TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft "Fieldcraft" Review by Nutnfancy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Buy at: amzn.to/2rjeUYI
The nature of the blade is bushcraft, the nature of the review is an outdoor knife. The BOB Fieldcraft is a stout, thick and yet smallish 4.6" fixed blade. Results of the testing are revealed here as an interesting discussion in application takes place; lots of testing shown. All details of steel, grind, ergos, sheath, and durability are covered. Value is high compared to many other competitive options such as Swamprat and Esee blades. The BOB performed very well.
Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 3.5 out of 5
I just watched a 25 minutes review on a knife, and I feel completely relaxed now, thanks.
Thank you for the great review on this knife. We did put a lot of thought into it. It was very interesting to hear your perspective on it and I was pleased to hear it. Thank you again.
well also as another bushcrafter and owner of the knife i will say i like how understanding he was to the Fieldcraft in a bushcrafters role
Thank you. I did want to represent your work and your craft as best I could in the review. But since I'm not skilled in bushcraft I had to make that clear in my testing! Glad you guys joined the discussion, it's a great knife.
One thing you almost always nail, and your intro here is a perfect example of this is that you define your perspective and make the boundaries of the review and conversation crystal clear. Thanks for the video !
That is a beautiful blade, and I've been tempted by it several times. For the size, the weight and the price, I have a hard time choosing it. I actually love my Mora knives for carving, and I'd have to disagree on the point about weight during fine use - I find lighter knives to be remarkably less fatiguing in that role.
I know you said you weren't a bushcrafter but in an extended period of survival out in the outdoors those skills will become very useful.
This has to be one of the most honest review of this knife. Many thanks Nutn. Stoked considering i purchased this in store earlier this week.
I'm just tickled you are reviewing the BOB knife. As John said, we spent some time thinking about it's overall function from a bushcrafter's POU.
glad to see ally the mountain dog out with you again enjoying the nature and fresh air.
I actually like my Bk-2 companion better than I think I would like this one. First, the Bk-2 is half the price and it has a fully coated blade. I know, a coated blade won't throw sparks off of a fire steel. That's why I have a lighter and a UST Sparkle fire starter and some tender. Also I love the SOG Field Pup 1 and find it a much better choice over the Mora for the fact it has a full tang. I can get good sparks off of the Field Pup with a ferro rod, no problems. Just my observations. I also added the micarta handles to my Bk-2, much more comfortable in the hand.
Got one, it's a knife. It does the things a knife does, it's tough as hell, I like it.
I was looking at this knife for a while and its awesome that you came out with a review of it
I use the cold blueing I use on my rifles on my carbon blades to protect them ,works great
I like your straight forward honesty in this review
always stoked to see a knife I bought previously have a nutn video on it and see his evaluation of it
I've been watching TNP for a few years, and have been looking for a good smaller knife to take in the woods (having acquired an RTAK-II earler).I bought a BOB about two months ago, and I have to say the review is spot on. I took my BOB out in this recent "winter blast" (lol) the east coast is having in the hills west of Quantico and, while it did everything I could have asked for (it was even better at splitting than the RTAK-II), it *did* rust a little on me (and I had a can of lubricant), and the belt clip bent out on me a few days before (so I had to carry it around in my pocket). Over the few days, I found I used the BOB 10x more than my other knives (RTAK-II, a certain Chris Reeves fixed blade, gerber multitool), and I don't think it's shortcomings should dissuade anyone from buying it. Keep up the good work, Nutn!
Thank you for reviewing this knife. I have been looking at this knife just for a general purpose knife to keep in my vehicle for JIC. It is a very nice looking knife however, after watching your review it may not fit into my POU. So, I may look at another knife you have reviewed in the past. Great job on the review.
Good very thorough review, Nutnfancy. I wondered what the groove on the end of the handle was all about. I never would have guessed it was part of the firestarter.
Very interesting conversation about a general outdoorsman POU vs. specifically Bushcraft POU. Nice knife too!
Thank you, Mora (pride of sweden) makes me very happy!
Bro. Nutn': Thanks for another awesome review. I always appreciate hearing opinions from your prospective. I find you spot-on, from a backpacker's POV. I'm definitely a hybrid. I love the traditional "buck-skinning" type of gear that I grew up with in the '70s, but I also love the modern materials and technologies that make life in the woods more comfortable here in the Eastern Woodlands of Central Indiana. Thanks again! Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Thanks for the review Nutn. Been waiting for a thorough review other then the BladeHQ one. FYI, The Magnesium rods aren't for support, they are to be shaved and then the shaving ignited with the fero-rod.
