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Tops Knives

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bigcountry73

Joined
Feb 18, 2003
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Just wondering how many of you guys own a tops knife, which model, and what applications do you use it for. I'm think I'm going to purchase one real soon, but I'm difficulty sorting through the various models. Thanks!

Rob
 
Rob,

What do you want to use your knife for? Give me an idea of uses, and I can point you to the best models. I own several TOPS blades and have put them through their paces hard, and they are great, but most models are "purpose designed" for particular tasks.

Best,

Brian.
 
Brian,
The knife would have to be an all around good camp and survival knife. Splitting wood, continuous cutting, cleaning small game. Thanks for your help.
 
Ok -- a couple more questions:

Do you have large or small hands?

Do you like small, medium, or large blades?
 
Brian,
I have relatively small hands. I like medium sized blades (I found a 6 inche blade is a good compromise for camping/survival purposes). I appreciate your time.

Rob
 
I've got a TOPS #302 Interceptor (well, it's overseas now -- loaned it to a buddy). I loved the knife. It sounds like the Operation Badger would be an excellent choice for you.

operationbadgercweb.jpg
 
Just started a thread the other day asking for info on tops, but it's not getting many hits, so I'll jump in here. My question is essentially the same as the one which started the thread, with the added question of whether or not they make a model with a decent saw back to it. I want your basic outdoor/wilderness model, it won't be used for combat since I'm a civilian and plan to stay that way, but it may be subjected to chopping and cutting. The saw back, while not essentiall would be a very desirable addition, as I collect this style (outdoor/tac.) and don't have one with a sawback yet. Thanks for the advice.
Lagarto
 
The Badger is an excellent choice, I agree. Sorry I've been away a bit. Rob, I'll think on some other designs from TOPS you might find appealing.

The saws on the TOPS knives have been carefully researched and designed. They have the oppsoing teeth like a chainsaw -- and it actually DOES saw, unlike the grooved teeth or serrations of many models. The only thing is, if you have a quarter inch thick blade, get ready for a wide cut. That said, notching is a breeze with these things.

No -- I don't work for TOPS, but I'm a big fan of the blades, and they have served me well in real field conditions, and the owners are people of integrity I've come to know and respect to the utmost.

~B.
 
Rob,

From the more traditional TOPS products, the Mocassin Ranger is downright awesome, the Storm Rider is a nice all-around blade, too.

Also check out the ATC series here:

http://www.topsknives.com/whatsnew/newkniveswn.html

Scroll down until you see them near the bottom on the right. They are just a hair smaller than the 6" you mentioned, but are a LOT of knife. Something with a nice curved belly from this series would do everything you mentioned, and then some. You could use a baton in the woods and beat the spine to drive it trhough wood for splitting, and they wouldn't bat an eye. I personally love the Lobo and the Solo, with the Solo taking a slight lead. However, it's not as big a blade as you mentioned.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Brian.

PS Lagarto -- the saw backs on all TOPS blades are of the configuration I spoke of above.
 
Brian,
You seem well versed in the product line, so I have a few more questions for you. I'm considering the steel eagle, model 107C which has what looks like a recurve style blade in one picture, but in another it appears to be a standard straight blade style. Do you know which it is, recurve is much more appealing to me, and do you have any suggestions for a blade between 6 - 8 inches and $200 - $250 which might fill my wants/needs as stated above. Thanks again for the advice.
Lagarto
 
Brian,
Thanks for the advice here, and in my other posts about the Tanto vs. Clip Point blade style. I'm thinking of the Steel Eagle 111A extra heavy duty, do you know anything about this model, and when they say serrated is an option, do they mean just the first 2 - 3 inches which they show in the pictures, or is that standard and if you order the option the entire blade comes that way? Thanks again for the advice.
Lagarto
 
I own and have abused my Steel Eagle 111 in Hunters point in the woods for about two years or so now.

Awesome.

I love this blade. The optional serrations are just those couple inches near the choil. The serrations aren't like Spydercos - they are more like human teeth -- squared atthe bottom -- rough enough to make quick work of rope and materials that you need to grind through, but shaped in a way as to be easily sharpened in the field.

The 111 was taken by Ron and Karen Hood to Peru for heavy use in the jungle. You can watch a native clean and butcher a turtle with it, inclusing prying open the shell. They brought a multitude of knives with them there. The natives were enthralled and used all of them -- they live by their knives in the jungle. When all was said and done, the Chief chose the 111 as the model he wished to keep for hmself once Ron and Karen left. THAT says alot about the model and its usefulness.

The knife was originally designed to be a combo machete, axe, saw, and survival knife in one for Spec Ops troops on extended jungle trips. I've only used mine in the Northearn woods and mountain climes -- still awesome there, too. The saw teeth were heavily researched and tested by TOPS in conjunction with SEAL Team 3, DEA, and SF troops, until they had one that actually does saw. (Saws are prized by spec ops folks -- chopping is a LOT noisier when you're trying to be stealthy in the field). But the thing will chop forevr if you want to do that, too.

Tell Mike and Helene Fuller when you call that I said hello and recommend the 111 very highly.

Best,

Brian.
 
Brian,
Thanks a lot for the info, the knives pretty much sell themselves, but that was the final info I needed, I think once my tax return gets here (I just filed electronically today), that this will be the one I'll go with. Probably won't call as it is easier to just use their website, thanks again for all the great advice. Will let you know it I get one, and what I think. Having spent a week in the jungle in Ecuador I can see where this type of knife would make an excellent jungle tool. I was actually there with a guide, so not living off the land, but I could see how useful it would be were one to need to do this.
Lagarto
 
Damn. I hadn't ever seen that Anaconda Model B. I may have to get out my credit card. :grumpy:
 
Originally posted by bigcountry73
Just wondering how many of you guys own a tops knife, which model, and what applications do you use it for. I'm think I'm going to purchase one real soon, but I'm difficulty sorting through the various models. Thanks!

Rob
Click to expand...
Which tops knife did u order?
 
Cowgum,
I actually ended up ordering the smoke jumper and the prairie fox from s4supply.com. I plan on purchasing the steel eagle in the near future. So far I'm very impressed with Mike Fuller and his products.

Rob
 
Originally posted by bigcountry73
Cowgum,
I actually ended up ordering the smoke jumper and the prairie fox from s4supply.com. I plan on purchasing the steel eagle in the near future. So far I'm very impressed with Mike Fuller and his products.

Rob
Click to expand...

me too... i ordered from s4supply.com.
i ordered a 11" fire strike.
i am still waiting for the knife.
is storm rider (tanto) good?
 
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