I really like this knife http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=137
But I want this knife also. http://www.sogknives.com/store/SSD89.html
Hmmmm.
But I want this knife also. http://www.sogknives.com/store/SSD89.html
Hmmmm.
Which knife
- Thread starter 50 Shooter
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I like the one in the top link better. It would also depend on the use of the knife though. Pretty soon a Spyderco fanboy will be along to suggest something like this:
http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/knives-spyderco-spyderco-aqua-salt.html
Or this http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/knives-spyderco-spyderco-rock-salt.html
Or even this: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/dayhiker-by-jerry-hossom
http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/knives-spyderco-spyderco-aqua-salt.html
Or this http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/knives-spyderco-spyderco-rock-salt.html
Or even this: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/dayhiker-by-jerry-hossom
Both look like they would be too big for anything I would have use for, but your needs are not necessarily mine, and it sounds like this is a "want" knife more than a "need" knife anyway.
If I'm correct, I'd say go for the one you think is the best looking, or best conversation piece, or whatever else is important to you.
Personally, I kind of like the SOG, if the story behind the reproduction is correct. Of course, they could've spun that story a bit.
I suppose it's possible the true story could read like this: We sent 38 of these special knives out with our boys, and they were so bad that they all ditched them! Every last one! Here's a faithful reproduction...
Who knows. At any rate, I like both, but prefer the overall blade geometry of the SOG. I wouldn't have much use for that long winded tanto, although I do like the handle better on it.
Jason
If I'm correct, I'd say go for the one you think is the best looking, or best conversation piece, or whatever else is important to you.
Personally, I kind of like the SOG, if the story behind the reproduction is correct. Of course, they could've spun that story a bit.
I suppose it's possible the true story could read like this: We sent 38 of these special knives out with our boys, and they were so bad that they all ditched them! Every last one! Here's a faithful reproduction...
Who knows. At any rate, I like both, but prefer the overall blade geometry of the SOG. I wouldn't have much use for that long winded tanto, although I do like the handle better on it.
Jason
The first knife looks tougher, more "tactical" (the word tactical spoken only in a raspy whisper, of course).
The second knife is prettier, and has that neat story. Second knife would be my choice, were I in the market for such an item.
The second knife is prettier, and has that neat story. Second knife would be my choice, were I in the market for such an item.
Get the SOG, the teeth look like they'd actually work as well as the point. The edge extends beyond the choil so you can choke-up on it and do fine work. The overall knife is much cleaner, looks better balanced in the hand.
The TOPS looks clunky, the sawback looks like a nightmare of snagging -also weak points for the knife to fail under stress.
The TOPS looks clunky, the sawback looks like a nightmare of snagging -also weak points for the knife to fail under stress.
Valkman
Member
I don't like the teeth on the Tops one either but I wouldn't pay $310 for the SOG when it's made of AUS8 steel. For that kind of money you should get an excellent blade made of great steel! My fighters out of ATS-34 or CPM-D2 don't even cost that much.
I would get the 1095 carbon steel TOPS if I had to get one, but if I didn't I'd look for another knife. For $300 you could get a used Strider like my MTL-SS and have a much better knife than the SOG.
I would get the 1095 carbon steel TOPS if I had to get one, but if I didn't I'd look for another knife. For $300 you could get a used Strider like my MTL-SS and have a much better knife than the SOG.
TimboKhan
Member
Price considerations aside, I would get the SOG knife simply because I am not a huge fan of tanto-style knives. Both look reasonably cool, however.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Reeves
Hi, I'm Garry, and I'll be your Chris Reeves fanboy this morning.
Have a look at the Chris Reeves Maintaineer and some of his other stuff.
Or, as mentioned above, you could pick up a Don Llewellen original. Dude makes good stuff. For example, his "Landshark" (for around $250) looks like this:
Valkman knows how to get hold of him. Knows him personally, from what I understand.
There's a lot of quality stuff out there, and some of it is made by our very own members.
