ESEE site link- TOPS

B

britchcock

Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
47
I was looking around on the ESEE site and came to the links page. Had a look-see at the TOPS knives site. Anyone have any experience with them? If ESEE likes them they have to be good right?
 
britchcock said:
Any specific models you've dealt with? Any favorites?
Click to expand...

I just got a ferret neck knife while I wait for my izula & rc-3mil:
xqg6l3.jpg

2nbt7hc.jpg

Also have a stryker defender tool from tops:
103eut2.jpg

I like tops & believe both the esee blades & tops blades are made by rowen? I can't wait for my esee goodies to arrive though.:D
 
TOPS has some great stuff. I have a Steel eagle and a MAK7. Both great knives. Trouble is they have so many sweet knives I can't make up my mind which one to get. I really like their new Windrunner.

I didn't know that Rowen does their work. Makes them even more better:D
 
I carry the TOPS A.L.R.T. on my belt loop every day. It's like a box cutter on steroids!

TPALRT01.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have had a Tops Tom Brown Tracker knife for about a year and it has been a great knife so far. good fit and finish too.
 
TOPS 7.5" Anaconda Tanto Point has been a mainstay since 1999, needless to say it is awesome, it would and will always be my TEOTWAWKI knife, it pierces, everything, I mean everything.

*It sucks at being a good hiking knife though, imo too much of a mission specific item. ; )
 
I do not have any TOPS knives. I like the look of more then a few but aren't they a bit thick? Like 1/4" on a 4' blade? The pasayten is at the top of my list.
 
The key to finding a good TOPS knife is selection..

They make a great product, however, I find most of them far too thick and heavy for their intended purpose. In addition, I find that while they make a few outstanding gems, they make some of the most unbelievable pieces of mall-ninjery I have ever seen. (TOPS Hellion Survivor LOL gotta see it)

Here is an example. I was interested in picking up the Mocassin Ranger until I actually held it... While very well made, it was ridiculously think and the grind started so low in proportion to the blade height that getting a good edge on it would be a burden. However, the Longhorn bowie they make, while very similar in shape, has a nice flat grind and is much more reasonable in proportion. These things are hard to see on internet pictures. Choose wisely and you will be happy.

Have fun.
 
milmak said:
Looks like a useful little thing, is the hole for the ball of the thumb with 1st finger on the spine jimping, yes?
Click to expand...

Pretty much. I have pretty big hands and long fingers, so a lot of the time the ball of my thumb rests on the hole while my index finger wraps around from the other side at a 90 deg angle to the blade.

This is a link to a very short review I wrote awhile back:

http://wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-of-my-hobbies.html
 
retzius said:
The key to finding a good TOPS knife is selection..

They make a great product, however, I find most of them far too thick and heavy for their intended purpose. In addition, I find that while they make a few outstanding gems, they make some of the most unbelievable pieces of mall-ninjery I have ever seen. (TOPS Hellion Survivor LOL gotta see it)

Here is an example. I was interested in picking up the Mocassin Ranger until I actually held it... While very well made, it was ridiculously think and the grind started so low in proportion to the blade height that getting a good edge on it would be a burden. However, the Longhorn bowie they make, while very similar in shape, has a nice flat grind and is much more reasonable in proportion. These things are hard to see on internet pictures. Choose wisely and you will be happy.

Have fun.
Click to expand...

Very well stated.

My Anaconda is great as a fighter and soldiers knife, as a camping knife, not so much being able to stab through most anything is fun, but not a great chopper, terrible skinner and awful, awful as a brushknife even with the Hoods Woods seal of approval ;) but it can get in there to get grubs out with the best of them.
 
retzius said:
The key to finding a good TOPS knife is selection..

They make a great product, however, I find most of them far too thick and heavy for their intended purpose. In addition, I find that while they make a few outstanding gems, they make some of the most unbelievable pieces of mall-ninjery I have ever seen. (TOPS Hellion Survivor LOL gotta see it)

Here is an example. I was interested in picking up the Mocassin Ranger until I actually held it... While very well made, it was ridiculously think and the grind started so low in proportion to the blade height that getting a good edge on it would be a burden. However, the Longhorn bowie they make, while very similar in shape, has a nice flat grind and is much more reasonable in proportion. These things are hard to see on internet pictures. Choose wisely and you will be happy.

Have fun.
Click to expand...

great advice, thanks. they do seem to make their blades pretty thick and that "mall-ninjery" comment was spot on. I'll be sure to do as much research as possible should i invest in one of their blades.
 
The only TOPS knife I have owned was the Tom Brown Tracker. While it was very well made and high quality, I had to completely regrind the edge to get it to chop and cut well. TOPS had some beautiful knives at the Blade Show. Even with my Tracker experience, I would still consider buying another TOPS if I liked the model. I have a belt sander. :D
 
Stickfighter2 said:
Pretty much. I have pretty big hands and long fingers, so a lot of the time the ball of my thumb rests on the hole while my index finger wraps around from the other side at a 90 deg angle to the blade.

This is a link to a very short review I wrote awhile back:

http://wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-of-my-hobbies.html
Click to expand...


I've only seen the version they have with scales on this side of the pond. I think your ALRT is a better size. Looks real handy, could use one for work...

Thanks for the link!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top