TOPS Tibo

[mistwalker]

the most popular etchants i know of are ferrous chloride and printed circuit board etchant (PCB) -- which may actually be the same thing.
you can find them at radio shack. put the surface to be etched face down in the tub.
I've also heard of folks using sulfuric and muriatic acids, which are slower but safer to work with. (drain cleaner & concrete etcher)

Thanks man, PCB echant is what was recomended. I'm going to take the slow route with it though and just apply it where I want it rather than submerge it. No real hurry

[thrillbilly]

PCB Etchant will work for the logos...


I aint finding this on TOPS site yet..... was curious what the estimated price will be? And how much longer, I really like the design...kinda neat looking and also well thought out, I like the jimping and the pommel jimping, and I also like a pointy blade. I would imagine there will be scales offered for it?

[FortyTwoBlades]

I will definitely be carrying it in the shop as soon as it's out.

[mistwalker]

PCB Etchant will work for the logos...


I aint finding this on TOPS site yet..... was curious what the estimated price will be? And how much longer, I really like the design...kinda neat looking and also well thought out, I like the jimping and the pommel jimping, and I also like a pointy blade. I would imagine there will be scales offered for it?

I need to write to be sure but they should be out this week or next week I think. Thanks, the design was the result of several years spent using smaller knives. There were several influences, but I wanted something comfortable that also offered a secure purchase with slick hands or in bad environmental conditions, and for my needs a little lighter. I like sharp points on my knives and at 1.9 oz I tend to forget it's even around my neck sometimes. Not sure what the options on scales may be in the future, I'll probably try my hand at making a set since I will have multiples of the knife anyway.

I will definitely be carrying it in the shop as soon as it's out.

Thanks man, I appreciate the support. For me it is a sound design, I hope others think so too.

[thrillbilly]

I need to write to be sure but they should be out this week or next week I think. Thanks, the design was the result of several years spent using smaller knives. There were several influences, but I wanted something comfortable that also offered a secure purchase with slick hands or in bad environmental conditions, and for my needs a little lighter. I like sharp points on my knives and at 1.9 oz I tend to forget it's even around my neck sometimes. Not sure what the options on scales may be in the future, I'll probably try my hand at making a set since I will have multiples of the knife anyway.

I think ya ''done good'' with it. I do LOVE my 14, but I will give this one a try, I have so many EDC fixies that I have trouble getting them all in use...but this Tibo appeals to me, I gotta try one out. It never hurts to have too many good knives!


The only bad thing about scales is they will cover up the Brian Griffin logo! If they dont offer them I will make my own. Although I dont mind a good 550 wrap either.

[FortyTwoBlades]

Thanks man, I appreciate the support. For me it is a sound design, I hope others think so too.

No problem! It looks great to me, and I'm pretty picky. No doubt the factory edges will be the obtuse "TOPS standard" but that's easily fixed. For instance, my Shango came with an included angle of about 45-50 degrees. Brought it down to 30 and it's still plenty tough but slices like a demon.

[mistwalker]

I think ya ''done good'' with it. I do LOVE my 14, but I will give this one a try, I have so many EDC fixies that I have trouble getting them all in use...but this Tibo appeals to me, I gotta try one out. It never hurts to have too many good knives!


The only bad thing about scales is they will cover up the Brian Griffin logo! If they dont offer them I will make my own. Although I dont mind a good 550 wrap either.

The Tibo has a shorter blade than the 14 (but slightly longer than an Izula), but a longer handle. So far everyone that has held it has liked it, I hope you do. Yeah, pity my name isn't in another location lol, the wrap covers it too. I happen to really like the way it feels wrapped but I like it fine as is also for my uses.

No problem! It looks great to me, and I'm pretty picky. No doubt the factory edges will be the obtuse "TOPS standard" but that's easily fixed. For instance, my Shango came with an included angle of about 45-50 degrees. Brought it down to 30 and it's still plenty tough but slices like a demon.

As long as they stay the same as the ones I've seen, I think the edge grind may surprise you. I meant for this one to have a great slicing ability...not like I'm going to be doing a lot of chopping with a knife this size

[FortyTwoBlades]

Nice! I hope that it is! That's the one problem I've had with TOPS in the past is that even on their slicing designs they just run the edges a little broad, angle-wise. I've been seriously happy with their more recent gravitation towards including thinner designs in their lineup. Combined with taking on designs from folks like you and Joe, it's making them much more woods-friendly as a company.

