what about TOPS?

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Originally posted by King Grinch
This CRAP about TK mag being the greatest is nonsense. If they was to fire Mr. Randall let TK mag COME ON THIS TREAD AND SPEAK. If not SCREW EM!!! I will read something else.....

I think it's the best magazine because of Jerry VanCook, Anthony Lombardo, Butch Winter, and a few others I know. The content is top-notch but they definitely need a policy change for the "behind the scenes" activity that the readers are not invloved in. So, again I think it's the best magazine out there (for our type of people) considering the final content of what you receive in the mailbox.
 
Originally posted by Brian Jones


Jerry, I'm glad you brought that up! See my sig line and link -- sign up for the TAG Extreme Expo as an exhibitor -- the show is designed to have makers of all sorts of products "put up or shut up" in the arena of real-world use and abuse. It'll cure all the online srguemtns once and for all, and raise the bar in tactical product development. :D That show is EXACTLY the kind of forum you mentioned here, and would be the best opportunity yet for you to show your stuff as it compares to others.

Drop me an email at my profile email address, and I'll personally make sure you get a great location.

Best,

Brian.

Brian if you will import a small weedy, second growth jungle area on the floor, then we'll be there, 'cause cutting efficiency is a test that's not always applied and I would be more than willing to jump in on that contest....after we break an RTAK :D
 
Originally posted by tallpaul
To the person who was upset by Mike Fuller not answering e-mails... He is NOT a computer person- he DISLIKES them and people who know them have stated it on these forums and others!
Interesting. They sure don't mind making money using computers and internet. Otherwise I assume they wouldn't have neither website nor yahoo store.
Secondly, TOPS is not a single person, it's a company. If one person can't stand email and computers in general, I'm not so sure whether the rest of the TOPS employees share the same negative feelings, or may be they could hire 1 person who's ok with computers.

I have talked to him on phone, which by the way still is an acceptable way of business for quite a bit of the populace
It is acceptable. Except posting a contact email and then not answering incoming emails is no better than publishing phone number and not answering calls. Besides email is a lot more convenient in many cases.

I don't question their credibility or integrity, but I do prefer a warranty like Busse or Strider offer.
 
Lots has already been said here, so I'll try to keep my comments brief!

On warranties: as (I think Jeff) said, warranties only count if the people behind the warranty wil STAND BY IT. Warranties, laws, constitutions, whatever. If there were a law against stealing, but the police and the government didn't do anything to prevent stealing, THEN THE LAW AIN'T WORTH A DIME! I'd buy a SOG knife because of the costomer relatiosn that Ron has DEOMONSTRATED here on the forums. I don't know what their written warrantee is, but I know that they do stand by their product, and that si what counts. Sounds like BUSSE stands by their product, as does TOPS. That, please don't forget, is what counts. That Dillon (spelling?) example proves this point again. They had a no BS warrantee, in writing, but they decided to change it. See, paper means nothing, the people do.

On e-mail: e-mail is cool, but please don't live in the cyber world your whole life. I zipped an e-mail to kris Cutlery the other dya and they zipped me a response, nice and quick and to the point. If my e-mail was down, I probably would have called them. It would have cost me, oh $0.25 CANADIAN, and I would have had the pelasure of talkign with a human! That is always better. I actually called Paul Bos once to talk about differentially heat treating stainless steel. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and talk with umans. Humans are cool! Well, most anyways.

On Jeff Randall and Tac Knives MAgazine: Jeff, you said yourself that TAc Knvies is the ebst because of Herry Van Cook, Anthiny Lombardo, etc. I lvoe those guys! My measure of a good writer is one who sticks in my head. I am bad with names, so if a writer's name sticks in my head they are a good one, to me. Steven Dick, John Larsen, Dan Schectman, and many other great guys write for the magazine, and make it THE BEST knife mag out there. It is the PEOPLE that make the magazine! But if they do shenanegans that make the good people leave, then the magazine has some problems to fix. So, this support for you, Jeff, likely isn't just peopel blowing smkoe up your ass. I thinkt hey see this as a problem witht he magazien that could quicky make Tac Knives fall appart. What if Steven Dick reads a thread from Anthony on one day, and on the same day reads that Jerry Van Cook, oh, called someone an idiot on Newt's forum. Would that then cause these 2 great writers to be dismissed from the staff? See, it is this potectionism policy that Tac Knives thinks is necessary for them that could actually ruin the magazine. I have no problem separating Jeff the private citizen and Jeff the Tac Knvies writer. Or private Anthony from public Anthony. Do others?

