Tops vs Busse which is better?

Just came across this and I won't beat it to death, I couldn't even read through everything that's been written so far. I just wanted to add my own experience.
I proudly carried a TOPS Knife for about a year. It was my pride and joy, to me it was a near perfect fixed blade design and it got compliments from everyone that saw it. One day in Iraq I decide to use it as a utility blade and chop some crates and pry apart some skimpy pine pallets. The tip broke and the edge got chewed up. I wrote (Emailed) the company telling them about the problem and never recieved a response. One of the founders of TOPS proudly claims his SEAL heritage and he didn't even answer my Email? The knife has been in a box ever since, I'd get rid of it, but it was a gift from family.

I began my search for a better blade, I'm a bit of a geek, so I got consumed in reading about all the differant brands, steels and heat treats. In fact, that's how I found this forum. I came across Swamp Rat and was wowed by there testing and mostly their warranty. The particular knife I wanted (SAR) was no longer in production, so the search (read- addiction) began. Everyone I contacted was quick to respond (within 48 hrs) and very helpful. Eric even offered to help me find one. I ended up snagging a Satin Jack Tac off the company store website to trade for a Rat and I've been a Busse fan ever since. I've yet to damage a blade. I enjoy "the Hunt" for certain knives. I like the candor on the foums. Jerry Busse has always taken the time to personally respond when I have a question for him. Jerry's contributions and patriotism are often unspoken and unadvertised, but his generosity is beyond belief.

The choice for me is simple. I carry a Busse for many reasons, I'm not articulate enough to explain all of them, but I stand by my choice.

In fact, I have a "Mole Jack" Knife on the way and I'll be glad to put it up against a similar TOPs knife for testing. I'm not sure of all the specs on the Mole Jack yet, but I'm sure if there is a comparable TOPs knife, it will best it. We can give the knives to an agreeable neutral third party to test and they can post the results. I only offer the Mole Jack because I haven't had a chance to become attached to it yet and have a couple of similar knives. There are certainly more "Heavy Duty" Busse's out there, but this will be a good test of the lighter versions.

So, any takers?
 
winmagfrog said:
Just came across this and I won't beat it to death, I couldn't even read through everything that's been written so far. I just wanted to add my own experience.
I proudly carried a TOPS Knife for about a year. It was my pride and joy, to me it was a near perfect fixed blade design and it got compliments from everyone that saw it. One day in Iraq I decide to use it as a utility blade and chop some crates and pry apart some skimpy pine pallets. The tip broke and the edge got chewed up. I wrote (Emailed) the company telling them about the problem and never recieved a response. One of the founders of TOPS proudly claims his SEAL heritage and he didn't even answer my Email? The knife has been in a box ever since, I'd get rid of it, but it was a gift from family.

I began my search for a better blade, I'm a bit of a geek, so I got consumed in reading about all the differant brands, steels and heat treats. In fact, that's how I found this forum. I came across Swamp Rat and was wowed by there testing and mostly their warranty. The particular knife I wanted (SAR) was no longer in production, so the search (read- addiction) began. Everyone I contacted was quick to respond (within 48 hrs) and very helpful. Eric even offered to help me find one. I ended up snagging a Satin Jack Tac off the company store website to trade for a Rat and I've been a Busse fan ever since. I've yet to damage a blade. I enjoy "the Hunt" for certain knives. I like the candor on the foums. Jerry Busse has always taken the time to personally respond when I have a question for him. Jerry's contributions and patriotism are often unspoken and unadvertised, but his generosity is beyond belief.

The choice for me is simple. I carry a Busse for many reasons, I'm not articulate enough to explain all of them, but I stand by my choice.

In fact, I have a "Mole Jack" Knife on the way and I'll be glad to put it up against a similar TOPs knife for testing. I'm not sure of all the specs on the Mole Jack yet, but I'm sure if there is a comparable TOPs knife, it will best it. We can give the knives to an agreeable neutral third party to test and they can post the results. I only offer the Mole Jack because I haven't had a chance to become attached to it yet and have a couple of similar knives. There are certainly more "Heavy Duty" Busse's out there, but this will be a good test of the lighter versions.

So, any takers?
Click to expand...

I have a tops tracker and could compare them with viciously rediculous tasks...but id feel bad abusing a busse. lol. I can probably already tell you which works better ;)
 
winmagfrog said:
In fact, I have a "Mole Jack" Knife on the way and I'll be glad to put it up against a similar TOPs knife for testing. I'm not sure of all the specs on the Mole Jack yet, but I'm sure if there is a comparable TOPs knife.

So, any takers?
Click to expand...

