Thoughts on TOPS fixed blades

Grate knives , just to overpriced, i love some of the names they give the knives.
Here are some of them.
Black Star Evolution
EXFILTRATOR 5
MOCCASIN RANGER
Air Wolfe
APACHE DAWN
Baghdad Box Cutter
Devil's Elbow
Iraq Jac Joint Aggravation Control
Cockpit commando (my favorite)
 
To those of you saying quarter inch thick blades are too thick to be truly useful I present a counterpoint: Becker BK2. All I need to say on that haha.

On topic, the knives are quite expensive on their website, but the 107C Steel Eagle can be found for $130-$150 which isn't that bad when you compare it to an ESEE RC-6. And yes I do only want that knife because it was in Predators!
 
I picked up a used TOPS Steel Eagle 107E from the exchange a while ago. (The one without the serrations on the spine.) I was pleasantly surprised with the level of fit and finish and overall design of the knife. It feels good in-hand and holds an edge very well.
 
Hi guys I have the hoods woods inspired anaconda and love it. I beat the heck out of it and it functions great. The only draw back was the handle, it caused hot spots. But besides that a great company to do business with.
 
EBHM4 said:
To those of you saying quarter inch thick blades are too thick to be truly useful I present a counterpoint: Becker BK2. All I need to say on that haha.

On topic, the knives are quite expensive on their website, but the 107C Steel Eagle can be found for $130-$150 which isn't that bad when you compare it to an ESEE RC-6. And yes I do only want that knife because it was in Predators!
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I submit this detail, note where the grind starts on these 3 knives...
100_0950.jpg


The TOPS Mountain Lion and the ESEE5 have a grind height that starts lower than the BK2. The BK2 starts closer to the spine, the edge is "thinner" than the others.
They are all well built knives, the geometry is different. The edge of the TOPS is wide, sharp but wide.
My BK2 will make feather sticks, the other two knives, they are too thick at the edge for delicate work.
Look around, you can find TOPS for reasonable prices, the TOPS website is not the price I paid. The Mountain Lion can be about $114, G-10 scales, and a decent sheath.
 
That's very true Foxx, I forgot that detail and I don't own all 3 knives to compare so thanks for correcting me!
 
Shopping for knives online is a tricky game. Nobody gives you the pic of the edge, much less in a context of size.
One can only judge by spine thickness, and the profile pics, and then guess at the details of the grind.
I got the three knives thinking that I would sell one or two of them, and keep one. So far I like the BK2 the best, for general use.
The ESEE5 and Mountain Lion would be great for very hard use.
Some other 1/4" thick knives are full flat grind, like the RD series from Ontario. That geometry is quite different than the three in my pic.
 
There are a couple designs I like, but for the most part I just cant get into 'em due to the marketing and the price for what you get if you buy it new. They are just water jetted slabs of low grade steel sandwiched between crudely machined micarta with decent HT and some paint. Nothing special about them but the names make me smile. I get the appeal, but they aren't my thing. Too much other better stuff out there for less.
 
I have one with G-10 and one with micarta, and both have the same fit and finish of ESEE. Design and ergonomics are another matter, depends on use and user.
If you like the knife, and can find a good price, it will serve you well. Maybe you need to see it in person, but they are made well, IMO.
 
I hear a lot of good things about their 1095 heat treat...anyone know how their 440C heat treat is and how their 440C blades hold up to serious/hard use? Thanks!
 
The 1/4" thick blade debate !!! LOL :D, you either love em or hate em. I love em. I even have a 3/8" thick OKC RD6 signature series & love it. I think this one has my name on it as well : http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=349

I say, one persons knife abuse, is another persons knife use. At one point, i will probably sell many of the first knives i bought. It is a learning evolution. I have concluded that, if one MUST rely on thier knife in a SHTF scenario, then that is when you absolutely must have a knife that will not fail, & IMO, a 1/4"+ thick blade fits that bill pretty well. But i am partial to a wide, thick blade.:D In many non-shtf, day to day outdoor use, camping & what-not, a 3/16" thick blade will be just fine. For the record, i love my BK7 & BK9, which are 3/16" thick. As well as many of my OKC Spec-Plus series blades.
 
EBHM4 said:
To those of you saying quarter inch thick blades are too thick to be truly useful I present a counterpoint: Becker BK2. All I need to say on that haha.

On topic, the knives are quite expensive on their website, but the 107C Steel Eagle can be found for $130-$150 which isn't that bad when you compare it to an ESEE RC-6. And yes I do only want that knife because it was in Predators!
Click to expand...

Email me where to get it at that price...I'll be all over that!!! the listed price on there site was what turned me off but I fail hard at finding good knife deals off the forums. :D:thumbup:

I'll hold off a Bk-9 purchase for one.
 
Many, if not most of their designs have tiny low grinds on thick stock which makes for poor geometry. They would have to be completely redone, not just the edge but the whole primary grind. Which would probably void the warranty on a knife you already paid too much for.
 
Don't like the edge geometry on the ones I've used and the typical coarse jimping is actively painful when putting any pressure on it. Shame because they have some otherwise nice designs and overall good quality.
 
TwinStick said:
The 1/4" thick blade debate !!! LOL :D, you either love em or hate em. I love em. I even have a 3/8" thick OKC RD6 signature series & love it. I think this one has my name on it as well : http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=349

I say, one persons knife abuse, is another persons knife use. At one point, i will probably sell many of the first knives i bought. It is a learning evolution. I have concluded that, if one MUST rely on thier knife in a SHTF scenario, then that is when you absolutely must have a knife that will not fail, & IMO, a 1/4"+ thick blade fits that bill pretty well. But i am partial to a wide, thick blade.:D In many non-shtf, day to day outdoor use, camping & what-not, a 3/16" thick blade will be just fine. For the record, i love my BK7 & BK9, which are 3/16" thick. As well as many of my OKC Spec-Plus series blades.
Click to expand...

Usually I would agree with this until I got my Swamprat Ratmanduex LE. It's a little bit of a thinner knife than 3/16 or 1/4 but it is like a mini-sword with a full tang.It's very strong. I do like the Tops Joint spec ops and apache falcon. I just can't justify paying more for one of them than a swamp rat or scrapyard,etc.
 
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