Why are TOPS knives so freaking expensive?

D

DazedandConfzed

Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
88
Seriously, what is the deal with these knives? I mean how long has this company been out? I don't remember heearing much about them 10 years ago but now it seems that everyone or a lot of people for the most part believe that they make some of the best knives there is. I am inclined to believe after readin all of these rave reviews that TOPS knives are very good. However, I am kind of curious as to what specifically, other than some of the designs, makes them so much better than some other manufacturers out there?

Justin
 
I like some of the designs, have doubts about some of the materials, and the price has put me off buying one.

Instead I've bought Swamp Rats and Ranger Knives, because I have a sense that I'm getting value instead of hype.
 
Don't get the wrong idea, they are great knives but they are expensive compared to obviously better knives like Busse. I am interested in this as I do not have much experience with TOPS but I have head they are good.
 
The maker, Justin Gingrich, has been deployed in Iraq for the last couple of months. I believe he is supposed to be back next week. I plan to order either an RD7 or RD9... decisions, decisions.
:cool:

Post from another forum:


Where to Get em While I am gone.
#605018 - Tue Mar 08 2005 10:11 PM Edit Reply Quote



Just wanted to let all of you know where to get the blades while I am in Iraq. Since I will be leaving here in about 3-4 days. I have done my best to clear my plate and get all the custom orders out as well as the standard orders. In doing so I have stocked up most if not all of my dealers so here is a short list of where to go to get the blades.

Sage Creek Outfitters -----Freshly stocked with blades to include the blaze orange G-10 handles

Brigade Quartermaster

Commando Supply (in Columbus)

Thanks again to everyone for your support and I look forward to updating you all from the big sand box.

--------------------
Justin Gingrich
Owner
Ranger Knives
www.rangerknives.com
 
According to their blurb, TOPS is several owners with all this much-vaunted military/security/spook experience. So we're paying several guys who want to make some money, ok, plus all of the hype. I'm sure they're fine knives, but 1095 in the $150 range seems a bit high to me, too.
 
I want and RD9 but it seems everyone is out of them and they are already accepting and have been accepting backorders. It seems Justin is going to be very busy when he returns LOL.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Knives are not priced simply on performance.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

Yes, but i am taking everything that I DO know about them into accoutn here. They just seem way overpriced to me but what do I know I don't own one so...! Course all of this is coming from a guy that just paid $150 for a SpecWar which many agree is a useless knife, but that is according to them.
 
Some of the other knife names mentioned here and TOPS is overpriced hype, thats funny.

On a serious note I have seen many TOPS knives that were great knives with great designs. 1095 May not be the number one super steel in the world and may cost less than others but it is not anywhere near being a bad steel, matter of fact in large field knives I would prefer it.

Everyone has their own opinion on anything and everything, mine on this is:

Buy What You Like, Not What Everyone Says You Should Like.

Hard to go wrong that way.
 
Here here! I have a C.A.T and love it. I had a CQT Magnum folder that was built like a tank and wayyyy too much knife for me, so I sent it to a Spec Forces Medic in Afghanistan. (See Roger Lingers 'Tacticals made by us' thread in the makers section if you want to donate a knife)

Anyway, getting back on topic. TOPS put out a great knife, if you dont fancy the price there are lots of other knives at lots of different prices.
 
NGK-Webmaster said:
Some of the other knife names mentioned here and TOPS is overpriced hype, thats funny.

On a serious note I have seen many TOPS knives that were great knives with great designs. 1095 May not be the number one super steel in the world and may cost less than others but it is not anywhere near being a bad steel, matter of fact in large field knives I would prefer it.

Everyone has their own opinion on anything and everything, mine on this is:

Buy What You Like, Not What Everyone Says You Should Like.

Hard to go wrong that way.
Click to expand...

And what knife would you prefer?
 
Some of what your paying for in the TOPS knives is a Great warranty ,1095 is hella strong and easy to sharpen in the field, TOPS heat treat works very well ,very fast Email returns ,proven designs , I have the Anaconda from tops and use it all the time to trim up around my lake, chops trees, I used it to hack apart a chainlink fence that had grown into a tree and the knive had no edge damage ,missed one time and hit a rock in full swing , no damage ,I did not realize 1095 could be that strong.The black coating seems to hold up very well . Not really a bad price to pay for a life time knife .
 
A couple of years ago I read a post by Trace Rinaldi where he said TOPS knives were mostly hand made. The blanks are water jetted but nearly everything else is done by hand and to very high standards. As to overpriced, there are a lot of knives that fit that description and I've bought some of them even though they were overpriced. If I want it bad enough I'll make an exception once in a while.
 
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