On spending too much time on-line: Newt went to bed for a restful sleep, Brian on a somewhat related thread said (paraphrased here) that people ought to place more value on training, than talking abotu it. These guys are on to something! So, I shall retire from talking about knives for the rest of the afternoon, and pull out my sandpaper. I have some knives to finish!

Brian: I've got to call you up some time ON THE PHONE to chat!
 
Originally posted by Crayola
What if Steven Dick reads a thread from Anthony on one day, and on the same day reads that Jerry Van Cook, oh, called someone an idiot on Newt's forum. Would that then cause these 2 great writers to be dismissed from the staff? See, it is this potectionism policy that Tac Knives thinks is necessary for them that could actually ruin the magazine.

Amen brother. That's my position and bitch in this whole ordeal. It would be different if I had been the one to inject TK into this thread. It would also have been different if I had gotten an email *asking* me to back off for the sake of the magazine. I would have. Instead I got: "I can tell you straight out if NY hears about it you won't be writing for the magazine anymore." Sounds like a threat to me. So I emailed NY direct with all the pertinent emails, thread location, etc.

I then went public to show Contender and everyone else that complaints do work, and to congratulate Contender for doing a fine job. Seriously, if this TK employee can get that wound up over an anonymous comment, then it proved a lot to me. I'm really not upset with Contender and owe him an appreciation for waking me up to some issues that I suspected a long time ago. Helluva note when those you work for take more stock in anonymous comments than they do their own writers. That's freakin hilarious to me - that someone can be that shallow and controlling when those they're screwing are the one's making their jobs. Again, no sh*t - thanks Contender. You opened my eyes.

I never have taken well to demands, especially from someone who doesn't pay my taxes or provide me with a living (trust me writer's pay is not a living). You see, all this person had to be was nice and make a simple request and all of this would have been avoided. Again, I am pissed at the magazine employee for the rudeness, threat, and demanding nature, especially when I have done more than my fair share to pull them out of cracks when they needed articles expedited and help in other ways. But it comes as no real surprise either. The other writers have also bitched about the same problems in the past. With that said, Harris and the magazine TK is not the problem. I still support it as being the best in the business for the consumer, and it will do fine without me on board. Someday this employee is going to cost TK though. If not, then maybe it will at least change the "work" conditions for those writers that are still there.

I just added this employee to my Cliff Stamp list :D
 
Originally posted by JeffRandall


Brian if you will import a small weedy, second growth jungle area on the floor, then we'll be there, 'cause cutting efficiency is a test that's not always applied and I would be more than willing to jump in on that contest....after we break an RTAK :D


Jeff, I'll give you a shipping addess, and you can send some up when you're in Peru soon...:D

I'll keep the weeds watered until the show.

~B.
 
I have alot of respect for a guy that says what he believes, and stands by what he says. Way to go Jeff.
 
Jeff,

I admire your fortitude and commend your courage. There is no way you can convince any of these "nay sayers" that they are out of their minds. I certainly have no intention of trying.

The fact is that TOPS sells to many thousands of customers worldwide. Perhaps 50 of their customers are on the BF and of this only a dozen or so are aware of this discussion. Most of them could care less about the ignorant and negative opinions sported by a few non customers who are clearly Trolling the list to scare up an argument. I for one have no interest in them, their arguments or whether they recently changed their pink panties. I know the truth and I fully support TOPS - period. No equivocation.

