The FlatTop - Bronze Buffalo EDC Spinning Top
Classic American coinage meets timeless bronze craftsmanship.
Meet the Bronze Buffalo Nickel FlatTop, a distinctive stemless EDC spinning top individually machined from solid bronze by Butterfield Machine.
Featuring a classic Buffalo Nickel pressed into its upper surface, this unique spinner combines vintage American coin design with precision-machined metal craftsmanship. At 1.5 inches in diameter, the Bronze Buffalo FlatTop offers a substantial, satisfying feel while maintaining the compact, pocket-friendly design that makes our FlatTop spinning tops so enjoyable to carry.
Whether you're a spinning top enthusiast, coin collector, machinist, or simply appreciate beautifully crafted mechanical objects, this is a distinctive addition to any EDC collection.
A Classic Buffalo Nickel in Solid Bronze
The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, was produced by the United States Mint from 1913 through 1938.
Featuring the iconic Native American portrait on one side and American bison on the other, it remains one of the most recognizable designs in American coinage. I've been interested in collecting coins since I was a kid, and the Buffalo Nickel has always been one of my favorites. Its timeless design, now more than a century old, pairs perfectly with the simple, classic shape of the FlatTop.
Each Bronze Buffalo FlatTop features a Buffalo Nickel pressed into the top surface, creating a unique combination of historical design and traditional machining craftsmanship.
Solid Bronze Construction
Each FlatTop is individually machined from solid bronze, a traditional metal alloy valued for its durability, substantial feel, and warm appearance.
Bronze has been used for thousands of years in everything from tools and mechanical components to sculptures and decorative objects. Over time, the bronze naturally develops a distinctive patina, adding character and giving each FlatTop an appearance that evolves with handling and use. The combination of bronze and vintage coin styling creates a mechanical collectible that's equally enjoyable to display, carry, or spin.
The FlatTop – A Different Kind of Spinning Top
Unlike conventional spinning tops with tall stems, the FlatTop features a compact, stemless design that makes it comfortable to carry and enjoyable to handle.
Instead of spinning the top using a traditional stem, the FlatTop is spun from its outer diameter. This unique design generally produces lower initial RPMs than traditional stemmed tops, but the substantial metal construction and precision ceramic bearing tip provide impressive spin performance.
The FlatTop was designed to be something you enjoy carrying and using, rather than a product built solely for record-breaking spin times.
Precision Silicon Nitride Ceramic Bearing Tip
The Bronze Buffalo FlatTop spins on a 1/16-inch silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic ball bearing tip. This extremely hard, wear-resistant ceramic provides a smooth contact point for spinning.
With proper technique and a suitable surface, spin times of 5 minutes or more are achievable, even for those with limited spinning top experience. We've also achieved spins exceeding 12 minutes with our limited-edition Copper Buffalo Nickel FlatTop, demonstrating the potential of the FlatTop design.
Actual spin times will vary depending on the material, spinning technique, surface, and conditions.
Dimensions & Specifications
- Design: Stemless FlatTop spinning top
- Material: Solid bronze
- Coin Accent: Buffalo Nickel
- Diameter: 1.500" (38.1 mm)
- Bearing Tip: 1/16" silicon nitride ceramic ball
- Spin Performance: 5+ minutes achievable with proper technique
- Finish: Machined bronze that naturally develops a patina
- Manufacturing: Individually hand-machined
Custom Packaging – Ready for Gifting
Each Bronze Buffalo FlatTop comes with a soft muslin drawstring storage bag.
Custom FlatTop boxes and information cards are also available for gift purchases, making this a distinctive present for coin collectors, machinists, EDC enthusiasts, and spinning top collectors.
Watch the FlatTop in Action
See the FlatTop's unique stemless spinning design:
Watch the FlatTop Spinning Demonstration
See How It's Made
Curious about the craftsmanship behind our FlatTop spinning tops?
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the machining process:
Making a Copper Buffalo FlatTop – Behind the Scenes
Solid bronze. Vintage Buffalo Nickel. Precision-machined craftsmanship.
