Tops Brushwolf Experience
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- I've never had this happen before. Attention knife makers, don't make a "Chopper" and then give it inferior construction or heat treat or whatever led to the issue I had with this one.
I really needed to be able to count on my knife last evening. My choice was the Tops Brush Wolf. It could have been, and maybe should have been my Becker BK7 or BK10 or even my ESEE Laser Strike. But no, I went with the Brush Wolf.
There are lots of cool things about this knife that I really like...and hope that after a little repair, I get to keep it. If not...it's off to the landfill.
This is not the first time I've had to break the legs of a deer or chop through bone. But it is the first time I've had a knife suffer such edge destruction. I was stunned.
If you like this sort of video, here are a couple others you may be interested in.
Or this one about my ESEE / RAT 3:
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Here is the video where I painstakingly modified the Gerber Strongarm:
• Must Do Mods On The Ge...
Here is the video where I teach you how to Scandivex a knife blade.
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And if you are into modifications, this one about my Randall Model 3-5 should be interesting:
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I have this knife, and yes, I would say your right, it excels at everything except heavy chopping. All in all its a great bushcrafting campknife
Glad you were having a good experience with it. I’m looking forward to finding another deer so that I can test the blade after I fixed it.
I absolutely love this knife. I have a video on it as well . Bone is the best think to chip a knife blade next to glass.
Others in my collection, the BK7, Scrap Yard 9, BK10 (Camillus version) all have chopped into bone without issue. This Tops just failed. I love the design and idea behind it. Would love a little larger handle. Not longer, but more girth. And of course a better heat treat.
Thanks for watching.
looking forward to the re-run (with the newly profiled convex edge) :)
Thank you. I'll see what happens. Edge is done. Just looking for a bone to whack!
@@knifetimestoryhahahahahah I love your videos. Thank you
Thanks for the video, really enjoying the content on some more obscure TOPS
Kind of you to say. Thank you very much! Glad you like it.
lol, did you make the follow-up video yet?
I bought another one. It came in heat treated a lot softer. Re-profiled the edge. It had a G 10 handle that was green. I just don’t like the knife. So it is gone. Will not be doing a follow up. My only comment is if you’re looking for something to whop and chop and do some serious work out in the woods, get yourself a Becker BK7 or BK2.
Bummer! Will definitely be watching for the follow up with the new edge.
Wish me luck. I hope it works!!
love mine for camp / food prep / fire duties. not tried bone as haven't needed to. looking forward to part 2,
Thank you for watching. I appreciate it very much.
any update on how the convex edge is holding up?
I decided not to do a video about it. Because I already beat Tops up pretty badly. But, it took quite a bit of grinding to get that edge back to where it belongs. And then it just never really performed in a way that made me think… “Gosh, I really need to keep this knife“. So I got rid of it.
But thank you very much for asking your question and watching the video!
This Tops knife is basically an Ontario Old Hickory Skinner, idk if you take recommendations but check out the Ontario Old Hickory Meat Cleaver, I Use it every day, best knife ever!
Now that you mention it. It does look a lot like the Ontario. It is however, much thicker. I do take recommendations. I'll see if I can find an Ontario Old Hickory Cleaver somewhere. Might be fun. Thank you for watching and commenting. It means a lot!!
You need the El chete. Kinda overkill for any chore, but it will do anything, and it just looks badass.
Damn, I needed that laugh today
Thank you. Glad you got a kick out of it. :-)
I don't think it's marketed as a "chopper", I think it's labeled as an "all-purpose" knife. It's no Silky Nata or something like that. That said, you give this thing a good whip while running a two finger pinch grip at the lowest point, and you are getting an incredible amount of torque towards the end of your blade given the light-weight of 12 ounces.
Really? Just look at that blade, shape and weight distribution. It clearly is marketed as a chopper. Even if it’s just all purpose…that includes chopping. Hence the word “all“. It does a great job chopping. Just kinda got dinged on the femur. Oh well.
What knife do you typically use for chopping bone?
