I'll take a completely unnecessary gander at that the day you stop talking like a conceited knob. That's all I have to say on this matter, no more words are necessary.
Very much appreciate the mention of the handle scales -- & that Chris thought so too. That was the one hesitation I had with this knife. Sounds like it's still very much worthwhile, but must also budget for handle scale & sheath mod (to accommodate thicker scales). Thanks man.
when you get new scales for it show us a picture I would be interested because I have the tops brakimo to and I would like to get new scales or let us know where you got them from
i like how it has a more acute tip then the bob has a more tactical bad ass look instead of a butter knife look that some bushcraft knives have .just my opinion .
I bought an Esee 5 but returned it. It was a tank and at .25" thick, too much knife for my needs. The Brakimo seams to be a slightly thinner, lighter E5. I like the blade profile better in a defensive situation as well. Win win.
TOPS Knives are more robust than ESEE Knives. I have had ESEE blades fail on me... a great return policy does no good when your life is depending on your tool. I’ve never had a TOPS knife fail.
More or less what I related on PM101 Chris's Channel... Blade design looks great, nevertheless the handle shape/size is somewhat too 'tactical' for a purist's Bushcrafter Knife. That was a good video for you guys. I have to say: One spec. so to speak (I think the part you guys left out or forgot) & (again in this video) is the weight factored into this package, the balance, and the fact that it looks partial as in shortened full tang in relation to the hole in handle. This will have effect if re-scaling the knife (sans the hole)!!! Brakimo ('translation - 'greetings') is mainly a camp craft knife, with survival knife heft, and having a tactical slim-line handle. Thumbs up!
Man, why is working on wood with a knife (and watching people do it) so relaxing? I swear, I worked on a small slingshot fork last month with my humble old Schrade Nitro (BTW, thanks for the notes on notches, Ben, those really helped) and it was like two days of vacation in three hours. The knife is nice, looks robust and easy to maintain - cheers to 1095! Agree that the handle could have a better anatomical design, though, that looks like it can hurt in a regular grip. Have you tried holding it in any different ways?
I've had mine for 2 years now , I've had way to many knives so I've got a lot of experience. I think this knife is one of the best true survival Bushcraft knives its an excellent crossover blade. The handle doesn't bug me at all anymore and that scandiVEX IS SO FREAKING DIALED IN I love this knife. I don't have much to complain about other than the coating they put on them . I removed it and just made a patina, some weird clear coat crap it's not a real stone wash imho. Mine began getting rust in the river scratch in that coating it was nasty looking. 1095hc rust when its just humid outside...BUt if ya use your knife as a main blade thats a non issue . If Tops makes a smaller version I'd buy one , it's freaking amazing and an edc version would be a winner.
Kurt Solomon I got a BOB five years ago. I really like the BOB. But when I got a Brakimo, I gave the BOB to my stepson. The Brakimo is my edc knife, and it fits closer to the body due to the thinner handle. I think the blade profile works better overall compared to the BOB. The handle is not a problem for me even though I have very big hands. Been carrying and using it for a couple of years now and I have never had an issue. You can trust your life to either knife, they will not fail you. As for your question... I would choose the Brakimo. 👍🏻👍🏻
👍🏼 watched it till the end. Repeating good knowledge even with a bit o audio probs Helps us remember it better. Just make sure that those that are New to knives Understand that it's 1095 steel. NOT $ 10.95 ! 😦
Hey Ben, have you replaced the scales or added liners yet? If so it sure would be cool to see an updated vid on the difference and how you went about doing yours. I love this knife and am considering selling some stuff to buy a $150.00 range bushcraft knife, I've always stayed in the under $100.00 range, not by choice either LOL. Anyways I'm considering the Battle Horse Feather Stick, The Brakimo, Lt Weight Hevi Bushcrafter or Benchmade Bushcrafter.....I can't throw that much money towards a knife everyday so for me I really gotta be dead set on the purchase, read up watched up on every review possible.
Brakimo replaced every other knife this size for me. It is my edc. Every day unless I carry my Prather War Bowie. The Brakimo and my Armageddon is an unbeatable combination for me in the woods.
