Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dennis Hibar on July 26, 2025 at 8:20

Kevin ...

Black Fox is indeed a product line of Fox Knives in Maniago.  The line primarily consists of outdoor use knives.  While they are designed by Fox knives, they are made in China, not Maniago.

Permalink Reply by Kevin D on July 28, 2025 at 5:04

Excellent information Dennis.  Thank you.

Has anyone ever seen that other all caps and block letter 'fox'?  I have seen that name on a few knives, but the top view of the turning fox only on one. I am clueless what the story is behind it.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on August 1, 2025 at 22:51

Kevin,  this is a great summation of the question as far as I approach it as well, though admittedly I've done very little actual research on the matter over the years (despite being a bit of a fan of Fox knives basically since I really got into knives almost 2 decades ago now)...

And thank you, Dennis, for confirming that BlackFox is indeed a subsidiary of Fox Italy (I just think of BlackFox as Fox's budget line, which, at those prices, Fox could definitely handle having).  

Oh, & yes, "Rostfrei" literally translates to "rust-free," aka, "stainless".

I first noticed Fox back when I seriously got into knives because of some really cool - if pricey - tactical knives (along with the even more expensive Italian brand Extrema Ratio). I've slowly added a few to my collection over the years (but am always a little hesitant due to being wary of small handles on knives, especially fixed blades -- I've never encountered an overly small handle on a Fox knife, but they're pretty spendy, & small handles are what caused me to put a pause on purchasing any more TOPS knives for now).

Speaking of, one of my favorite acquisitions in my collection is a TOPS Mil-SPIE 3.5 folder -- which I purchased from someone really cool but I'm not really at liberty to say who -- and which was manufactured by Fox. 

And then there's the TOPS Magnum CQT 747, also made by Fox, another fave! (I only have an image of this one that's simply too large to include in this post.)

And then there's the Fox folding karambits!  I picked up this special little one when I stumbled across it, several years ago now...  Fox 479 in Neptune Kryptek G10 scales:

Oh, & there are so many more to drool over...!

Thanks for this post, Kevin!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on August 1, 2025 at 23:02

I wonder if I can post the photo of that TOPS Magnum 747 here...

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on August 1, 2025 at 23:05

Oh, & one of my most adored smaller knives, the Fox Tur:

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on August 2, 2025 at 1:34

Fox also makes a pretty decent Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife, albeit a bit pricy. 

https://www.foxknives.com/en/product/1802/fx-592.html

Similar story as DLKG - I learned of FOX onives several years ago while trying to save up my milk money to buy one of these.

iKC Mike Wilson also pointed out the FOX/Hill brand connections a several years ago when he too was considering an F/S knife from them. 

Not sure if this adds any value to the discussion...I just wanted to play in this sanbox too! It's the one European brand I recognize. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin D 6 hours ago

I really appreciate all of the comments and shared photographic examples of fox and TOPS knives.  One thing that is probably blatantly obvious to people in the know...  what is the correlation between Fox and TOPS?  I have heard of the Fox -Hill brand connection before... 

I am still searching for something about that "FOX" stamp and that medallion though.

Thank you!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy 3 hours ago

Okay, this is a fun discussion...!

This is my understanding of the Fox/TOPS connection, as I recall it:  TOPS was becoming more successful in the early 2000's but making fixed blades only, and were no doubt getting hit frequently with requests for folders.  They obviously decided to give it a go, but wanted to make sure the knife or knives produced were solid, & ultimately went with Fox.

As a sidenote, I find it kinda cool that TOPS tried their own hand at making knives for other companies (Camillus & Browning), but these knives were incredibly expensive (as if the companies had to pay full retail for the knives, then sold them with their own mark-ups.  TOPS even had a few collaborations with Buck Knives (both being based in Idaho).

And as far as that Fox medallion goes, & I'm not sure if this is the information you're looking for, but I only recall seeing it on their more traditional Forest series, but I'll include a photo below.  Just my speculation, but my guess is that they were going for a "retro" design to add to the more old-school aesthetic -- I do not currently know if that design actually dates back a number of years, or if it was a new design with an older feel, though the company itself only dates back to 1977.

I should also mention that it appears they have since acquired multiple other brands, including Due Cigni (Two Swans), Fox created Defcon5, and most recently acquired Viper Knives (I love this one!).

https://www.foxknives.com/en/his/_/our_history.html

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy 3 hours ago

Oh, & BlackFox is indeed a part of Fox Knives:  https://www.foxknives.com/en/category/60/black_fox.html

According to the website, "BlackFOX is a line of products from the FOX Knives Company that have been designed to meet the needs of those who practice outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing and hunting."  Further, they state that BlackFOX knives were "designed in Maniago ITALY and manufactured in PRC from selected manufacturer".

Permalink Reply by Kevin D 2 hours ago

YEEESSS!!!

THANK YOU!

It looks like that is indeed the same medallion style as the one I saw.  I was completely unable to find any reference to it.