Tops Armageddon - Test. NOT as cool as i Thought

1095 carbon steel

[@TOPSKnivesofficial]

Hey +Tactical, send it to us. We'll test it and get you taken care of.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+TOPS Knives you rock! will do :)

[@pbhead]

Thumbs Up because +TOPS Knives is watching +Tactical and possibly many other reviewers as well. Bonus that they are taking care of our Brother Tac.

[@frozenturtlefarts1025]

TOPS Knives when does the new power eagle come out! Looks awesome!

[@ReeferNoob23]

Tops awesome awesome awesome customer service you didn't even have to ask them or contact them a lot of manufacturers would have said that's abuse your SOL but atleast tops is on there game

[@normski32]

Really wanted this blade glad I watched this video first,I’m shocked this bent !! You didn’t even abuse it

[@stefanhoffman7395]

Your intros are some of the best on youtube, and different every time. Well done, sir.

[@DivingDonut]

For more than 200 Bucks, that knife shouldn't stay bent....

[@andyperrine9987]

Dude, I absolutely love watching your reviews & vids. Great feedback & your comments are great. Keep em' coming!

[@QuesarRider]

i dont particularly like schrade but at 29 dollars they can give you 1095 steel, a descent sheath, a farrow rod, and a sharpener. tops gave you a poorly heated treated knife, a bad sheath, and whistle. why tops?

[@houseboatrob4238]

I agree with you!!

[@enigma3813]

Tops is one of the very few knife makers that actually do a real good job at heat tempering. this surprised me.

[@ActionHero29]

+TheAllSeeingEye I don't think they do a better job than Ka-Bar with their BK9, that thing rocks.

[@enigma3813]

Sharpblade Yeah, i'm going to get that one, the one with the clear coat - i hate black blades + g10 handles + leather sheath.

[@literallygod8915]

+Tribune of The Plebs this is 1095 steel, so it shouldn't have chipped that so easily. There was definitely something wrong with it, since Tac doesn't really even abuse the knives, so.

[@BibleStudent4U]

Tac I do like your honest reviews bro! Keep on doing it!

[@MrKelso159]

Thanks to your review I will be passing this one up ! Thanks again and good job !

[@AlanChunkyMunky]

Sorry tac, but your sacrifice helps us all. Keep up the good work brother

[@gnpahdc]

Best review ever? Man, Tac, keep 'em comin'! Well done, friend. :) (and yeah, saw the bend when you first sat it up there for us to see. gosh).

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

Hope all is well in your camp Tac. I know this is an old initial thoughts review... what eventually became of this knife, or how did bent and chippy show scenario turn out? I did see the follow-up you did with regards to TOPS sending out a 2nd knife (new/revised version), but what was the verdict so to speak on the first one you had? Did you keep (ie. still have) the second improved version?

[@dan-dan-da-treeman]

love the new intro man!

[@liamfinch2839]

Really dig this intro Tac. Ps you rock at knife reviews keep it up

[@uvdpuqhcpenfyalf]

Mine had a warped blade from the factory. Took it back to the store for exchange, all 4 blades they had were warped to the side. I also agree with you on the handle. It feels good when you pick it up for the first time, but after doing some chopping you really begin to hate all choils and hooks that serve only to give you hotspots. Funny enough, your earlier review from a few years back is what sold me the blade.

[@NATEaBERGERturtle1]

In all honesty playboy, it did a pretty good job through your brand of testing. You do put all your blades through some serious shit. I do know a guy who swears by that knife as his favorite big blade knife. But everyone's different. Great testing bro!

[@davidfolkner]

Do you think they left the steel near the tip softer for batoning?

[@mikesadventures1597]

You are the best . I laughed so hard . I could totally relate . when you get something you wanted . and its not what they say it is . great video thank you.

[@brnrecluse2946]

Sounds pretty freaking frustrating, Tac. Great info. Great review!

[@fireandsteel9790]

Hehe well you had the same experience we had in our test with this knife brother. It is a disapointment in all departments in my opinion. Great vid man. Snake

[@randyjensen9064]

That's disappointing man. Still a cool knife though. Hey Tac what method do you use for sharpening recurves? Is a rod the preferred method?

[@mr.delacruz559]

Damn what a total bummer! I really expected more! Guess it's no sxb.Tac this would be a great time for your viewers like me to see how Tops steps up and handles the life time warranty! Just know that Esee would absolutely send you a new knife. And I'm a Tops guy myself! Thanx Tac keep doing the Damn thang!

