TOPS fixed blades VS RAT Cutlery(ESEE)??

M

MTHall53

Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
214
OK Don't have a cow, but I want to know what people think who have owned both brands. I realize a huge difference can exist between various models. However, overall, let's say in about the same MSRP range, would these two manufacturers be somewhat similar in overall build quality, durability, and attention to detail?
 
I am a little biased being in the Rat Pack, but I think the customer service given by ESEE is pretty hard to beat. They will replace any of their knives that are broken for ANY reason. And they have a strong presence on the forums here so the customers are actually talking to the guys who run and own the company.
 
Tops offers a huge versatility of blades, but for the models that are comparable shape and size to ESEE (RAT) I would go for the ESEE. I own offerings from both, but there is just something about my RC-3 and 4 that is incredible. I also like how active the owners are. They will help you with anything.
 
I have owned TOPS and ESEE. They are both very similar companies with similar designs and same materials. TOPS makes a hell of a knife. However ESEE's warranty is almost impossible to beat. It literally states that you can intentionally break the knife, send it back and receive a new one. The warranty also states that it is valid no matter how many times the knife has been sold, traded, given away. Now just for the warranty I would choose an ESEE any day.
 
They are both made by the same manufacturer, unless ESEE has changed that along with the name.

Really it comes down to what design you like.
 
MTHall53 said:
OK Don't have a cow, but I want to know what people think who have owned both brands. I realize a huge difference can exist between various models. However, overall, let's say in about the same MSRP range, would these two manufacturers be somewhat similar in overall build quality, durability, and attention to detail?
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Put it this way, I have over 5,000 knives on my site. I sell TOPS knives and I don't sell ESEE (for reasons I will not disclose) and yet I would still buy, carry and endorse ESEE knives any day of the week! buy an ESEE, you will never regret it! :)
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
How do Ka-Bar knives in 1095 compare to both ESEE and TOPS?
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They don't really. The ESEE's and TOPS come ready to roll from the box, Ka-Bar is a good starting point, on the fighters the edge should be reprofiled to start, the build is tough, not as tough as the the thru tang designs from either ESEE or TOPS, the handle is good but not as good as ESEE's or specific TOPS models.

Now if your talking the Ka-Bar made BKT's, thats a completely different story.

My experience is my own and user preference can vary so take it with a grain of salt, pick up all of em and see what fits your needs.
 
The Chef said:
Now if your talking the Ka-Bar made BKT's, thats a completely different story.

My experience is my own and user preference can vary so take it with a grain of salt, pick up all of em and see what fits your needs.
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Would you say the BKT BK9 for example has a better out of the box edge?
 
The Chef said:
They don't really. The ESEE's and TOPS come ready to roll from the box, Ka-Bar is a good starting point, on the fighters the edge should be reprofiled to start, the build is tough, not as tough as the the thru tang designs from either ESEE or TOPS, the handle is good but not as good as ESEE's or specific TOPS models.

Now if your talking the Ka-Bar made BKT's, thats a completely different story.

My experience is my own and user preference can vary so take it with a grain of salt, pick up all of em and see what fits your needs.
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The majority of TOPS designs need some edge thinning out of the box to slice well at all, but that's just the nature of the designs.
 
I own both brands.
Both are very good knives.

The TOPs have a better fit and finish than the RATs, especially on the handles.

Buy the DESIGN you want, not the brand.
 
I own both brands--both rat cutelry and tops make great knives--but I never go anywhere without my RC4.
 
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