Why so little love for TOPS?

[TheDandyLion]

I have noticed throughout the forums that there isn't many threads loving TOPS knives, whats the deal? I don't mean to spark too much controversy but I feel like there should be more love for TOPS knives. A close friend of mine just bought himself a Black Rhino that has become a big part of his backpacking setup. The blade looks so nice I'm thinking about buying myself one of their knives so I went to the forums I realized there was a disturbing lack of TOPS content on the forums. Why is this? Are they just an "overpriced Gerber" or are there knives simply not up to snuff? I admit a lot of their knife designs are radical to say the least and some just silly but they do have a MASSIVE variety and a good portion of which are rather practical looking, or at least they fit a certain niche. This is just something I was wondering because I like the look of TOPS but I never go into a purchase uninformed (knives at least).


Thanks,
Jake

 

[mete]

I pick the knives I like. The TOPS I have is Italian made with excellent fit and finish .N690 steel makes a great EDC. That model is no longer made.

 

[Alnamvet68]

They make a great knife, most are heat treated by Bos, but you have to sift through some of the weird stuff to find very useful and utilitarian knives.

 

[craytab]

I have only seen a couple designs that I liked from TOPS. The rest seem to me to be radical just to be radical. ESEE however has a clean classic look and that is why I own most of their line. Different strokes and what not...

 

[sunandsteel]

I'm still learning about the different companies out there and I never heard of them until a family member mentioned TOPS to me. I was just on the website I'm looking at the Baja and also the Mini Scandi knife 2.5.

 

[Quiet]

Most TOPS knives scream mall ninja to me, so I'm just not interested. As my tastes run more towards bushcraft/camping, those sorts of knives are the designs I like. And yes, I know TOPS has some knives like that, like the BOB, and a few others. But frankly, there are other designs and manufacturers that I appreciate more.

 

[adamg01]

I was torn between the Esee4 and Tops BOB for my first survival style knife. The warranty was a big reason I went with the Esee.

 

[Goosey]

Why so little love for TOPS?

More than a few of their knives have insane names and silly designs.


It's not true for all of them, but that's the reason right there.

 

[csisland]

Most TOPS knives scream mall ninja to me, so I'm just not interested. As my tastes run more towards bushcraft/camping, those sorts of knives are the designs I like. And yes, I know TOPS has some knives like that, like the BOB, and a few others. But frankly, there are other designs and manufacturers that I appreciate more.

There's that word again, Bushcraft. When did the term Bushcraft come into existence? Isn't it more of a sales pitch?

 

[Zidfeldts]

I have only had 1 TOPS knife. It felt really good in the hand. The edge when I got it was the worst that I have ever seen on a knife. I had to do a regrind on it so that it would cut at all. I may try another one to see if my last one was a fluke since the prices on their smaller knives are not too bad.

 

[Quiet]

There's that word again, Bushcraft. When did the term Bushcraft come into existence? Isn't it more of a sales pitch?

Who knows. Not sure what you mean by sales pitch. That said, it's not quite camping, because frankly, camping and Bushcraft are two separate things in my mind. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Vegas Blade]

I think I echo the statements above. While their quality is good, the steel is certainly proven (1095), they are just way too over the top in their marketing and names: "The Night Force Killmaster 2000" or the "hard use for hard operators who have been there!!!" I do own one, a very simple field craft knife, the name escapes me right now, but it seems to be an EXCELLENT knife. Takes an edge well, holds it well etc. in fact I would put it up against ANYTHING in 1095 class steels/knives. It's just that I bought it at the SHOT show, and had to dig through all the "Death Dealer/ Silent Assasins" to find it. if you find one that suits your taste, and YOU like it, they are very decent knives. This is JUST my opinion and YMMV.

 

[Drew Riley]

I've never seen/handled one in person, so I can't say definitively, but a lot of their designs just look impractical to me, and at the very least, uncomfortable. I'm not saying that hey don't have some good looking, functional knives, but it seems the first order of business is usually to pick an odd looking design, paint it black, and they come up with a gimmicky name, followed lastly by any attention to function.

Again, I could be wrong, but that's the perception I have.

 

[rajincagin]

There's that word again, Bushcraft. When did the term Bushcraft come into existence? Isn't it more of a sales pitch?

Not sure when the word came into existence but I'm sure it's been around a lot longer than you think. Sales pitch? No more than hunting, camping, survival, tactical, chefs, or a myriad of other words are. Some knives use terms to describe their intended use, it's really quite fascinating.

The only tops knife that is interesting to me is the B.O.B., which priced right around a hundred is a good starting price.

 

[TheDandyLion]

So most agree with me that some of their knives are pretty silly and almost all have cheese ball names but the one that I am most fond of is the steel eagle 107, the drop point with no saw back, seems perfectly practical to me. Also a lot of their small blades look nice as well.

 

[SCWillson]

I am quite happy with my TOPS Tibo, which I believe was designed by a BF forum member. It strikes me as an ergonomically improved Izula. The steel seems to hold an edge just fine.

 

[FTR-14c]

The one and only Tops that has peaked my interest is the Dragonfly.
I went ahead and ordered one and I'm glad I did. It is a simple design but very usable.
Call it a high Scandi or low saber, what ever it is the 1/8th thick blade cuts like crazy.
The handle is also working for me, I thought it would be too thin but it feels great.
Some may not like the sheath but its perfect for my truck set up. The pouch is cool, it will hold a leatherman or a bunch of other stuff.
I heated up the kydex insert and squished it to form to the blade for a snug fit.
I'm gonna thump on it in the next few weeks and let you all know how it holds up.

The only thing that turns me off is the blade looks like a bill board with the name and logos.

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[BigBert]

When I find a TOPS design I like I jump all over it. I personally love the kydex sheath with the rotating clip that many come with, and the fit and finish is excellent. On my short list of blades to buy are the Dragonfly, Pasayten Light Traveler, and the Lite Trekker. I like their bushcrafty blades but can't really stand all the tactical blades they have, but to each their own.

 

[Seilu]

TOPS Knives are great, their fit and finish is literally impeccable, at least with the ones I've had. I could not find a single flaw in the knife (Black Heat).

 

[BigBert]

The one and only Tops that has peaked my interest is the Dragonfly.
I went ahead and ordered one and I'm glad I did. It is a simple design but very usable.
Call it a high Scandi or low saber, what ever it is the 1/8th thick blade cuts like crazy.
The handle is also working for me, I thought it would be too thin but it feels great.
Some may not like the sheath but its perfect for my truck set up. The pouch is cool, it will hold a leatherman or a bunch of other stuff.
I heated up the kydex insert and squished it to form to the blade for a snug fit.
I'm gonna thump on it in the next few weeks and let you all know how it holds up.

The only thing that turns me off is the blade looks like a bill board with the name and logos.

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I am VERY interested to hear more about the dragonfly. My only hesitation in buying has been a fear that the handles will be too thin. I absolutely love my Tops BOB, but wish it were 1/8" thick and I'm hoping the drangonfly is just what I am looking for.