TOPS Knives

mogmz

mogmz

Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
977
With their large selection of knives out, it seems like I dont see/hear much about TOPS. I was at their site and seen a couple Rinaldi designed blades that look very nice as well as some others. It looks like they use 1095 for most of their line, with an RC of 58.

What your overall opinion on TOPS quality/performance? Is there a main forum they have somewhere else that I'm missing?
 
Interesting. I spent about an hour digging around their WebSite last night. Many with very intriguing lines and grinds. I went away wondering pretty much the same thing.

They will have a booth / table at the Florida Fairgrounds in Tampa on the 16th & 17th. Time for some 'hands on.' :)
 
Eric,
I agree with you. I'm a huge TOPS fan and have a bunch of their knives. They make many different and functional designs that I think are great. The bigger guys are 1/4" thick and the BTC is tough as nails. I only got into TOPS fairly recently with a clip point Interceptor and was blown away with the fit and finish, edge bevel, micarta slabs, and the whole package in general. The rest is history.

It seems like TOPS guys seem to keep to themselves... I haven't been able to find a TOPS forum anywhere. They sell a lot of stuff, so someone seems to like it! :D

Customer service has been great in my experience. I have an Anaconda 9 in with them to be completely re-coated for only $5! The retail on their stuff is kind of high in the grand scheme of things, but in my opinion, it's worth it. Start out with something small (If you're going to base your decision on something make it on 1095 only! I think that the newer surgical steel stuff is sub-par. I have one and don't care for it) I have a great guy that I deal with that stocks many TOPS items. Email me if your interested in a TOP-Notch TOPS Dealer. (pretty funny, huh?):D
out,
Cris
 
I've had two TOPS knives. The first was the 711 Magnum folding tanto. It was a very large folder but I don't like sheaths so I traded it off.

As a present to myself last fall I bought the 11 inch Steel Eagle. The knife is very impressive. It weights much more than my Trailmaster and it came razor sharp. I ordered it directly from TOPS and the knife came with a note thanking me for choosing their product. I was sold. TOPS makes a great (tough) no non-scense kind of knife.
 
Interesting product line.

Some of their more "extreme" designs look as though they would be more effective movie props than working tools, but the simpler designs seem quite nice.

I would like to know a bit more about their production methods, as the prices seem very high for production 1095 blades with composite handle slabs.

Is there anything special about these knives that would justify the MSRP?
 
I definitely wouldn't call them custom but I wouldn't call them production either... They are handcrafted onsite in Idaho. The designs defintely fill a real world tactical/outdoors niche. I know of many Armed Services Folks who are TOPS fans because they are simple, TOUGH, and also unique. I have yet to read a review that has any issues with any aspect of these knives. They're not fancy, but the BTC has been called the best by a couple of high end knifemakers including Trace Rinaldi. Their linen micarta slabs are comfortable, durable, and nice to look at. The warranty is great. I have used my tanto tips to open cans, dig, and hog out wood with no adverse effects to the steel and it's shape. Chopping hardwood including studs for kindling had no effect on the edge. Their Kydex is sturdy, though I'd like to see some options to the spring steel clips... Here again, they seem spendy, but there are several places that will deal from less than retail.
Cris
 
Overpriced and overrated, IMHO. I once got a small TOPS knife in trade with a forumite here, only to find a gap between the handle material and the tang big enough for daylight to pass through. Gave the knife to a friend of mine, as I wouldn't/couldn't sell or trade the knife to anybody and still keep my peace of mind.

I like 1095 as a steel, but being a simple carbon steel, I don't see that these knives are anything special and certainly not worth their asking prices. Again, this is only my opinion.
 
I have 5 different TOPs knives and I really like them all. Some of them do seem a bit pricey, but others seem to be very well priced. The quality seeps to be really great.

Only one of mine is a folder, and it is one of the very first Magnums that they made. Very cool and tough folder.
 
Danbo,
It's too bad one bad experience ruined it for you. One klinker shouldn't place a manufacturer as overrated. Any manufacturer of any product can turn out klinkers on occasion. You didn't mention what you had, but I'm not crazy about the small ones either, especially the surgical steel models. Except-- I bought a small Cheetah from a forumite that's perfect in every way and holds a fabulous edge (but that model is no longer available in 1095 either.) :D I have 10 (mostly) big TOPS knives and they're all top notch. 1095 is a simple carbon steel yet the proper heat treat can brew an awesome blade. Maybe anyone wanting a run at one of these blades should start a TOPS passaround to help see if they're worth it?
Cris
 
Maybe my first post sounded a little too much like a TOPS bashing session. Didn't mean it that way. My intention was only to make the point that, for the prices being asked, TOPS could use something like CPM3V. Now, that would be a great knife. Imagine the big TOPS/Rinaldi in 3V. :)
 
$200.00 - $300.00 for a large knife? INFI prices for 1095? Admittedly, more nicely made than Busse. You can buy credible custom knives for this money including names like Dozier and master smith Murray Carter.
 
Good knives. Well made. Tough as hell. If you can spare the cash, buy one.
 
I mentioned earlier that I had sent my Anaconda in for a refurb... I sent it in pretty beat up with essentially no coating on the blade (was stripped.)

I just got it back and it's LIKE BRAND NEW for only $5 and the cost to return ship!! It showed up beautifully PACKAGED as brand new with new screws in the handle, the micarta was freshened up, the sheath was spruced up, the edge was reground and shiny and sharp as ever, and there was a lanyard included on the grip. There was a handwritten note from Mike and Helen Fuller along with a little bottle of protectant and care and feeding instructions. All this in a timely fashion.

OVERPRICED!?!?! :D I just got a BRAND NEW knife for $5! :D :D

I hope nobody else starts buying their blades, because it'll only slow down my refurbs. :D :D

I can only say that The Fabulous Mr. Joe Houser has been the only entity to equal this type of customer service in my many experiences of "Knifedom."

out,
Cris
 
That's impressive Cris and it certainly speaks well for TOPS.
I admit that enhances the value of these knives.
 
Glad you were happy with your "new" knife Cris, Mike considers an investment in a TOPS Knife to be a lifetime one and is glad to be of service after the sell as well. Sorry you were not satisfied Danbo, but I know if you had called Mike or Helen they would have made it right, no questions asked. As for "new steels", Trace and Rob are working on Mike and some of the new styles will be offered in S30V as soon as arrangements can be made with Paul Bos for heat treating. He currently does the 154CM and other "specialty" steels for TOPS. BTW: If you like big folders, you will really like the new Ghost Rider Series!
 
they have some nice designs, but at near those prices you can get a hand-made Fehrman knife in indestructible 1/4" CPM 3V, with the cushioned micarta handles and a lifetime waranty. Compare at www.fehrmanknives.com
 
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nedlip said:
TOPS Knives are not production knives. They are handmade.
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What does they are handmade mean? There is no blanking, all grinding is done by hand (no waterjet / CNC, though you assume power tools) and each blade is given individual (non-production) heat treatment and that there are no production methods of any kind used such as for example one person sitting at a bench who just sharpens blades all day long, or another person who assembles the handles, and so on.

When you are getting high quality...is price really an issue?
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That depends on what else is on the market same as everything else. You judge a product by the competition. Compare the tops blades to the Micarta Swamp Rats with SR101 with a differential heat treatment and greater warrenty coverage. Now present an arguement for the pretty much double price.

-Cliff
 
nedlip said:
TOPS Knives for Sale
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nedlip, you might want to cool it on the "for sale" part. Although you can get a dealer membership and sell in the appropriate forums... :thumbup:
 
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