Note that I said "Similar knives". I believe the Tracker would have about a 1 pound advantage over the Jack :eek: . Not quite a fair comparison. I was actualy given a Tracker recently as a gift. It is what it is, if that makes sense. If I was going to be stranded in the woods with one tool only, I would seriously consider taking it along.;)
 
brianNH said:
Oh come on, just say it. You're not usually one to be bashful :D
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Alright, fine, but ONLY because you twisted my arm!...
The whole "self regulation" thing has gone too far IMO. If you don't agree what someone says, at least be nice about it. I think there's been too much ganging up on folks like me and Peter La lately, and there has been quite a bit of retorical rudeness. We're only human, and stuff happens. If you want us to be nice, set a good example, don't try to act like a screaming soccer parent!
I once read a really good book called "Good Omens" (a humorous look at the apocalyse!, I recommend it) That describes certain Angels as smiting a bit harder than what is actually required, because they enjoyed it. The current state of things on the Busse forums reminded me of that statement.
 
winmagfrog said:
Note that I said "Similar knives". I believe the Tracker would have about a 1 pound advantage over the Jack :eek: . Not quite a fair comparison. I was actualy given a Tracker recently as a gift. It is what it is, if that makes sense. If I was going to be stranded in the woods with one tool only, I would seriously consider taking it along.;)
Click to expand...


excellent point, there is definetly a weight difference, but i dont have any other tops knives, so didnt have anything else to compare it to ;) Trackers are nice, definetly, and they would be a great tool to have if outdoors for long period of time with only one tool... but i wouldnt compare them to Busse's

(please remember i like both knives. lol)
 
darkestthicket said:
I have a tops tracker and could compare them with viciously rediculous tasks...but id feel bad abusing a busse. lol. I can probably already tell you which works better ;)
Click to expand...
You could possibly try a Paul's Hatchet.
BTW... Don't forget TOPS uses a few different steels, but here's the kicker....
I've noticed that their heavy duty knives have very obtuse blade angles, so there is a pretty good chance that it might actually out perform a Busse in chopping, but what about in cutting?
You can test and test and test all day, but make sure you're testing apples with apples. Pretty hard to do, unless both companies make an IDENTICAL knife with their respective steels.
 
im going to go with a tops knife. just because busse is so hard to navigate thru their webpage and their knives our very expensive. but i have to mention their new war boar, that knife caught my eye and it looks very intimidating and a good defensive blade, with upward cuts and slashes as well as a peircing downward chop. but then again the tops armagedon is basically a short sword. it just depends on what your using them for. but either company looks great
 
darkestthicket said:
i seriously doubt that the tracker would outperform it in cutting.
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You know..... Maybe it could.... but it would still be like apples and oranges. I understand the bottom grind is thinner, and the Busse would probably be somewhere in between. This is PURE speculation on my part though!
 
Gentlemen

I have tested both the Tracker and other TOPS knives and also some Busse knives, Like the mighty HOFSH LE.

If I where to compare the Tracker to the HOFSH and pick a knife I would pick BUSSE any day of the week. The Tracker did not hold an edge very well. Both knives are heavy and not good for smaller jobs, so bring a folder or smaller knife to. For chopping the Busse is better then the tracker and the Saw back on the tracker is not very good, Maybe the Original Dave Back is better then the TOPS, I never tested that knife, but the saw back on that knife looks better to me.

Here are some of the pictures from the Tracker test and also some from the Busse test.


Cheers,

André

Trackerogaxe.jpg


Trackerogsteg.jpg


Trackerroast.jpg


Choptesttwo8.jpg


Choptesttwo9.jpg
 
Walking Man said:
I've noticed that their heavy duty knives have very obtuse blade angles, so there is a pretty good chance that it might actually out perform a Busse in chopping, but what about in cutting?
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Chopping is just dynamic cutting and also requires minimal cross section to perform well. Over thick edges and primary grinds don't make for good choppers unless the wood is really soft and binding, not penetration, is the major concern.

Jeffery, nice work, did you see any benefit to the dual grind on the TOP's Tracker for shaping woods?


-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Chopping is just dynamic cutting and also requires minimal cross section to perform well. Over thick edges and primary grinds don't make for good choppers unless the wood is really soft and binding, not penetration, is the major concern.

Jeffery, nice work, did you see any benefit to the dual grind on the TOP's Tracker for shaping woods?


-Cliff
Click to expand...

Cliff

The cutting blade on the Tracker is OK but nothing special. The knife is still clumsy for fine wood cutting. I see no advantage in this strange design, then again I might not get it :D after all I am not Tom Brown. I read the booklet that comes with the Tracker and think that the jobs shown can be done with a conventional knife just as good.

I sold my Tracker;)

Cheers,

André
 
500jefferyDK said:
I see no advantage in this strange design ...
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That is about how I see it as well. I have note used that exact knife but have similar and knives having those attributes, though not all at once. I prefer a simpler and cleaner design. Much more versatile and easy to maintain.

-Cliff
 
I have had the pleasure of owning a TOPS tracker and currently a Busse BM-E. Different designs I know, however, in my experience the BM-E was by far the better chopper. But I feel the Tracker is a great knife overall.
 
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