Tops steel eagle for survival?

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Megadavric

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Is there any consensus on the tops steel eagle series for survival knives? Specifically the 107c which has the 7" carbon steel Blade and saw back.
 
Pssst. It isn't really the knife, it's really your experience and knowledge of outdoor survival skills that will save you.
 
I have the 107E without the saw back.
There is nothing wrong with it for a survival blade as long as carrying the weight is not an issue.
 
cwl, that was a classic non answer to a clear opinion question and that is understood but having a good knife cant hurt right?

Thanks for the response Ranger. Is that your ideal or what would be your go to? If not multiple.
 
If you define what you mean by "survival," that might help us answer your question. "Survival" has about as much meaning as "tactical."
 
Marcinek, thank you for the positive dialog. I would prefer to rephrase the question rather than defining a word that is admittedly over used. If you were space and weight limited as if carrying everything you thought you might need to survive in Colorado for an indefinite period of time, would you carry with you the knife mentioned above or would you prefer to have something else or perhaps 2 other tools to acomplesh the goals that you may need to in that situation? Is that better?
 
Sometime ago I had a chance to hold said knife at a store that carried them. The knife for its size (blade length) was quite heavy for other similarly sized knives. Also the handle was quite thick and hand filling, if my memory serves me correctly, think Desert Eagle in .50AE. While it didn't bother me nonetheless for others it may. That's the extent of my limited experience with this knife.

Hope you find what your looking and enjoy!
 
Megadavric said:
Marcinek, thank you for the positive dialog. I would prefer to rephrase the question rather than defining a word that is admittedly over used. If you were space and weight limited as if carrying everything you thought you might need to survive in Colorado for an indefinite period of time, would you carry with you the knife mentioned above or would you prefer to have something else or perhaps 2 other tools to acomplesh the goals that you may need to in that situation? Is that better?
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An indefinite period of time? Like you are planning to go "off the grid"? Or your SHTF scenario involves going into the woods? (I'm not sure why so many peoples' survival plans involve leaving home where all their stuff is, and going into the woods....)

But I'll play.

I'd bring an axe, a fixed knife that slices things, and a multitool.

I wouldn't bring a sharpened pry-bar design mish-mash sawback like that Tops on a bet.

I might bring it if "survival" meant driving out to woods with a trunk full of beer and smashing the bejeebus outta stuff within 25 yards of the car.
 
Thank you for playing along marcinek. I had a feeling that sentiment might exist about that slab of steel. Which cutlery would you carry by brands and models? Leatherman, gerber, ESEE, falkniven, custom etc? Remember weight is a concern because you have to carry it and anything else you might need.
 
In my opinion the only way you'll figure out what "survival" knife best fits your needs is by trying them out. Its a costly process but its fun!

My ideal survival tools are an ESEE 3, Bahco folding saw, and Victorinox Trekker SAK. I have a lot of bigger knives that i love, but when paired with the SAK and saw a large blade doesnt do much more than the ESEE 3.
 
A survival knife can be as simple as the knife that you have with you, that gets you out of a tough situation. The question was about a the TOPS Steel Eagle and it's role as a survival knife. I agree that the weight may be a problem, and I'm not too wild about the saw back. That's only my opinion, but it's up to you to decide. Tops has a good line of quality knives. You're looking in the right direction.
 
These have a certain appeal. Swamp Rat Rodent 4, satin finish and red/black G10 slabs.
Better keep this one oiled. ;)
Coated version here.

Pokey1 said:
Here are a couple of knife models that will be offered in the BladeShowGanzaaaaaa!!

Satin Finish Rodent 4 with Red/Black G10
SatinFinishRodent4withRedBlackG10Handles.jpg
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Megadavric said:
Thank you for playing along marcinek. I had a feeling that sentiment might exist about that slab of steel. Which cutlery would you carry by brands and models? Leatherman, gerber, ESEE, falkniven, custom etc? Remember weight is a concern because you have to carry it and anything else you might need.
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What have you used in your previous visits to the woods? What did you like/dislike about the knives you used?
 
I like to use the different grinds for different things. Like my para 2 has a full flat grind that works awesome for cutting fruit, then I got an Endura in full serrated that is a saber grind for if I want to saw and cut at the same time (it was a good experiment). Then the machetes are thin, but some of em' I hear you can still baton with. The weird thing about knives is that there are a lot of differences.
 
It's a big, heavy, solid knife. Great company and they know 1095.
It's not like you are gonna hurt the thing too easily.
If you like it, go for it.
 
For me, I would go with a ~9" folding saw like the bahco laplander or Silky Saw, which is lighter and takes less energy than an axe/hatchet. It will also work several time better than the back of that knife. As for a knife, I prefer something uncoated without the saw back for two reasons. 1: trying to baton with a saw back, will destroy your baton about as quickly as the piece of wood your trying to split. 2: That way I can use the spine of the blade on my ferro rod for fire without sacrificing part of the edge or needing to carry and extra item to use as a striker. I'd probably also pick something smaller like a 4-5" blade, since the saw will take care of anything you'd need a bigger blade for. I'd also prefer something in a FFG or full Convex due to its better cutting ability, I have a feeling a thick saber grind like that would be difficult for wood working unless it was chopping/pounding through wood as opposed to what you would want for trap making, and making other useful items. I've also found for a steel, that I like CPM-3V for fixed blades, this will provide you with much better edge holding, much much better toughness, and a bit more rust resistance compared to 1095. Some option I might choose from are the BRKT Bravo-1 in CPM-3V, a Koster Bushmaster in 3V, or have a nice custom made to your specifications, with a steel that you prefer (maybe go with something like CPM-10V if toughness isn't as important be outstanding edge holding is, or a stainless if thats more important, or if you want the absolute toughest knife you can get, go with something like S7 or H13 at the sacrifice of edge holding) Here's a pic of my Koster Bushmaster in 3V and a custom from a maker here in CPM-10V, both cost less than $200.
IMG_2401.jpg
 
marcinek said:
What have you used in your previous visits to the woods? What did you like/dislike about the knives you used?
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Ain't it weird how so many people don't ask themself that?
C'mon people, if you want to know what would be a good knife for "survival" in the woods, how about you go into the woods with some knives and test them out?
It ain't rocket science, and it ain't something that the internet can really tell you either...but a couple of days in the woods will.:)
 
For a 7 inch carbon steel blade, look at the Becker BK7. You could do a lot worse.
I've been collecting knives since I was a kid. I've owned most of what's out there. I've never owned a TOPS knife. Mainly because they appear to be overpriced.
Even when I was in my "chopper" phase, I ignored the TOPS Armageddon.
For a 7 inch blade I'd choose the Becker. The Cold Steel Recon Scout is good too. Thicker blade. Or the standard Kabar USMC.
 
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