Meet the Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife, brainchild of bestselling author (and former Navy SEAL sniper) Jack Carr and New West Knifeworks.
New West KnifeworksEvery product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
If you’re an all-or-nothing kind of person, stop reading here — this new knife isn’t for you. You only cook? You only spend time outdoors? Totally fine — you can stick with that nice kitchen set you got for Christmas a few years back, or you can keep your trusty fixed blade on your hip as you trek, camp and hunt.
But if you’re a multi-hyphenate adventurer who has a taste for the finer things — and isn’t afraid to whip up a camp meal that competes with the Michelin star joints you love — this new collaboration between New West KnifeWorks and celebrated author and veteran Jack Carr will pique your interest in more ways than one.
Say Hello to the Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife
The Tactical Outdoor Chef (TOC) knife is an innovative attempt to bridge the gap between the great outdoors and the culinary universe. As a former Navy SEAL sniper, Carr has extensive experience in what truly matters in a tactical situation. He brought that knowledge to New West Knives, which has been making culinary blades for the past 26 years. Limited to a run of 300 units, this unusually named knife boasts a long list of promising attributes and materials.
Let’s start with the blade. Forged from CPM S35VN super-steel, the TOC’s blade features a partially-serrated, clip-point design, crafted with New West’s proprietary Wavegrind process, which results in smooth slicing capability.
Additionally, the combination of the .150-inch tang and .015-inch edge result in superb stability and sharpness — perfect whether you’re in the kitchen or at camp. Lastly, the swage grind on the spine isn’t just an eye-catching detail; New West says it “reduces weight and optimizes penetration,” so you can pierce dense meat, carve around bones or tackle other culinary challenges with relative ease.
Meanwhile, the handle combines G10 and rubber composite materials for a durable, reliable and, well, grippy grip. The included sheath features a combination of leather and magnets to keep your TOC secure, in place and protected from the elements.
The last and most unique feature of the knife is not functional, but it’s meaningful: The Bonefrog emblem serves as a tribute to Navy SEALs who gave their lives in service to their country, honoring their sacrifice and dedication. As part of this collaboration with Carr, a portion the proceeds from each TOC sold will be donated to America’s Gold Star Families, which aids the families of soldiers who lost their lives while serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
While the initial, limited-edition run of the TOC is restricted to 300 knives, variations of this knife could appear in the future. Whether they will feature the Bonefrog emblem or other aforementioned elements remains to be seen. So if the mission and design of this particular knife appeals to you now, you’d best not sleep on it.
New West KnifeworksNew West Knifeworks TOC
Specs
| Blade Length | 6 5/8 inches |
| Blade Material | CPM S35VN |
| Handle Material | G10 and rubber |
Pros
- Quality far surpasses standard chef’s knife
Cons
- Overbuilt for casual use
