TOPS Knives Factory Tour w/ Andy Tran of InnerBark Outdoors
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- This is one of those cool videos you just want everyone to see, so when Andy posted his tour of the TOPS Knives factory I asked him if I could share it with PM101 subscribers (since only a small percentage of people actually check out videos you "like") and post it here on this channel. This will make you appreciate your TOPS knife that much more!
Andy's Channel, InnerBark Outdoors: / @innerbarkoutdoors
TOPS Knives TH-cam Channel: / @topsknivesofficial
TOPS WEBSITE: www.topsknives.com
SHOP AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE AMAZON STORE:
www.preparedmin...
SUBSCRIBE: tinyurl.com/mdw...
FACEBOOK: / preparedmind101
GOOGLE+: plus.google.com...
TWITTER: / preparedmind101
INSTAGRAM: / preparedmind101
![fellow fellow - PROUD feat. INK WARUNTORN [STRING QUARTET]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BQrVkMPTdHE/mqdefault.jpg)
Superb. I was shocked to see the level of care and attention to detail this company puts forth. They're making this in the USA(which is wonderful for many reasons) and you really get a feel that they respect and value their employees. They machine what makes sense to machine and allow other things to not only be done by hand, but to have time spent on each tool. No exaggeration, I just watched this vid and I'm googling now to find and buy one of their knives. Been looking for a good knife for a while and wanted to step up from my trusty Mora knife. I've had an expensive knife before, but unfortunately it was stolen. Was waiting to find a company that made something that would last me. With this kind of superior workmanship, there's no doubt. I'm starting to sound like I work for these guys. Thanks for the review videos and hats off to TOPS for making a great product.
awesome to see that a lot is still done by hand!
Simply ... Epic. Bravo.
Thats really cool to see the inside of the TOPS factory!
Tops makes great stuff !
great work ....
TOPS knife added to the wish list.
BTW... Andy wanted me to add that Leo is not just the shop manager...he's also the Vice President. And designer of some of my favorites (Tex Creeks, MSK, Scandi Trekker).
I’ve watched this several times & each time I come away w/ something new - imho, a good thing! Also, the calm yet humor filled narration MAKES THIS Video that much more special: KUDOS TO ALL..!!! I’ve had my TOPS FIRESTRIKE 45 for around 6/7-YEARS & THAT’S What expresses my admiration the most🇺🇸
great
Benny. The unsung hero
I have the M1 midget, anaconda 9 and the operator 7 blackout. All 3 are incredible knives. Ridiculously strong, easy to sharpen and hold their edge like a champ.
Awesome vid
Awesome video!
AWESOME products!
Amazing. I feel so confident when my tops knife is on my hip out in the woods. You can feel the quality in their knives when holding one in your hand. Just stellar!
I want a tops now
This is an impressive video. I had no idea so much care and individual attention was paid to the manufacture of Tops knives. I'm completely blown away by their knife designs. My favourites are the B.O.B. Fieldcraft and the entire trio of scandi knives that they make. The HOG 4.5 and the Cochise; preferably that with the antique micarta scale design for the Cochise. I do have others beginning to crowd my list of favourites. A very entertaining video.
I just got this video in my feed... is this guy still there wow
I love my Tops BOB. Excellent craftsmanship. Good job Tops crew !
Today I ordered one TOPS Knives Tahoma Field Knife TAHO-01, and went here to see how it happens. Good job, I can't wait for my knife to arrive.
I can remember when Alan blade made the first 5 prot's of knives to get Tops off the ground . Hope your doing Well Col , Mike .
I love the tops knives lineup the video was great seeing what you do was especially great because as a fan of tops it was interesting and different from all the other bushcraft reviews on knives in general very cool 😎 😀
excellent tour of TOPS knives.
..good video!!
I own the Tom Brown Tracer 1...great knife. Next will be the operator 7
Awesome video mate. Just ordered my Bob! Can’t wait for it to get here in Japan!!
super sweeeet
Nice to have something acutaly made in USA. It will be spendy but good stuff are pricey specialy hand made. Keep the good work.
Bad ass
Absolutely amazing!!!! thanks for sharing this guys!!!!
The CNC machines cutting the blanks....In my old job where I ran a NC Steel Saw, that machine was right next to me. It's very top shelf equipment. Cost them a pretty penny!
Wish we had a CNC like that. I would definitely be making my own.
Cut's two blanks per run.
Wouldn't it be better if they used a water jet ?
Brilliant! Great inside knowledge, this should help any one make thinking of making a TOPS purchase
I love Tops Knives and own a half dozen quality knives from them. They are my best knives and worth every penny. It's nice to see the human beings behind these great knives. That said, I think Big Steve was on vacation when the Kydex sheath for my Tops Interceptor was fitted ... that knife falls out of the sheath if you turn it upside down (no way an upside-down shake test was done the day my Interceptor came off the line).
