Tops Atax?

It's been brought up several times before, so some interesting debate.

It's expensive, gimmicky, completely unnecessary. I want one.
 
I wouldn't ever want one of those to replace a 'normal' knife if I was backpacking or camping. A knife that needs a DVD that tells you how to use it...(But why do I secretly want to play with one?!?!? :D)
 
Just when I thought it was not possible to make a worse knife than the Tom Brown Tracker, TOPS comes up with that thing. I sure hopes it works better than my TOPS Tracker, which neither slices nor chops and weighs a ton.
 
Vic,

If I'm not mistaken, TOPS has been offering the ATAX since before they were offering the Tracker.
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As for my opinion of it:

I don't own one, and that's no accident. That said, if it was the only bladed tool I had available in a survival situation, I expect I would find it quite useful.
 
As you can see from Esav's link, I like the ATAX. I rarely am without it, it travels with me all day in the car in my Maxpedition Jumbo and I wear it a lot around the property, very comfortable... If you have used ulus and like them, the ATAX might be to your liking...

mike061.jpg

Mike027-1.jpg

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To each his own. If I ever buy another TOPS it will be of a more conventional design. Glad the ATAX works out for some.
 
I don't own one but if you put the handle between the blade and the handle isn't that cuttin down on your chopping depth? Or does is not penetrate very far?

I would think putting the handle behind the handle would be the most efficient way for chopping.


Does anyone see what I'm saying?
 
I don't see what you're saying, but I hear you HD.:D I think you end up turning it into a thick edged machete, not really an axe. It seems like it would be good for something like stripping branches off a pole more than splitting something.

Whatever it is, I don't think it has a thin enough edge for me. I think my axes are thinner at the edge.
 
I don't own one, cannot really afford one...but I would like to. I like Ron's stuff, he puts a lot of thought into what he does, what he films and what he designs. I just traded my Brother a knife. The knife got traded not for another knife but for 6 more Ron/Karen Hood DVDs. I always learn at least one thing per DVD that makes the DVD worth it and oftentimes I learn much, much more. I like the way he teaches, I like his humor and to be blunt, I think he knows his s**t and that's a lot more than I can say for a lot of people designing very fashionable junkers. :)
 
hollowdweller said:
I don't own one but if you put the handle between the blade and the handle isn't that cuttin down on your chopping depth? Or does is not penetrate very far?

I would think putting the handle behind the handle would be the most efficient way for chopping.


Does anyone see what I'm saying?
Click to expand...
I hear ya. If your splitting wood it would not do too well. But for chopping down small trees or branches it looks like it would work.

I wonder how it is to sharpen??
 
Horndog,

I'm hardly the voice of reason, the only high-end gimmick that I haven't bought and tested is the Tracker:D.... I should clarify that for me, the ATAX doesn't replace a straight knife, it is in addition to... I carry a Brusletto Puukko in my Jumbo with it and I always carry my SAK Trekker.. I think Ron Hood sells it the right way, a back-up tool that can always be with you on your belt in a car, on a horse, or snow mobile. You really forget that you are wearing it, which is pretty cool for something that I use as a hammer, nail-puller, and generally beat the crap out of...

HollowD,

Yep, the shots you see in my pics minimize the depth of chopping... There are a whole bunch of approaches to making an axe out of it (they are are on the DVD), I like zip ties the best.. The pics were from a test I did with my son where we took an 18" paracord and a shoelace, and a piece of grape vine.. We put it together in about a minute and I hit on hardwood just about as hard as I can swing (didn't come apart and no blade damage)... I learned that even without effort I had a basic chopping tool.

Don,

I am working on the Saiga review!
 
Check out one of the upcoming issues of Tactical Knives. I have a review of it in there. (1st article)
 
I think the ATAX looks like a nifty little tool but I have stayed away from it since its a TOPS knife which I generally view as high priced and gimmicky. I have only held one TOPS knife before so my impression might be slanted but it was a thick and the grind on it was very blunt. I also think the connection between the handle and blade would see alot of stress and I would like to have another one. Just my 2 opinion.
 
Orrey,

I think that question of strength is pretty straightforward from a materials engineering perspective, force is a function of length and that span is very short.. Also if you calculate the section modulus of that point of the knife, I think will find it is tremendously strong.. Also,the force that is exerted on the area is not shear (not that I think it would matter..). My concern when I bought it was the heat treatment, if wasn't done right, that would be tough....

As for the knife's utility, that's a matter of opinion:D:D.
 
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