[@matthewmitchell8678]

Nice review brother Tac. Sorry to see your blade bent. Tops will make it right. I highly recommend their Bush Crafter Kukuri 7. It will blow your mind. It is a well thought out design that really works.

[@CaliforniaPrepper]

What a bummer brosifus! That sucks dude! Such a beautiful blade!

[@Faithful_Tribe]

Tac, I love your Baroque stylings. What was this track?

[@Dafoodmaster]

that whistle is the bomb. choo choo

[@freisiandraugr2427]

tac you are the man. love your rambling video on the quad. I think best big blade for the $ junglas

[@rufusrufus1750]

Random question floating by, would you ever try doing a "Budk mystery bag" unboxing? Or another weapons bag thing

[@RollsRoyce1954]

Tops knives are overpriced 1095 period, would never consider purchasing one of them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions with me, I appreciate it sir Tac.

[@LXT43]

NO they're not. It's not just the steel that you're paying for. It's the amount of work that it takes to make the product. Then there's the cost of running small factory, paying your worker insurance, taxes, so forth and so on. But how would you know, you don't produce anything. Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong with 1095 steel. If you think you can make a better semi-custom US made knife for less, go ahead.

[@dubasciver3234]

Tac you rock. By far you are one of my favourite reviewers.

[@cebuanostud]

Man i used to drool over this knife above other else at its blade length....but now, not no more, thanks for the test!

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+cebuanostud glad I can help

[@Laiynnalaiynna]

I think this is one of the nicest looking blades out there, I can't believe it failed your testing, Tac! I'm sure I saw you tear up a bit at 10:15, must have been the smoke, right :)? Keep up the good work, I love your videos, looking forward to the Chop Offs!

[@davidrogers182]

Another great Review brother!

[@chomskyhonk2586]

tac my mannn you killed it playboy hell yeahh

[@Lawman-196]

Good for you Tops! Nice customer support! Yes, I have 3 of your knives too!

[@MsOdingod]

Great video!

[@MrMrGAsMASK]

Tac I have a question. If things went south would u try to work with other ppl or would you stay hidden

[@cbr600rrturbo]

OUTBACK SCOUT stay hidden

[@Mr.SociallyAwkward]

I'm sorry I only watched a few of your episodes so I don't know but is there a reason you always have your face covered not judging just asking also do you do any episodes on Condor knives and if not maybe you could?

[@Herpetile]

As always, cool review. And on a brand that people say is top(s) quality. I recently got my first tops knife before I watched this, would I reconsider after watching this... Maybe. I have not put it through its paces yet so hard to say from personal use. But I'm a little more wary to use it like the beast it seems to be.

[@yorobot1704]

Half saber and half full flat grind, nice looking

[@stephenfeeney2966]

Great vid tac

[@trentonburbank9327]

Good review, thanks for testing these things hard.

[@professorbland]

I think it's a bad heat treat because I dropped mine tip down onto concrete and literally the tip only had some scratches in the coating. You should call tops and have them send you a new one. Also, I wrapped the handle with paracord and that really takes the hot spots away. PreparedMind has an Armageddon and put it through a lot and held up really well.

[@huejanus5505]

Bent tip and chipping on pine, looks like an uneven grind to boot. Thanks for saving me $200.

[@leticianunez3822]

truly a heartbreaker

[@prepared2thrive101]

Tac, my man! Awesomely honest review man. Semper Paratus. -Corey @ PREPARED 2 THRIVE.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+Prepared 2 Thrive thanks mang

[@olderwiser2080]

Sucks to have a new blade let you down. Those spools like the one you were batoning on do have steel through bolts, usually 4, that protrude on the ends. Nontheless, that 1095 shouldn't have taken a bend over what you did. Did you contact Tops?

[@cbr600rrturbo]

watch the update vid

[@toddklekotka3340]

I have had my Tops Condor Alert for about 2 1/2-3 years now. I once dropped my knife on concrete tip first, yeah I about cried, but it chipped the concrete and ever so slightly bent the edge of the tip, easily fixed with a stone. Mind you, I dropped it at about four feet. My favorite feature about this knife is the fact it has a very stout tip, slightly thinner then what's on the Schf9. Let us know if you contacted Tops and how things go, curious to see what they do...