Nice video. May sway me to buy a Tops knife, so very well done and kudos to Tops for allowing us to see their factory.
man I want a Tops knife so bad!!
As shop owner I love TOPS knives. Although the price scares a few customers away the ones that buy TOPS knives pass the word very well. TOPS has become a top seller and we live in an area that only has a two county population of 40,000 in the heart of the Ozarks
Olden LX as long as the light is the same most blade makers go by color. A dim environment is perfect for this. You can see the various colors in the steel under heat and a trained eye can tell the difference. Notice no fluorescent lights. Duh
great video, always good to see the inside workings of a company, awesome family orientated business that really cares about it's product.These videos are great because you feel connected, I want a TOPS knife now lol thx for sharing
Wow I think I'm going to buy one just because if this. Amazing work!
Very nice vid, thanks Andy... I want a job in that factory !
After seeing the Tops knife tour video I need a Tops Knife.
Thanks guys!
I absolutely luv my Wild Pig Hunter from Tops Knives. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
Thank you so much for sharing !
Awesome videos, thanks for sharing this with us. One thing I really did not expect was to see HT done ‘by eye’ AND with what is basically a gas furnace, as to get any reasonable consistency is super hard. I guess this is also a reason why very most TOPS knives are made out of a 1095 - a very simple carbon steel, as this approach would not be possible with any higher alloyed steel.
Outstanding!
I know I’m late but welcome to Idaho:)! Check out Schenk if you can they supply tops with their steel and Schenk is an amazing company as well. Also CRK and Koenig are here in idahome just to name a few
So did he temper the knife after quench?
Wow this makes me want and to pick up my TOPS knife now lol!
Made in the USA by U.S. Military Veterans. Thanks for sharing this -
Great video, outstanding knives. I have 8 in my collection, all have different uses and all brilliant. My favourite brand by far. The only drawback here in the UK is the names of some of the knives which would probably make them illegal with our strict knife laws. They are also very expensive over here, often double the USA price. Still worth it though in my opinion.
Its so funny how we all love knives, its just a sharp piece of metal🤣
@@cosmicarmorsuperman3111 yes that’s right but add an aggressive name then it becomes a zombie knife.
@@tonyjedioftheforest1364 lol I have so many great quality knives I only buy knives, from coldsteel, kabar, tops, sog, kershaw just to name a few
@@cosmicarmorsuperman3111 I only buy USA and European made knives with a few from South America and avoid Chinese rubbish as they are killing our industry . Cold Steel looks interesting but I’m unsure where they are made so don’t have any yet.
@@tonyjedioftheforest1364 cold steel are made on Taiwan, they are amazing especially for the price and that have amazing steel ide recommend the srk
Outstanding video sir, thank you!
I have many tops knives an I agree great work to all the tops team!!!!
Chris, when will the Scandi Trekker become more widely available?
No idea. First runs go quick. I think they probably guage how many to make after that. Then the different colored handles start showing up.
Excellent video Mr. Tran! I was curious how they kept their prices reasonable, CNC saves a lot of time.
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing.
that benny is a friggin' boss. i wasn't aware of how small an operation tops is, at least i figured there'd be more people involved.
One of the best videos ever. sweet
excellent video, I am totally puzzled, though, is why anyone would mark a down thumb on a video like this? There is nothing controversial or opinionated! Some people are just unhappy, I guess. Keep up the tine work,
Well, my Fieldcraft 154cm definitely wasn't testet with paper. Feels like a trainee sharpened it.
What is the width of the blade of the tahoma field knife at its widest part?
Very Cool
Any idea who makes Tops folders?
TOPS makes their own folders unless specified otherwise (Italy, or BUCK collaboration)
this video is awesome love seeing this kind of stuff and where my blades are actually coming from
Very cool tour it's so cool to see how these knives come to be and it really makes me want one.
The Tops factory is in Idaho Right?
Awesome! Tops and ESEE are my favorite knife companies
Aww man didn't think that u saw this thats y I sent it to u
Couldn't be happier with my Tops Anaconda tanto. Great quality, Cuts you name it like a hot knife through butter and holds the edge.
I'm looking about buying the Tops Tex Creek XL? Any opinions?
Support American businesses!
I recently purchased a Steel Eagle and it came very dull.
Maybe I don't remember correctly but as I recall tops had some of there best knifes fail here on youtube.
Would love to work there
How to order the knives online? Do they ship it to India? Pls share the links to shop them online.
nice! That floor in the sharpness testing segment reminds me of my apartment!
Great video!
Seriously, that was a great video...
wow very impressive, great skill from these workers and you can see the passion in there face for what they do, there prices for all that attention is excellent they just got a customer here, ive been eying the tops BOB for a while.
tops powertop
What kind of knives did they make in the video
Mainly Andy's Tahoma Field Knife. Saw some of the newer Bushcraft Kukris. That new Hog Assassin Death Blade thing. .. (forget the name. .. Wild Pig Hunter? )
Sweet tour!! Tops my favorite high end blade company, CRKT my favorite budget/mid grade company
I'm very fascinated by the fact that it's all handmade (well, most of it). Quite remarkable; the question is PREPAREDMIND101 what's your best knife they've made?