For some reason this is the first knife review of yours (out of the many I have watched) that I was expecting you to jam that thing into the table pointy end down. Weird vibe. Probably just me. Good video and thanks.
With the Izula II and the ESEE 6, I always think I'm GTG for anything... until I watch one of Nut'n's videos.
Now i NEED a NW Ranger, a Flashback, a MCUSTA, maybe a Cold Steel code 4... I'm in trouble.
Good thing I have all the guns/rifles that I need... until the next video comes out that is.
Thanks Nut'n!
Great review! I've had my eyes on it for a while, but I feel that I'd use other knives more. Also, the notch at the bottom is called a Shango notch. Apparently you're supposed to strike the fire steel, rather than scrape it.
I really like the very last statement nutnfancy makes how most people who get this knife will use it as more of a field knife... but like it knowing that they can bush craft with it if they want to. Keep doing your thing nutnfancy:)
The optimal 1095 hard use steel has it's takeoff's. One, being the rust factor. Take care of your tools and they will take care of you. This is an excellent knife.
I m not a bush crafter, but I do enjoy a good, reliable, heavy duty knife and this fills the roll for what I like and use it for. (Which is BSA outdoor skills.) This is a beautiful, well planned design, that will do most of what you need it to do.
i had rust problems at first with this blade but after it got a patina it hasnt rusted much i mainly bought it for the sheath i like that it can be worn on my left side with ease and i dont need to undo my belt to take it off
I have this knife in south Florida and I've had no rust issues, treat it with frog lube that worked for me.
As a "bushcrafter" - thanks for the review as an outsider
I carry and use a farberware kitchen paring knife with a 4 7/8 inch blade and a cardboard and duct tape sheath, a super tinker swiss army knife, a Kershaw hatchet and a small bow saw for all my bushcraft, camping, and hunting needs.coast less than $50.00 for all.
Nutn what's your likeability rating? I my self like the larger blades. But I need to give that size knife a try to see how it works for me.
Great review! Thanks Nutn! In my opinion, another POU from a "Second Type of Cool" perspective is supporting Joe Flowers and the other great guys at BOB! I've learned a ton from them, and I try to support guys who have taught me.
I found your honesty regarding your lack of knowledge about the world if bushcrafting very refreshing. I don't consider myself the bastion of bushcrafting either. But I like to dabble. That knife you chose seemed an odd one. I'm thinking maybe the modest price tag it had maybe influenced your choice? It sort of looks like a knife a German ex-punk rocker thought would be a good starting candidate for his new "bushcrafting" class. Let the class begin!!! That was a very different video from you, enjoyed it.
I love your videos but I think you really missed the mark with the comment that the Mora will do anything a TOPS BOB will do. I don't own a TOPS but do own a couple Mora's and there is no way I would depend on a Mora to baton and process wood on a backpacking trip because it is NOT full tang and can often break. I own a BK 16 and feel confident in processing wood with it. I often use a Mora for a camp knife and it makes a GREAT fishing knife but for backpacking where I want something dependable I will take the heavier and thinker full tang every time.
But thanks for your honest review. It was still very helpful and I love that you don't cater to particular companies like so many YT reviewers do!
2 other GREAT Tops designs: the Dragonfly 4.5, a lightweight Bushcraft design, with nice ergos, and the Lite Trekker, (Joe Flowers also helped do the B.O.B.) the Lite Trekker is a Ultra Light FFG hiking and survival knife, great for hikers, but also a good tactical choice, since it even has a small dual guard. It's 7 oz with a nice kydex sheath and firesteel/magnesium rod combo, and whistle.
stoked for mine (it's en route)
wife knew I was fancyin a BOB and made it happen
I did a video where I shaved with one. Took a bit of stropping but razor sharp.
You might be surprised at how heated the bushcraftUSA discussions never gets. Most of the people there are students of life and are willing to hear others out or on the teaching side whilst still maintaining that student mentality. They also respect seem to differences of opinions, "Your millage may vary" is a fairly common phrase used in discussion. Over all, it's a pretty lade back crowd. As a famous bushcrater once said, "If your roughing it, you're doing it wrong."