As I’ve mentioned in a previous comment I edc a BK2 and after a year I’m gonna edc the ESSE 5. The bone chop isn’t something I considered but now I’m thinking of doing this the next time I get an elk bone.
My Becker BK10 (Camillus version) is what I typically use. I’ve also used my BK2. But of course you could baton a sewer lid in half with that knife!
I comend you for giving it another try
Thank you. I appreciate that.
I have it and used it even on frozen wood with no problem. Never tried it on bones anyway... Sorry for your inconvenience 🤷🏻♂️
No inconvenience. Thank you for saying though. It actually gave me a fighter for a video. We shall see how it performs on round two.
Glad yours is working well for you!
Did you do a follow up video after you sharpened the brush wolf?
Nope. I did put a new edge on it and tried using it out in the woods and then just realized I was not bonding with it and really was not impressed with its chopping ability even on wood. So I gave up on it. I didn’t think I needed to make a follow up video to again poo poo their product.
Most people would use the spine of the knife to break a large bone
You know… you are probably right. But, because of the shape of this blade and handle it was very conducive for me to just chop with the blade. And like I said, never had an issue with any other knife. And the fact that I can easily repair things and usually test things to the point of darn near breaking them, it was kind of conducive for me to just go for it.
Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment. I do appreciate it!
I apologize for the 2nd question but I'd love to hear your opinion. On the Tops knives that are pushing the $300.00 + mark for 1095 steel seems to me personally way over priced. I'd love to hear your opinion on this. Thank you
Feel free to ask as many questions as you would like. No issue there.
$300 for a CNC machined piece of 1095 and some Micarta handles is absurd. That’s trying to take advantage of people. Even their collaboration knives shouldn’t be that much. They should get their prices more in line with ESEE. Same materials.
Here is how many of their knives I have in my collection “1“. The HOG 4.5. Everything else is in the landfill.
@@knifetimestory thank you very much for your response, your probably someone I could spend hours talking to regarding knives. Take care sir. Hope to speak with you soon.
Another cool video thks
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for letting me know! Thank you very much for watching!
I don't know many 1095 steel blade knifes that can hold up to serious chopping of a femur bone maybe next time try using a saw side
Well, my BK2 has done the same thing unscathed. So has my ESEE 5. Maybe I just got a dud Tops, or, this deer ate a diet rich in calcium and collagen and had particularly tough bones.
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Bone is one of the toughest materials for knives. It happens
You’re absolutely right. But my ESEE has never chipped on edge on it.
Just a geometry issue most likely...My Tops Brakimo I think it may be indestructible , seriously its one tough wicked blade. Their scandiVex is the most usable grind ive had on a knife ....I love it.
Every company can have issues , id send it back honestly.
I do love their blades but their prices are all over the map and esp since the inflation apocalypse .
I trust 1095hc also 80CRV2 which i find to be a better steel overall. If they are going to stick with 1095hc they should offer a NO FUSS WARRANTY like Esee has. With the price youre paying for their 1095hc they may as well do a lifetime no questions asked WARRANTY. Seriously how many blades are they gonna have to replace plus its all a huge mark up anyways...Im guessing not much.
I’m glad you really like their lives. I think it was not so much a geometry issue more than a bad heat treat issue. I never return stuff. Because I don’t want to deal with the Inquisition that comes with it. I have since got another one to try and give it a fair shake. I could tell right away the edge was much softer. I am not chopped through bone, but through other stuff without issue. But it feels like it’s at about 56 Rockwell. The other one felt like it was around 62. Definitely out of spec. The only other tops I still I have is the HOG 4.5. And I actually love it.
Glad I don’t have that issue. 😅
Me too.
Any thoughts on the Tops Bushcrafter Kukri? Thanks for sharing 👍
No I don’t have any personal experience on that particular knife, I do think that there are less expensive and probably better made and more useful alternatives. Every Tops I’ve owned other than the Tanimboca has found its way into the garbage because they just don’t perform. They are a lot of hype and good marketing, without performance in my opinion.