[@heinekenboy6901]

great video mate

[@rustwahll192]

+tactical can you review the condor Hudson Bay?

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

I bought a Silent Hero from Tops at Shot Show last year. I really liked the design and could live with the handle. I brought it home and batoned a small cedar log. It had a little twist in the grain but nothing crazy and nothing I haven't tackled with "lesser" knives many times in the past. It bent the blade. I contacted Tops and they eventually replaced it and scolded me for abiding their knife. I've got this SXB Skullcrusher here for the Gauntlet and immediately chipped the edge on a preliminary test that a Gerber Strongarm flew through with flying colors. On the flip side my Tahoma Field Knife had been outstanding. Tops has failed to impress me more times than not though so your results don't surprise me much.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+Blue Mountain Bushcraft and Outdoors ya im done with tops

[@DinnerForkTongue]

+Blue Mountain Bushcraft and Outdoors That is REALLY sad to hear. One home run doesn't win a season, especially when the players are such asswads.

[@EDCGURU]

please look at condor knives next. They make some really badass knives for cheap like the moonshiner but I wanna know if they will hold up.

[@poppopscarvinshop]

That's a Very Disappointing Knife. Tops Needs to Send You a New One, Schrade Would! Great Review, Thanks Tac! I'll save a lot of money and get the Jessica-X!

[@connergilmer5343]

Tops sxb on Amazon for $190. From this vid, compared to this sheath, the sxb original sheath is even better. If u have the money, I suggest it. Love ur reviews. Keep on keepin on man

[@wjhedgepeth71]

Damn that sucks. Let us know how it turns out. I've never had a bad blade from tops.

[@gruffalo25]

actually I don't think it's bent tac. I think the steel is a little bit thicker one on side than the other

[@salottin]

+gruffalo25 But it didn't look like that when he showed us the beavel

[@gruffalo25]

Júlio Salotti I looked at it again and tried to pause it but I couldn't get a good view on it. you could be right. Tac stop fucking things up that you payed for lmao

[@salottin]

gruffalo25 I'm not really sure, but that's what I think hehe Today's stuff can't handle the Tac level, it seems lol

[@dwightehowell6062]

+gruffalo25 must agree though maybe he was seeing something I didn't but the grind at the tip looked off center to me.

[@web1187]

no mine came in with a slught bend to when I had ordered one

[@omarcorrea1996]

its the grind that makes it look slightly bent at the tip

[@Tank35]

Damn Tac! Sorry bout that man. Would not expect that to happen with a tops blade.

[@TheUnknownReject]

I love this intro, the end of it is great lol

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+Unknown Reject thanks man!

[@mrm4044]

its cool seeing the old buggout stop

[@thelasthuntsmanoutdoors]

Neat video Tac. It doesnt look bent to me it just looks like the bevel is WAY off which makes it looks lopsided, but it could be me. Im pretty disappointed by the performance of this blade, I have a few Tops knives and they are always good. There is always a lemon I suppose, Id send it back. Hey you like big mamba jamba knives you should check out the Becker BK21 Rhineheart kukri, I know a lot of people doesnt like kukris and Im usually one of them but I got this one and its BADASS, thinking you could do a decent review since there isnt a whole lot of reviews for it yet.

[@mcj5644]

Interesting video, man.

[@yannikmroos2014]

+Tactical Luv the Intro Player!!!

[@bobafettslaundryroom755]

Time to find a new big chopper for the bug out bag?

[@NamelessTheDrifter]

thanks for the nice vids tac.. aww yeah!

[@jimmyhoffa2530]

Do the Tops US combat knife and zero dark 30. I'd really like to see how well they slash and penetrate when stabbing something.

[@tomsimmo5789]

Like the SILENT HERO?

[@ancolarlocal10]

I love the western outlaw,Joe dirt!

[@bensonb2669]

I don't think it is bent, it looks good to me and even if it is ever so slightly bent it will still work

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

WTF I see it! What did Craig and the guys say? Was it taken care of? I was just going to add it to my collection. Was it a bad heat treat let me know brother. I have seen you test on harder woods and wow I was blown away

[@Krusherdawg]

Oh hell noooooooooooo.....that sucks bro, thought that blade was going to be the shizzzzznit but damn it just shit the bed. Sorry bro, hope Tops hooks you up and treats you right on this one. Good info and sweet vid Tac!

