Your thoughts on this chopper

R

rctic

Joined
Nov 22, 2015
Messages
196
All,

I have been looking a getting another chopper and was looking at some interesting designs, one of them that caught my attention was the Tops Bestia. Looking for something a bit different, this is kinda a kukri/ cleaver deal. If anyone has experience with one, their overall impression would be appreciated. Also all other comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

OIP.khOpZgRuN9Jn-lbgRtmqcwHaE8
 
What are you looking to chop (if anything).

That blade looks like it would be good for chopping brush and cane (I've done a lot of that), but I wouldn't want it for "wood" like thick tree limbs or fire wood. For "wood" I'd want a straighter, slightly rounded, more typical blade shape. But that's me.

Of course need doesn't have to be a reason for wanting to buy/own a chopper. Just wanting one is a good enough reason ;).
 
killgar said:
What are you looking to chop (if anything).

That blade looks like it would be good for chopping brush and cane (I've done a lot of that), but I wouldn't want it for "wood" like thick tree limbs or fire wood. For "wood" I'd want a straighter, slightly rounded, more typical blade shape. But that's me.

Of course need doesn't have to be a reason for wanting to buy/own a chopper. Just wanting one is a good enough reason ;).
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To be honest there is no real need for me to chop anything 99% of the time. For the most part I head to the bush and cut fallen tree trunks. I don't know I get a kick out it. BK9 is my current king at it but I am looking to try others just for fun.
 
rctic said:
To be honest there is no real need for me to chop anything 99% of the time. For the most part I head to the bush and cut fallen tree trunks. I don't know I get a kick out it. BK9 is my current king at it but I am looking to try others just for fun.
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I totally get it.

I can't explain why, but as a kid I really enjoyed chopping wood. There was just something oddly satisfying about sinking a sharp blade into a piece of wood. On camping trips I always volunteered to chop the firewood. And everybody else was more than happy to let me. :)
 
I have an Ontario SP-1 (that I love, that was my first good knife) and a BK-9 my favorite of the Becker series, and is something I really, really want once I can afford something like that. I am also in your boat of not really...needing, RIGHT NOW, to chop anything, and even still I'd rather carve wedges out of wood and use that to baton instead of use my knife, unless I'm just batoning once to see that I can do it, but I just really like choppers and big'uns.
Also, I intend to gear my life towards being more and more hands-on, outdoorsy, functional, etc. The fact that you want a knife like this to me, as a tool, beckons of the same mindset. You can learn a lot of skills just kicking around in the woods with some wood and a knife, so I hear.

As to what I think of the knife? I like it, but I personally would not pick that one to buy unless I knew of a distinct advantage to that shape over the shape of a Kukuri. I prefer the traditional Kukuri shape and know a lot of companies do it well. But, the main question is - is the shape all right and safe? I am not an expert in these matters. So, if you determine this to be a safe knife to be swinging and chopping, then the main question becomes - do you like it? If you have come here to post a picture, I can say you are eyeing it with a little bit of love, no? 😀 What's it made out of?

I think it's perfectly cool, mane.
 
I have dozens of TOPS knives.......but not this one, so I can't speak to its functionality. But as others have said, wanting it is good enough.

What I can say, is that TOPS has the best 1095 heat treating of any production maker out there right now, IMO. They know their way around 1095 and I have NEVER had any issue with any of their knives in over 2 decades.

If you really want a chopper, get this one (El Chete) after you get your Bestia:

AW9bwTo.jpg
 
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killgar said:
DEFEND THE FAITH! 🤘:D

Sorry, not a chopper

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Yessss, you guys rule! 🤘

Whoa, is that a Metal Blade Records switchblade with that copy of DToF? Or just a regular skull-and-crossbones that just happens to go with it? Hahah, we should have a "knives and vinyl/tapes/CD" section here! The other favorite forum I posted to was Metal Archives!
 
Hashishiin said:
Yessss, you guys rule! 🤘

Whoa, is that a Metal Blade Records switchblade with that copy of DToF? Or just a regular skull-and-crossbones that just happens to go with it? Hahah, we should have a "knives and vinyl/tapes/CD" section here! The other favorite forum I posted to was Metal Archives!
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It's a little something I built myself using a pre-made blade.

I think there's a "knives and album art" thread around somewhere. I just had to share in the Priest love here 😁.
 
Th
shane45-1911 said:
I have dozens of TOPS knives.......but not this one, so I can't speak to its functionality. But as others have said, wanting it is good enough.

What I can say, is that TOPS has the best 1095 heat treating of any production maker out there right now, IMO. They know their way around 1095 and I have NEVER had any issue with any of their knives in over 2 decades.

If you really want a chopper, get this one (El Chete) after you get your Bestia:

AW9bwTo.jpg
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The El Chete is another one I would like to get. I have had my eye on it. Very nice example.
 
rctic said:
All,

I have been looking a getting another chopper and was looking at some interesting designs, one of them that caught my attention was the Tops Bestia. Looking for something a bit different, this is kinda a kukri/ cleaver deal. If anyone has experience with one, their overall impression would be appreciated. Also all other comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

OIP.khOpZgRuN9Jn-lbgRtmqcwHaE8
Click to expand...

Yeah. We throw wooden versions of those.
 

Seriously: The O.P.'s chopper doesn't look too versatile. The shape of the blade makes it a "one-trick pony".
OIP.jpg
 
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rctic said:
All,

I have been looking a getting another chopper and was looking at some interesting designs, one of them that caught my attention was the Tops Bestia. Looking for something a bit different, this is kinda a kukri/ cleaver deal. If anyone has experience with one, their overall impression would be appreciated. Also all other comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

OIP.khOpZgRuN9Jn-lbgRtmqcwHaE8
Click to expand...
Really can't tell for sure without trying it , but this looks like something made to sell for its unusual appearance more than function .

Heavy wood chopping machetes and kukri in more traditional designs are time tested and proven .

Unless you just want something different , I'd go with tried and true .
 
Yeah, I am more and more reluctant of the boomerang shape. Check out the Ontario SP-10 or SP-5 depending on what shape you like, or maybe an ESEE Junglas.
 
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