I love the look of these (Tops) knives, but i hate 1095. I don't wanna worry about having to always wipe down and oil a knife. Got a esee 4 in stainless, love it, but if tops ever makes stainless steel knives then ill move to tops knives from esee
with a tumbled coating its not so bad. i always clean and oil my knives after use at home so not really an issue here. even with surface rust some mothers mag takes it right off.
Tops came out with a Stainless Steel Bothers Of Bushcraft knife; I have the 1095 one which is awesome but wish the stainless steel was out at that time because I prefer stainless steel as well.
I live in a very humid part of Australia and have a few tops knives that I use all the time and besides from a natural patina they don't rust up as long as you maintain them a wipe down before sheathing and oil every once and while , regardless of knife steel I think it's good practice to maintain any blade regardless of how corrosion prone they may be.
Semantics maybe, but saber grinds usually have a thicker edge before they're sharpened like .020 to .025" thick. These are ground to a Scandi edge and then we put a secondary convex bevel on them. So they end up being thin and sharp like a Scandi, but have a stronger edge that will hold up to things that a true Scandi grind wouldn't.
Arctodus Simus I have, but it went through some major work on a 360 bull elk before it gave up on me. Don’t try to chop the head off of a massive bull elk out of frustration and you’ll be golden lol. Had no issues with it on two elk the previous year. Stayed sharp skinning. Had to sharpen it once or twice with a diamond sharpening stone then golden.
I wear 3XL gloves (very large hands) and the Brakimo has been my edc for almost 2 years. No problem at all. I consider it a small knife and carry it iwb in Scout position or cross draw.
Say Heah, Handsome knife, But I'm a choil guy. I like sort of flatter handkers for better control for ne like why aren't hockey sticks round, but alittle palm swell, I really love me Ratmandu.,,.
sngx1304 Here's another way to look at it. Remove the Skull logo. remove the name and all the hype around the warranty. Tell me what is exceptional about an ESEE? Remember you can't use "warranty" or "Cool kids club" in your answer....
Thumbs up if you made it to the END!
stop saying "click that red subscribe button, subscribe to my channel for more videos." it sounds redundant and inelegant.
EGYAZN
Opinion noted. You have a point, but no need to say it like a conceited knob.
didn't know you get offended when people aren't even talking to you. I'm sure ben appreciates all input from his subscribers, including me.
it's not grammar. it's inelegant. maybe you should learn the difference because you clearly have none either
I'll take a completely unnecessary gander at that the day you stop talking like a conceited knob. That's all I have to say on this matter, no more words are necessary.
Great review Ben!! Love my Tops that came in the battlbox a couple months ago.
Love the Tops knives, I will definitely have this one on my list to buy.
Very much appreciate the mention of the handle scales -- & that Chris thought so too. That was the one hesitation I had with this knife. Sounds like it's still very much worthwhile, but must also budget for handle scale & sheath mod (to accommodate thicker scales). Thanks man.
everytime i use this knife I look past the handles due to how well balanced and how nice the blade performs.
Very nice blade. Good addition for sure to a machete. Can certainly stand on its own too. Nice review Ben. Thank you.
Seems have a great grip.
Another great job by Top Knifes. Great review Ben!
I like how you went around that knot when feather sticking. Cool knife and review. I agree upgrade the sheath
:)
Good review. My 2nd Brakimo arrives later this week !
Cody Nevins Me too, I bought one for my girlfriend.
If the video is good enough to watch to the end, it deserves a thumbs up. Nice knife. Thank you for the video, Ben
thanks!
when you get new scales for it show us a picture I would be interested because I have the tops brakimo to and I would like to get new scales or let us know where you got them from
Win win! This is the best of both worlds, bushcraft mixed with utility toughness I love it.
i like how it has a more acute tip then the bob has a more tactical bad ass look instead of a butter knife look that some bushcraft knives have .just my opinion .
Aaron Benns
A good observation. I gave away my BOB when I got the Brakimo.
great video Ben! I'm looking in to getting the Joe Flowers designed machete .170
I bought an Esee 5 but returned it. It was a tank and at .25" thick, too much knife for my needs. The Brakimo seams to be a slightly thinner, lighter E5. I like the blade profile better in a defensive situation as well. Win win.
Not a huge fan of ESEE.
TOPS Knives are more robust than ESEE Knives. I have had ESEE blades fail on me... a great return policy does no good when your life is depending on your tool. I’ve never had a TOPS knife fail.
