This knife has been on my radar since late last year when TOPS announced it was being made. Looks like a really good knife and even better, no stupid finger choil like TOPS has on a majority of their knives. Thanks for the review. Late.
Hog is a better blade in my opinion, only thing missing is kydex. Don't understand why tops can't upgrade their current sheaths, or start offering a kydex option for slightly more money.
Having used both the hog doesn't do anything for me that the trail seeker can't and the trail seeker comes in a lower profile package. Also I like the tip on the trail seeker better
I bought one of these as soon as they dropped, and I just got done with a 4 day camping/fishing trip in northern Minnesota... the trailseeker is hands-down my favorite fixed blade! I’ve got some Benchmade, Tops, Ontario and Ka-bar fixed blades that I love, but the Tarailseeker just does it for me. This would be my “if I could only have one”
This Top knife reminds me a model of Nieto Cutlery here in Spain, the Nieto Semper Fi, love this knife and love this Top Knife. Both are... Amazing. From here, I would like to sent to all of you support due the covid19. Hard moments to all the countries. I have family in the States and I would like to say.. Never Surrender, never quit
So...... it's an ESEE 5 that found the treadmill and shed some fat? Honestly it sound like the perfect balance between being sturdy but not a brick. Love my ESEE 5 but would like a trimmed down version. This looks perfect! Diggin the idea of differential HT too. Sounds like a solid win!
@@christopherskipp1525 Well they do make an ESEE 4 but I don't think it is as robust as this (Tops). This thing, to me, just looks like an ESEE 5 but scaled down a little. A little thinner, little shorter, to be honest kinda perfect. The ESEE 5 has a 5 1/2 blade that is saber ground from 1/4" stock. It is like a sharpened pry bar. I am not doggin on it, I have one and love it. It is a tad overkill tho.
The Esee 5 is a completely different class knife being 1/4" thick heavy saber ground. It's a sharpened pry bar. This is more practical all around camp knife that can be used in a variety of uses barring chopping which the 5 would excel.
@@schlooonginator1227 I've used an ESEE 5, for years. I think "sharpened pry bar" is an exaggeration. Nimble it is not. Usable for a variety of tasks, absolutely. Yep, yer right, this is a different class of knife, it is like a middle weight ESEE 5 which is what I said - a trimmed down ESEE 5.
Well done! I've been scouring the internet for days looking for more information on the Trail Seeker and was stoked to see your review show today on the feed. Appreciate the review and information. Still torn between the Trail Seeker and an Esee but leaning towards the Tops. Thanks.
i bought a Kabar BK7 about 10 years ago as my first (well i broke a Kabar GI issue i inherited and was replacing it with something stronger). then i bought a dozen more and i could've stopped with the BK7 and its still my main, go to knife i hard use regularly. if you're looking for a great 1st/only knife.
@@Robert-bm5fz although that is a really interesting knife and I like the look of it, I really like the idea of having a kydex sheath. All the ones I have handled from my friends are very nice and aren't as bulky as a cloth or leather one.
@@Flames2Cinder oh the BK7 sheath is garbage. i made a leather one years ago but they make kydex sheaths for them too. i don't like having to push my thumb down to draw my knife so i am not into kydex for knives. kind of a pain in the ass.
@@Robert-bm5fz Yeah I can see that. Idk I might have to look into getting 2 first fixed blades and seeing which one I like more. Thank you so much for the info
I love my T5 it has an elegant look to it with the machining they did to the handle and is an awesome slicer/brute of a knife. The steel is there, the price is reasonable for what you get, and the sheath is classy as hell.
Looking to get another TOPS knife and this for me is near perfection. I have worked with kydex and that rattle problem is easily fixed. It would be an EDC for me.
Aaron, thank you, thank you so much for this video! I never had a Tops knife, yet, I was really on the fence about getting a Hog, great video there too btw, size specs material USA all looking good, just wasn't sure it was going to fit the niche I was looking for, smaller combat utility, I held back because of you mentioning it was a little slick. Then the light bulb went off, lol, you do comparisons to similar knives. Searched a bit found this one, and you gave exactly what I needed Hog vs trailseeker, So, now I just got wait for the trailseeker to come in. Thanks again love your reviews. God bless.
