OT - Another new big chopper

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UDDwaine

UDDwaine

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I picked up this TOPS Steel Eagle Hunter's Point as an extra chopper.

Next time the trees need trimming or a branch falls I'll give it a test to see how it holds up. And with the teeth on the top, I think it will cut through a pretty big piece of wood.

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Blasphemy aside (I'm still uncertain about the appropriateness of this), but TOPS keeps cranking out what seems like mass produced junk to me. I've had several models, and the coating can be flaked off with my finger nails, and the edges roll over easier than anything. I don't know why they use soft stainless steels, then coat them. I just don't get the customer loyalty; for me they make my-first-fischer-price knives (sorry bro, but you brought it up :o).
 
Doesn't TOPS use 1095? The same steel as Ranger Knives? Of course the heat treat could be way different. Still I think we need a chop odd. :D
 
It's made in the USA out of good ol' 1095. Nuttin' wrong with that, other than the lack of INFI.
 
Str8Edg said:
Blasphemy aside (I'm still uncertain about the appropriateness of this), but TOPS keeps cranking out what seems like mass produced junk to me. I've had several models, and the coating can be flaked off with my finger nails, and the edges roll over easier than anything. I don't know why they use soft stainless steels, then coat them. I just don't get the customer loyalty; for me they make my-first-fischer-price knives (sorry bro, but you brought it up :o).
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Well, I am pretty sure that the steel they use is 1095 not stainless, and what they probably do is Ht it softer to give it toughness and, thus, avoiding freacture during hard use. 1095 is a simple steel and is easy to HT so at their price you would think the steel would be as good as it can get. Also their knives are all 1/4 inch thick sabre ground which means thet are heavy and solid.

I had an original anaconda 10 incher with the non-tanto blade. It was solid and very heavy. The sabre grind was not very good at cutting but it chopped well enough.
 
Str8Edg said:
Blasphemy aside (I'm still uncertain about the appropriateness of this), but TOPS keeps cranking out what seems like mass produced junk to me. I've had several models, and the coating can be flaked off with my finger nails, and the edges roll over easier than anything. I don't know why they use soft stainless steels, then coat them. I just don't get the customer loyalty; for me they make my-first-fischer-price knives (sorry bro, but you brought it up :o).
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yep. pretty much junk. i've never heard anything but negative comments about them, especially in regards to the super thick edges (worse than Busse's). seems to me they'd be on par with cold steel or something, if they're prices were way cheaper. some of them do certainly look cool though.
 
Tops uses 1095. Cliff Stamp has some interesting things to say about the Steel Eagle. I have a tops operation Badger. Well made enough but IMHO Tops are way overpriced for what they are. Very thick edge profile, inexpensive steel but nice Linen handles. That aside there are definitely some nice blades made of 1095.
 
I thought Ranger used 5160? I would not compare a Ranger to a Tops and would compare neither to INFI though I have never really used a large bladed tops or ranger, the smaller ones never gave me any trouble.
 
On the topic of Off Topic......this came in today. It is WAY larger than I had thought.

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I have found the overall quality and materials of Tops to be good, however their edges and grinds are always too thick. I do have a Tops Armegedon, which isn't to bad.
 
barrabas74 said:
I thought Ranger used 5160? I would not compare a Ranger to a Tops and would compare neither to INFI though I have never really used a large bladed tops or ranger, the smaller ones never gave me any trouble.
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Yes, ranger is 5160, except for the hawks which are 1095.
 
silverdragon33 said:
yep. pretty much junk. i've never heard anything but negative comments about them, especially in regards to the super thick edges (worse than Busse's). seems to me they'd be on par with cold steel or something, if they're prices were way cheaper. some of them do certainly look cool though.
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Well, I only owned 2 and even though 1095 is not a great steel, I never had any problems with the one I used. It may not be as tough or have as durable an edge, but it is still a well made knife and the quality of construction is good. Definitely better than CS IMO.

Although I do not own any anymore, I would have no problem with owning one If I had to. Also, unless there is solid proof of premature failure and such, I see no need to badmouth a company that produces some of the better 1095 steel knives made.
 
Cobalt, I totally agree. I was typing on the fly and didn't add anything nice to balance what I didn't like. I liked the feel of their handles, and the balance as well. Their Kydex sheaths are really well fitted (no scarring). I didn't have any major failures from regular use, like I have with other folk's knives (I'm looking at you Cold Steel), I was just surprised how easily the edges rolled over with some not-so-tough camp work. And that cheap coating on the blades practically jumped off my WSK during my first weekend trip with it (it was very wet out if that matters). The coating seems mostly for show. I guess Busse's have just ruined me for anything else. :D
 
I gave a smaller TOPS to my brother last year.
He used it every day at work in construction.
I saw it last week after a year of abuse opening paint cans and cutting dry wall and was surprised at how well it held up.:cool:
tops_202.jpg
 
I'm gonna lock this puppy down. . . We don't allow for slamming other manufacturers on this forum. This might do well over on the General forum or on knife reviews and testing. . . :thumbup:

Jerry :D
 
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