Amen
Enjoyed watching you make tanner curls with this knife lol
More or less what I related on PM101 Chris's Channel... Blade design looks great, nevertheless the handle shape/size is somewhat too 'tactical' for a purist's Bushcrafter Knife. That was a good video for you guys. I have to say: One spec. so to speak (I think the part you guys left out or forgot) & (again in this video) is the weight factored into this package, the balance, and the fact that it looks partial as in shortened full tang in relation to the hole in handle. This will have effect if re-scaling the knife (sans the hole)!!! Brakimo ('translation - 'greetings') is mainly a camp craft knife, with survival knife heft, and having a tactical slim-line handle. Thumbs up!
Seems like the handle/scales are a common complaint on some TOPS knives. The Tex Creek comes to mind. Hope they listen to feedback.
Could you do a comparison video on this and the Bob
Nice review, made me buy this knife. I want to know what machete was that you mentioned to be paired with this great knife?
Just bought one of these bad boys. Now it's time for one of my favorite parts.... the wait
lol, ikr.
Man, why is working on wood with a knife (and watching people do it) so relaxing? I swear, I worked on a small slingshot fork last month with my humble old Schrade Nitro (BTW, thanks for the notes on notches, Ben, those really helped) and it was like two days of vacation in three hours.
The knife is nice, looks robust and easy to maintain - cheers to 1095! Agree that the handle could have a better anatomical design, though, that looks like it can hurt in a regular grip. Have you tried holding it in any different ways?
the handle is manageable but a little extra thickness towards the blade would help me.
I've had mine for 2 years now , I've had way to many knives so I've got a lot of experience.
I think this knife is one of the best true survival Bushcraft knives its an excellent crossover blade. The handle doesn't bug me at all anymore and that scandiVEX IS SO FREAKING DIALED IN I love this knife.
I don't have much to complain about other than the coating they put on them . I removed it and just made a patina, some weird clear coat crap it's not a real stone wash imho. Mine began getting rust in the river scratch in that coating it was nasty looking.
1095hc rust when its just humid outside...BUt if ya use your knife as a main blade thats a non issue .
If Tops makes a smaller version I'd buy one , it's freaking amazing and an edc version would be a winner.
please leave feedback when you find a thicker scales for this knive...
Love this knife...
It's a great knife. I love TOPS knives I'm a big fan.
Got one of these coming Friday. If you see this could you give me some long-term feedback? Did you ever modify or change the scales?
Great tip for the TekLok
If you had to choose between this knife and the Tops BOB, which would you choose?
Kurt Solomon
I got a BOB five years ago. I really like the BOB. But when I got a Brakimo, I gave the BOB to my stepson. The Brakimo is my edc knife, and it fits closer to the body due to the thinner handle. I think the blade profile works better overall compared to the BOB.
The handle is not a problem for me even though I have very big hands.
Been carrying and using it for a couple of years now and I have never had an issue.
You can trust your life to either knife, they will not fail you.
As for your question... I would choose the Brakimo. 👍🏻👍🏻
👍🏼 watched it till the end.
Repeating good knowledge even with a bit o audio probs
Helps us remember it better.
Just make sure that those that are New to knives
Understand that it's 1095 steel. NOT $ 10.95 ! 😦
Hey Ben, have you replaced the scales or added liners yet? If so it sure would be cool to see an updated vid on the difference and how you went about doing yours. I love this knife and am considering selling some stuff to buy a $150.00 range bushcraft knife, I've always stayed in the under $100.00 range, not by choice either LOL.
Anyways I'm considering the Battle Horse Feather Stick, The Brakimo, Lt Weight Hevi Bushcrafter or Benchmade Bushcrafter.....I can't throw that much money towards a knife everyday so for me I really gotta be dead set on the purchase, read up watched up on every review possible.
i haven't yet.
if you had to pick would you pick this or a mora garberg? im torn between the two
This
Would hitting the spine of the blade over the stick you're batoning instead of out on the tip, to get it started, make it kick up less at the handle?
just really hard wood
I really like Topps knives. I always stop at their booth at the NRA Convention.
Nice decent knife
Great knife indeed ! Tops has made a lot of great knives !thanks for the review ! made it to the end LOL atb john
Brakimo replaced every other knife this size for me. It is my edc. Every day unless I carry my Prather War Bowie.
