Hunting Knife Selection: TOPS Strikar vs. Benchmade Activator

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Kirk_Ferentz

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Feb 16, 2010
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So, I have decided to pick up a dedicated hunting knife. In checking out what's out there, I have focused in on the following specs (please feel free to question/criticize):

  • I'm thinking a blade that is somewhere in the 3.5 to 4.25 inch range ... that seems to me to be about the right size for the likes of deer.
  • I'd obviously like something that can get pretty sharp. Edge-retention would be nice for being able to get through a whole animal without having to re-sharpen.
  • I find myself leaning towards drop point style blades, and I tend to like a pretty broad blade ... that seems to me to be the best design for skinning and such, and drop point seems good for gutting.
  • Although I don't see a ton of overlap between what I would want in a survival knife and a hunting knife, I would like something that could hold its own in a survival situation if need be. Another reason (along with edge retention) to t
    end towards some pretty hard, high carbon steel.

I am working on a post that includes a lot more selections, but I thought that these two knives were similar enough that I could eliminate one of them right off the bat. I definitely am leaning towards the benchmade due to its D2 steel (which from what I have seen is one of the top steels out there) and the 60-62 HRC that it brings with it. The TOPS is only 58. But I'm very interested to hear what you all think.

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=145

http://www.benchmade.com/products/201
 
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I almost like the TOPS design better, but given the fact that I have not had good experiences with TOPS sales people at gun shows, they place high prices on cheap steel, and Benchmade kicks ***, I'd go with the Benchmade. Never personally owned one I could complain about, and though they're out there, the company generally puts out a great product that they readily back up.

In my opinion D2 is a much better steel than 1095, and they're charging less for their tool. Seems like a no brainer.
 
D2 is great, but its bear to sharpen in the field IMHO. All your requirements lead to the ESEE RC3 or ESEE RC4
 
Well the ESEE options are something that I plan to bring up in my larger post, AND I DON'T WANT TO TURN THIS POST INTO A GENERAL ESEE DISCUSSION . . .

. . . but I do want to follow up on these posts ... is the lower hardness of the ESEE blades (allowing for easy resharpening? any other up-side?) one of the reason that you would favor the ESEE over these two knives?
 
The TOPS looks good ... for a TOPS. But it's 33% thicker than the Benchmade. Not necessary for skinning or survival. D2 is great steel, Benchmade knows how to heat treat it, and a small diamond stone will keep it sharp with a few light strokes.

Handle ergonomics are a personal matter and the 2 knives are similar there, but I definitely like the Snody style myself.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The TOPS looks good ... for a TOPS. But it's 33% thicker than the Benchmade. Not necessary for skinning or survival. D2 is great steel, Benchmade knows how to heat treat it, and a small diamond stone will keep it sharp with a few light strokes.

Handle ergonomics are a personal matter and the 2 knives are similar there, but I definitely like the Snody style myself.
Click to expand...

I'm curious, what is that extra thickness necessary for? Self-defense purposes?
 
The ESEE knives are meant to be beaten up, they can handle all kinds of tasks from skinning game, to chopping wood for a campfire. The lower hardness allows you to use the knife for a wider variety of things and not worry about breaking the knife by impacting it. The knife actually has fantastic edge retention, they work 1095 like no one else.
For the TOPS the extra thickness is probably for the same reason, but I think it's a little overdone.
 
If you want a 1095 steel knife you better get the ESEE RC4...
I would choose the Snody....better steel than the Tops and cheaper too.
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
I'm curious, what is that extra thickness necessary for? Self-defense purposes?
Click to expand...

I guess the regular TOPS buyer is used to their thick blades. They do tend towards tactical styles. Sometimes you have to decide, when two possibilities conflict, which is more important.

On the other hand, "survival" does not always mean brute force, it can be achieved through finesse, and a knife (a cutting tool) that is optimized for slicing, rather than smashing things.
 
Again I say ESEE, but out of those two I'd pick the Benchmade. The tops knife is expensive because you are "paying for the name". I thought you weren't a fan of that? Either way I still say ESEE4.
 
Kirk Ferentz, I've been considering the Activator, too, so I'm keeping a keen eye on this thread...I think it's one of the best looking fixed blades out there (love the wine wood handles), and have been curious myself if it's beefy enough for A) skinning/field dressing deer & elk, and B) just like you said, survival if you need it.
 
shelbysguns said:
Again I say ESEE, but out of those two I'd pick the Benchmade. The tops knife is expensive because you are "paying for the name". I thought you weren't a fan of that? Either way I still say ESEE4.
Click to expand...

Oh I'm not, and it is definitely starting to sound like TOPS does charge at least a little premium for its name ... thus, I think they are out of the running. But the ESEE and Benchmade will still hve to stand up against Bark River, which seems like a company that tries to offer the best price that can be offered without slacking on quality. But that is for a later date...
 
although not on your list you could take a look Outdoor edge swing blade. on the same lines as the sog revolver, but with a very slik gutting blade that double as a great blade for some caping work if you need it
 
Try a Michael Morris Classic 8 Hunter, high carbon file knife that really holds a razor edge well. Remember to have something on hand to deal with the pelvic bone, or a technique to use with this knife. Good hunting!
 
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