Nice back up pack knife! I always wonder if the black powder coating is non-hazardous to us if you cut food with those knives coated? Anyone know? I have knives that live on my side I have knives in my wondering bag. What's one more knife!? Great review Aaron! Thanks for passing this along to us! Enjoy your weekend.
Beautiful knife! Have you ever tried a brand called Kubey? Chinese, but good quality. I got a Kubey KU240 "Sicario", a fixed blade with G10 scales and a D2 blade. Comes with a fantastic kydex sheath. It was $60 at the time, now closer to $70 on Amazon.
Hey Aaron, just picked this knife up from BP Knives. This is my first TOPS knife. I always wanted the brakimo, but never pulled the trigger. I absolutely love the design of this blade... and a kydex sheeth to boot🤘 Question: can you throw sparks with the spine? Thanks for the great review!
Thank you for mentioning the one handed thumb ramp deployment, that's what I needed to know. Plan to carry this in the pocket without the dangling thing. Looking at this and the KABAR/Hinderer Hellfire for a tactical knife.. Hmm
I really like just about everything about this knife, but I wear XL leather gloves, and tend to still need to stretch them a bit to make them comfortable, I worry that the handle might be a bit petite for my hands. my question to you is, how does the gripable real estate compare to a BK handle? My hand fills the BK2/7/9 scales to about capacity. they are comfortable, but my pinky does ride the hook. The BK 18 handle is right at the tipping point of not big enough. The scales on my BoB are right at flush with the end of my pinky, but fall just to the comfortable side.
I am really bored of 1095 steel, flat grinds, micarta handles and Kydex sheaths. There are thousands of knife brands out there. Let’s get a bit of variety! You have never (correct me if wrong) reviewed a Bark River for instance and they are the best knives I have personally used... Still looks a great knife though!
As usual great review Aaron. Have you ever done a review on the Essee CM6? If not I would be interested in seeing a review. I know it's been around for awhile but I believe it has been overlooked by many.
One thing about getting old is memory loss. Since I cannot remember where I was going, I am never lost. As for the knife... it appears very "vanilla" for a Tops offering.
Great review of a great knife. I’m usually a ‘big knife’ guy, but lately, TOPS has come out with some fantastic blades in this size. The Brakimo is my edc, but I would prefer a little taller blade. The Trail Seeker just might be the one. Thanks for the review. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
What's up bud-de lol awesome job on videos as always. I have a question what do you think of the kubey ku240? Can you do a review on it if possible. Thanks I really respect your opinion and appreciate you time given. Keep up the great job.
Love my Tops Brakimo😍they are awesome knives BUT... SMKW has the Bk18 Harpoon for $69 ... I freaking love mine , I highly recommend buying one . Best deal on knives I've seen in a while now.
3/16" is too thick for a 4.5" blade. That's more survival tool than useful knife. And 4.5" is a little short to be a survival knife. This knife seems to miss. A Mora Bushcraft is 1/8" thick and blade is 4.25." That's even a little thicker than is useful, but that's closer to right. A Mora Companion has useful dimensions, it's 1/10" thick on a 4" blade. This TOPS is nearly TWICE that thick.
Okay, i'll be the bad guy. man, if thats the design that won out, I cant imagine how sad the other designs must have looked. that short clip makes it look like they built a longer knife, but broke the tip and had to re grind it. tops is tops, it'll probably perform great, but its just ugly.
I normally really love Tops knives. My Tops C.U.T 4.0 in my opinion is one of the best small fixed blades ever made but I will admit that some of the designs can be a little hit or miss lately.
This knife has been on my radar since late last year when TOPS announced it was being made. Looks like a really good knife and even better, no stupid finger choil like TOPS has on a majority of their knives. Thanks for the review. Late.
Hog is a better blade in my opinion, only thing missing is kydex. Don't understand why tops can't upgrade their current sheaths, or start offering a kydex option for slightly more money.
Besides the sheath, I"m not a fan of the large "O" on the back of the HOG either.