The Brakimo and my Armageddon is an unbeatable combination for me in the woods.
You and Chris had the same knife, were your jackets the same as well?
Hiker Marapese No. His prob cost more.
I love the look of these (Tops) knives, but i hate 1095. I don't wanna worry about having to always wipe down and oil a knife. Got a esee 4 in stainless, love it, but if tops ever makes stainless steel knives then ill move to tops knives from esee
with a tumbled coating its not so bad. i always clean and oil my knives after use at home so not really an issue here. even with surface rust some mothers mag takes it right off.
Tops came out with a Stainless Steel Bothers Of Bushcraft knife; I have the 1095 one which is awesome but wish the stainless steel was out at that time because I prefer stainless steel as well.
I live in a very humid part of Australia and have a few tops knives that I use all the time and besides from a natural patina they don't rust up as long as you maintain them a wipe down before sheathing and oil every once and while , regardless of knife steel I think it's good practice to maintain any blade regardless of how corrosion prone they may be.
If I was to purchase this knife, Where can I get the piece to modify the sheath like yours from this video?
amzn.to/2m4yAvQ
awesome
i like it , now to start saving...
I didn't see this knife on instagram
Nice video nice knife!
Cross Country Outdoors I agreed with you,Nice decent knife
What's with the term "modified scandi"? Isn't it just a sabre grind if it has a secondary bevel?
Semantics maybe, but saber grinds usually have a thicker edge before they're sharpened like .020 to .025" thick. These are ground to a Scandi edge and then we put a secondary convex bevel on them. So they end up being thin and sharp like a Scandi, but have a stronger edge that will hold up to things that a true Scandi grind wouldn't.
So what's the best method to sharpen a Tops modified Scandi?
just convex the blade makes it insanely amazing.
Yea I can't put my esee 6 down and plus esee warranty is the best in the world
Eldridge Young yep, plus the knife connection scales are an amazing upgrade.
A great warranty does you no good if the knife fails when your life is on the line.
I’ve never had a TOPS knife fail on me.
Arctodus Simus I have, but it went through some major work on a 360 bull elk before it gave up on me. Don’t try to chop the head off of a massive bull elk out of frustration and you’ll be golden lol. Had no issues with it on two elk the previous year. Stayed sharp skinning. Had to sharpen it once or twice with a diamond sharpening stone then golden.
the knife 🔪 looks just like knives of alaska camp knife design and my knife as same sharpness made of d2 steel
Tops
How long the 1095 old an edge ? Compared to other steel.
it's relative to how much you use it and with what material you are cutting therefore there really isn't a good answer.
Also depends on how hard it was tempered. It seems to have a hard edge and stays sharp.
why do you dislike Esse, I am not a big fan either just wondering your reasons
how much for the knife?
Depends. I paid around $150-160 at Sportsmans. Processed two elk with it so worth every penny. Sometimes you can get it for more sometimes for less.
Kinda like a esee 5..
plastic clip. you said metal
what you talking about willis, mine did come with a metal clip.
Living Survival Mine didn't. Mine was plastic.
We started with the injection molded clip, then moved to the spring steel one after.
Spring steel on mine
brakimo or esee 5/6
brakimo IMO
Brakimo every day.
👍🏻👍🏻
Handles are to short for large hands.
I wear 3XL gloves (very large hands) and the Brakimo has been my edc for almost 2 years.
No problem at all. I consider it a small knife and carry it iwb in Scout position or cross draw.
I am xl glove no problem. So unless you’re OJ Simpson I don’t see a problem.
Say Heah, Handsome knife, But I'm a choil guy. I like sort of flatter handkers for better control for ne like why aren't hockey sticks round, but alittle palm swell, I really love me Ratmandu.,,.
Very nice knife, thanks for sharing.
Ive subbed if you could take a look at my channel i would appreciate it Bro!
ATB Del
sub'd ya back
Thanks Man!.. do you think TOPS is better than ESEE?
Just not sure which to buy.
ATB Del
I dislike ESEE
Living Survival why?
sngx1304 Here's another way to look at it. Remove the Skull logo. remove the name and all the hype around the warranty. Tell me what is exceptional about an ESEE? Remember you can't use "warranty" or "Cool kids club" in your answer....
first hehehe!!!!