Tops B.o.B. in 5/32(3v) would you buy?

N

NeedItCheaper

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Jun 17, 2012
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I have a Tops B.o.B. and love it. It performs almost as good as my Bark River Bravo 1.5, but to me it is needlessly thick and heavy. I had to ask myself f I would buy it again given my other more high end knives, and that answer is no. But what if they made this knife in 3V and in 5/32 thick? For those don't know, the knife is 0.19in thick and 5/32 is 0.156 thick. I figure both knife will be about the same toughness, and given that a thinner knife does most things better, would you buy that knife and for how much?

I would pay $150 all day long, and maybe probably $165, what about you?
 
I'd buy the knife at 1/8" thick in 1095. I really like the BOB design I just don't like how overbuilt it is.
 
The DT Ambush mostly meets your 3v and size requirements. But I don't think you're going to find a 3v knife for less than $220/$225. I'd suggest one of the ESEEs. The Laser Strike would fit your bill or maybe the 6, though it's a bit longer. There are 1095 blades out there that you might like for less than $200.
 
The cost of the better steel is going to bring you over the $200 mark. The Survive, Ambush Alpha, Koster Bushmaster, and a Bravo 1 LT would be comparable knives in that category. All of those are close to or above $200.

If you like your 1.5 but want it thinner, lighter and in 3v check out the Bravo 1 LT.
 
I'm in the market for a 3v blade as well. But I think they would need to thin the B.O.B. Down a bit more before I'd be interested in it.

The cold steel master hunter in 3v is about the best deal on a blade that size I've seen. It seems to run about ~$100. I'd be interested in it, if it was thinner than 3/16in... But, at least it's a ffg, so it should slice a bunch better than the B.O.B.
 
Check out Survive! Knives offerings.

I've been really enjoying the 3.5 @1/8th 3V. The 4 is great too, it's at 5/32, but feels extremely light and well balanced

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ocnLogan said:
I'm in the market for a 3v blade as well. But I think they would need to thin the B.O.B. Down a bit more before I'd be interested in it.

The cold steel master hunter in 3v is about the best deal on a blade that size I've seen. It seems to run about ~$100. I'd be interested in it, if it was thinner than 3/16in... But, at least it's a ffg, so it should slice a bunch better than the B.O.B.
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I agree that the CS MH 3v is the best 3v value but my only concern with this knife is that the spine tapers a lot, this weakens the tip of the knife. And to me it seems like it wants to be a hybrid skinning and camping/utility knife. I'd rather have a GSO 4.1. FWIW I used to own a B.O.B. and I ended up selling it after I got my Survive! GSO 5. The GSO has a slightly thinner spine and is a .25" longer and an oz heavier. I believe the GSO blade is also taller. Per Revolverrodger the new GSO 4.5 is coming out soon, its a BC knife and is just under $200 at $189. Here are the stats:
Blade Material: CPM-3V
Blade Length: 4.5” (tip to front of handle)
Blade Height: 1.125”
Blade Thickness: .115"
Overall Length: 9.5”
Don't know when it'll come out but I am sure it's worth waiting for. They are taking pre-orders for it now just go to the S!K page under Knives then GSO then 4.7.
 
I don't own a B.O.B. and unfortunately probably never will.

I do know it's one of the most consistently well-reviewed and owner complimented knives I've ever seen. If I could justify buying another fixed blade I'd snap one up in a second, regardless of which iteration of it.

IMO you have a very good knife for the outdoors in the B.O.B. Enjoy it.
 
Personally I really like the BOB the way it is in 1095. It takes a great edge, and holds it for along time. Then once it finally starts to lose it's sharpness all you gotta do is strop it and it's razor sharp again.

I didn't however like the factory edge that it came with, but that was easily fixed and after reprofiling the edge a lil it cuts 10x better than before. The BOB is one of my favorite hard use knives.

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In the original thickness I'd want it to have a full flat grind, personally. Wouldn't lose much strength but would gain significantly in cutting ability and maintain most of its rigidity. :)
 
The biggest draw back to the BOB for me was that really shallow micro bevel it came with.The edge was way too thick, but after I knocked the shoulders off and thinned it out it was a new knife.
 
I agree with most sentiments here regarding the bob,but i still like and i got both of mine for just over $100 ea. , i think its a steal
 
BITEME said:
I agree with most sentiments here regarding the bob,but i still like and i got both of mine for just over $100 ea. , i think its a steal
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I agree I got mine for $116 in green/black g10. For the price it's an excellent value.
 
Just to give a little argument. Cold Steel has a the AK-47 in 3v with more material for $170. Now I know Cold Steel isn't the best at heat treating, quality control isn't as good as Tops, but I do think Tops could do it for around $180 easy. Considering the popularity of the knife, I think they would make their money back and more easily.
 
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