Steel Eagle (TOPS)

Seems like a pretty decent useable knife. The micarta slabs really add a lot to any knife. I wish more of the manufactured knives came with micarta slabs. Cost is a factor though. I wonder how the Ontario tanto's stack up against this one, since they are the most alike.
 
I have seen horrible QC with Ontario's products, three similar blades under similar stress levels, one snaps violently, one end up with a bent handle and one is not bothered at all. Of course with the prices so cheap you would have to expect that to some extent.

-Cliff
 
Yes, I remember the tests, but the one that snapped was the survival bowie wasn't it? The survival bowie is flat ground and has very little metal to widthstand lateral forces. Wereas the marine raider bowie is saber ground and much tougher in that regard. I would bet that the 10 inch tanto would be the same at 1/4 inch thick and saber ground. Which is the one that you bent. Was it the tanto or the kukri?

I don't really think there is much you can do to improve 1095 or O-1 type steels. I knifemaker friend once told me that these simple steels are best when forged into blades.
 
The survival bowie snapped violently at a very low angle, with little force, I was really surprised. It was well under 25 degrees and I could have easily did it with one hand accidently. The Bolo (also flat ground) bent past 45 and the blade held up fine but the tang bent. Ontario's machetes (of which I have broke two) will go to 45 with no problems in handle or tang. The handle slabs fracture at this point but that is not relevant to the discussion. As for the Marine Radier Bowie, it is low sabre ground and I could not flex it significantly (past 30-35 degrees) because there is too much metal there.

-Cliff
 
I wonder how the ontario 10 inch tanto would do. It appears to be very tough.
 
Cliff,
Nice review. As usual, it was very informative and as objective as is possible. Were you given a choice as to the blade size? I am interested in them but would probably get the bigger blade. I am currently thinking of getting the Ron Hood collaberation though. It almost sounded as if you were pleasantly surprised at the performance. Was I reading too much into it? I haven't had any experience with a tanto blade out in the woods and wouldn't have considered one until I read your review. (Ron's knife has two different point options) It seems that everything I read about them concerning camp/bush blades is negative. Mostly because of it's skinning abilities. I would always have a medium skinner with me anyways, so that doesn't concern me too much. Do you feel that if you discount the skinning abilities that the american tanto is the ideal blade shape to have have in terms of toughness and durability for a survival knife? Are you considering purchasing a Steel Eagle? I hope you don't mind all of the questions. As you can see, I am intrigued with Mike Fuller's blades. Also, have you any interest in any of Tom Johanning's blades.

Thanks,
Jim

edited for spelling

[This message has been edited by HUNTER3897 (edited 03-27-2000).]
 
Jim :

Were you given a choice as to the blade size?
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No.

I am currently thinking of getting the Ron Hood colaberation though.
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Ron's blade looks to me to be a direct improvement for a woodsmans blade, which you would expect really. The Anaconda has a dropped blade, thumb ramp, and traded the saw teeth for the bone scorer / wire breakers.

It almost sounded as if you were pleasantly surprised at the performance.
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My initial reaction was mainly negative and I expected this because it wasn't well suited for me personally and plus some of TOPS designs are really odd looking so I went into the review with a negative mindset. However after having some positive reactions while the blade was out on loan doing the rounds I looked at it from the perspective of what it is supposed to do and it does that pretty well.

Do you feel that if you discount the skinning abilities that the american tanto is the ideal blade shape to have have in terms of toughness and durability for a survival knife?
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That is an excellent question and it depends strongly on the user. The secondary point does have advantages in terms of penetration and ease of sharpening but gives up slicing ability because of the abrupt transition in the point area. In terms of toughness and durability, that depends more on the steel and the heat treat and the taper of the blade.

I am intrigued with Mike Fuller's blades.
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Do you want this one? While you noted you were interested in a bigger blade, this one could provide you with some information on which way to go.

Also, have you any interest in any of Tom Johanning's blades.
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Yes, the steel choice is solid as is the design.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 03-26-2000).]
 
One thing that was not reviewed: THE BAD ASS FACTOR
cool.gif
This knife is hands down the meanest looking knife I've ever seen. (Yes, I do own one) Image someone pulling that monster out. It's not that big, (okay, yeah,it is, but it's not THAT big) but it looks like it could eat oak trees for breakfast.

------------------
One small step for man, One giant leap for frogs, One mile for fleas.
It's all about perspective.
 
Cliff,
Thanks for the reply. At this point in my life, I am very limited in what I can purchase. I have two little ones and my wife and I don't believe in daycare (I don't want someone else raising my kids just so I can have some extra money) so I would probably have to decline your offer. I will be finishing my degree and possibly going to law school (still just a distant dream) when my little crum crunchers start school. So for now, I wet my big knife appetite vicariously through you and several others. Blah, blah, blah... Anyway, it would be kind of a badge of honor to own a blade that went through the Stampinator, so how much are you asking? One more question Cliff. With all of the money you have spent on big blades, and with your considerable experience testing them, have you, or are you planning to, have a custom blade made to your specs? If I recall correctly, you have had some smaller blades designed for you, but I don't remember hearing about any big blades.

Jim
 
The guys from TOPS always have a booth here at the Salt Lake gun shows.
They make some serious hard working knives.

They also take a few of the cheep knock off autos and rework them to the point that they are actually a viable option for about 50 bucks... not bad at all!
 
Hunter :

how much are you asking?
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Sorry I should have been more clear, I got the knife from a dealer, I didn't pay anything for it. That is the same amount I will charge you for it.

have you, or are you planning to, have a custom blade made to your specs?
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I have several in the works with a few makers.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
What can I say, except that I am stunned!!! I almost fell out of my chair. As I said earlier, I would be honored and also very humbled to own that knife. I would have to say that it is the nicest thing someone I have never met has done for me. Even nicer than the guy who picked up my pregnant wife and I when our
car broke down and it was -27 degrees outside. (I won't tell her I said that. She doesn't value a good knife as much as I) I really am speechless and don't know what to say Cliff. What would you like me to do? Send you the postage in advance or reimburse you for it? If you would like, you can e-mail me with the instructions. WOW!!!!

Thanks Cliff,
Jim

edited for spelling

[This message has been edited by HUNTER3897 (edited 03-27-2000).]
 
Hunter :

What would you like me to do? Send you the postage in advance or reimburse you for it?
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Just drop me an email with your address and any shipping considerations. I have a Strider WB coming that should be in in a couple of weeks and once it gets here I want to do a quick rundown against the Steel Eagle, once that is done (about a week) I'll drop you an email and ship it out parcel post. If you are in the states you can expect it in about 2-3 weeks after that.

-Cliff
 
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