Tops xc est

[Mistwalker]

very helpful and insightful review. sorry to bring up an older post, but i had posted inquiring about TOPS 440C in general, and this knife specifically. someone posted the link to this review...sweet! mistwalker or anyone else, might you be able to shed a little light on my original post from the other thread?...especially mistwalker since having possibly/hopefully continued to put this knife through some good hard use since the review.

original post:

"Hey all...something about the TOPS XcEST ALPHA really attracts me, not sure why, but it does. anyways, does anyone have input on how TOPS' 440C is? Good heat treat? Tough? Hold an edge? Stand up to abuse?...i.e. as good as what I've read of Entrek's heat treat? Any info or personal experience appreciated! Thanks!

also, if you've got input on the XcEST knife itself from personal experience i'm all ears...i recognize it's not everyone's cup of tea hence me just asking for input from those who have used the knife or at least handled it. thanks!"

thanks in advance

I cannot compare to Entrek, but TOPS has always done a great job on their heat treating. This one has been no exception there. Very tough in some rough use, held it's edge well, and easy to toch up with a ceramic rod when it started loosing it's keen edge.

 

[beestokk]

I cannot compare to Entrek, but TOPS has always done a great job on their heat treating. This one has been no exception there. Very tough in some rough use, held it's edge well, and easy to toch up with a ceramic rod when it started loosing it's keen edge.

thanks mist...i think you may have sold me. great information and thanks for the help.

 

[Handwrecker]

I can't stop looking at that knife and kit. How's it been holding up compared to some Tops or ESEE 1095 fixed blades?