What is your opinion of TOPS knives?

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bchan77

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Dec 6, 2007
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I do not have experience of TOPS knives, and I am asking the opinions of more experienced brothers for advice. Are they good? I have heard that their knives are a bit overpriced for 1095 steel, is this true? Thanks!
 
TOPS knives are good quality, but they're horribly overpriced (in my opinion) for 1095 steel. If you're looking for great-quality carbon steel fixed blades, Becker, Kabar, RAT, and Ontario make them at lower prices.
 
They are a bit pricy for 1095, good knives though. If your looking for something similar (or better) for less money then I would take a look at RAT.
 
I have heard that their knives are a bit overpriced for 1095 steel, is this true? Thanks!
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Not much difference in the raw cost of steel from one to the next. 1095 performs very well and is what RAT uses as well. I have one of Tops small fixed blades and am very happy with it.
 
Not much difference in the raw cost of steel from one to the next
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no ?? I am guessing you haven't ever purchase bars of 1095 vs s30v vs 154cm ?

1095 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $12.38
S30v 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $83
154cm 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" =$36
 
I have not owned one. I usually can't get past the grind lines. They don't take the grind lines up high. The lines on the grinds are typically not full height. They are saber grinds, only they go up less than 1/2 the width of the blade or less. This makes them less effective at slicing and chopping that a knife with the same thickness spine and higher grind.

I don't think this applies to all their designs.
 
I am guessing you haven't ever purchase bars of 1095 vs s30v vs 154cm ?
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You would be correct. I should have been more descriptive. In my mind I was thinking about the tool steels and yes S30V does command a premium being a specialized cutlery steel ;).
 
I would say take a peak at RAT Cutlery instead. Rowen Manufacturing (good people) produce both company's lineups, but the RATs are better users by far. TOPS makes some good stuff, but they're expensive and don't cut chop or slice well. If you want a pricey sharpened crowbar they're just fine. :o

Don't get me wrong--they make a few really decent blades--but most of their designs just aren't that useful.
 
pobox1475 said:
You would be correct. I should have been more descriptive. In my mind I was thinking about the tool steels and yes S30V does command a premium being a specialized cutlery steel ;).
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O1 is also much more pricey than 1095 , however 1095 is not a tool steel per se , more so a spring steel than a tool steel.

01 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $48.25
D2 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $104.70
the closest in pricing I have found to 1095 from them is 5160 which is averages to $10.16 but you have to buy 22 feet )

**prices from Admiral Steel **

Having handled both , I would also suggest looking at Bark River.

Nothing wrong with good old 1095 , there are plenty of makers producing some excellent knives from 1095 and other high carbon steels. It's a great time to be buying / using knives , with all these talented makers and companies offering great product !
 
TOPS knives are high quality and their 1095 has one of the best heat treatments I have ever seen on 1095. Yeah their bevels are quite thick but that's nothing a little convexing can't fix. ;)
 
Rat cutlery all the way. I also have some Tops, Busse, customs,etc. but my Rats are my daily carry. Usually with a folder for mundane tasks.
 
Great knives, great company, and though I like the fact that they use 1095, their knives are WAY overpriced, IMHO. They weren't offended when I told them that when I called them; very nice folks to talk to on the phone, too. They've got some really interesting designs, but most are just too over-engineered for my needs.

thx - cpr
 
Horrible, unpractical designs combined with very high prices do not tempt me to buy TOPS, at least not in this century.
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
no ?? I am guessing you haven't ever purchase bars of 1095 vs s30v vs 154cm ?

1095 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $12.38
S30v 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" = $83
154cm 3/16 x 1 1/2" x 36" =$36
Click to expand...




Later this Summer we are moving and plan to attempt to make my first knife.I agree as I have priced out bar stock and there is quite a difference in pricing. 1095 is a bargin for hard use steel IMO. I also like 5160 as well.:)
 
The knives, which I own a few of, are built like tanks. HOWEVER, they come with the worst(impractical, NOT poor quality) Kydex sheaths ever designed. This is obviously a personal opinion but... The knife shapes and designs on their personal defense oriented blades (Wortac, Loner, etc.) are great feeling and fit the hand (my large hand) perfect! But again the kydex...ahhhhhh! Just my .02
 
Same as the others, you can find a similar knife for less imo. TOPS isnt on my list of brands to own again.
 
I haven't owned any fixed blades from them but have owned a couple of there folders. Currently own a thunder hawke frame lock and it is as good of a frame lock knife as I have owned bar none. keepem sharp
 
They seem to be heavily bashed for being high priced 1095 knives. Yes they are thick. I really like the way the paddle sheath I ordered with my UTE #2 hugs my body. I got mine to use basically as it's name implies Utility Tool Edged. Fair deals can be had direct from them when they run specials and attractive internet pricing often poops up.

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I recently picked up the Trace Rinaldi designed blades from TOPS, the DART and Armageddon. Both have full height grinds, and the DART is S30V. I picked up each for $100 off the "retail" price. Really not overpriced at all for what you get.

Mike Fuller and TOPS should get props for the really wide array of products and innovative designs--RAT doesn't come close to that. I've also recently picked up the ATAX (Ron Hood's unique ulu-inspired survival tool) and the Hawkin Stick (Hoffman's cool hybrid tomahawk/fokos walking stick). TOPS doesn't play it safe with their stuff, I for one find it refreshing. Their stuff is about as hard use as it gets, and are now among my favorites, along with Busse and Fehrman.
 
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