Tops experience?

kalan850 · Nov 13, 2016

Hey everyone I'm looking into purchasing a tops msk, scandi trekker, and/or tex creek for general camp chores. I haven't seen alot of reviews with them. I have yet to try any tops knives and am drawn to them for their premium look and possibly great ergos(from pictures it looks as tho they have they have amazing ergos) Any of you have any experience with these blades? I already have a bk14, bk15, bk16 and a few mora knives. so please don't suggest other knives. Pics are encouraged. Thanks blade forums guys and gals

Ergos?
Blade shape and grind for general camp chores?
Handle scale materials?
Usability?

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SCWillson · Nov 13, 2016

The only TOPS I have is the Tibo, which is small.

The build quality is decent, and I quite like the ergos. The coating seems fairly durable but I'm not a big fan of the blade coating, but that's hardly unique to TOPS. I prefer bare steel.

Bentlink · Nov 13, 2016

I've had a Wolf Pup for a few years. It's a tiny knife, and quite handy. I adore the micarta grips, and it works well in my long, skinny paws. I could take or leave the coating, but it does provide some corrosion protection on the carbon steel blade. The thickness is little much for such a small blade, but ain't gonna bend.

Isaacherring · Nov 13, 2016

I have never used or owned one but I got to handle a lite trekker, Tex Creek and Tom Brown tracker and they all had great ergos, I intend to buy a lite trekker in the near future

highestpoint · Nov 13, 2016

I've only owned one Tops. I loved it but it was a tad small for my liking.

I have since wanted to buy about 10 or so more of their offerings but there is other stuff on the market that I prefer to 1095.

Their ergo's are really nice and quality is top notch

kalan850 · Nov 14, 2016

C'mon no one has any experience with the tops knives I've listed?

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HFinn · Nov 14, 2016

I have both Mini Scandi and Scandi Trekker. I have not used that much yet though. The blades are well thought out, well designed. The edge is amazing on both. The handles however are a bit overdesigned. They are very good in one grip, maybe not in some other.

But you get a good grip and that's what matters. The MSK has a small handle compared the blade length so it needs a fob for the pinky to get support. I have liked both enough to start reshaping the handles to my own needs.

Ratman79 · Nov 14, 2016

kalan850 said:
C'mon no one has any experience with the tops knives I've listed?

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I dont have those specific ones---I have 2 steel eagles (one I have listed for sale on the Exchange), and 2 brothers of bushcrafts; one in 1095 and one in 154cm...

The steel eagle can easily handle camp chores and I found it to be a good all-rounder. The brothers of bushcraft are very well done as well. Due to their smaller size-- about 4.5 in. blade vs. about 7.5 for the steel eagle--they are great as a lighter alternative.

kalan850 · Nov 14, 2016

HFinn said:
I have both Mini Scandi and Scandi Trekker. I have not used that much yet though. The blades are well thought out, well designed. The edge is amazing on both. The handles however are a bit overdesigned. They are very good in one grip, maybe not in some other.

But you get a good grip and that's what matters. The MSK has a small handle compared the blade length so it needs a fob for the pinky to get support. I have liked both enough to start reshaping the handles to my own needs.

Can u post pics of them?

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The knife Whisperer · Nov 15, 2016

Sorry but I don't own or have experience with the Tops knives you are interested in. I do have a Tops Brothers of Bushcraft knife. It is my go-to knife. Although I have several more expensive knives I seem to take the BOB canoe camping. Has a good feel to it performing camp chores. I have split all my wood with it to start fires. Made a lot of feathersticks. Holds a surprisingly good edge under lots of hard use. For the money, I am very happy with my Tops knife.

HFinn · Nov 15, 2016

kalan850 said:
Can u post pics of them?

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Sure. First is the Mini Scandi after I reground the guard area with dremel.

Here's the Scandi Trekker. I did the same mod as with the Mini, but this is the picture before that.

I also modded the sheath, cut away/straightened the throath, added a cord and zip tie. The tie gives better retention and keeps the cord in place, the cord is a safety against losing the knife and a statick cord if I carry in the pocket or iwb. A more elegant solution than the zip tie would be making an adjustable leather strap round the sheath, but this will do until then.

HFinn · Nov 15, 2016

AND here's the latest version of the Mini sheath, I made a lip for the thumb to push against when pulling the knife. I got instructions from forum member sh00ter01 to do this sheath mod (thank's), I heated the area I want to shape with a lighter, then used a marker pen to push the heated kydex to make the lip. Some sanding to round the edge of the lip and it was done.

kalan850 · Nov 15, 2016

HFinn said:
AND here's the latest version of the Mini sheath, I made a lip for the thumb to push against when pulling the knife. I got instructions from forum member sh00ter01 to do this sheath mod (thank's), I heated the area I want to shape with a lighter, then used a marker pen to push the heated kydex to make the lip. Some sanding to round the edge of the lip and it was done.

Thanks for all the picture much appreciated. Atm I'm trying to think of a system to incorporate these blades. I'm thinking. Msk paired with the tex creek xl would be a good system. Can't put my finger on what system I can fit the scandi trekker into though. Any suggestions?

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HFinn · Nov 15, 2016

kalan850 said:
Thanks for all the picture much appreciated. Atm I'm trying to think of a system to incorporate these blades. I'm thinking. Msk paired with the tex creek xl would be a good system. Can't put my finger on what system I can fit the scandi trekker into though. Any suggestions?

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I personally carry the scandi trekker as an EDC blade. It is on the upper limit conserning size for this application. I would think of something larger with it, a blade for chopping and batoning if hiking. Or carrying a small slip-joint while reserving the trekker for more heavy duty jobs.

Also I think the trekker can be pushed to protective role if the need arises.