@Knifetime Story oh ok, then I won't ask about the Tom Brown Tracker either lol. Was looking for a survival knife I can do everything with. Considering the Condor Ktac kukri too but still not sure. Been using the Buck Talon and ESEE Laser Strike but be nice to have one with a combination of both. Thanks again
@@SimonRiley115 Perhaps you should look into either the Becker BK10, or BK7, or if you’re not concerned about weight, BK2. Or the ESEE6.
Safe space 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Dude I love your channel 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you very very very very much! I am glad you “get“ me. Thank you very much for watching and for your very nice comments!
Bone is very hard on an edge. Fresh bone seems to not be as bad as a sun dried bone though.
Yes… The sun-dried old bone is much harder. And I know that this knife was not designed to chop bone… But I have other knives that have done the same exact task and not chipped. So that is why it shocked me when this one did.
I just have to say... Your gorgeous as hell Brett.
My name isn’t Brett.
@@knifetimestory hahahahahah I was watching a vid with brett cooper & it switched to your video while I was commenting. Oops
@@ctrip34 That’s hilarious. For awhile there I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Back to reality!!!
Thank you for watching and commenting and replying!!!
@@knifetimestory O you should. Your a silver fox, I figured that was just a given.
@@ctrip34 😂. Thank you. You are too kind and too gracious!
"Rectumfy" ...the child in me giggled a bit.
Glad to hear it. The child in me said it!!!
I have an old hickory butcher knife. Processed a hog no issues
That’s cool. Most people don’t understand that you can do that sort of thing. I watched a friend of mine field dress a Whitetail with a Swiss Army knife. There are times where I thought it was gonna get a little sketchy, but he did it.
@@knifetimestory I think knives are getting better engineered but that doesn't mean " classic " designs are obsolete
I’ve chopped plenty of deer bones with my 1095 Esee’s and never had a problem . Could be a bad heat treat but most likely a burnt edge .
Bingo. I’ve NEVER chipped an ESEE!!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
I feel like Esee's 1095 is less prone to chipping than my other 1095 blades.
I definitely concur.
@Larryrandom2549
Yes...that'd be the logical conclusion.
I wasn't actually wondering why that is the case. I was merely pointing out that it is the case.
Is that 1095? Or 154CM? You may have said it, but if you did I missed it.
I think I forgot to say. 1095. That is doubly why I was shocked it happened.
Mine had small chips after chopping when brand new from their grind. Sharpened their edge and took it down a bit to the not brittle steel and problem solved. It does not chip now at all. You said the saw blade you use for fire making. I don’t know what kind of fire making but it’s made for small notch work. Just saying. It’s not the heat treat. It’s from the grind. No problem at all. Their heat treat is spot on. Sorry man.
Apology accepted.
It’s for fire making and notching too. It’s an easy way to make fine tinder to light.
Even after regrinding mine, the edge wanted to roll. Never had that issue with an ESEE.
The Gerber LMF had that on there as well. Back before anybody even knew the word Bushcraft!
Lmao... I'm gonna wack on The Bone again ...long pause for emphasis...lol.😮😅😊
I never pre plan any of the weird crap that comes out of my mouth. Glad you found it humorous.
@@knifetimestory I took a gamble and bought one yesterday. I wanna Wack My Bone Too!!! Lol. The blade looks interesting. Did you connect the blade yet and if so have you tested it again?
You are not going to believe this… But I did fix the edge, and just was never pleased with the knife so I got rid of it. And then I got to thinking, I really haven’t given that knife a fair shake… So I ordered another one. It’s due here in a few days. Let me know how yours performs!
I guess me personally I would have returned this and let them look into it. Maybe in the tempering process. Just my thoughts. Great video thanks.
Glad you liked the video. I really appreciate you watching it. I don’t send stuff back. The only company I would consider sending something back to would be ESEE. Because they don’t harass you or question you or tap dance around their warranty. Though I have broken some of their stuff and never sent it to them. My folly my dime.
