About TOPS knives

N

Neo

Joined
Sep 12, 2002
Messages
1,298
The general feeling toward tops is, they are well build and finished but expensive for the materials used.
At the other hand, they are all made in the USA.

When I visited their website I found out they got about 225 different models of knives.
Thats a lot more than most manufacturers!
So their busniness must be good to make so many designs.
So I wonder who buys all their stuff?
I don't think a nonknife enthousiastic would easily spend +150$ on a knife and all the knife-addicts would visit these fora.
But tops knives are rarely mentionned.
Any ideas ?
:foot:
 
Neo said:
The general feeling toward tops is, they are well build and finished but expensive for the materials used.
At the other hand, they are all made in the USA.

When I visited their website I found out they got about 225 different models of knives.
Thats a lot more than most manufacturers!
So their busniness must be good to make so many designs.
So I wonder who buys all their stuff?
I don't think a nonknife enthousiastic would easily spend +150$ on a knife and all the knife-addicts would visit these fora.
But tops knives are rarely mentionned.
Any ideas ?
:foot:
Click to expand...
I have the TOPS Harpoon and think it is an extremely high-quality piece of gear which can save any hiker in a survival situation. That's my only experience with TOPS products, so far I'm very impressed with its quality and usefulness.
 
Neo said:
The general feeling toward tops is, they are well build and finished but expensive for the materials used.
At the other hand, they are all made in the USA.

When I visited their website I found out they got about 225 different models of knives.
Thats a lot more than most manufacturers!
So their busniness must be good to make so many designs.
So I wonder who buys all their stuff?
I don't think a nonknife enthousiastic would easily spend +150$ on a knife and all the knife-addicts would visit these fora.
But tops knives are rarely mentionned.
Any ideas ?
:foot:
Click to expand...

That is a good question. I've wondered the same thing. Every once in a while, you hear people who don't own any TOPS knives badmouth them, but very rarely do you hear anyone who has one complain about it. TOPS would have a much greater presence on the forums if they had their own forum here, but apparently they don't need or want one.

My personal opinion about TOPS is that they seem pretty solid. Decent materials, decent manufacturing, fair prices. I've never owned one or seriously thought about owning one, because I feel that most of them are poorly designed. There are a zillion different models, but the designs seem dashed off or uninspired to me (I am a horrible design snob). TOPS appears to have recognized this, because they have recently brought on board a whole slew of recognized knife designers from the custom world. Very smart move, IMO. The Swiss Bianco model looks very interesting, I am considering picking one of those up and giving it a try.

(Edit)- Here is some linkage for the Bianco model:

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=214
 
I think they make very solid knives. I have had three street scalpels and given them to others as gifts. That is my favorite pattern of all of theirs. (I know, weird, but hey..)
 
I was looking at this brand a couple of years ago. I couldn't justify the high price for blades made with 1095 steel. The quality of manufacture seems pretty good though. If they offered some other steel choices I might be interested. [Yeah, I know they have a couple other steels now, but still nothing I want].
It just seems like their are better knives for the money.
 
moonwilson said:
I've never owned one or seriously thought about owning one, because I feel that most of them are poorly designed. There are a zillion different models, but the designs seem dashed off or uninspired to me (I am a horrible design snob).
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you.
Most models have (had) an agressive tactical look with a short saber and obtuse angles, not really usefull knives.
Few also had a more usefull design (like the Pasayten for exem.)
The new models seems to be more practical, just like you said.
But still, I suppose the tactical stuff wouldn't sell very bad :p
 
The ATAX is helluva tool. I just can't pony up that kinda dough for a knife. besides...my knife buying is pretty much done anyways. got my trio completed and that's really all I was after anyway. next project is to rebuild my forge and start bangin' out hot metal again.
 
I've their Bird & trout knife and must say while being tiny it fits the hand like a glove. ;)
 
shawn79 said:
besides...my knife buying is pretty much done anyways. got my trio completed and that's really all I was after anyway.
Click to expand...

I'm saying that for years now.
Once I've even managed not to buy a knife during a whole year :eek: :D
 
Neo said:
I'm saying that for years now.
Once I've even managed not to buy a knife during a whole year :eek: :D
Click to expand...

That's impossible! I've managed to go a whole month, with great effort, but a YEAR? Superhuman willpower, right there.
 
I find most of there designs kind of useless as (already stated) I think on there shorter blade models they need to thin out the blades a bit also. The two models I have used have been well made though.
 
I have a TOPS tracker.One word comes to mind,tough.It gives the feeling that you could never break it.Though being 1/4" 1095 might have something to do with it.
 
I have the Walkabout from them and I like it ok. I had to grind off the prybar end because it was digging into my hand. I don't like the sheath. For a knife that size I want to have the option to wear it IWB and that sheath has that clip that won't allow it. Maybe with some tinkering it would work but I'm not sure.

I've had a hard time getting a good edge on it since it was left so thick. I plan to reprofile it one of these days.

The only other model I've handled is one of the Interceptors. I really didn't like that one. The handle is an abomination in my opinion. Just a short unorganized blob is what it felt like to me. That one went away in trade.
 
They spend an awful lot on advertising compared to some other comparable knives.
There are a couple interesting designed and I like well heat treated 1095 but they have always been to expensive compared to Ranger which makes a similar style knife from 5160.

I wish they made a nice folder in 1095.
 
Sometimes it makes sense to price a product well in excess of its cost plus a reasonable pre-tax profit margin. It all depends on the seller's business plan.

With that said, I was rather "miffed" when the TOPS Armageddon I purchased, blade marked "S30V", turned out to be 1095. I was told by the seller that it was a limited run of Armageddons. I bought it (his story and the knife). Subsequently I learned from TOPS that the blade was actually 1095 and mistakenly marked S30V by the factory. The "limited run" was actually a run of factory marking mistakes. That's the only instance where I feel like I overpaid for a TOPS knife, and that was mostly the seller's fault.
 
If you go by msrp, then yeah, Tops knives seems high, especially for 1095 steel. But if you look around, you should be able to get one quite a bit less. If you do get one for a good deal, they're tough knives. They're thick slabs of steel, especially for a production knife, the coating seems better than most. My only complaint is their sheaths, but that really depends on the knife & it's particular sheath.
 
I'll chime in...New user here but I have a fair bit of experience with a variety of knives. The TOPS that I have used are all very solid knives (Cqt-304 and black rhino). Although, as stated earlier, the majority of their line seems a little hokey. My former EDC was a CQT-304 with the recurve, manufactured by UZI I believe. So while not really being a TOPS it is marketed by them and it is way nicer then the UZI version. It is a rock solid folder and tough as nails. My only complaint is that the mounting hardware for the pocket clip was substandard and now I have to get it re-drilled, tapped and clip re-installed.
 
mman, i have to testify for the TOPS SCALPEL. i got it as a tester to see if i should get an armageddon. it is wicked sharp and feels bombproof, the design is elegant in your hand and the sheath is solid and grippy. i am gonna get an armageddon when i have the luxury. it cost a few bucks but i have only that and a swiss knofe (and a Carbon 5 gurkgha khukri for ze mountain). maaan. luv it, thougnh the micarta separates slightly from the steel, i love it.
 
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