Tops bob or bk16?

[kalan850]

Lately I've been looking into purchasing a new fixed blade. My system normally includes a folding saw, BK9, and a mora. Having the folding saw i just dont use the BK9 as much. My idea was to lighten the load a bit and replace the BK9 with either a bk16 or tops bob. I've wanted a bk 16 for a very long while now, but recently discovered the tops bob via youtube and wow what a cool blade! The knife will be used for carving, notching, batoning, food prep, and possibly chopping if my saw were to break.

How do these two compare and what would be a better choice?



Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[mec003]

I would go with the becker. The 16 is my favorite fixed blade. I believe it costs less than the BOB too. I admit that I haven't handled the BOB. The only tops I have used is a tracker. I didn't care for it, but that was more of the design than the quality.

 

[A.L.]

Bob has way better edge geometry for woods, even if you regrind your 16, wich is must.

 

[19-3ben]

Bob has way better edge geometry for woods, even if you regrind your 16, wich is must.

Many many people do just fine with the BK16 geometry as it is.

OP- I guess the answer to your question, depends in part on which kinda guy you are. If you're the type to take something that's really good, and leave it alone, then get the Bk16 and save your money. That said, if you are the type who will get the Bk16 and want to add micarta or G10 scales, and then a kydex or leather sheath, you could very easily have $150 invested in that knife, at which point I'd say it would be a better buy to get the BOB or an ESEE4HM or similar.

I have the BK16 and love it. I kept the stock sheath as it serves me just fine, but did splurge and put the Kabar micarta scales on it. Big difference, and I love the ergos. At pretty much any price point, it is one of the most comfortable knives for sustained use that i own.

 

[kalan850]

I would go with the becker. The 16 is my favorite fixed blade. I believe it costs less than the BOB too. I admit that I haven't handled the BOB. The only tops I have used is a tracker. I didn't care for it, but that was more of the design than the quality.

Yes the price is definitely a plus for the bk16!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[19-3ben]

Yes the price is definitely a plus for the bk16!

It really is, but as i mentioned, that price difference is only a benefit if you are ONLY considering the blade, in which case, yes, you get a piece of american made 1095 for about $30-40 less.

But the real question comes in if you want an apple/apples comparison.
BK16 plus Micarta, plus kydex sheath, and TOPS and ESEE look like a bargain in comparison.

Personally, I was ok with the nylon sheath on my BK16, so I left it. Added the Micarta and it's one of my favorite knives. But when you make it a real apples/apples comparison, it's not as much of a bargain as people seem to say.

Of course, some people love the Grivory scales, and good on 'em. I liked them. I just like the Micarta mucho mas.

 

[kalan850]

Many many people do just fine with the BK16 geometry as it is.

OP- I guess the answer to your question, depends in part on which kinda guy you are. If you're the type to take something that's really good, and leave it alone, then get the Bk16 and save your money. That said, if you are the type who will get the Bk16 and want to add micarta or G10 scales, and then a kydex or leather sheath, you could very easily have $150 invested in that knife, at which point I'd say it would be a better buy to get the BOB or an ESEE4HM or similar.

I have the BK16 and love it. I kept the stock sheath as it serves me just fine, but did splurge and put the Kabar micarta scales on it. Big difference, and I love the ergos. At pretty much any price point, it is one of the most comfortable knives for sustained use that i own.

Good thought. I'd most likely want to upgrade sheath and scales.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[kalan850]

From the specs it seems that the tops is thicker and heavier. Would these 2 blades be able to handle the same tasks with similar efficiency?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[19-3ben]

Theoretically, a thicker knife has more metal, and would be stronger.
That said, I can't imagine doing something so nasty that I would break my BK16.

 

[CoolBreeze135]

I looked at both knives a few years back and ended up choosing the Becker. It is a much better value for the cost, the thinner blade is better suited for most tasks, and the handles are more comfortable.

The TOPS is definitely thicker and heavier, which I don't like. You might gain a bit of strength, but you lose performance and portability, IMO. The only thing I added to my 16 was a new sheath, and some liners I made for it. It is one of my favorite knives, customs included.

 

[NJBillK]

When comparing new prices sourced from the big River online store, the Becker is quite a bit cheaper.
With that in mind, there has been some work on a 16 for a guy in the Becker sub, and he spent maybe $25 more than the TOPS for the whole kit (mods, scales and sheath).





Go Becker, especially if you buy from the exchange here.

 

[kalan850]

When comparing new prices sourced from the big River online store, the Becker is quite a bit cheaper.
With that in mind, there has been some work on a 16 for a guy in the Becker sub, and he spent maybe $25 more than the TOPS for the whole kit (mods, scales and sheath).





Go Becker, especially if you buy from the exchange here.

Now that's a good lookin 16!


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[kalan850]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[kalan850]

I looked at both knives a few years back and ended up choosing the Becker. It is a much better value for the cost, the thinner blade is better suited for most tasks, and the handles are more comfortable.