@@knifetimestory yes sir, I love ESEE I have 5 of them and their just beasts. Thank you for your reply.
Interesting to hear from a butcher there view on this. Doesn't seem like a fair test of any knife to whack it into bone to me.
You are most likely right. But, I like to push the envelope with this sort of thing. And, to be fair, I've done it before with a Becker BK2 and BK7 with no issue.
The idea is that I used the "tool" that I had to do a job, simulating what it may be like in the wilderness and not have a garage full of tools to choose from.
Now that I've re-done the edge, I'll do the same test and see what happens.
Thank you for watching and commenting.
#buyTomaprostate
OK… You really got me confused now. What the heck are you talking about?
Next time, use a cleaver. That's what they're for.
This is supposed to be able to do all kinds of tough chopping jobs while in the wilderness. My Becker BK7 and Scrap Yard Knives 9" have never chipped an edge doing the same exact task. Tops knives are brittle. I keep chipping the edge on both of my Woodcraft models.
I really like your channel but this video set me back a bit. First the legs were stiff from rigor mortis; all you really had to do is take your pocket knife and cut the tendons in and around the knee joints of the legs and you would have not needed to cut any bone. Second; bone is pretty hard stuff, because of its hardness Indians would make knifes and sewing needles out of bone, plus there is that story about Sampson killing a thousand men using the jaw bone of a donkey. I don’t think chopping bone or your assessment of that knife was very fair or even close to an accurate judgement of the capabilities of a chopper knife/machete. I imagine you can reshape that edge enough to make it split bone without chipping but much like the “Ontario bolo knife” the blade won’t be good for much of anything else. Anyway good luck with your reshaping.
Thank you for your kind works. Glad you like the channel.
You are absolutely right. But, I like to push the envelope with this sort of thing. And, to be fair, I've done it before with a Becker BK2 and BK7 with no issue. Plus, it was stupid cold out and dark and I did not want to fool around with doing it the proper way!!
The idea is that I used the "tool" that I had to do a job, simulating what it may be like in the wilderness and not have a garage full of tools to choose from.
Now that I've re-done the edge, I'll do the same test and see what happens.
Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@knifetimestory I know both the Ka-Bar and Camillus versions of the BK2 & BK7 were made with 1095crovan which is very similar to standard 1095. Personally I don’t like the hair shaving sharpness of an out of the box tops 1/4”blade, I also reprofile to a convex edge.
Please post an update video when you can.
Lol
Thank you!!!
thumbs down... bone saws are made for a reason
You are absolutely right. However… My ESEE 6 and have never chipped on bone. The whole point of the video was that the Tops knife did. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. I do appreciate it.
Cool video! … And stop sucking it up to Chris Reeve by showing his overrated knives every now and then! You beat that horse before..
I am glad you liked the video. Thank you.
Okay. I'm lost. There is nary a mention of CRK in this video. Soooo, to put it nicely, what are you talking about?
Of course the edge chipped you went through bone
Hmmm. ESEE and Becker went through the same bone unscathed.
@@knifetimestory if they did I stand corrected I did not see them videos because me personally I've been through a lot of bone and I shipped my edges or damage my edges almost every time but if I'm wrong thank you for the correction
No problem. You don't have to stand. You can sit. 😁
Yes, my ESEE 3 and Becker BK7 were subjected to the same punishment and did not chip. There was a little edge deformation though because I'm certain Tops blades are Rockwelled harder than ESEE and Becker.
Um... the ending..... 🫢
How hard is a deer leg bone compared to the hardest wood? I honestly don't know. Asking for a friend...
Interesting knife. I struggle with saw back and sharpened swedges etc on the back of my blades. Dunno why. Asthetics or something else??? 🤷🏼♂️
Watching this space.... 👍
The ending just happened. My brain shut down as I processed what just came out of my mouth. I knew I had to stop there and call my psychiatrist!!!
@@knifetimestory You got one on a retainer?
🤣😂🤣
Yep. He's a friend too. So he really "gets" me. :-)
@@knifetimestory 🤣😂🤣