Could you please share any Info you may have on the TOPS Black Star fixed blade knife...I can't find a thing thx
I bought mine a year ago with tan canvas micarta I think the fero rod that comes with it is usless but as I found out from another video the exotic fero rod fits in there perfect and as for the whistle I read on tops sight and the idea behind there whistle sounding weird is exactly that it supposed to sound different to attract attention
Great review Nutn. I've had this knife since the grand opening at Blade HQ, and I've been hoping you would review it. After owning and using the fieldcraft for a while, I have many of the same thoughts you had. It has great feel and an amazing sheath. I can't emphasize enough how well the sheath is designed for comfort and ergonomics. The knife works great for many tasks, and I really enjoy carrying and using it outdoors. But, I have a hard time finding it's place in an extended stay backpacking, or day hiking system. It's just heavy and short. I usually take an R-tak II and a Mora. Or, If i'm just day hiking and have a "single knife" option, it's usually a Cold Steel leatherneck, or Sog Fusion Bowie (with a pocket folder too). The Fieldcraft just doesn't have the length to make it a good "single knife" option. If it was just a couple inches longer it I think I'd be more excited about the blade. The convex grind is not as good for woodcraft as the scandi-grind of the Mora and others, but it really holds the edge well. I really like the Falkniven A1, but I can't afford it yet. I think a slightly longer BOB Fieldcraft would be a pretty good competitor to the A1.
I don't have this knife, I chose to spend too much and get the awesome Spyderco Bushcraft, however, I really liked this design. If I were in the market for say a bushcraft/survival knife, I think this is it. I already have a Scrapyard 711 so I didn't need another beefy blade but if I were on a budget and wanted a good basic outdoors knife this is it. Its got Tops quality(say what you wish about Tops but don't dis their quality), a comfortable handle, scandi grind for more intricate work and its hefty for battoning and even chopping. A bushcraft knife that can handle abuse.
Hello Nutn, I'd really like to see your trap making skills.
Yet another great review. I love the KRV's. My favorite part of TNP. Please do more HEC reviews and hopefully some on the new microtech socom delta and DOC. Thanks again.
Nutn, will we ever see a review of the Ontario sk5 blackbird? Thanks!
nutnfancy, I'm curious how this blade holds up to the typical USMC K-Bar?? Of course, it is smaller and lighter but.....
at 1:38 I spontaneously blurted out, "DOGNESS!". Good to see her out on adventures after all she's been through.
Nice review, I'd like to see a vid on how you maintain, remove the micro chips from the edge on this modified scandi blade.
This knife is hands down one of the best bushcraft blades I have ever used. Your review is fair but I will say it does everything I want in a fixed blade and then some. The Mora will not do anything close to what the BOB Knife will preform and also has a inferior construction.
Thank you for this vid! Iv been wanting to get this for a while
I dont do much backpacking, mostly camping where we drive to a location and mostly stay there so the weight isn't a huge factor
Yessss more knife reviews!
Nutnfancy how does this one compare to the CS Master Hunter in your opinion? Smaller and a lot lighter, better steel in SM3 and not as pricey if you shop right.
If you want bigger, why not the CS Recon Scout or CS SRK? Again available in SM3 for a good price...
I like the gimping on this one... Much better than my Esee Izula
***** Yep, just talking about the gimping... On my Izula 1. Lol
The Lite Trekker might be a good one to look at.
I was thinking of getting this knife as a small companion for my Trail Master, but did I hear you right that this knife actually weighs about 14 oz? If so, it's wayyy too heavy for my needs.
Great review nutn. Would you also include rat 3 or 5 as competitive options?
Thanks :)
Interesting review. (No, that doesn't mean I hated it. ;) ) I think you nailed it when you brought up the POU. For a bushcrafter, it's great. For a camper, it might be just ok. It all depends on what you want.
I also liked how you threw in the Buck Punk for comparison. That knife came immediately to mind as I watched this review. I think if I was going to pick out a knife for this category, it would be a choice between these two at the end.
PS: While bushcrafters like the Mora as an "entry level" knife for those getting into the life, they don't consider it a permanent part of their equipment due to the lack of a full tang. They also try to avoid battoning their knives to process wood as much as possible. They prefer an axe. (Again, a different POU.)
In the end, it's all about personal choice and how you use your tools. Thant's why I found this review so interesting.
Thank you for providing it. :)
i used the sog field pup to wedge some wood and the tip broke. Another time I tried splitting a small log with my sog fusion bowie I had never used and with one hit of the knife accidently on the guard, the sog broke in half at the guard and its a full tang knife. I am hesitant to purchase any sog knives. I still like my sog flash 2 and magnadot.
if you dont mind try the notch facing you
What type of wire are you using at 16:00 ?
if you blue a knife does if help against rust?
