How is Tops quality overall?

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

Joined
Feb 1, 2001
Messages
2,671
I have been looking at a couple Tops knives with 1095 and 5150 steel. They look good and I was wondering how their Quality control and heat treat is? Many thanks!
 
I've had one so far. It was a Skinat. I'd rate overall quality as very good. It's kind of hard to mess up 1095 and Micarta, LOL. Grinds were even, the micarta scales were symmetrical, no gaps between the scales and liners. I stripped the coating off of the blade, and the finish under the coating was actually a pretty good satin or scotchbrite type finish. Good enough that I didn't need to make it finer, compared to what you see under some coated blades.

It took a very good edge. I was disappointed in its ability to hold the edge, honestly. I don't know if wasn't quite up to par on the HT, but compared to a Mora Clipper in 1095, it was kind of dismal. The Mora held a much better edge during the same tasks as the TOPS. TOPS claims 58RC, and Mora claims 58-60RC on the carbon steel blades. So who knows? I may have had a TOPS that was a tad off at 56RC and a Mora that was 60RC, and that extra 4 RC points makes a huge difference in edge holding. I will say that my Kabar's in 1095CV at 56-58RC also seemed to stay sharper longer than the TOPS did.

I will also say that the for the most part, I think that they are overpriced for a factory knife in 1095 and Micarta. You can buy nicer blades from the custom makers on BF for the same price, or just a bit more. I am debating on a Shango XL after the new year, but not sure yet. They do have a few models that appeal to me but most of the designs are eye candy, in my opinion, as compared to useful designs. YMMV.
 
The quality is great....I have had several TOPS in the past few years...... Have found that you can buy several knives made with same material.... Same quality.... For a much better price...... Love me some Beckers and Esees for a better deal.
 
fit and finish are fair and they are ruggedly built, but I'm not a fan of most of their products.... just me.
 
Many of TOPS' Knives in 1095 are actually manufactured by Rowen, just like the ESEE knives. You'd have to do a bit of research to determine which, though. They put out something recently that's Zero Ground 1095 by Rowen if I'm not mistaken called the B.O.B. Knife. I don't own any of their knives myself, but I don't doubt that they're well built.
 
IMightBeWrong said:
Many of TOPS' Knives in 1095 are actually manufactured by Rowen, just like the ESEE knives. You'd have to do a bit of research to determine which, though. They put out something recently that's Zero Ground 1095 by Rowen if I'm not mistaken called the B.O.B. Knife. I don't own any of their knives myself, but I don't doubt that they're well built.
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Not no more Bro :D you can search through the now defunct ESEE/RAT forum to read the details, but Rowen had stopped producing blades for TOPs a while ago now,even at peak it was only a select few models if memory serves.
 
I'll have to take the opposite view. My experience with Tops has NOT been good. Had an Idaho Arrowhead and a Key Knife B. Bad, bad sheaths - the Key Knife fell out and nearly went right through my foot. Also, the grind angles were really obtuse - in excess of 40 degrees for small knives. Dumped 'em as soon as I could.

Good coatings, though.

I'd stick with Esee, personally.
 
I have the Tops Alaskan Harpoon. I bought it because it screamed usefullness to me. I was right. I like it a lot. I REALLY like the multiple hand positions & the 1/4" thickness. I resharpened it before i used it, but it came pretty sharp. I batoned with it & it would still shave paper. The sheath---not so much. I planned on a custom kydex sheath anyway,but the factory on should have been better. See my review here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/898981-Tops-alaskan-harpoon
 
Very high quality fit, finish, materials, and workmanship. You have to pick and choose through their designs to find the good ones though. A lot of them are sharpened tacticool pry bars. I like the Shango and the Power Eagle--both would be good pals to have in the woods.
 
I have the Apache Falcon and the Steel Eagle 107D. Both are fine for the price you pay. I have a Strider BT SS though and they're not in the same ball park as that.
 
Thanks guys! One I'm looking at just to try out is the Lil Roughneck. 3/8th thick has to be one stout knife!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Very high quality fit, finish, materials, and workmanship. You have to pick and choose through their designs to find the good ones though. A lot of them are sharpened tacticool pry bars. I like the Shango and the Power Eagle--both would be good pals to have in the woods.
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+1 (big one) for that... it's been my experience looking at most tops blades, they are meant to impress people with their thickness and tacticool finishes. most are not what I would consider well thought out knives, just sharpened pry bars and gadgets designed by experts.
 
SkagSig40 said:
Thanks guys! One I'm looking at just to try out is the Lil Roughneck. 3/8th thick has to be one stout knife!
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We each like different knives for different reasons but hopefully you know what your getting into with a 3/8th thick piece of metal shaped like a knife.
 
knifenut1013 said:
We each like different knives for different reasons but hopefully you know what your getting into with a 3/8th thick piece of metal shaped like a knife.
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Ha ha ha!!! I don't expect a good slicer but just something to mess around with. Maybe something that I can hammer through the pelvis/strnum of an elk.
 
i've got the xcest alpha and quality is very very good, not perfect (micarta handle slab is a little proud of the steel tang in one spot, but nothing a quick sanding wouldn't resolve). came very sharp although the grind is pretty obtuse (again fixable) but still shaves hair. haven't put it to much real life use yet but mistwalker did a review of that one as well which influenced my decision to purchase. i know the style of this blade may not be everyone's cup of tea but it appeals to me for what it was built for and OP i think the quality is good where i'd buy another tops if the price was right.
 
I own a 3/8" thick Ontario RD6 Signature Series. It is VERY sharp. NOT just a prybar at all. Let us know how you like the LIL ROUGHNECK, i'm interested as well.

Next to a 1/4" thick BK2.

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It seems when it comes to 1/4" thick + blades, people either love em or hate em. Kinda like Tops knives, most either love em or hate em. I like em.
 
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