How do they compare - Work Tuff Gear Knives vs Tops Knives

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Bearzilla911

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I have a number of Tops Knives including an El Chete and Tracker and I have no Work Tuff Gear knives. I was wondering how the large Work Tuff Gear Knives compare. For whatever reason I don't see many comparisons around between these two companies, unless I missed them. I would think SK-85 would be a similar carbon steel to the 1095 that TOPS uses, obviously the heat treatment is key and all my Tops Knives seem to have stellar heat treatments. What are some of your thoughts on how the large knives from Work Tuff Gear and Tops Knives compare?
 
Yes, I'd love to start seeing some of the Tops models in 3V! I'd definitely buy unless they went overboard with the pricing.
 
HexY3co said:
Personally I think WTG is a bit over rated I had one years ago and it was just ok. They are getting pricey now for whatever reason. Tops is better but they need to step up to 3v
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Tops has am excellent HT of 1095, I think they're fine where they stand. Theyre one of the "tops" 5 most successful knife companies despite being amidst a sea of super steel using manufacturers
 
I have a few work tuff gear (WTG) knives. Their heat treat is good and I'm a fan of their larger blades. I think their big knives are usually a good value.

Personally, I don't think you'll be able to tell a difference between WTG's sk85 and Tops' 1095 while you're using the knives. If you did a side by side test and measured everything, sure, there would be subtle variations, but that could be due to differences in edge geometry,etc. And not the steel itself. If you're just out using the knife, I don't think there's any noticeable difference. Biases towards brands and designs have more impact here than actual results, in my opinion.

I do find that I prefer the WTG knives over tops blades, but that's mainly just because I prefer their designs and I feel you get a little more bang for your buck with WTG (sheaths, swag, scale materials, convex edge, etc.).

I will say this, I prefer WTG's k329 steel (similar to A8) over any 1095 or sk85. It's tough and has a bit more abrasion resistance, which can translate into more edge retention. Also, it doesn't seem like WTG hikes the price up on k329 vs their sk85 knives.

If you pickup a WTG knife, I don't think you'll regret it or find it lacking when compared to a similar Tops knife.

Also, WTG knives are done in small-ish batches so there's usually demand for them. If you buy one and hate it, you can probably sell it or trade it for something else. That makes it a low risk buy in my opinion.

Hope this helps. Apologies for raising an old-ish thread from the grave.
 
Just stumbled on a WTG Elbrus (weird name?!) in SK85 down here. Snapped it up! Can't wait to put it with the voyeuger and wolverine! WTG are brilliant knives for the $, and a great responsive company too 😁👍🇦🇺
 
I’ve been a TOPS fan for years. They make good stuff. And I agree that they need to up the ante with the blade steel. And I’d love to see a little more in the way of some stainless blades as well as upgraded carbon blades.
 
Haven’t tried SK85. But the WTG 7-8% Chrome knives rock, and they use different steel variants to try. So I compare them more to Busse INFI knives than TOPS and they hold their own.

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Some great designers and I’m a fan of Taiwan made knives, anyways.
 
I have a small Tops knife (street scalpel 2) and a large Work Tuff knife, the Kodiak, perched from arora borealis before it was a work tuff knife. Can’t really compare the blades as it is apples to oranges but have been pleased with both of them. My experience with them doesn’t make me an expert at all but they both seem to have good heat treatment and nice fit and finish. Can’t say anything but good about both the companies but acknowledge I have limited experience with both.
 
I know this is an older thread but I was looking up the cost of a certain Work Tuff knife on their website and decided to checkout their warranty. 6 MONTHS! LoL.

They have some really cool designs but I was shocked they had such a short warranty period.
 
jeepin said:
I know this is an older thread but I was looking up the cost of a certain Work Tuff knife on their website and decided to checkout their warranty. 6 MONTHS! LoL.

They have some really cool designs but I was shocked they had such a short warranty period.
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To be fair they do look overbuilt and according to a quick search the hardness should be 56-58HRC (same as TOPS) so you would need to try hard to damage the blade, but on the other hand, it does leave a bitter taste to see only a 6 month warranty, especially when Tops give 5 years i believe, esee a lifetime warranty, to talk about brands that use a steel of the same caliber. Leaving the design out of it since i am not really attracted to the WTG designs, i would prefer to pay a bit more for TOPS' HT. I had a couple of TOPS knives in the past and the fit & finish is also on spot.
 
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