Hey Nutn, Thanks for a another great blade review man. I've been following your channel for a few years now, and especially enjoy your backpacking vids. Anyways, if you can secure one... would you please do a Habilis Bush Tool review. MCUSTA!
Camera man is drunk?
When you talk POU, how is this blade any different than the GSO-5 that you raved so much about? You make this knife sound boring to you, yet you made the GSO seem like it was the best thing next to sliced bread? Only 1/2 an inch different in blade length, and both are scandi grinds, yes the GSO would be considered a high scandi, but really they both have the same capabilities when in comes to POU minus 1/2 an in for batoning. I am just trying to think of anything you can do with the GSO that you couldnt do with the TOPS BOB and vice versa. You even include footage of this in your GSO video. Is it because it has the word "bushcraft" on the blade?
+Preston Gladd
1. Full inch longer blade, not 1/2 inch.
2. CPM-3V steel vs 1095
You get what you pay for, and 3V steel is much more expensive than 1095.
Do a review of the TOPS Condor Alert please!!!
Bushcrafters..."what else do they have, a freakin tin cup"? :)) hehe :)
Great video again, thank you!
@19:51 nuttin shows several knives. Can anyone identify the sixth knife from the left?
To me, a survivalist IS a bushcrafter. I'm sure nutnfancy would be a survivor though, despite his humility regarding bushcrafting. Would he survive without WD-40?... Most likely... hehe.
Thanks for the review!
Great review.. seems like a pretty good knife for the money.
nutnfancy I would love for you to do a review on the bark river bravo 1 or the 1.5 in cpm3v (preferably the 1.5) it would be greatly appreciated
all that matters to me how much it costs how long it lasts the sheath and deployment option matter as well because some knives are not a quick to deploy thats about it
Nutnfancy how about a fällkniven s1 review?
Hay can you review the TOPS Sur tac 7
Nutn, what is your opinion on the best oil to put on a blade?
+Gunner Kelley Mineral oil/Renaissance Wax from what I've heard, but I'm no expert.
Hi Nutnfancy what you mean with No bs ? thanks
+coecovideo A little late, but he's just saying that he's giving his honest opinion. Which apparently made a lot of Tops fans very butt hurt.
I think it's a very nice knife. However it is designed to be a bushcraft knife first. I to believe that, bushcraft, survival and being outdoorsman is a blurred line also. I understand the thought process of having a high efficiency cutter. But at the same time how well does it have to cut to make triggers for traps? A spoon? That's the question.
A knife, axe, machete, and shovel in my kit.
The fieldcraft knife seems pretty cool.
I'm buying one!
Review the Moras!
Great review
i dont get the difference between bushcrafting and outdoors/survival... Anyone fancy to explain!?
i would say the difference is bushcraft would be more like you have one knife and you can go out and survive just with that outdoors/survival would be more you have a bunch of stuff like a ferro rod, cotton and vaseline and a sharpening stone
Bushcraft is the craft of living in the woods in a cozy way, survival is, well, survival in a hostile situation and thusly more of an instinct. Survival techniques however, make surviving more plausible and even comfy, which makes bushcrafting survival with style;-), hence the confusion. Bushcrafting thusly is a way of living, and even an alternative way of living nowadays, for there are also many householding and other skills involved.
+erniiaylien I don't understand bushcrafting personally. I always try to be prepared, and I could never see myself just having a knife and the clothes on my back. I guess you don't prepare for those things, and it would be a good skill to learn. Honestly though, at that point, I would just use the knife to end my suffering. I think I would rather call it a day than eat squirrels and sleep on mud with snakes and roaches.
I like the Kabar Becker Bk 16. Similar size, 1095 steel and less than $80.
Was considering the ESEE version until I saw that it weighs more than an Oldsmobile. This one is a bit more reasonable.
another excellent and informative review :)
very nice review
Vary sexy knife. My standard outdoor everything knife is an SRK with a 15° grind, so that's what I compare everything to. This might be something I'll be buying. Hate the sheath though. I wish Cold Steel would make custom sheaths for other knives.
