TOPs XcEST ALPHA

I never understood why people like knives that thick for a 3 inch blade. Especially if you're going to use stainless. To me a small blade is used to cut so it should be thinner than most belt knives. I'm thinking about trying out 1/16" thickness for this size knife. The choil or sharpening notch is also something I can't stand. A shallow one is okay but the one on that knife is going to catch on any kind of cord or fabric you want to cut. I also like a point on my knives so this knife hits the trifecta of my pet peeves about knives.:D But if you like it go for it. Everyone likes different styles.
 
I kinda dig it...too much dinero tho... Get a HEST....there I said it. :D Seriously tho, that knife u posted is pretty similar to a HEST. Same concept IMO etc. Id rather have a HEST . I AM NOT trying to start WS+S WW3 here....just saying.
 
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I've had my eye on it for a while. Three inches? It didn't seem that short at blade. Looks like a stubby work horse.
 
theedge13 said:
I kinda dig it...too much dinero tho... Get a HEST....there I said it. :D Seriously tho, that knife u posted is pretty similar to a HEST. Same concept IMO etc. Id rather have a HEST . I AM NOT trying to start WS+S WW3 here....just saying.
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Strange you should say that 'cos I was thinking how unlike the HEST is it save for the screws.

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The handle actually looks quite comfortable but those screws would have to go. Allen bolts, star bolts, solid pins, but not those.

The primary picture sold it to me better than the others because the grind isn't clear. At that point I was thinking that could be quite a neat little rope / rigging type knife. Workhorse kind of thing. I took that back when I saw one of the other pics. I suspect there is too much emphasis on the workhorse for me and not enough emphasis on cutting power. I could be wrong but that looks like one of those stubby little grinds that mean no matter how sharp it get it it will never be a very good cutter.

Just from a preference aspect I think if it were a tad longer so the clip and the belly weren't quite so abrupt I'd like it more. The slight recurve and the notch to help with sharpening I'd remove.

Can't see anything I think is fundamentally weird about it. It's just not for me. I think if I wanted a stubby little workhorse for than niche I'd still be picking the old Extrema Ratio Shrapnel and striping the horrible paint off it.
 
baldtaco-II said:
The handle actually looks quite comfortable but those screws would have to go. Allen bolts, star bolts, solid pins, but not those.
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It funny because I was thinking that this is the first one with the right type of screws for the handles. Considering it has hollow handles to store tinder, hooks, etc. If I am going to use them I always wondered what the designer was thinking when he put Allen or star bolts on it. I might have a penny or dime to undo the handles if it has screws but I am not likely to have a star wrench or Allen wrench. Without them how would I get to the handles material? Not trying to start a war either but this has always been in the back of my mind with this type of advertised application.

KR
 
kr1 said:
It funny because I was thinking that this is the first one with the right type of screws for the handles. Considering it has hollow handles to store tinder, hooks, etc. If I am going to use them I always wondered what the designer was thinking when he put Allen or star bolts on it. I might have a penny or dime to undo the handles if it has screws but I am not likely to have a star wrench or Allen wrench. Without them how would I get to the handles material? Not trying to start a war either but this has always been in the back of my mind with this type of advertised application.

KR
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KR, hey

Whilst I get that line of reasoning to an extent I do wonder how useful a feature that actually is. That type of head just doesn't strike me as the kind of head that would tolerate much of that with improvised tools for very long before it tears up. Here I'm thinking of all the times regular flathead screws have been torn up just from being worked with an inappropriate size screwdriver let alone something improvised. And if I were to seldom use that feature so that isn't an issue I'd be carrying something that I consider ugly and inferior for those once in a blue moon times I might want easy improvised access. I think the returns are tiny. Personally, I'd much rather carry a small allen / star / torx driver and get some real mileage out of the feature, if I wanted a knife with feature. Sliding it in with the sharpening system wouldn't be a hardship. I can't help but feel it makes the knife appear cheap too. I have a cheap folder with heads like that on it and I can cope with that, although I do wish they were something else. But on a knife that I believe is already quite expensive for what it is it doesn't really help sell itself to me.
 
Why would they put a recurve on it? That's pretty much the last thing I would want on this style of knife...
 
remmmm said:
Why would they put a recurve on it? That's pretty much the last thing I would want on this style of knife...
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it makes the blade effectively longer, without the need for serrations.


this is a good choice for those of us who want a minimal survival signature in preps, that spend a lot of time around fresh- and saltwater IMHO.

it fills a need - great little knife next to a Shango for shore browsing mussels and such for food.


vec
 
i like the look of that knife too. i bought one from first born blade works thats a lot like it. i love it. i carry it every day and use it for everything. here is a pick of it with some others

its the 3rd one down with the swirled micarta. again not everyone's cup of tea and a bit different but

DSCN0762.jpg
 
I dunno guys...

Thinking of this as a true survival knife, it looks like that one could be a winner. I don't like carbon for a knife that could actually be used in a survival situation of for use in skinning or preparing game. Or for use in any wet (rain/mud/food prep) conditions. Rust prevention is an unnecessary nuisance when there are good stainless steels out there. 440C at that hardness should be great. Note included is a Lansky sharpener, so if you can keep your kit together you shouldn't have to worry about field sharpening.

The 3/16" looks like it would make a pretty sturdy blade, and could certainly be used for some light batoning to get that dry center for tinder out of medium sized piece of wood. It could also be used as a blade to hit to chop through larger materials by whacking the spine.

I think far as the thickness to slicing ratio would be, I don't believe it would be that bad at all since it appears to be ground back about 1/2" from the edge of the blade. That should do it.

I like the slot head screws. Remember, this is to be an emergency, "go to" tool when needed. I don't think I would want to be concerned about having the correct wrench or key to get into the handle when I know I could have had handle screws that could be removed with a nail, a bent piece of steel, or something found along the road. As far as them wearing out, remember.... emergency tools aren't EDCs. Get another set if you are worried about head wear. How many times would you be in that handle for normal use? And for normal use, wouldn't you have access to a slot head screwdriver?

+1 on the small recurve as the little curves do make the knife have a bit more cutting power without making them harder to sharpen.

I really like the sheath, too. It's a nice one and I like the security of the removable fold over flap. Probably $65 retail in the sheath. Micarta handles, fire bow divot, storage in the handle, wire break notch, glass breaker butt and lanyard hole... not much left out!

Then you get this with the knife as well (I realize these items have little or no value to those here as they already have their favorite versions of this type of gear):

Includes Free: *Survival Saw *Lansky Sharpener *2 Ranger Bands *Compass *Fishing Line *2 Fishing Hooks *Offset Screwdriver *P-38 *Snare Wire *L.E.D. Light *Sail Needle
*Fire Starter *Razer Blade *Snap Link *2 Safety Pins


This is actually the first TOPS product I have seen in a long time that looks interesting.

I hope someone let us know if they get this one!

Robert
 
Thats OK brother. You are doing something more important. I spent 26 years in the Army. Watch your topknot.
 
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