Why so little love for TOPS?

doke00 said:
I have several Tops knives that I love. In fact I was wondering about the lack of coverage here at BF. They do get a bit gimmicky for me sometimes, and the knives of theirs that I own I either love or hate, no in between. I have the Cheetah, which is a more ergonomic Izula imho. I also have the Paysatin Lite Traveler which I like so much I bought a second so I always have one in each of my packs. However I have their scalpel and Skinat and the .25" blades are too thick for the size making them useless to me. They have a couple of other designs that interest me, the Hog 4.5 and the B.O.B. but it seems that they are switching to nylon sheaths which worries me if they go to a generic sheath to fit multiple styles ala Ontario.
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I have been looking seriously at the Pasayten, which you seem to really like. Can you comment at all on the thickness of the scales and what you think about the hook shape of the handle? How does their 154cm hold up to outdoor use?
 
Metal Made Fox said:
There's nothing wrong with Tops knives. They are well made and they have nice designs.

HOWEVER, I believe it's the absurd prices that they charge that scares everyone away. The use 1095 on almost all their knives and 1095 is one of the least expensive steels out there. Their knives are severely overpriced.
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If you go straight to their website, yes. But if you shop around they really aren't; no more than say ESEE. The BOB is going for $100, the Pasayten Lite Traveler in 154cm is going for $105, etc. However they do advertise absurd prices on their site.
 
TOPS makes some very good knives. Even the weird ones are well made of good steel. People have "little love" for them as a whole because they would probably be able to provide the useful designs at lower cost if they didn't make all the zany Klingon looking things that they make.
 
I just picked up a BoB based on reviews and what I felt was a good price point for what it offers. I really like the heft it offers, not going to break this anytime soon. I don't particularly like all the ad space used on the blade, but it's going away with use. The sheath is top notch, the ergos are perfect for my paws. As for other Tops products, I can't say, but the BoB, what's not to like?
 
Seems to me that TOPS provides designers with the opportunity to see their ideas manufactured. I have the Mohawk hunter, which I convexed, and it is a great knife for me. Seems a perfect size, holds a great edge well, comfy in hand, no hot spots.
 
Seems to me that TOPS provides designers with the opportunity to see their ideas manufactured. I have the Mohawk hunter, which I convexed, and it is a great knife for me. Seems a perfect size, holds a great edge well, comfy in hand, no hot spots.


sorry for the double post, I don't know how to delete
 
*enter thread*
CTRL-F "MALL NINJA"

Six posts in and the most generic and meaningless epithet ever construed pops up already. Brilliant.

Tops is one of the few companies that doesn't puss out when it comes to knife design. They'll make utterly stupid looking designs to a very high quality and if nobody likes it... screw it, SOMEONE will like it and buy it. They seem to occupy a space where they are willing to take chances on products with a niche appeal and I HIGHLY respect that. They catch a lot of hell from "traditionalist" type people that can't deal with anything designed or produced after 1870 or so because they're willing to incorporate all sorts of pointy bits and wibbly shapes on their blades. They also make the Tom Brown Tracker so that's worth millions of internet scorn right there.

Long story short, they aren't loved because they actually have balls and don't make the same four designs over and over again.
 
The only tops I own is the mini Scandi 2.5. It's an awesome little neck knife, but I do think some of their other designs are just crazy.
 
thragdar said:
*enter thread*
CTRL-F "MALL NINJA"

Six posts in and the most generic and meaningless epithet ever construed pops up already. Brilliant.

Tops is one of the few companies that doesn't puss out when it comes to knife design. They'll make utterly stupid looking designs to a very high quality and if nobody likes it... screw it, SOMEONE will like it and buy it. They seem to occupy a space where they are willing to take chances on products with a niche appeal and I HIGHLY respect that. They catch a lot of hell from "traditionalist" type people that can't deal with anything designed or produced after 1870 or so because they're willing to incorporate all sorts of pointy bits and wibbly shapes on their blades. They also make the Tom Brown Tracker so that's worth millions of internet scorn right there.

Long story short, they aren't loved because they actually have balls and don't make the same four designs over and over again.
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LOL sure thing, guy. "These designs aren't ugly or tacticool useless, the designer just has BALLS!" :rolleyes:
 
Riley12 said:
The only tops I own is the mini Scandi 2.5. It's an awesome little neck knife, but I do think some of their other designs are just crazy.
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I'd love to hear more about the mini scandi; not many reviews out there on it.
 
BigBert said:
I'd love to hear more about the mini scandi; not many reviews out there on it.
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It's a tough little knife. I might do a review if I have time in the next few days. It can cut up veggies to fire prep to baton smaller pieces to open packages. I carry it almost daily
 
So I have decided to buy myself a Mission Team 21. It looks like a great knife that has all the features I like in a blade, If I don't like I'll sell it or give it away but at least this way I can form my own opinion of the brand.
 
If you like a design of theirs, the quality is there.
If you don't like a particular design, don't buy it (this works well with other brands too :thumbup:).
 
thragdar said:
I rest my case.
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You have no case. That was proven the instant you called the term "mall ninja" generic and meaningless. Odd, most of us understand the term clearly.

Your response showed that you seem to take personal offense at the label. I mean, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, but I have to ask. You have a sweet $50 "Tactical assault" vest you bought on a cheap gear site, don't you? Did you get your 5.11 contractor tux in black or digicam? I bet you have a whole collection of flea market Gil Hibben lookalikes. :D
 
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BigBert said:
This thread is going south in a hurry.....
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That's usually what happens when people take personal offense whenever someone says something they deem as negative about a company they like and they feel compelled to make some white-knighting passionate defense. I compare those sorts of people to rabid sports fans who'll start trouble at the sports bar whenever they see someone walk in wearing a jersey from a team they hate.

It's comical to me, if you want to know the truth. I mean, really? TOPS is the only knife company not "making the same four designs over and over again"? Again I respond with LOL ok, sure thing, guy.:thumbup:
 
I have a hawk recon tanto. Feels great in the hand. Its defiantly not a carver. I was thinking of getting it reprofiled....
 
Bert, sorry I didn't get back sooner. I really like the handle, it is very comfortable to me. I don't know if I have earlier versions but I think mine are 1095. The coating has held up well and the steel will corrode as expected if not taken care of. Mine came very sharp and I've used them hunting for several seasons. I've rotated them out for a Ratmandu and a Bravo 1 this season. I do like that the blade is only like 1/8"(not sure the exact spec.) It is great for camp kitchen etc. I haven't used it to process much wood as I have a Condor Boomslang I use for those chores.
 
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