[@burkefeaster9883]

It breaks your heart when that happens, but on the bright side you don't feel as bad beat the crap out of it now.

[@josephcolton7519]

Oh how I miss these knife reviews lmfao

[@Nohkral]

Is there a better blade then bk9?

[@demonfromthemud1113]

hey tac! try out the boker desert warrior! fairly cheap and pretty damn good

[@dandetande288]

hahahaha your sound effects get me all the time hahahai

[@farouq1983]

I'd liberate Troy again with that thing! Great video bro :)

[@Truett49]

My best chopper & batoner is the condor hudson day.

[@CAMO-hb8wc]

Yeah its bent, bummer.... Have you ever tried an SP53 from Ontario made from spring steel? Its my favorite big chopper with a lifetime warranty!

[@crosshair64]

I don't blame you for being disappointed with this blade reviewed, I would be pissed off.

[@coldsteelfanboykatanalover3289]

Damn Tac. I thought you were about to cry!

[@modernprimitive1569]

I truly appreciate your honesty. You just saved me 200$. I bet you were sick when you noticed that bend and nick. Sorry bro.

[@Kris_Stiletto]

Great honest review. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@Von338LM]

Omfg, I'm laughing so hard I'm pissing myself... Let me know if you'd like to have some real INFI steel in your hands:) Love the vids!

[@joey8obby]

Greetings from Canada Tac!! Was wondering if you could do a review of the Anvil Bladesmiths Bull Shark G10, partial serrated blade. I don't see any KZbin reviews of it, so you'll be the first! :) it seems to be a decent pocket EDC blade. You can find it on Amazon Cheers!

[@cbr600rrturbo]

+joey8obby if I get one ill woop the hell outta it

[@kennethcaloun5138]

NICE VIDEO THANKS FRIEND

[@jordangutierrez824]

looks like the tip might have been over heated during the final grinding and ruined the temper there.

[@tomtomson2110]

DAMN, you really came close to stabbing your self in the chest doing that tip test lol

[@chazzops]

5 TAC! ouch, i feel your pain.

[@Gterr1971]

still kinda cool. I agree on the sheath though. leather sheaths are my favorite.

[@wpsaints]

That's a bummer, I'd be pissed too. I'd send that back to TOPS, it looks like something went wrong at heat treat. They're warranty is pretty good, they'll test the temper.

[@tristonkagerer1808]

Hey man, I make custom knives by hammer forging them. And one thing that always catches me off guard, it the hammer blows near the spine of the knife and it will look bent Or curved but it's not. It's an optical illusion. So I would clean up the coating and then check to see if it's straight

[@RazZelDaZzel16]

hey Tac. I dont have a Tops knife. but I do know just like Esee and Busse, they have a life time warranty. I think if you contacted them they should cover it no questions asked..... although im not sure if they cover everything. I have an esee junglas with custom handle scales, and they keep coming loose every time I use it. even with lock tight. so I contacted them, they werent willing to do anything about it. so now I have a Junglas I dont even use... anyways, u should contact Tops, see if you have some better luck..... great review as always. its pretty bad ass knife

[@islandpainter3964]

im not surprised they wont cover you. Most companies of any product wont warranty their products if you modify them.

[@bugoutbuds8744]

Thats that basic commonsense. Why would they cover problems with custom parts that they dont make....

[@LetoAt77]

Send it back brother, TOPS will replace it they're pretty good about warranty work. Looks like the HT could be a little off which can happen with larger blades.. The chip could be from grind geometry or overheating the the thinner part of the edge where it occurred during the diff HT.. Either way, great vid brother thanks for sharing.

[@GxKaM1KaZ3xZ]

was ready to buy this now I've changed my mind now I gotta look for a better big knife

[@traciemaynard6925]

Tac you should try out some Bark River knives, there frikin awesome!!!

[@JoannaJedrzejczyksForehead]

So, Tops Armageddon, or ESEE Junglas?

[@brodieknight772]

if it is ever so slightly bent, its not hard to fix at all

[@timc46440]

It's all good, mine bends to the left too bro...wait...were talking about knives right?

[@stignation]

Brother Tac = Legend....

[@Geowolffe]

looks to me that you have a old wire reel for a base. they have metal rods through them to hold the two ends on. that where your knive damage probably occured

[@liamireland7381]

Can we get an update brother?