks others rode in and I fell out of. While back at camp I used this blade to cut open bags and customize straps for security camping equipment in the back of my GMC pickup.

In conclusion I can say the TOPS TEX Creek 69 is an excellent knife, designed and made in the USA by Americans for Americans and some lucky others outside of the USA, who see the value in the TOPS product. The 4.19-inch blade is within my personal range for a functional EDC and work knife. This knife can perform most all duties with the exception of chopping. I can prune some of the small limbs shooting out of my yard trees or obstructing my deer stand but serious chopping will take a much larger blade. With this exception, I can highly recommend the TOPS TEX Creek 69 for you Warriors and Sheepdogs who are people of action and purpose. Check TEX Creek 69 on TOPS website and watch our video explaining about this great product.

TOPS TEX Creek 69 Specs:

  • Overall Length: 9.00 inches
  • Blade Length: 4.19 inches (1.5-inch serration)
  • Blade Thickness: 0.190 inches
  • Blade Shape: Hunter’s Point
  • Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
  • Blade Finish: Tan Camo
  • Handle Material: Tan Canvas Micarta
  • Handle Style: Rocky Mountain “Bull’s-eye”
  • Knife Weight: 7.4 ounces
  • Weight w/ Sheath: 9.5 ounces
  • Sheath Material: Brown Leather
  • Sheath Type: Open top with belt loop
  • Designer: Leo Espinoza

MSRP: $170.00
Add $15.00 for serration and $30.00 for Camo Finish

TOPS TEX Creek 69
https://www.topsknives.com/tex-creek-69

Henry Repeating Arms