The TOPS is definitely thicker and heavier, which I don't like. You might gain a bit of strength, but you lose performance and portability, IMO. The only thing I added to my 16 was a new sheath, and some liners I made for it. It is one of my favorite knives, customs included.

I see what you are saying and I agree.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Quiet]

Sorry to break up the Becker jam here, but I'd say that what you're looking for, the TOPS BOB is an amazing knife. I have (had) both. Sold the 16 a long time ago, since it never got used. The BOB feels better in hand, it was sharper out of the box (and seems to maintain an edge better), and the handle shape is more along the lines of what a bushcraft knife is to me.

If you like making upgrades to get a knife where it needs to be, get the Becker. If you like an out-of-the-box good to go setup, get the BOB.

 

[Quiet]

I looked at both knives a few years back and ended up choosing the Becker. It is a much better value for the cost, the thinner blade is better suited for most tasks, and the handles are more comfortable.

The TOPS is definitely thicker and heavier, which I don't like. You might gain a bit of strength, but you lose performance and portability, IMO. The only thing I added to my 16 was a new sheath, and some liners I made for it. It is one of my favorite knives, customs included.

I think this statement is incorrect, and I'd be curious as to how you arrived at this opinion. The BOB has nearly a scandi-grind (more of a high saber) and out-of-the-box straight up comparison, was a better cutter than the BK 16 was. Processed a bunch of wood, couple of swipes on the Sharpmaker and it's back to splitting hairs.

 

[CoolBreeze135]

I think this statement is incorrect, and I'd be curious as to how you arrived at this opinion. The BOB has nearly a scandi-grind (more of a high saber) and out-of-the-box straight up comparison, was a better cutter than the BK 16 was. Processed a bunch of wood, couple of swipes on the Sharpmaker and it's back to splitting hairs.

Let me clarify. I think you lose performance for many, but not all, tasks. The Bk16 is a much better slicer, which is a big deal for a knife. I would think the BOB has its advantages as well (removing lots of material while carving, maybe splitting), but I prefer thinner, slicier grinds. I like my scandis in 1/8'' stock. 5/32'' is pushing it, and 3/16'' is definitely too thick for me.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Here are some pics and a schematic of the BK16 vs the BOB, and YES the BOB is MUCH thicker than the 16 in the grind, in sacrifices a LOT of cutting performance as a result and is much less nimble in hand, but the BOB is built for beating on and comes with a decent kydex sheath and micarta scales. If your primary use will be batoning wood, prying, or breaking up ice and concrete, pick the BOB - it will suffice for other tasks as well but present enhanced strength under such abuse. If your primary use is "utility" cutting, hunting/skinning, etc. then choose the BK16 - it is reasonably strong and will handle some abuse but will excel at slicing tasks many MANY times over the BOB.

Video of BK16 durability-testing, starting at 2:21

[video]https://youtu.be/TbHKydzeHJo?t=2m1s[/video]

 

[ocnLogan]

Thanks Chiral, I was going to post something similar, but far less detailed, or informative.

My understanding is that the BOB is a low saber grind, with a small secondary grind (somewhat similar to a scandi, but with a secondary bevel), and is out of 3/16in stock. The BK16 is a FFG grind on a 5/32in thick blade. Neither is really "better" in a global sense, but for certain tasks one will be better than the other. The TOPS should be much sturdier, and will baton/chop better. The BK16 should do slicing tasks better(where the the blade goes more through the media).

My main "argument" (or maybe just thinking point for the OP), is that I've found that knives in this size range aren't really worth chopping with (if anything, cross grain baton. Its FAR more effective with knives this size), and batoning is somewhat limited by blade length. Realistically you won't likely batonning stuff much bigger than 3in - 3.5in or so. And unless you have a crazy knotted piece of wood, that size wood shouldn't be too hard to split with either knife.

For what its worth, I've used BK9, Mora, and Corona saw for a few years now, and I ended up getting a BK16 for very similar reasons. Its plenty strong for what I need, I just know I can't abuse it like I can my BK2, but the rest of the time I quite appreciate the less weight, and the good cutting performance.

So really you just need to decide what you're wanting. They are similar sized knives, but they are trying to do fairly different things. So deciding which part of your requirements is most important and going with that should make you happy.

Good luck making a choice .

 

[CoolBreeze135]

Here are some pics and a schematic of the BK16 vs the BOB, and YES the BOB is MUCH thicker than the 16 in the grind, in sacrifices a LOT of cutting performance as a result and is much less nimble in hand, but the BOB is built for beating on and comes with a decent kydex sheath and micarta scales. If your primary use will be batoning wood, prying, or breaking up ice and concrete, pick the BOB - it will suffice for other tasks as well but present enhanced strength under such abuse. If your primary use is "utility" cutting, hunting/skinning, etc. then choose the BK16 - it is reasonably strong and will handle some abuse but will excel at slicing tasks many MANY times over the BOB.

Video of BK16 durability-testing, starting at 2:21

[video]https://youtu.be/TbHKydzeHJo?t=2m1s[/video]

Thanks! Great job putting illustrations to what I was attempting to describe.