Having used both the hog doesn't do anything for me that the trail seeker can't and the trail seeker comes in a lower profile package. Also I like the tip on the trail seeker better
I bought one of these as soon as they dropped, and I just got done with a 4 day camping/fishing trip in northern Minnesota... the trailseeker is hands-down my favorite fixed blade! I’ve got some Benchmade, Tops, Ontario and Ka-bar fixed blades that I love, but the Tarailseeker just does it for me. This would be my “if I could only have one”
Cool to hear!!
This Top knife reminds me a model of Nieto Cutlery here in Spain, the Nieto Semper Fi, love this knife and love this Top Knife. Both are... Amazing. From here, I would like to sent to all of you support due the covid19. Hard moments to all the countries. I have family in the States and I would like to say.. Never Surrender, never quit
Imagine how good the designs would be if they had nation wide entries instead of just their employees.
I like that idea,
So true: what an ugly knife! :D
At least, I hope it works.
That looks very nice!
I see a esee 4 vs trail seeker face off video in near future 😉 hopefully
Great Video! We will be sharing it soon!
So...... it's an ESEE 5 that found the treadmill and shed some fat? Honestly it sound like the perfect balance between being sturdy but not a brick. Love my ESEE 5 but would like a trimmed down version. This looks perfect! Diggin the idea of differential HT too. Sounds like a solid win!
What about an ESEE about four inches in length?
@@christopherskipp1525 Well they do make an ESEE 4 but I don't think it is as robust as this (Tops). This thing, to me, just looks like an ESEE 5 but scaled down a little. A little thinner, little shorter, to be honest kinda perfect. The ESEE 5 has a 5 1/2 blade that is saber ground from 1/4" stock. It is like a sharpened pry bar. I am not doggin on it, I have one and love it. It is a tad overkill tho.
The Esee 5 is a completely different class knife being 1/4" thick heavy saber ground. It's a sharpened pry bar. This is more practical all around camp knife that can be used in a variety of uses barring chopping which the 5 would excel.
@@schlooonginator1227 I've used an ESEE 5, for years. I think "sharpened pry bar" is an exaggeration. Nimble it is not. Usable for a variety of tasks, absolutely. Yep, yer right, this is a different class of knife, it is like a middle weight ESEE 5 which is what I said - a trimmed down ESEE 5.
Yeah man. That Esee 5 is just a little too stout. That fat limits you. It would be rough but I could filet a catfish with this. It's more functional.
Well done! I've been scouring the internet for days looking for more information on the Trail Seeker and was stoked to see your review show today on the feed. Appreciate the review and information. Still torn between the Trail Seeker and an Esee but leaning towards the Tops. Thanks.
I'm really looking forward to get this for my first fixed blade, your review just reinforced it.
Awesome!
i bought a Kabar BK7 about 10 years ago as my first (well i broke a Kabar GI issue i inherited and was replacing it with something stronger). then i bought a dozen more and i could've stopped with the BK7 and its still my main, go to knife i hard use regularly. if you're looking for a great 1st/only knife.
@@Robert-bm5fz although that is a really interesting knife and I like the look of it, I really like the idea of having a kydex sheath. All the ones I have handled from my friends are very nice and aren't as bulky as a cloth or leather one.
@@Flames2Cinder oh the BK7 sheath is garbage. i made a leather one years ago but they make kydex sheaths for them too. i don't like having to push my thumb down to draw my knife so i am not into kydex for knives. kind of a pain in the ass.
@@Robert-bm5fz Yeah I can see that. Idk I might have to look into getting 2 first fixed blades and seeing which one I like more. Thank you so much for the info
Been following the channel for years. Gotta say you’re the #1 knife guy in my books. Very unbiased, great content delivery.
If they would make a Trailseeker XL, I'd be much more excited. This design could really benefit from a 6.5 inch blade.
Your fixed blade reviews made my day better by 90%
I would love to see this blade side-by-side with a Baja 4.5. They seem very similar.
I've had mine for almost a month and love it!!!