With respect to TK. I believe you now know why I refuse to write for them and why I declined their "assignments". The management has a serious ego problem and what someone we both know, once called a "god complex".

It is none of their business what you do with your spare time. If you are being held to some exhalted performance criteria they need to rethink things like free speech and so forth. If you are "On the clock" 24/7 or were using TK's name, they might have an argument but as things stand, I believe they are way off base... a position the current management seems to enjoy.

There is nothing I like better than to read about that management person's "Test" of a blade on his berry patch. I can imagine the enormous strain his 125 pound frame puts on one of those blades as he strikes that poor Ribes in the stem...

Never the less, I have no use for the rag. I know, as you do, what goes on and I will not be party to those policies. If Jerry VanCook took over I believe that things would be much better. For the moment the magazine is run by a man who lives his name.


Ron
 
We'll be there Brian. Should be fun.

Thanks db. I received my official "walking papers" via email just a while ago, so it's official now. I'm no longer associated with the magazine. Now Steve is really upset that I made all of this public and implying that I'm the one threatening them. Go figure. I think it's a good thing when the buying public is informed.

I still stand firmly on the fact that TK is the best magazine out there. I will continue to be a subscriber and will continue to pursue advertising ventures with the magazine...if they'll take my money ;) Harris Publications is a great bunch of folks to work with. They just need to make a few in-house chnages in my opinion. At least what's happened will probably make it easier on the rest of the writers - for a brief period anyway.

I do want to say thanks to everyone for the past support and encouragement on my articles. At the present time I don't intend to pursue any more knife mags for publishing articles. At least not in the capacity I did with TK. I do want to pursue some hard hitting actual field test articles though and will probably do that through our web site for now.

I'm taking a Kabar down to the jungle and probably a Becker so those reviews and pictures will be published on our site...for free of course. Parting from TK will also give me more room to write things as I see them without editing taking place.
 
Ron, Sir I thank you for those comments. Probably everyone on these forums knows you and I have had our differences, but one thing we always do is get past them somehow, and if nothing else "good" has come from this thread, hearing those comments from you made it all worth it. I thank you.

Mike Fuller is a first class individual. I will fight any man and live in a cardboard box before I will allow someone to trample this good man's name.

As for TK, I know exactly what you are talking about. I was hoping Steve would come to you to continue the survival column, but then again I knew that it wouldn't work.

I fully agree with the statement about Jerry VanCook. He and I have been friends a long time. He would have made a great editor for TK, or any other magazine as far as that goes, but Jerry is also an independent spirit like you and I. It just doesn't work in corporate politics.

I'm sure somewhere down the line you and I will go at it again ;) but at least we say what's on our mind without regard to who it pisses off, try to win the debate, then put it all behind us without grudges. Men like that I can deal with. You've been a fun opponent at times, Steve Dick never was :)

As far as TK, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr.....Free at last, Free at last, thank God Almighty I'm free at last! Now I can say what I want without being edited or censored.

Don't worry Cliff, I haven't forgot about you either :D

Jeff
 
Thanks for the thanks Jeff...but no need.

You remind me of my friends from the old days. Hollar and yell, beat on each other and then go have a beer and talk about fishing. It's a guy thing.

Sadly most folk don't share that mutual respect on the net. They feel safe to jump in and talk crap as there is little fallout. For folks like you and I however the fallout is immediate. You are experiencing a living example of the knee jerk reaction. You speak your piece, as is your right, and get banished from a job you held (and did very well I might add) for 4 or 5 years. The instigator has nothing to fear as he sits there alone and venomous and is in no fear for his income. I hope he feels satisfied.

Yes it took courage for you to speak up. I just wanted to tell you I noticed. Lets get in a fight...

You pasty faced half child of a orphan puss monster...

Love

Ron
 
TK mag is definitely my favorite knife magazine out there. It's one of the few that focus on real world experiences with knives and not just chopping in the garage. And Jeff's contributions in that regard have been outstanding. It will be a great loss for TK and for their readers if we no longer see any more of Jeff's articles in TK.

