The TOC: Origin Story

Q: Where did the idea for the Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife come from?

Corey Milligan: Last year, when we had some time and capacity to do something new, I thought, all right, we need to make a camping chef knife. The first goal was for it to be a chef knife, but also a camp knife. Then I asked myself—what are we missing?

That’s when I started thinking about self-protection, which is something we hadn’t really worked on before. A knife designed for the outdoors should handle more than just cooking—it should also be ready for anything. And that’s how the idea started: to create a knife that does it all—cooking, camping, and self-protection. The Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife.

The TOC: Design

Q: How did you approach designing a knife that blends chef, hunting, and tactical functions?

Corey Milligan: At New West, we’re constantly refining our process for making knives. If we were doing pure custom work, we’d just make a knife from scratch over and over until we landed on the right design. But that’s not very efficient.

So, we started with concept drawings and tested blade shapes using plastic prototypes to get a feel for the profile. For this knife, I actually took some of our existing blades and ground them into different shapes, which turned out to be a really efficient way to experiment.

We refined the shape over multiple iterations—same with the handle. We even used 3D printing to test different handle designs, since we’d eventually need a 3D model for CNC grinding. By prototyping early, we could assemble and test different options, fine-tuning the design until we had the perfect balance of kitchen precision and outdoor toughness.

The TOC: Clip Point Design

Q: Why did you choose a clip point blade for the TOC?

Corey Milligan: Early on, we decided to go with a clip point blade, and for good reason. The clip point is a classic combat and tactical knife shape, going all the way back to the Bowie knife—the blade that tamed the West.

A clip point is designed for stabbing and piercing, which is useful in tactical situations. But beyond that, it also improves the knife’s cooking performance. By bringing the tip down lower, we created a flatter cutting edge, which is much better for chopping, slicing, and general kitchen work. It’s the best of all worlds—sharp and agile for cooking, yet strong and capable for outdoor and tactical use.

The TOC: SureTouch™ Handle

Q: Tell us about the handle—what makes it special?

Corey Milligan: The handle is where the knife really comes to life. We took inspiration from Japanese knives, which often have a bevel on the top for a secure grip. But on the underside, we went with a more rounded, Western-style grip for comfort.

We also used SureTouch™, which is a newer handle material. It’s made from alternating layers of G10 and rubber, which gives it better grip than traditional G10. In an outdoor environment—where things are wet, slick, or covered in blood—you need that extra traction. SureTouch makes sure the knife stays secure in your hand, no matter the conditions.