You want to try the LionSteel T5 and m4 man both great knives... Wicked video and great looking knife
I love my T5 it has an elegant look to it with the machining they did to the handle and is an awesome slicer/brute of a knife. The steel is there, the price is reasonable for what you get, and the sheath is classy as hell.
IMO the Hog 4.5 is a better outdoorsman knife.
So is the BOB.
@@texasnannyjoe2049
That one too.
As usual, a nice comprehensive review of this knife....
Thanks
Looking to get another TOPS knife and this for me is near perfection. I have worked with kydex and that rattle problem is easily fixed.
It would be an EDC for me.
Aaron, thank you, thank you so much for this video! I never had a Tops knife, yet, I was really on the fence about getting a Hog, great video there too btw, size specs material USA all looking good, just wasn't sure it was going to fit the niche I was looking for, smaller combat utility, I held back because of you mentioning it was a little slick. Then the light bulb went off, lol, you do comparisons to similar knives. Searched a bit found this one, and you gave exactly what I needed Hog vs trailseeker, So, now I just got wait for the trailseeker to come in. Thanks again love your reviews. God bless.
Cool looking knife. I don’t know what I would use it for. I’m more of a EDC knife collector, but maybe I could add it to a future go bag. 🤷♂️
Nice back up pack knife! I always wonder if the black powder coating is non-hazardous to us if you cut food with those knives coated? Anyone know? I have knives that live on my side I have knives in my wondering bag. What's one more knife!? Great review Aaron! Thanks for passing this along to us! Enjoy your weekend.
Great design for sure! Thanks Aaron enjoy your weekend buddy
Beautiful knife!
Have you ever tried a brand called Kubey? Chinese, but good quality. I got a Kubey KU240 "Sicario", a fixed blade with G10 scales and a D2 blade. Comes with a fantastic kydex sheath. It was $60 at the time, now closer to $70 on Amazon.
Hey Aaron, just picked this knife up from BP Knives. This is my first TOPS knife. I always wanted the brakimo, but never pulled the trigger. I absolutely love the design of this blade... and a kydex sheeth to boot🤘
Question: can you throw sparks with the spine? Thanks for the great review!
No, not a 90 degree spine
Looks to be a great knife. I’m a big fan of TOPS knives. Thanks for the video!
You have to stop making videos. My wife is starting to notice all the knives around the house that YOU made me buy!
Hahaha
You made me buy some too
Thank you for mentioning the one handed thumb ramp deployment, that's what I needed to know. Plan to carry this in the pocket without the dangling thing. Looking at this and the KABAR/Hinderer Hellfire for a tactical knife.. Hmm
Dammit... I was pretty set on a Laser Strike, but this is nice. I might prefer the ESEE sheath more
I am in the same boat!! What one did you get? I like the tops because it's a little thinner too. sheath is very nice, I hate Esee sheaths.
@@1980Baldeagle I'm still leaning towards the laser strike.
The blade looks like the Smoke Jumper was slimmed down with a handle change. The Smoke Jumper is a beast that nobody reviewed.
beside the handle its remind me of an Cold Steel SRK;)
Good job.. keep up the good work. I appreciate your videos, been watching for many years.
Thanks for your support Michael 👍
I really like just about everything about this knife, but I wear XL leather gloves, and tend to still need to stretch them a bit to make them comfortable, I worry that the handle might be a bit petite for my hands. my question to you is, how does the gripable real estate compare to a BK handle? My hand fills the BK2/7/9 scales to about capacity. they are comfortable, but my pinky does ride the hook. The BK 18 handle is right at the tipping point of not big enough. The scales on my BoB are right at flush with the end of my pinky, but fall just to the comfortable side.
Then I would say this would be too small for you based off of what you just shared. Stick with the bigger handled stuff 👍
@@gideonstactical thanks for replying so fast. I do get a lot of good info from your reviews.
@@OtherThanIntendedPurpose glad to hear it! Thanks for watching
Another excellent video and great knife from Tops.
Wow i like the look of that blade !!!!!
Nice knife! Will give it some thought. Great video.
Love your reviews!!!
