Outdoor/Survival Knifes
- Thread starter aosthed
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 2,878
I took a look at one of those just the other day...really a pretty bas a$$ lookin' knife. The name is quite fitting.
If ya' do a search here and in "reviews" you can find more stuff on TOPS than you could read in a week. They got a hell of a good reputation overall. The most derogatory remark ever heard goes somethin' like "that's a hell of a chunk of money for 1095 steel" (which is what they use alot of) Guess it's all a matter of perspective when it comes to that. To my mind though, there aint alot of steels that are more time proven than 1095.
I don't have much personal experience with TOPS knives. I've got a Street Scalpel and a Prairie Fox. The Fox I don't care much for, pretty much keep it around 'cuz it was a very thoughtful gift from a friend.
The Scalpel spent a couple of months with me gettin' abused out in the construction field on a daily basis. I wore the cord wrapping right off the handle, had the edge brought up and thinned a tiny bit, warped the sheath in some boiling water while trying to remove some grout from it. Completely removed what was left of the blade finish. Doubt I could get $5 for it now, but it did and still does what it's s'posed to do.
Overall, I'd say there are other knives out there with more pure bang for buck value, (BK&T coming first to mind) but...that being said I don't think you can go wrong with TOPS for being well made and durable. Also, Mike Fuller is said to be one of the nicest and most honorable guys in the knife industry, which to my mind goes a long ways.
If ya' do a search here and in "reviews" you can find more stuff on TOPS than you could read in a week. They got a hell of a good reputation overall. The most derogatory remark ever heard goes somethin' like "that's a hell of a chunk of money for 1095 steel" (which is what they use alot of) Guess it's all a matter of perspective when it comes to that. To my mind though, there aint alot of steels that are more time proven than 1095.
I don't have much personal experience with TOPS knives. I've got a Street Scalpel and a Prairie Fox. The Fox I don't care much for, pretty much keep it around 'cuz it was a very thoughtful gift from a friend.
The Scalpel spent a couple of months with me gettin' abused out in the construction field on a daily basis. I wore the cord wrapping right off the handle, had the edge brought up and thinned a tiny bit, warped the sheath in some boiling water while trying to remove some grout from it. Completely removed what was left of the blade finish. Doubt I could get $5 for it now, but it did and still does what it's s'posed to do.
Overall, I'd say there are other knives out there with more pure bang for buck value, (BK&T coming first to mind) but...that being said I don't think you can go wrong with TOPS for being well made and durable. Also, Mike Fuller is said to be one of the nicest and most honorable guys in the knife industry, which to my mind goes a long ways.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
Well, the Armageddon is one badass design, I can tell you that much! 
I'm just wondering one thing...who makes the TOPS version? It is factory made? Does Trace make them himself? The $300 pricetag seems like a little much considering for a bit more you can get one of Trace's very own in S30V or a couple other steels...
I'm just wondering one thing...who makes the TOPS version? It is factory made? Does Trace make them himself? The $300 pricetag seems like a little much considering for a bit more you can get one of Trace's very own in S30V or a couple other steels...