I also find it deplorable that TK was dragged into this flame as a tool to bludgeon Jeff. That's total bullshit.
 
You got what you deserved.

Topps appear to be cheap knockoff's of a real knife company.
And you run with liers and fakes who when busted back peddle and change their name.

I for one will start to read TK now that some one that comes across as a royal ******* is gone.
I support that decision, you need to remember not to do or say anything that you wouldn't want to read on the front page of the daily news paper.

I don't know you or Mike Fuller, but from what I've read here I would never buy one of his knifes.
I would be afraid to use it, it might break.
"Birds of a feather flock together" and if he's any thing like you..he sucks too.

I'm using the name calling and finger pointing so that I can be at your level and you might understand.

Topps, Jeff and "Doctor" Ron sound like they are all "butt buddies"
to me.
Oh, that's right...after being busted by real special op's guys, it became "Doc" Sorry "Doc"

Why don't you put one of those Topps up against the Swamp Rat...
Let's see that "real world" test up close and personnal.
But then it would be very embarrassing one of your over priced "buddies" knife getting cut in two by a $148.95 knife wouldn't it?

So, the bottom line is...There are only two knife companies that will put up or shut up, and Topps is not one of them..so shut up!

Have a nice life.....
 
Hoodoo, I agree with you totally on TK the magazine. I will continue to support the magazine through subscriptions and advertising. The folks in New York and the writers have always treated me very well.

Given the circumstances I understand why Contender chose this path. Like I said before, I'm not mad at him. What does bother me is a professional man like Steve chose to threaten me over something someone else typed. That one set me back but it also made me wiser. Like I said, there's always a positive from a negative. Life goes on. I always revert back to my granddad's favorite saying: "You can get use to anything but hanging from the neck."

TK will survive and it will be run by Steve's rules, subject to change at a moment's notice.
 
I am not sure how this thread became about Busse or Swamprat knives... there are many knife companies, as well as custom makers out there. Many do a fine job, and many are run by excellent people and artisans.
In the end a knife is a piece of steel. An inanimate object. The bickering and absolute bullshit that has gone on here has cost a man a source of income. That is unacceptable. It makes me ashamed to be associated with this forum.
There have been insults thrown, all in defense of a favored piece of metal. How absurd. How childish.
1WhoBuys, you are a noted collector of Busse knives. You have a fine and distinguished collection of some of the finest knives ever made, by one of the true masters of the craft, Jerr Busse.
No one in this thread ever wrote anything but complimentary words about Busse knives, particularly Jeff Randall who you have chosen to villify. Your actions were uncalled for. You have lost respect in my eyes, not that I except that to mean anything to you. Your words are without merit and not based in reality.

Many men, distinguished in their chosen field have endorsed Mike Fuller, including several of the top survival experts in the field. Newt Livesay, Trace Rinaldi, and others have written that Mike Fuller is a man of his word. A man of honor, a man of integrity. He is a man that has risked his own life so that others could live in safety. There has not been a single documented fact to contradict those endorsements. There have been a bunch of whiny cowards, who have hide behind a keyboard throwing words. Well those words have had an impact, and it was not a good one.

It has been a grim day for the forums.
Chad
 
Originally posted by Dark Nemesis
Heck, I'm just trying to work out the shipping details with Jeff for my free knife.....

The knife is free but the warranty will cost you 1500 dollars. And no, don't ask, we don't sell them without the warranty - HOWEVER, we will guarantee it not to rip, tear, or run down your leg. Before we ship it we will apply an acetylene torch to it to prove it's steel (and send you the video of this for only 19.95 extra). Then we personalize them by etching your name in with a MIG welder. Oh did I mention it also comes with a free gasoline powered chainsaw attached to the sheath for heavy stuff, a string trimmer for vegetation, and an axe just in case you need a little extra power. :D
 
Holy crap I didn't know Black & Decker made knives!! It's about damn time, they make every other product on the planet :)
 
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