I am really bored of 1095 steel, flat grinds, micarta handles and Kydex sheaths. There are thousands of knife brands out there. Let’s get a bit of variety! You have never (correct me if wrong) reviewed a Bark River for instance and they are the best knives I have personally used... Still looks a great knife though!
Interesting piece!
Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work...
Btw I still prefer the HOG 4.5 (no jimping required)
Much love from Switzerland
This is a great looking knife. Definitely going to purchase.👍
Love this knife, but should I get this or a LionSteel T5?
What would you carry if you had to choose between the trail seeker, or the Baja 4.5?
Thank you Pastor Aaron! Silly question: where can one of these be found? They seem to be a unicorn at the moment!
Good looking knife..I love my bk9
Great looking knife love the review!
Looks like a great cool all around knife! Definitely want one... or two.
As usual great review Aaron. Have you ever done a review on the Essee CM6? If not I would be interested in seeing a review. I know it's been around for awhile but I believe it has been overlooked by many.
I have not but thought about it! I will look into it again
@@gideonstactical thanks for considering it.
Do you think it would be easy to move the dangler to the other side of the sheath? I like the knife!
One thing about getting old is memory loss. Since I cannot remember where I was going, I am never lost. As for the knife... it appears very "vanilla" for a Tops offering.
What size gloves do you wear though? I’ll bet ya they’re extra large.
I think I found my next Tops Knife!!
I really like that knife thanks for sharing be safe out there.
Great review of a great knife.
I’m usually a ‘big knife’ guy, but lately, TOPS has come out with some fantastic blades in this size. The Brakimo is my edc, but I would prefer a little taller blade. The Trail Seeker just might be the one.
Thanks for the review.
👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
If buying the trail seeker on a site other than the main tops knives site, is there any risk of accidentally purchasing knockoffs?
One nice looking blade right there!
Would this be a decent choice on a military kit?
Great review. Ordered.
Cool, hope it serves you well!
It seems a bit boring to me. Good review though!
Agreed. Kinda bland flavor.
So the knife under discussion has no sharpening choil, no?
I think that’s what they used to call a clip point.
What's up bud-de lol awesome job on videos as always. I have a question what do you think of the kubey ku240? Can you do a review on it if possible. Thanks I really respect your opinion and appreciate you time given. Keep up the great job.
Do you like the TOPS Trail Seeker better than the Gerber Teracraft?
They are just different. Stainless vs high carbon, the tops is bigger and thicker.
Like the knife. Nice video again 👍.
Try this in aus we got more hard wood then soft wood .... nearly all your wood is soft
Love my Tops Brakimo😍they are awesome knives BUT... SMKW has the Bk18 Harpoon for $69 ... I freaking love mine , I highly recommend buying one .
Best deal on knives I've seen in a while now.
Any comments about the scorpion hd from pks? Was looking at this
3/16" is too thick for a 4.5" blade. That's more survival tool than useful knife. And 4.5" is a little short to be a survival knife. This knife seems to miss. A Mora Bushcraft is 1/8" thick and blade is 4.25." That's even a little thicker than is useful, but that's closer to right. A Mora Companion has useful dimensions, it's 1/10" thick on a 4" blade. This TOPS is nearly TWICE that thick.
what is a "law enforcement application" of a knife ?
Cutting red tape usually.
Got one Love it👍
How would the average consumer know if any particular blade was properly heat treated?
How well it holds an edge, and if it bends, snaps, etc.
Esse 4/SRK love child.
was thinking the same thing 👊🏼
Good morning. !!!
Right back at you!
I'll admit i'm not mature enough to sit here and listen to him talk about his hog without laughing
Mini tops smoke jumper
STOUT!
Sold out on your links. Bummer
👍
Okay, i'll be the bad guy.
man, if thats the design that won out, I cant imagine how sad the other designs must have looked. that short clip makes it look like they built a longer knife, but broke the tip and had to re grind it.
tops is tops, it'll probably perform great, but its just ugly.
I normally really love Tops knives. My Tops C.U.T 4.0 in my opinion is one of the best small fixed blades ever made but I will admit that some of the designs can be a little hit or miss lately.
Ok then
1st