TOPS KNIVES

TOPS SXB or Steel Eagle Delta Class

  • SXB

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • Steel Eagle

    Votes: 8 72.7%
  • Total voters
    11
B

Bryce Haley

Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
52
Hey guys, here recently I’ve been interested in Tops knives. Particularly the SXB and Steel Eagle Delta Class. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the company and either of those knives. If so which one would you choose? Thanks
 
TOPS is a fine company with a 'colorful' history. Their products are high quality and extremely rugged, but many of their designs are too thick and somewhat impractical for knife tasks. The Steel Eagle, and in particular the SXB, are good examples of this. If you're determined to get something in 0.250" blade stock, I'd recommend the Mission Team 21 over either the Steel Eagle or the SXB.

Their sheaths suck. The Kydex sheaths have an awful steel spring belt clip with a single mounting point, and they are never drilled at any sort of industry standard interval for aftermarket clips. The nylon sheaths have velcro retention straps.
 
I bought a Steel Eagle just to have a fixed blade that I can beat the hell out of and not worry about any damage incurred. Feels very good in hand. The 1095 takes a good edge, as one would expect, and blade shape makes it a quick job sharpening. I did put a Tec-Loc on the sheath to replace the spring steel belt clip. Even though I have the right sharpening equipment I would rather not take the extra time to sharpen an SXB...
 
Hmmm i think i might go with the Steel Eagle. I love the design. Was looking for something similar to the Rambo knife, and i think this might be it. I just want something that would be good for combat and survival purposes.
 
TOPS makes a good knife. As was mentioned, I'm also not fond of their sheaths, for the most part. That's fairly easily remedied, though it shouldn't need to be. Still, and especially for the prices, they make good quality tools. Some of their grinds leave a little to be desired, but their heat treat is good, and they are damn tough.
 
I have lots of TOPS knives including the Steel Eagle. Have never got around to using it but it does feel good in hand. A very heavy duty knife. I would certainly recommend it as a survival type knife. The design has been around for a very long time and I've only heard good things about it. So I'd choose that.

I just took a look at the SXB. If that's not the ugliest knife I've ever seen .... That's just my opinion, though. YMMV.:D
 
They are definitely polarizing designs.

I only have one, the Puukko. I love it. A lot. I find that I use it more than my other fixed blades for all sorts of things. It’s a great whittler.

Build quality is very good, and the leather sheath is nice.

I am considering getting the Fieldcraft as well.
 
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I've heard good things about their 1095, I just have a hard time getting into most of their designs. The Prather bowie is interesting though..
 
I've got a Tops Desert Nomad. It has a very good edge from the factory, and a very good quality leather sheath. I'm very pleased with it.
 
Bryce Haley said:
Hey guys, here recently I’ve been interested in Tops knives. Particularly the SXB and Steel Eagle Delta Class. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the company and either of those knives. If so which one would you choose? Thanks
Click to expand...

I have a few Tops knives, including a very early Steel Eagle and an SXB. Tops are well made and colorful knives. The two that you are looking at are both interesting niche knives of the same type. Depending on your intended use, it might be better to go with a simpler and more practical general purpose design. But, as long as you have that covered, just go ahead and plan to buy both. :rolleyes:

n2s
 
Both of those knives look terribly bulky and impractical. SXB is a no-go right out the gate.
Ka Bar fighting/ utility knife (USMC KABAR) would be in the same vein at half the price and much more practical.
Give the ESEE line of knives a look as well. Those are much closer to what I'm thinking you like about the TOPS.
Micarta handle scales, kydex sheath, super tough 1095... the difference is they will cut and carry better than that Steel Eagle.
Very similar price point and the designers/ owners of ESEE professionally teach demanding survival classes as well.
I don't question the build quality and toughness of TOPS, but most of their designs seem like they have a lot of
unnecessary right angles, spikes, and other aesthetic elements that really don't do much for the performance.
To me they're poorly designed and executed well...??
Just my personal thoughts, I don't think you'd be wrong to buy a TOPS, they're still good knives, I just don't like their shapes.
 
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