Hi, I'm Garry, and I'll be your Chris Reeves fanboy this morning.
Have a look at the Chris Reeves Maintaineer and some of his other stuff.
Like maybe a Sable:
If you're gonna spend the money, you may as well get the quality.
Or, as mentioned above, you could pick up a Don Llewellen original. Dude makes good stuff. For example, his "Landshark" (for around $250) looks like this:
Valkman knows how to get hold of him. Knows him personally, from what I understand.
There's a lot of quality stuff out there, and some of it is made by our very own members.
Allways been a fan of the Tanto, but that Randall or Scuba style is a much more utilitarian and daily use design. Better in the filed too. If the use is general instead of pure SD tactical, Id opt for the Scuba. Or a Randall.
Arfin,
Yeah I like this knife at the top of the page by Valkman http://www.dlknives.com/Fighters.php
As to the two knives, you can find them both cheaper if you check around. I've found them both for under $200, the TOPS knife for down in the $150 range. I wouldn't mind owning them both but I also have to have money for the gun side of me.
I do have a TOPS knife and I'll attach a pic, you have to look closely to tell me what's wrong with the knife.
Yeah I like this knife at the top of the page by Valkman http://www.dlknives.com/Fighters.php
As to the two knives, you can find them both cheaper if you check around. I've found them both for under $200, the TOPS knife for down in the $150 range. I wouldn't mind owning them both but I also have to have money for the gun side of me.
I do have a TOPS knife and I'll attach a pic, you have to look closely to tell me what's wrong with the knife.
Attachments
Valkman
Member
That Ironwood fighter you linked to was a one of a kind for sure, as the guy wanted a fighter yet wanted 1/4" D2 and I normally make it from 3/16" steel. No problem - made it from 1/4" D2, Ironwood and mosaic pins and the customer was happy.
This is what my normal fighter looks like today - I sent 2 to Iraq and am getting ready to send another over there:
This is what my normal fighter looks like today - I sent 2 to Iraq and am getting ready to send another over there:
Out of the two you posted, go with the SOG. It might actually be useful.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of the American tanto blade shape (the first one). It sucks at just about everything except perhaps stabbing. And to make things worse, it has a partially serrated blade. Personally, I like a blade to either be entirely serrated or entirely plain. Mixing and matching takes the weaknesses of the plain blade and adds them to the weakness of the serrated blade.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of the American tanto blade shape (the first one). It sucks at just about everything except perhaps stabbing. And to make things worse, it has a partially serrated blade. Personally, I like a blade to either be entirely serrated or entirely plain. Mixing and matching takes the weaknesses of the plain blade and adds them to the weakness of the serrated blade.
Jason,
Yep, that and the knife is a fake. I couldn't believe that the Chinese had the balls to copy another companies design and use the same logo. I spoke with TOPS and they have lawsuits out but little good it will do.
I'm just glad that I got the knife at a very discounted price, if I had paid full price and then found out I wouldn't have been to happy.
Yep, that and the knife is a fake. I couldn't believe that the Chinese had the balls to copy another companies design and use the same logo. I spoke with TOPS and they have lawsuits out but little good it will do.
I'm just glad that I got the knife at a very discounted price, if I had paid full price and then found out I wouldn't have been to happy.
If I knew more about TOPS, I might have come to that conclusion, but I wouldn't have known it was a fake in the photo based on what little I know about them. I just thought it might have been an earlier production model.
Here's the things I noticed, but didn't associate with it being a forgery, but maybe an earlier production run:
- The handle scales look to be machined in the exact shape as the real ones, but I think the color of the micarta is off a little. I think the real ones are almost black, and those look lighter.
- I don't think TOPS offers that style blade except in longer lengths than the one shown.
- Like I mentioned earlier, the teeth are not the same as the design that TOPS uses, but I thought that might have been some sort of machining error.
One I'm not sure about:
- I don't think TOPS puts their logo on the blade where it is seen in the photo, but I don't remember for sure.
Jason
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