It is only a question, so don't shoot ; I'm just wondering what the major diffence is between the two, aside from the Topps knife being a bit bigger and having sawteeth on the back (which I myself find useless). Correct me if I'm wrong, but Both are full tang, 1095 high carbon, with wide bellys and drop points, with high impact scales. I think the Warthog is a little over 8" and the Topps just over 11". Does anyone here own or have experience with both? Is there that big a difference in quality and preformance to justify the extra $200.00 price or so that the Topps commands? The reason I ask is not to start a debate, but I just ordered a Warthog Impact (yes, I spelled it wrong on the post title) and I am awaiting it's arrival. But that Damm Topps knife keeps catching my eye and making me wonder if I should have bought that instead, despite the HUGE difference in price. Thoughts or comments??????
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Ka-Bar Warthog Inpact Vs. Topps Tom Brown Survival knife?
- Thread starter hicomp2
- Start date
IIRC the Tom Brown survival knife was designed as a survival knife. This means almost every curve on the blade has a reason. The blade has different cutting angles, a sawback. It's large enough for light chopping, you can saw branches with it, part of it's blade can be used for skinning,whitling etc.
The Tom Brown tracker was designed to do a lot of things reasonable well. There are better blades out there but you would have to carry two or three blades to do everything a tracker can do.
The Tom Brown tracker was designed to do a lot of things reasonable well. There are better blades out there but you would have to carry two or three blades to do everything a tracker can do.
t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,518
The TOPS is a lot heavier than the Warthog, which may be a boon or detriment, depending on your plans. The Tracker will have more power in a swing (a lot more) but be clumsier in other uses, just like any big knife. The Warthog is very solid, and can absolutely handle anything you'll need it to do in the out-of-doors. When people get too wrapped up in the "is this knife good enough" stuff, I always have to remind that for the first few thousands of years, man saw to his cutting needs by employing a sharp rock. And, to them, survival in the outdoors wasn't a hypothetical. 
I'll tell you my opinion, which is not universal but isn't unusual either, that TOPS charges an awful lot for thru-hardened, laser-cut, 1095 blades. None of those things means they're not well made, just that it's hard to justify their cost, given their extremely straightforward and non-time-consuming construction and relative inexpense of their materials. For a little more than the TOPS tracker, if you like the design, you can move into customs where differential hardening, different (possibly better for this type of knife) steels, and a WHOLE lot more options in handle material/shape/size, knife size/weight, fit/finish, etc become possible. Plus, TOPS knives tend to come with extremely thick edges and narrow main grinds--the tracker included--so that it's something akin to trying to cut with a splitting wedge. Most of the custom Trackers or WSKs that you see have much higher relief grinds and thinner edges, while still being just as thick at the spine.
Don't get me wrong, TOPS knives are tough as bricks and from what I've heard their quality control is high, but my personal opinion on your question of whether they're worth the money is no, not really--unless their version of the Tracker, above all other available iterations of this design, just stirs your soul. I'd save a little longer, and get talking to Roger Linger, Peter Jensen, or other custom makers who deal in knives of this type and get a higher performing tool.
I'll tell you my opinion, which is not universal but isn't unusual either, that TOPS charges an awful lot for thru-hardened, laser-cut, 1095 blades. None of those things means they're not well made, just that it's hard to justify their cost, given their extremely straightforward and non-time-consuming construction and relative inexpense of their materials. For a little more than the TOPS tracker, if you like the design, you can move into customs where differential hardening, different (possibly better for this type of knife) steels, and a WHOLE lot more options in handle material/shape/size, knife size/weight, fit/finish, etc become possible. Plus, TOPS knives tend to come with extremely thick edges and narrow main grinds--the tracker included--so that it's something akin to trying to cut with a splitting wedge. Most of the custom Trackers or WSKs that you see have much higher relief grinds and thinner edges, while still being just as thick at the spine.
Don't get me wrong, TOPS knives are tough as bricks and from what I've heard their quality control is high, but my personal opinion on your question of whether they're worth the money is no, not really--unless their version of the Tracker, above all other available iterations of this design, just stirs your soul. I'd save a little longer, and get talking to Roger Linger, Peter Jensen, or other custom makers who deal in knives of this type and get a higher performing tool.
T1mpani; You are Soooooo correct about primitive man and sharp rocks...LOL!!! It is easy to forget to make do with what we have, always searching for something just "a little bit better". When we are raised in a consumer based society, it is easy to forget that basic truth you just reminded me about. But shopping on E-Bay is just so much fun...LOL!!!! I have more than enough now, but as my wife says I "just keep searching for the PERFECT knife".
savagesicslayer
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Messages
- 3,309
I cary both as a combo when I hike or camp.They are similar but very different at the same time.The hog is a very good camp knife for small shores(eating,slicing ect) while the tracker is a good hard chore blade(shopping,hacking,splitting,ect).
) which is fine, as long as we can still differentiate between need and want.- Joined
- Oct 25, 2005
- Messages
- 169
I would like to purchase a Warthog but the Tom Brown Survival Knife has a great optional horizontal leather sheath. Any idea what kind of sheath comes with the Warthog. And, if it's not comparable to the Survival Knife sheath where could I get a horizontal sheath for the Warthog.
The sheath that is supposed to come with mine looks like a black manmade material, "Available with a ballistic nylon Ka-bar / Eagle sheath with molded blade insert which provides a firm, flexible, and quiet use condition. It has a Velco lined belt loop with snap closure", according to One E-bay seller. This is the Impact version, that I ordered. I think the bigger model with the hand guards and traditional round handle comes w/ a different sheath. I'm sure you could make or order a sheath like you want from one of the sheath makers on E-bay. Or get your own leather kit and custom make one. I have made several holsters for my Black Powder revolvers. Not real fancy, but good sturdy and rustic looking.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2005
- Messages
- 169
Thanks for the reply. I don't know anything about making sheaths. Where would I find a kit? I didn't see anything on ebay, but I may not have been looking in the right place.