I'm still in the early stages of TOPS sickness. I have (currently) 6 TOPS knives, with two more I did have, and 1 more coming tomorrow (Armageddon). I think the BOB is one of the best all around knives. I have one and will get another when the uncoated ones are released.
PREPAREDMIND101 Will (have) you done any reviews on any of these knives?
ProfessionalismFromHipHop I have videos on the Tahoma Field Knife, TOPS B.O.B., Scandi Trekker, MSK, Steel Eagle 107E, and soon the Armageddon and Lite Trekker.
Wouldn't that belt sander and buffing wheel mess up the temper? I understand their higher price points better now, though I think they really need to start using stainless steel for their smaller defensive blades. Nobody wants to constantly maintain a knife they hardly ever use.
Ahh, this explains why their knives with the Rocky Mountain (Tread?) handle scales cost significantly more.
So, the kydex sheaths are stock with the knives? I got a ballistic nylon with my 111A SE. Was that an error?
Some knives come stock with Kydex, most come with ballistic nylon.
Ahh thank you thank you.
Now I want to buy a TOPS knife!
Nice, nice. Looks like a relatively small company ...
Not crazy expensive either
What was the knife featured throughout some of the video, the one being held at the end? Is that the Condor or maybe Armageddon?
This was a very interesting tour. I always thought Topps knives were made in a huge factory type place. This is similar to a mom n pop type atmosphere. Btw is it me or is Leo's wife a hottie! Just saying. Thanks for the tour.
Awesome vid! Sub to Andy and thanks for sharing. I would love to see more shop tours. Very interesting stuff
I would appreciate TOPS much more if they would use a TRUE scandi grind
Why? The Scandi-vex grind is my favorite grind anyone does. I want more of it. Have you tried a B.O.B. yet? It works great.
Lets just say I'm anal about sharpening angles and prefer a scandi with a convex micro bevel applied by leather+ paste
Noice
very impressive, the quality is impressive, I might buy tops, when I have the money, because at the price they offer it, they're really a bargain
All those guys who like to tell you that using a Work Sharp to sharpen your knives will ruin the temper of the blade should really watch this!
What idiot says that?? Pretty much all knives are factory sharpened that way. That's that kind of parrot-talk nonsense I can't stand. People talking that have no clue what they are even talking about.
PREPAREDMIND101 Agreed!
+Gunslinger454 yeah, sharpening with a belt grinder is really fast, but it is harder to control the profile of the blade. still, with a couple of knives of practice, you can get a very serviceable edge.
+Cody P -- The Work Sharp gives you very good control over the edge profile, far better than anyone who doesn't have the skill to hand sharpen on a regular belt grinder can get. If you've got the spare cash the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition with the accessory Blade Grinding Attachment (about $240 all total) gives you superb edge control and also works really well for giving you a great 90° edges on the spine too.
If it turns a permanent purple color is it still good to go?
so if someone like ka bar wanted to put tops out of business all they gotta do is kind nap Bennie?
reason number 4 to be rich
6:22 not a good idea to sand micarta or g10 with out a mask. That dud's lungs are probably so jacked up
1) I want to buy a tops knife know
2) This is american craftsmanship at its best
You cater to venders not us.
If you say so. How exactly (explain please) would someone "cater to us?"
The comment at 4.20 is stupid. "Doesn't need instruments to tell heat treat temp." So he goes by steel color when heated. Guess what, available light changes, steel temp color changes. Duh! Need more info on this stupid fallacy, do a bit of research with regard to the early manufacture of the 1903 Springfield Service Rifle and the KABOOMS! that resulted by relying on experience of the receiver forgers using heated steel color to judge temperatures for heat treating. FAIL!
I bought a Tops Mohawk Hunter two years ago and never used it. Took it out of the drawer after seeing this video to again check it out. It is dull! Never been used and not only will it not pass the paper test, it won't even pass a stiff cardboard test. I bought it based on a friend's recommendation. It is, indeed, well made. Only thing is, who needs a knife that won't hold an edge?
Benny should give each blade the magnet test because like you said you cannot depend on light and color alone. When a blade is no longer magnetic from heat treatment then its about ready for the quench.
Are you saying the knife dulled from storage? Or wasn't sharp to out of box? Never heard of blade dulling from nothing
Well, being 1095, there's a pretty good chance that it just developed "micro oxidation" from lack of maintenance. It's when tiny microscope sized rust forms on the blade. You can't see it, but your edge will feel dull. To get rid of it, just simply strop it or touch it up on a ceramic rod. Even just cutting things will begin to remove it.