[mistwalker]

Nice! I hope that it is! That's the one problem I've had with TOPS in the past is that even on their slicing designs they just run the edges a little broad, angle-wise. I've been seriously happy with their more recent gravitation towards including thinner designs in their lineup. Combined with taking on designs from folks like you and Joe, it's making them much more woods-friendly as a company.

TOPS has some nice full flat grinds on thinner steels coming out

[FortyTwoBlades]

Oh hells yeah!

[thrillbilly]

So...still no Tibo.

I had to buy a second BK9 and a fourth(?) BK14 to make myself feel better about being Tibo-less.

[mistwalker]

Oh hells yeah!

I don't remember the name of one in particular, but I can't wait for it to hit. Full flat grind, 3.5-4 inch drop point blade, I think it's full 1/8 1095, and I love the tapered handle. Should be a great knife in the bush. They had multiple colors on handles at Blade, not sure how it will wind up.

So...still no Tibo.

I had to buy a second BK9 and a fourth(?) BK14 to make myself feel better about being Tibo-less.

Yeah yeah, I can see how that was just all mine and TOPS' fault and has absolutely nothing to do with you being a knife-a-holic and a Becker addict....

I wrote earlier asking about time frame again, but I made not get an answer till Monday.

[thrillbilly]

Yeah yeah, I can see how that was just all mine and TOPS' fault and has absolutely nothing to do with you being a knife-a-holic and a Becker addict....

I dunno that I would say ''addict''...I can quit whenever I want! LOL


I just need a couple more doubles in my favorite models. If I really like/use something I like to have at least 2 if not 3 of them.


OK...I probably AM addicted. I mainly just love the modding and customizing of them, that's the addicting part.

[mistwalker]

I dunno that I would say ''addict''...I can quit whenever I want! LOL


I just need a couple more doubles in my favorite models. If I really like/use something I like to have at least 2 if not 3 of them.


OK...I probably AM addicted. I mainly just love the modding and customizing of them, that's the addicting part.

Lol, I can see that. I have a tendency to do multiples on the smaller more affordable knives myself. I've had multiple BK-11s and Izulas...they just seem to keep leaving with favorite students...so I keep buying more. At the price I got the two BK-11s at Blade this year I may buy a half dozen next year

[mistwalker]

Oh hells yeah!

I remembered the name, the Lite Trekker. It's definitely worth a look!

[FortyTwoBlades]

Nice! Can't wait to see it! Sounds like it's right up my alley. I like my woods knives in the same ballpark as slightly stout kitchen knives. That is to say, I like them pretty darn thin.

[thrillbilly]

I just thought of something. Not to be crass, but what is the expected MSRP of these? TOPS has wildly varied pricing...was just curious if these will be priced to compete with the 11,14 and Izula.

[mistwalker]

Nice! Can't wait to see it! Sounds like it's right up my alley. I like my woods knives in the same ballpark as slightly stout kitchen knives. That is to say, I like them pretty darn thin.

I wrote Leo and asked him about it and he said if all goes write the Lite Trekker should be out in a week or two

I just thought of something. Not to be crass, but what is the expected MSRP of these? TOPS has wildly varied pricing...was just curious if these will be priced to compete with the 11,14 and Izula.

So...we're supposed to be refined, delicate, and sensitive here? Lol, I didn't get the memo Pretty sure a few others didn't as well I was told the MSRP is $69.00 so probably around $40.00 on line. So yeah, pretty much in line with the others.

[thrillbilly]

Sweet, I was thinking 40-60 would be about right, had a fear they would slap something crazy like 100 on it LOL

I dunno if it will kick my 14 out of my EDC pocket, but that Tibo is cool, I definitely want one to test and carry, maybe use it as a designated neck-knife or perhaps mounted on a kit.

[mistwalker]

Sweet, I was thinking 40-60 would be about right, had a fear they would slap something crazy like 100 on it LOL

I dunno if it will kick my 14 out of my EDC pocket, but that Tibo is cool, I definitely want one to test and carry, maybe use it as a designated neck-knife or perhaps mounted on a kit.

I don't know if it will either. I mainly carry mine as a neck knife now, but I have paired it up with a larger knife and like that too. I plan on pairing one up with my Armageddon as they make a good team in my opinion. For me personally it was designed more as a back up or companion knife than as a stand alone edc, but some may carry it that way I'm sure.