TOPS Silent Hero or BK7

cz9r · Apr 30, 2015

I'm debating a TOPS Silent Hero or a BK7 as a knife small and light enough to carry around camp but that can still chop and baton.

I came across this post of the Silent Hero's blade bending during batoning: http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php/132548-Tops-Silent-Hero/page2 Any thoughts on that? It was the only negative feedback i could find on the SH. TOPS said they've had only 1 report of this happening and the guy was hitting the knife w an ax through a knot.

Looking for feedback as I consider my purchase.

I'd put TKC scales on my BK7 because I know they fit my hands better, which brings the combined price not so far from the SH.

Thanks!!

Noswad0208 · Apr 30, 2015

IMO, the BK7, but I may be biased.

If you do decide on a 7, try the stock scales first, they're perfect (again, IMO) to the point I couldn't justify spending money on aftermarket scales.

cz9r · Apr 30, 2015

Thanks man. I have a BK9 I love and use often. I can use the stock scales but TKC scales fit my small hands better.

rustyrazor · Apr 30, 2015

don't usually say this, but for once I'd likely by the tops myself... it's one of their few designs i like. i am not a fan of the bulky handles on the BK7 but i have small little girl hands so i guess i'm in the minority perhaps.

TravisH · Apr 30, 2015

Not the BK7 but the BK12 Doug Ritter RSK Mk2 Perseverance

http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk2perseverance.aspx#.VUJgYCFVhBc

I didn't find the TKC scales that much of an improvement over the standard scales. I prefer the Micarta over the TKC. BUT, try the standard scales first. Maybe hit them with a little sandpaper or stippling. A light sanding with 100grit was good enough for me.

Jamesh Bond · Apr 30, 2015

BK7 or Ritter.

cz9r · May 1, 2015

TravisH that Ritter blade's purty does it perform any different than the regular blade for you?

chris.whitehurst · Apr 10, 2016

The Tops Silent Hero is a much better blade IMO. I also have the BK 7 which I do like but I have just never understood the hype over this knife. It is cheaply made and the handles in true BK fashion just feel too thick in the hand. I agree that the handle feels a little small with the Silent Hero but it helps when doing smaller cutting tasks but still more than capable of chopping if necessary.

Jay4108 · Feb 6, 2018

I'm sorry for posting on such an old thread but I would highly recommend the Silent Hero. This is one knife that I'll never get rid of. I had a BK7 and traded it a while back. I didn't feel any regrets either. It's a great knife also but doesn't compare to the TOPS imo.