TOPS Scalpel. Any opinions?

flyingmonkey

flyingmonkey

Joined
Nov 6, 2001
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Any opinions on the TOPS Scalpel?...thinking about getting one for a neck knife.
How does it fare as far as quality, ease of use, etc.
Thanks in advance.
FM.
 
I didn't like it.1/4 inch thick blade stock is just too thick for such a small blade IMO.It was heavy,printed bad under a T-shirt,and had poor geometry for utility work.It was well constructed though.I don't see how a person could break it.I gave mine to my father.It has taken up permanent residence in his sock drawer.
troy
 
The Street Scalpel is one tough little SOB of a knife!! I thoroughly recommend it! As far as utility use, I have never had any problem cutting ANYTHING with it. That being said, I don't think it was intended as a "utility" knife exactly - hence the name. It is easy to resharpen and takes an absolutely wicked edge. It is very thick (1/4") for a knife of it's size.

I have worn mine as a neck knife, and like was mentioned before, it does print big time. It also feels damned heavy for a neck knife. I had to get my belt sheath worked on so I wore it as a neck knife for 2 weeks and it was NOT pleasant. If you jump, it will fly out of the sheath onto the ground. (hopefully missing your toes!)

I beat the holy crap out of mine all the time and it is scuffed and marked with battle scars, but is still as tough and functional as ever. I think it is one heck of a hideout self defense knife. The bottom line is that you can use it to cut everyday stuff, but I think it was really meant to be a down and dirty self defense knife.

I carry mine in a reverse draw belt sheath because I really think it's too heavy to carry as a neck knife. Before you think it just feels heavy as a neck knife because I'm a small guy - I am 6'2" tall and weigh 220 pounds... It's still heavy!!

If you can get one for a good price I'd say go for it!
 
I could not hold the scalpel in a comfortable grip. The Seawolf on the other hand was a well-balanced and comfortable knife. Just needs an aftermarket sheath.....wolf
 
TOPS recently changed the steel from 1095 to "surgical stainless junk". You may want to make sure you get an old one, because a sharpened prybar that doesn't even hold a decent edge is by all means pointless, imho.
 
Awwww Damn! Nightwind, when did they change from the 1095? That sucks! I'd try to get an old one for sure. 1095 really takes a great edge.

wolfmann601, I agree about the Seawolf. Compared to one of those the street scalpel is really just a thick, fancy shank. The Seawolf is really nice though. I've got one on my wish list!
 
I have one....hint hint.......I picked one up from FrankCastle at the MA show. It was one of the Limited editions in blue/green G-10. SN #XX. I thought it looked very pretty, then I picked it up and Man was it comfortable. I am also pretty certain it IS 1095, but I hope FrankCastle (Pat) posts and tells us.......;) wolf
 
Originally posted by wolfmann601
I have one....hint hint.......I picked one up from FrankCastle at the MA show. It was one of the Limited editions in blue/green G-10. SN #XX. I thought it looked very pretty, then I picked it up and Man was it comfortable. I am also pretty certain it IS 1095, but I hope FrankCastle AKA (Pat) posts and tells us.......;) wolf
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Hey Wolfmann,

You must have forgot when I told you at the show. The Sea Wolf is 154 cm steel. River city sheaths can hook you up with a nice custom rig. Give me an email. Unless thats yours in the shop with Mike S right now?

I'm not sure about the Scalpel changing to 1095 to surgical steel. It may be a mistake on the website. They just came out with a few smaller blades made of 154cm also. The Cal-cutta and the Cockpit commander. The scalpel is a nice little knife. I'll get back to you on the facts.

The cord wrap handle is a little thinner. Not just because of the handle material, but the handle itself is thinner. It is larger than a lot of hide out neck knives. It is a hard knife to keep from printing under the shirt. So if thats what your concern is I'd go for a La Griffe. Small, flat, great defensive last ditch tool. (I hate to say it, but) if your trying to keep the price in the scalpel range SW made a Lagriffe knock off. On the other hand, the scalpel is a nice discreet carry in IWB.
 
thats RIGHT PAT!!!!! It is 154-CM. I meant simply to post and say it was made of QUALITY steel, not junk steel as posted. It is ONE SUPER knife.
I am NOT looking to trade it because I do not like it. I am looking to trade it because it is too nice a knife to just sit in my safe!!!!!

Sorry Pat...I do remember you clearly commenting on the quality steel. MY APOLOGIES.....:( :o :o :( ;) wolf
 
Frank: I believe TOPS is making the Scalpel both ways (1095 and stainless). I have one of the first stainless scalpels that TOPS made about 2 years ago.

Hope the MA show went well for you. I missed it. I was in Emerson Hospital getting my appendix removed! Ouch.
 
Just got off the phone with Mike Fuller, owner of TOPS. He said the knife is, in fact, 440C -- the good stuff. So, it ain't junk...

Just so y'all know,

Brian.
 
i love mine. carry it in my waistband in the small of my back. simply a great SOLID backup. i use it for all the stuff i don't use my Mnandi for. get one.
 
Originally posted by jayharley
Frank: I believe TOPS is making the Scalpel both ways (1095 and stainless). I have one of the first stainless scalpels that TOPS made about 2 years ago.

Hope the MA show went well for you. I missed it. I was in Emerson Hospital getting my appendix removed! Ouch.
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Hi Jay,

Sorry to see you had to go "under the knife" Hope the doc used only the finest blade materials in the scalpel he used on you :) hehe.

So yes, well it seems they have changed gears to 440C thanks Brian.
 
The Scalpel is a tough, well-made little blade. It's way too heavy for neck carry, at least for me--very uncomfortable.

I prefer the cord wrap version over the Micarta version--the latter is too slippery. The only real gripe is the sheath, which has insufficient retention to carry the knife in inverted position without risking loss.

Since I won't carry mine around my neck, I sent it off to Mike Sastre for a SnapLoc sheath (more secure than his neck sheaths and meant for pack strap/PFD carry).
 
Originally posted by Frank Castle


......Unless thats yours in the shop with Mike S right now?
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No Patrick, that Seawolf in Mike's shop right now is mine! HOw did you know it was there? I can't wait to get it back. In fact I have 4 knives with Mike right now.
 
I wrote an email to tops about the scalpel some time ago, and got the answer that the knife steel had indeed been changed to "surgical stainless steel". (I thought it was a typing error). That term usually is used for cheap 420J2, to fool non knife nuts into believing that the steel is of high quality (well it's SURGICAL, must be good huh? Y'know, doctors and expensive medical equipment and all...)
Glad to hear it's 440C, which is not all too bad. Still, using mainly 1095 was what set TOPS apart from other manufacturers, imho. With the old steel, it was a production neck knife made from 1095. I liked that (stainless is the evil!). Now it's just another stainless knife like countless others. IMHO, YMMV, etc...
 
Originally posted by Kodiak PA


No Patrick, that Seawolf in Mike's shop right now is mine! HOw did you know it was there? I can't wait to get it back. In fact I have 4 knives with Mike right now.
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Hi Greg,

I have taken notice to Mikes sheaths to. We talked shop for a while & I have an order I will be getting some stuff made for to.
 
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