Knives (blades) that I own TWO of : Ontario SP8, BoB Fieldcraft, Mora 840MG Companion. I *would* own two Mora Blacks, but they are kind of spendy, as Moras go. I do own one Mora Bushcraft Black and it is probably the best competitive alternative to my BoB Fieldcraft knives. It runs about $40 and it is much lighter YET it is 1095 and has a squared (sharp 90 degree) spine and it is significantly thicker stock than other Moras. ... It will do in a pinch but I do not like ANY bushcraft knife for food prep because they are too thick. Try cutting a carrot with a thick blade. The slices go FLYING out of the work area. I prefer my DELICA4 FFG for food prep (or my Voyager XL Clip Point (FFG) if I have it (heavy, though).
The only tops night that I have is a cops backbite is held up very well project after 5 years of course no use being a self defense knife but tops knifes are high quality from the experience I have with them
Sorry Brother you couldn't have missed this review any further if you would have tried. For one fire craft is a bushcraft skill. Two the BOB was designed by guys who do woodsman/survival/bushcraft type skills not just bushcraft. Three when you take one knife and not a system of tools, well that is just crazy. See these guy's are what's known in today's outdoor enthusiasts as the MMA guy's of the outdoors. People like me and bunches of others have taken every wilderness discipline and removed the weak points. Just for example the bow drill socket in the handle of that knife well that goes against everything that primitive skills and bushcraft stands for because its not a pure form of the bow drill but what it does do is give you an advantage if you should have to start a bow drill fire because it makes it at least 25% easier. See the point of that socket wasn't that bushcrafters only start bow drill fires the point of the socket was if you were in a bad situation and had lost your gear or something like that you still had a way to start a fire to save your life. Also batoning is a huge part of every type wilderness discipline but bushcrafters don't use that thick of a blade only survivalists do because the last thing you need is your knife breaking in a bad situation. Also the mentality you have about taking everything off your knife sheath because you have other kits the reason that kit gets put on that knife has nothing to do with anything but survival. If you take a spill in the white water because you tripped on the trail and fell down the bank and the white water carries your pack away what do you still have? Your knife because its on your belt well that fire kit would look mighty good about that time with a couple tri tab packets strapped with a ranger band to your sheath. The world of wilderness training has changed and if you don't become the MMA fighter of wilderness training you are teaching an inferior discipline. At this point I need my sleeping gear to be able to not melt or burst into flames if I'm sleeping 3ft from a fire and I also need to be able to move through the woods without being seen. This has motivated people to carry more knowledge and less gear, I can carry a full waxed canvas backpack and a Swiss military wool blanket and a modern 0 degree sleeping bag and my pack loaded comes in under 30 pounds. But I only have to carry the basics because I replaced gear with knowledge. That was the benefit of a survivalist like myself learning pioneer and bushcraft skills and making myself a well rounded woodsman. It's all about durability, dependability and versatility in gear these day's because everyone knows that the day's are short when the skillset you have in your head could determine how long you and your family stay alive. That's why I can take my knife and live in the wilderness for an unlimited amount of time. The military special forces have made a big push at teaching their soldiers how to live for an extended amount of time with nothing but their knife from what I've heard.
TLDR.
Pendejo TLDR; Nutnfancy should stick to stuff made specifically to kill people/animals.
+Project Par Golf I don't think I've ever seen a longer comment in over 10 years of being on youtube...
+TheGoldenSaber That`s because he`s the MMA of the outdoors.
Skinny Moose
More like the tweaker of outdoors.
There's a microchip in the blade?
as in tiny chips along the edge from hitting the dirt.
LOL @ Mr Rodgers comment. Its the nicest lookin bushcraft Knife ive seen but TOPS is wayyy outta the ball park with Prices, I own the TBT and i feel its over priced, And Kudos to u for givein IS a blade for Afganinstan. Great Review and other choices.
Mr Rogers Trolly! ha. classic.
Hey Nutn's talking good about a Top knife! Maybe one day he will try the D.A.R.T knife and discover the best middle size knife ever! Just sayin'... :) - Just a big tnp fan from Italy :) -
I'm surprised they didn't use D2 on this blade. Anyhow, cool knife. Not for me, but cool.
Condor bushlore??
love mine, done a little battoning with it and holds a good edge.
Hi there can u name me a knive that's tough in stainless steel I like that one but I don't know much about knives and I just don't like the rust issue
You can try the mora bushcraft black, it's carbon steel but it's coated.
Most Fallkniven blades are a type of high end laminate stainless steel. Very very high quality.
I've got a couple Mora's. They're outstanding blades. Worth much more than there cost.
The BOB knife from TOPS outsells even the Tom Brown Tracker for a reason.
+The_kid Ontario Blackbird, Fallkniven F1, Survive 5.1, Mora Companion in stainless, Buck 119 Special.