Thoughts on TOPS fixed blades

Overview: Great manufacturing, overpriced for materials and hype, some are good value, most are over the top. I own a few, and no matter the breed they make good knives, but they arent always the best bang for the buck.
 
I just ordered a Blue Otter this morning. Was looking for a comfortable edc that I could carry horizontally on my belt & came with a handle. Choice came down to Izula 2, ESEE 3 or the blue otter.

Going by numbers the blue otter had a bigger blade length than the Izula and was over 2" shorter than the ESEE 3. I kind of thought that 2" would make a big difference wearing it at 11 o'clock like I plan to with everything else I already edc on my belt. The Blue otter was also about $25 less than the ESEE 3.

If the blue otter doesn't work for me I think I will give ESEE a try.
 
It really depends. Some are overpriced and overdesigned. Some are great. My completely reground c.a.t. Is an absolute beast, which I have used for survival/ bushcraft, haven't been hunting with it yet, I edc it sometimes, it's no delica, but it can be done. For sevent y bucks or so, if you don't mind getting it reground, or doin it yourself, you won't be sorry.
 
The only thing I would ay that is a slight turn off is the "names" of the knife on the blades so boldly printed and obvious.
 
The Tom Brown Tracker has pretty much put me off TOPS for life. Some of the more sane designs look okay but the price tag is prohibitive.
 
bjt3833 said:
I just ordered a Blue Otter this morning. Was looking for a comfortable edc that I could carry horizontally on my belt & came with a handle. Choice came down to Izula 2, ESEE 3 or the blue otter.

Going by numbers the blue otter had a bigger blade length than the Izula and was over 2" shorter than the ESEE 3. I kind of thought that 2" would make a big difference wearing it at 11 o'clock like I plan to with everything else I already edc on my belt. The Blue otter was also about $25 less than the ESEE 3.

If the blue otter doesn't work for me I think I will give ESEE a try.
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The Blue Otter is a great little fixed blade, you wont be dissapointed.
 
I own a steel eagle 111a great blade holds edge really well and stays sharp as hell also have two other small blades great knives and working blades not hang on a wall look pretty stuff

i read all over the place that they are over priced but so are ESEE and a few others if you look retail MSRP on the website - search the net you will find them cheaper than the price that you see on their website
 
BFH44 said:
I own a steel eagle 111a great blade holds edge really well and stays sharp as hell also have two other small blades great knives and working blades not hang on a wall look pretty stuff

i read all over the place that they are over priced but so are ESEE and a few others if you look retail MSRP on the website - search the net you will find them cheaper than the price that you see on their website
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lets not bring esee into this :)
they are functional, no-nonsense tools.

cant say the same about tops
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=307&osCsid=epgmg57qt9cqi6bj2af01h91v0
 
I have two Steel Eagles, 107D and 107C. I use the 107C as my main camping knife and I love it. I've beaten the hell out of it, used it for every purpose and she keeps going. Holds an edge well, huge spine and feels very comfortable in hand. Some people might say a little on the heavy side, but I prefer it. I purchased a 105 for my friend as his main camping knife and he loves his as well.
 
I have the Iraq Jac and I love it. Great fit and finish, very sharp and feels good in my hand. As far as price goes I paid $71.00. I do not think it was overpriced.
 
No experience with the company but just by looking I can see some of the designs they produce are a bit cray cray. That struck me when browsing their site for a couple hours once. Others are quite nice though...
 
Goosey said:
No experience with the company but just by looking I can see some of the designs they produce are a bit cray cray. That struck me when browsing their site for a couple hours once. Others are quite nice though...
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Yeah you have to kind of sift through them to find the gems. :)
 
I have the Tops moccasin ranger - superb fit and finish. At a 1/4" thick and 6" blade it's a bit of a bizarre design.

The edge geometry was bad... The secondary bevel was very close to 45 degrees and not even close to sharp. I had to re-profile it for a while on the belt sander and lost quite a bit of the coating to get a decently high grind

still a sharpened prybar (anything .25" is in my book) but lighter and more balanced (overall more lively) than a bk2 or Esee5.

I'm really not a fan of the "duracoat" or whatever is on there. Feels like the coating on my truck bed (rhinoliner stuff). On the plus side...you got a match striking surface :p

This is one of their less costly knives but showed pretty decent quality.

Overall needs:
1. much better edge
2. a different type of coating (imo)
 
I've got a C.A.T. that I convexed, as well as a Combat Alley that I altered. I have to say, I get quite a bit of use out of both of them now. I also have a Loner that I haven't figured out what to do with (don't really like the blade style) but one day I'll dig it out and play with it til I like it better. Overall, mine are useful for work, food prep, etc.
 
William P said:
Overall needs:
1. much better edge
2. a different type of coating (imo)
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Agreed. The edge angles always seem to come axe-like but at least the primary bevels (the part that most folks CAN'T fix!) is always good. The good news about their "traction coating" (why would you want to INCREASE the friction of your blade?:confused:) is that if you just knock it though some wood a few times (or use some 600 grit sandpaper) it'll wear down to a smooth finish.
 
$200+ is a lot for 1095 and micarta when an equivalent Becker or ESEE (both in 1095 and micarta) will set you back just $120-140. And the same $200 buys you some awfully nice Scrapyard/Swamp Rat blades.

TOPS blades are great, but they lose their luster when compared to other blades in the same price range, and even a few way below that price.
 
I have one tops knife the key B, Great neck knife, after I thinned the edge. I like a few more.
 
Hi

I like TOPS,

Here in Germany the Prices for esee´s and Tops are pretty much equal.

For example a Esee-4 with Kydex and a TOPS SFA Cobra 6 or a TOPS Sky Marshal costs the same, 119€.

I would choose Tops.
 
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