Lots of talk about customer service and warranty, I'm not asking about one of these based on customer service or warranty. Tibo seems superior slicer, better handle length, better drop point, thinner blade. Seemingly aggressive gimping on the spine appears to be it's flaw . I Have an Izula, had to add a boxknot tail with paracord as my pinky didn't have room (which is why I need a larger handle) . Great knife overall. The thinner blade and better drop on the drop point are appealing to me on the Tibo. I love my Esee, never owned Tops. Based on the physical knife itself, is one better than the other and why?
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Tops Tibo or Esee Izula II
- Thread starter Bugiberto
- Start date
Fred Sanford
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,142
I've had both, kept the Tibo. Izula handle is too short and the blade is too thick. No need for such a thick blade in a knife this size. The Tibo has a longer handle and it is 1/8" stock so it slices better. The only thing that sucks about the Tibo is the sheath. There is no place to put your thumb to push the sheath off with one hand, so you either have to live with it, or get an aftermarket sheath made. I like the knife enough and I dislike the injection molded sheath of the Izula enough to have someone make me an aftermarket sheath for the Tibo.
You can't just buy aftermarket handles for the Tibo but that was OK with me because I am in the process of making G10 scales for it. I'll post a pic when completed.
I like the jimping much better on the Tibo. The jimping on the Izula may as well not be there. I do think TOPS and ESEE both make great products and they are made in the USA. TOPS has been stepping up their game more as of late and I really like where they are going. Right now, I like more stuff that TOPS makes.
I know this thread is a couple months old but nobody replied so I figured I would. Hope this helps.
Edit: I just realized the OP was asking about the Izula II and not the regular Izula. In that case the handle is not too short. I just don't like the rest of the stuff I said and I don't like that it comes with canvas micarta handles. I'd prefer G10 or linen micarta.
You can't just buy aftermarket handles for the Tibo but that was OK with me because I am in the process of making G10 scales for it. I'll post a pic when completed.
I like the jimping much better on the Tibo. The jimping on the Izula may as well not be there. I do think TOPS and ESEE both make great products and they are made in the USA. TOPS has been stepping up their game more as of late and I really like where they are going. Right now, I like more stuff that TOPS makes.
I know this thread is a couple months old but nobody replied so I figured I would. Hope this helps.
Edit: I just realized the OP was asking about the Izula II and not the regular Izula. In that case the handle is not too short. I just don't like the rest of the stuff I said and I don't like that it comes with canvas micarta handles. I'd prefer G10 or linen micarta.
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