{"id":316,"date":"2022-09-16T19:46:40","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T19:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=316"},"modified":"2022-09-16T19:46:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T19:46:40","slug":"springfield-armory-model-2020-knife-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=316","title":{"rendered":"Springfield Armory Model 2020 Knife Review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Randall Wilson<\/a><\/p>\n

I<\/span> recently touched down in Boise on a much-needed vacation, ironically bringing with me one of Idaho\u2019s finest products. No, I didn\u2019t deplane clutching some locally grown russet in hand. I had carried a Springfield Armory Model 2020 Custom Carbon Fiber hunting knife back to its state of birth (in my checked baggage, of course). Since I had been sent one to evaluate, it was a fortunate happenstance I was traveling from the Sunshine State to the Gem State for a bit of hiking and relaxation.<\/p>\n

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When testing the Springfield Armory Model 2020 knife, the author took it to its state of origin and hiked the Sawtooth\u00a0Mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Springfield Armory needed a worthy knife to accompany its Model 2020 Waypoint centerfire rifle. Idaho\u2019s preeminent TOPS Knives, Inc. was chosen to produce this exclusive drop point hunter. To quote the accessory product manager at Springfield Armory, \u201cSpringfield wanted a Made in USA knife. Period. The Model 2020 rifle has a unique look. We wanted to have a knife that would share those similar looks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"testing\n<\/picture>
Made in the U.S.A., this TOPS Knives creation performed admirably both on the trail and in the\u00a0kitchen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He continued, \u201cTOPS Knives has a reputation in the knife world for building a really strong, really rugged knife. 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 \u2018drop point hunter\u2019 blade design.\u00a0This is a tried-and-true design made popular by Bob Loveless and is a classic in the world of hunting knives.\u00a0After the blade shape was settled upon, we went about getting the proper thickness, and handle for a serious hunting knife.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Details<\/h2>\n

Just before the trip, I had unboxed the Model 2020 knife, much to my delight. It had a gorgeous dark olive Cerakote finish<\/a> and mesmerizing carbon fiber handle scales. This was one nice fixed blade. To its credit, the 2020\u2019s factory edge was unnervingly sharp. I liked it already. So many knives come out of their packages requiring a touching-up, or worse, a nearly full regrind of their most useful sections.<\/p>\n

\"Springfield\n<\/picture>
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 fixed blade knife has an olive-colored Cerakote finish on its high-carbon 1095 steel\u00a0blade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To get down to \u201cbrass specs,\u201d the 2020 knife checked in with a 3.75\u201d flat-ground blade on an 8.5\u201d full-tang handle. 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.<\/p>\n

\"Sawtooth\n<\/picture>
The Sawtooth mountains provided a beautiful setting for evaluating the Springfield Model\u00a02020\u00a0knife.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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. A lanyard hole completed the tang.<\/p>\n

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Carry of the 2020 knife was achieved via a black friction-fit leather sheath with a drop belt loop. The quality of the hide, dye, stitching, and embossed Springfield Armory logo befit a knife of its station. A great knife is of no use without a commensurate method of travel. The belt loop positioned the knife just right below the hip. It did not interfere with activity or sitting.<\/p>\n

In Practice<\/h2>\n

Once on the Sawtooth Mountains\u2019 breathtaking hiking trails, I found the Model 2020 to carry easily. It felt light and unobtrusive. I performed some camp\/bushcraft functions \u2014 shaving, whittling, and batoning wood. The 1095, known as a user\u2019s steel, drove through all with no concerns. Because it is high-carbon and not rust-resistant, I was mindful to rinse and oil the exposed steel after use. I used food-friendly canola.<\/p>\n

\"hiking\n<\/picture>
The Springfield knife was one of the essential tools carried by the author in his Idaho\u00a0expedition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After some spirited field play, the Model 2020 needed very little re-touching to the edge, but a few swipes on a ceramic rod for good measure and the blade returned to a near-factory sharpness with ease. Kudos to the TOPS\u2019 edge geometry and heat treat. Rockwell hardness was done at 56-58 HRC by the maker.<\/p>\n

