topps knives

C

coldbonecut

Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
14
hey guys,,,are topps knives all they say they are,,does any body have any first hand knowledge on the subject,,,thx
 
Not a clue about them first hand, but i ran across this today, and it looks VERY interesting. $99 for an 100% american made machete with micarta scales... i'm considering pulling the trigger

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I have a Tom Brown Tracker and Scout both are well made and tough as nails. You can't go wrong with a TOPS product, you just have to like their different styles which are kind of out there.
 
i have a Scout as well. Stout blade, no problems.

And yeh, their styles are out there, hard to comprehend exactly what their epistomolgy or philosophy is.
Almost mall ninja on some of them.
 
They have some very sound designs, and some very strange designs.
The F&F and build quality is excellent on all models though.
 
I can't decide either... I've met them at Blade, and handled some of the knives, but all the markings aren't for me, and I agree with an earlier poster that mentions "mall ninjas"...

While I like a non-slip knife, some are almost TOO uncomfortable with the jimping at the BACK of the tang/grip, etc.

The MARKETING is first rate, but I haven't seen any in the field or in the hands of any users I've been around.

I was nearly ready to buy one just to see if it was a good knife myself about a year ago, and came across a video of Adam Francis (Equipped 2 Endure) testing 4 knives, including a TOPS knife SPECIFICALLY designed for wilderness survival. One knife in the test (I believe was a Benchmade?) wasn't even really meant for survival, but he tested it anyway during some ultra cold weather testing. During some batoning, the TOPS BENT and stayed BENT and was rendered useless. Adam was shocked that the one knife in the test that was specifically designed for that was the one that failed miserably. Maybe too much spent in marketing and not enough in heat treating??? ;)

I'd like to hear Adam's take OFF THE RECORD on this...ON THE RECORD he made another video (after being in contact with TOPS and them submitting another knife) and it did fine and he said he could recommend them.
 
Lots of their knives are very thick, a few are even 3/8" thick. Plenty of them have very thick edges, great for hard use, military or combat. I would compare them to ESEE, in regards to the quality. They do a good fit and finish, thickish edges, and the heat treat is done well, depending on the knife and it's uses.
Two of my TOPS knives came with nylon sheaths, with plastic insert liners, they have molle webbing on the back. They have two velcro straps to retain the knife, not the best sheath choice, IMO.
I also have the SSS, it's a very small tanto blade, chisel ground, and the sheath is micarta. Rentention is from 3 magnets, and built into the sheath is a diamond hone, a ferro rod, and a mirror. It's a cool little survival tool, made well, and a good sort of PSK, to stash somewhere.
 
I just received a Tanto C.A.T. with fire-starter and sharpener from tops. Initial impression: the knife is solid thick and feels like it can take a beating, fit and finish are great. Wish the did not have such tactilol names and would perfer the option of having the blade uncoated.
 
I just got done modding my tops hawkes hellion survivor and this thing has proved to be a very good knife. I've stabbed it through a car and used it to destroy quite a few unconventional things. In my opinion they make good knives. Could they be better? Yes. And do I think that the names are short of retarded? Yes.
 
I like a lot of their outdoor use knives. I mean the knives that actually look like they have a purpose. Some of the knives they make though look like nothing short of what you would expect to find in an evidence room to me. I do happen to own a TSK (tactical steak knife) that I bought for outdoor use and it's a nice comfortable size for carry and use. The only thing I would like to see different on it is a little thicker handle material.
 
The only problem I have with TOPs...they're too expensive for 1095 offering.
BTW, I one 2 knife from tops and the serve me well
 
I have a TOPS 107C as a user and I beat the hell out of it every chance I get. Nate recently put a new edge on it to add to the performance. They feel good in hand, thick (usually 1/4) slabs of 1095 and full tang. It has some weight but not too much. My father also has a Screaming Eagle which he likes and two friends have the 107D (tanto) which they also love and use frequently. Never had a problem with them and will continue to purchase from them :)
 
deth1313 said:
I have a TOPS 107C as a user and I beat the hell out of it every chance I get. Nate recently put a new edge on it to add to the performance. They feel good in hand, thick (usually 1/4) slabs of 1095 and full tang. It has some weight but not too much. My father also has a Screaming Eagle which he likes and two friends have the 107D (tanto) which they also love and use frequently. Never had a problem with them and will continue to purchase from them :)
Click to expand...

Nice, can I see a pic of the edge?

This is my
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I have the Tops Alaskan Harpoon. I love it. 1/4" thick. VERY ergonomic, multiple hand positions make many tasks possible. It is sharp, edge is not quite where i want it yet, but it will get there. IMHO, Tops makes a quality product that costs on the high side. Do your homework & make sure it is a knife you want & will be functional for what it will be used for.


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