Mike's Arrow (K329)/PVD with retro washed.

The second batch is available on Sep 10th, 2024
 
 
Designer: Waysun Johnny Tsai (Puertochinko)
http://www.cumasurvivalschool.com/
 
Intro
 
THE STORY OF MIKE'S ARROW.
 
Around 2007, my book How to Stop as Attacker in 5 moves or less came out. I was featured on the cover of several martial arts magazines and filmed and produced back-to-back self-defense DVDS for several companies.
 
In these magazine articles and DVDs, I used many knives and impact weapons from several well-known knife companies, including TOPS KNIVES.
 
I was hired by a certain knife brand to film a series of Tactical Pen training DVDs for them. We filmed the DVDs, and they flew me to my first SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, Nevada, around 2010. As I mentioned, they flew me out, and my job was to promote their tactical pens and hand out DVDs to anyone walking by their booth.
 
I had brought a rolling Pelican case full of my DVDS and decided to visit all the companies that so kindly sent me knives to feature in my projects. I wanted to have face-to-face introductions and shake hands with everyone who had helped me along the way.
 
At the TOPS KNIVES booth, I was met by the company founder/owner, Mr. Mike Fuller, and his right-hand man, Leo Espinoza. They were super friendly, and Mike advised me that I was a “rising star” in the industry and that they wanted to make a knife for me. I said sure, shrugged it off, and walked around the SHOT SHOW, amazed and overwhelmed by the eye candy like everyone else.
 
I stopped by the TOPS booth again, and Mike again reiterated that they wanted to make a knife for me. Again, I heard him, but I didn’t at the same time, so I just said “ok” and continued to bounce around the show.
 
By my third visit to the TOPS KNIVES booth, Mike clearly understood what he needed to do. He grabbed me by both shoulders to hold me still, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Johnny, we want to make a knife for you.” We looked over at Leo. Leo nodded in agreement, and I said, “Oh,” it had finally registered with me what Mike was saying and doing. Mike was launching me into the industry.
 
Our first design was the C.U.M.A. Evolution; it came out and was immediately in a centerfold article in Tactical Knives Magazine. The knife was successful. I called Mike and said that was fun and “let’s do it again”. I worked on my first fully self-designed knife, the C.U.M.A. TAKRI, which eventually became the knife of the GI JOE Commando Snake Eyes in all the comic books drawn by artist Robert Atkins that IDW Comics published. This knife was also a hit and opened doors for me to work for several other knife companies.
 
Over the years, Mike Fuller became a direct mentor and big brother figure to me. We talked and emailed all the time. He NEVER failed to ask me about my wife and kids. He was a true friend who unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago.
 
I had never ventured into any of this with the idea of becoming a knife designer; I was fine using other people’s knives. Mike Fuller saw something in me and brought it out in full force. Mike launched me into the knife industry as one of his arrows. Here I am, almost 15 years later, going strong, with new designs being produced almost every year. And yes, I am still working with TOPS KNIVES, now being mentored by Mike’s successor, the one and only Leo Espinoza.
 
If it weren’t for Mike Fuller (and Leo), I would be in the industry doing what I am doing. Mike’s Arrow is probably my most important and personal design today, as it is a full dedication to my old friend Mike. He was indeed one in a million.
 
Rest easy, Big Brother, until we meet again, I will work non-stop to make you proud.