TOPS Knives

J

John79

Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
225
Are they any good? I'll be getting a good sum of money around November and I have been looking at that Steel Eagle with the tanto point. Does anyone here have any experience with this knife? Thanks.
 
I don't have that model but I have another and it has served me very well.
I have had the knife since 1998 when I first went to Fort Benning and it went through a tour in Iraq and a bunch of training. The sheath is suffering slightly but it is still functional and holding together.
 
They're not bad knives at all, but I think you could do better for the money.
 
I love my TOPS...I own 4 of them and waiting for a Sudden Impact that I bought Sunday....+1
 
I love their designs. I always check out their site when considering a new knife. Although, when it comes down to the purchase, I never got there. I can usually buy two knives with a higher or comparable quality steel for the same money.

But they have some good looking styles.
 
I like their Wolf Pup, the Cochise (I think it is) and their Black Rhino. Only problems are:
1 - As others have said, they're expensive;
2 - The primary grind starts way too low on the blade, making for (what appears to me anyway to be) a very obtuse edge. On a 1/4" thick blade, I think the grind should start closer to the spine.
 
I also have always liked the steel eagle model. Looks like a good chopper. The blade is carbon steel (1095, which from what I have heard makes a good knife).

I am not entirely convinced that the saw teeth are my cup of tea (but if you needed to saw something........).

This knife is $212 on www.saveonswordsandknives.com (do a check on here to make sure they are a good site).

200 bucks for a knife that size with good steel, and micarta handles and a decent sheath does not seem too expensive to me.
 
rifon2 said:
+1 on this.
I think they are excellent knives in fact, but I do think you can do better for the money.

And I have 7 TOPS knives; I like them.
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Thomas Linton said:
No! Really? :D
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Well, I guess if I really liked them I'd have more. :)

One of them is a Browning which TOPS manufactured, the FDX1.
It's a very overbuilt, very impressive knife.

Yeah, I like TOPS knives.
I just think their prices are a little crazy.
 
rifon2 said:
Well, I guess if I really liked them I'd have more. :)

One of them is a Browning which TOPS manufactured, the FDX1.
It's a very overbuilt, very impressive knife.

Yeah, I like TOPS knives.
I just think their prices are a little crazy.
Click to expand...

A lot of people think that TOPS knives are over priced.

Many Forumites, some who even know what they are talking about, concur.

They are very good knives, made of high quality, if not the "buzzword" materials. I do vastly prefer the fixed to the folding models.

Edge angles are always a bone of contention, I find their edges to be on par with Busse, which means, to me, that some angle changing/grinding may be in order depending upon use requirements.

TOPS pays their employees a very fair wage, pays royalties to custom makers and spends a lot on marketing. They, for the vast majority of models, are made in the United States.

All these things cost money, and the prices are reflected by that fact.

It is up to the individual consumer to determine what cost is fair for a quality product made in America by skilled Americans, who get paid fairly, and enjoy their jobs.

I know all of this because I am friends with the owner of TOPS, and have met quite a few of his employees.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have 2 that I like a lot. A discontinued Recon Rover and a little Ferret neck knife. They are well made and durable. I just think they put out to many similar models. If you find one you like a lot I say go for it. They are well made and durable.


IMG_1734.jpg
 
One of TOPS best models IMHO is their Pasayten model...154CM and a nice thin, flat grind...excellent camp knife.

I have the Steel Eagle (107E) model with the "hunter's" point nad the large Anaconda. I like both, but as already noted they have a very steep saber grind. Not much of a slicer but a good blade for digging, chopping, battoning, etc.

I also own a few of their smaller blades, Sparrow Hawke and the Ferret.

Solid knives, stout build; and as already mentioned, they have a lot of custom designers' input and do make their blades in the USA. That does cost more and for most part, I don't disagree with their prices. If you like the design and it works for you, than it's worth it.

ROCK6
 
i bought condor alert (9 1/2" blade). handle too short for me. should have baught another busse! all in all good knife (chopper).
 
The 2 I have are nice solid knives. Overall fit&finish very good, steel:1095.
The kydex sheath of the rangers edge could have been nicer, but it's functional. Here's a pic (I like showing off my knives :D)

Picture068.jpg
 
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