TOPS Wilderness Guide

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europeanoutdoorsman

Joined
Feb 25, 2011
Messages
456
Hello All,
I heard there was a new bushcraft style knife to be coming out done by TOPS Knives. The name is Wilderness Guide. Does anyone know about this? If so, are there any specs or pictures of it?

Thanks!
 
Nope, I was told that the name was "Wilderness Guide" and that this is a new blade which was released this year. I also was told that it isn't on the TOPS website yet, but I asked here because there are a lot of guys here with knowledge about what happens behind the scenes (so to speak) in the knife world.
 
I just received their latest catalog Saturday and it's dated 12/10/11 and there is no mention of it. Keep us posted if you find anything out..


jwh
 
I stay away from TOPS knives. But I'll admit they use good steels and SOME of their designs (the ones that stay away from mall ninja and weird features, dot-dash-dot holes in the blade, and stuff like that) are fairly compelling. This is one of them: this looks like potentially a very useful field blade.
 
Tops makes a good product, although a little pricey if you pay list price. I have a Tops Alaskan Harpoon. So far, i love it. Just had it out fri & was prying pretty hard on it, getting into a tree that had broken off in a storm, looking for some fatwood. I had 2 hands on the handle at one point & my foot on the tree for leverage. That knife is 1/4" thick though. I think the B.O.B. (Brothers of Bushcraft) looks like the better buy. Thicker steel, pointier tip, bow drill divot & it's cheaper. But thats just mu opinion. Buy what YOU like. Post up pics & keep us posted.
 
europeanoutdoorsman said:
Hello All,
I heard there was a new bushcraft style knife to be coming out done by TOPS Knives. The name is Wilderness Guide. Does anyone know about this? If so, are there any specs or pictures of it?

Thanks!
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It's not my usual style of knife, but I got one for a kit I am putting together for a friend of mine who is moving to Taos New Mexico and plans to explore the Santa Fe National Forest. Personally I like heavier made TOPS knives like the Dawn Warrior, DART, and a few others I have, but Brittany is only like 5'-4” and about 110 pounds so I was looking for something that would be light but still tough and I have come to trust TOPS' knives for toughness. It's a gift so I haven't tried to kill it or anything but I have played around with it in use some. It's not a big knife, it has a 1/8” thick by 4 inch long 1095 steel blade. It has a fairly high grind and the one I have came with an extremely sharp edge. I have used this one to do and make various things and the handle is actually comfortable to me even in periods of extended use. It's a great little slicer, and works good on a cutting board for food prep. I have made two-stick hearth boards with it and whittled out a few trap triggers. I think it handles well, and I love the style of sheath it comes with. Here are a few pics I took of it, I am working on a review of it.

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HardTripper said:
Wow that looks like an awful knife, please dont buy it...
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This statement reminds me of my ex wife. She never could understand how anyone in the world could like something she disliked, and gave advice just like this, and based on about as much information, all the time.
 
Thanks for the review Mistwalker. I always enjoy your honest opinions on things.
I have looked at TOPS for a while just never found the one I had to have. This looks like a good one!
Oh and I also like the saber grind on such a broad blade that is also thin. Look like a winner!
 
RUNIT said:
Thanks for the review Mistwalker. I always enjoy your honest opinions on things.
I have looked at TOPS for a while just never found the one I had to have. This looks like a good one!
Oh and I also like the saber grind on such a broad blade that is also thin. Look like a winner!
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Thanks, not an actual review yet, I think the review file has something like 50 photos and counting. As I said it's not my usual, many who know me here know I have a personal hang up on sharper tips and thicker blades, but I have noticed where TOPS is doing some higher grinds that have caught my eye. I got this one with specific uses: camp crafts, food prep, and general wilderness utility, a good grip in adverse conditions, all while being lighter than anything I had on hand. I've noticed over time that several opinions have been expressed about wishing TOPS would do some thinner knives with higher grinds so I planned on doing a review of it before sending it on it's way with a friend. It really does handle well, and really is one heck of a slicer. It's light and doesn't fatigue the wrist in long term use, and it doesn't feel heavy attached to a water bottle carrier. I think, from my tests, that it's perfect for the intended uses. I'll post a link to the actual review in this thread once it's up. I've probably tested it all I need to, I can just sometimes get carried away. I'll go ahead and post what I have today, it's lunch time anyway :)
 
For the love of god could somebody please teach the guys at Tops even a wee bit of grammar? I'm not a grammar nazi at all but damn, a little bit of understanding on how to put a sentence together would be nice.:rolleyes:
 
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Shotgun said:
For the love of god could somebody please teach the guys at Tops even a wee bit of grammar? I'm not a grammar nazi at all but damn, a little bit of understanding on how to put a sentence together would be nice.:rolleyes:
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Lol, at least that's a different complaint for once. I wasn't even sure if anyone around here actual read the back stories or not. I think it has gotten better over the years.

The review is up. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/951142-TOPS-Wilderness-Guide
 
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