\"carrying\n<\/picture>
The author carried the Springfield knife in the included sheath. It carried easily and securely through many days of hiking and\u00a0camping.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since there was no game to harvest in mid-July, I relied on a diet of kitchen analogs to test the knife\u2019s usefulness on proteins. I dissected a five-and-a-half pound pork roast for carnitas. Because the Model 2020 was infinitely keener than any of my kitchen knives, I was very careful while making cuts that were at times precise and then not so much. I tried out the forward jimping on the blade\u2019s spine for more delicate work around the pork bone. The jimped portions are lightly smoothed and did not cause abrasions to my hand. For no other reason than to test the edge, I hammered through the pork bone with a makeshift mallet. The bone splintered apart without argument.<\/p>\n

\"using\n<\/picture>
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\u00a0him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One week later, I needed to clean up some pork tenderloins and portion out some chicken for the freezer. 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 butcher\u2019s tool.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"testing\n<\/picture>
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\u00a0tasks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continued \u201ctorture\u201d testing was done on cardboard, hardwood branches, and some poor random pool noodle. The knife\u2019s edge only slightly dulled and never chipped. The Cerakote took a few dings on the knife\u2019s spine when I was using a plastic-coated wrench to baton the knife through the branches. Some spirited swings took place, but I did not notice that the last several hits were metal on metal. Yes, that will defeat any coating you put over steel.<\/p>\n

\"full\n<\/picture>
With the carbon fiber handles removed, you can see the full tang of the blade. The author suggests that paracaord could make for an alternative\u00a0handle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u201d hex wrenches. An owner could leave the scales off and wrap the tang with paracord if one wanted a more survival-oriented version of the blade.<\/p>\n

\"blade\n<\/picture>
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\u00a0well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Model 2020 Custom Carbon Fiber hunting knife was made as a companion to the Springfield Armory Model 2020 centerfire rifle<\/a>. Said Springfield Armory\u2019s representative, \u201cWe wanted to complement the looks of the Model 2020 hunting rifle.\u00a0The carbon fiber handle with the Cerakote green seemed to do the trick.\u00a0But when we looked at it, we thought it needed something more to make it \u2018pop.\u2019 That\u2019s when we settled on the tan micarta liners to give it that extra color combination and really match the rifle stock of the Model 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n

Springfield Model 2020 Knife Specifications<\/h2>\n

Here are the specs on the Springfield knife:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Knife Type<\/strong><\/td>\nFixed-blade, full-tang<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blade Length<\/strong><\/td>\n3.75\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overall Length<\/strong><\/td>\n8.5\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blade Material<\/strong><\/td>\n1095 carbon steel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blade Finish<\/strong><\/td>\nOlive Cerakote<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warranty<\/strong><\/td>\nLifetime<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MSRP<\/strong><\/td>\n$249.99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The price point of the Model 2020 knife, at $249.99 retail (Editor\u2019s Note: As of publication time, the price is reduced to a sale price of $199.99), is in line with TOPS\u2019 other excellent semi-custom options and far below what some handmade hunters will set you back. I found the cost to be very reasonable for the performance and quality of this blade and its sheath.<\/p>\n

\"Springfield\n<\/picture>
The Model 2020 fixed blade knife is a perfect example of American-made quality at a reasonable price that many readers\u00a0desire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My wife and I hiked 57 challenging miles during our trip. The knife was with us for every step. The Springfield Armory Model 2020 hunter proved to be Idaho strong, reflecting the beautiful nature of its backcountry and the practical utility one would expect for a tool born from the robust state. I expect all three of us will be back.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out\u00a0<\/em>The Armory Life\u00a0Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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Springfield Armory Model 2020 Custom Carbon Fiber Hunting Knife<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Model 2020 Waypoint Series<\/span><\/h3>\n


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By Randall Wilson I recently touched down in Boise on a much-needed vacation, ironically bringing with me one of Idaho\u2019s finest products. No, I didn\u2019t deplane clutching some locally grown russet in hand. I had carried a Springfield Armory Model 2020 Custom Carbon Fiber hunting knife back to its state of birth (in my checked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}