TOPS Knives Brakimo: Mixing the Best Of Both Worlds

[@Airik1111bibles]

Just got one and I gotta say this knife is way better in person I'm so pleased with this blade.... Its smaller in hand than I was expecting I'm very shocked and the handle is a non issue it feels great. This is my first Tops knife and it won't be my last, if you're on the fence just buy this thing its freaking wicked.

[@GU5S]

Just got this knife, medium sized hands and I love the handle and overall feel of the knife. Feels spot on in the hand

[@joeyjones9041]

I just got mine about a week ago as well. I wear medium gloves and the handle feels great to me. I love my Brakimo, i would recommend it to anyone.

[@latigomorgan]

I just received one of these as a gift from my kids. In the 4 years since you posted this video, it appears that Tops has changed the Kydex sheath by replacing the plastic clip with a metal one.

[@Kawika_808]

I bought the Brakimo and I love this knife. 5 stars for sure. Super comfortable in my hand. The blade and grind are TOPs notch.. The kydex sheath fits like a glove. i highly recommend the Brakimo if your in the market

[@SupermanBB]

Just bought this knife and it’s incredible. The fit and finish is excellent. Hair shaving out of the box. Wouldn’t change a single thing. Incredible kydex with a rotating belt clip. Amazing Scandi vex grind geometry and excellent blade shape. Sharp acute tip that’s tough. Micarta handle feels great and looks great with red liners. It’s a hard knife to beat for a one tool option to throw on the belt when going into the woods if you ask me!! Definitely my new go-to knife for that purpose 🤙🏼 nice review

[@CaptainHookhatesBooks]

Was looking for an all purpose knife for out doors. Literally bought the gerber strong arm,esse 4,tops bob, sog pillarand tops brakimo. I decided to keep the brakimo and return all the other knives. Brakimo sheath,length, thickness, everything just felt better in my hands. Thanks for your reviews!

[@joeyjones9041]

I love my Brakimo so far, i got it about a week ago. I wear medium sized gloves and the handle feels great to me. I always wanted the ESEE 5 but i didn't like the 1/4" thickness, too heavy and thick to do the finer detailed tasks. I have a Husqvarna 26" Multipurpose Forest Axe for chopping, splitting, and the heavier tasks. The Brakimo fits perfect in my tool kit, it's great at finer and medium tasks. Silky Big Boy 2000 XL and Leatherman Supertool 300 round out my tools if anyone wants to know lol. If you are interested in a survival/bushcraft knife, I'd say the Brakimo should be at the top of your list. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[@nomadicbushman2933]

Tops just took the esee 5 and fixed all of the complaints I had with it! Nice review!

[@gideonstactical]

Basicly

[@DB.KOOPER]

Just bought one... Watched the video and hmm'd and hawed for about 5min and POW, sold. Can't wait to take it out and beat on it. Being in the PNW where wood processing is just a matter of life and being a rafter/Overlander who's always tapped to get the fire going and build shelters at basecamps and on layover-days/weeks this is the PERFECT belt-knife for me.

[@47kcr]

Wow! My new grail knife! I'm a Joe Flowers fan, a Condor fan, and an a Scandi grind fan. So, this knife excites me! To have Tops take it to the next level... Can't wait to have one on my belt. Thank you.

[@adamturnbull6157]

Brakimo vs BOB, you anticipated the exact question I had as soon as I turned on the video

[@silentwarrior2385]

Thats the 2 I'm stuck between. But noone is answering that question

[@miket00123]

I haven't even had a chance to use my Baja 4.5 yet and now I want this awesome blade. Another great review.

[@arctodussimus6198]

Great review. The Brakimo replaced my B.O.B. and every other knife in that size. I like the handle, and I have very big hands.

[@gideonstactical]

Arctodus Simus super glad to hear that!

[@randalflagg9086]

I had Tony Harding of AS Harding custom knives make me a French trade style blade in 01 tool steel five inch blade and a high scandi grind like this it is wickedly sharp is an absolute feather stick machine but the high grind enables it to excel at butchering game and other camp chores. Awesome!

[@AntAntL]

I just purchased this knife....and I agree with your analysis between the Brakimo and the BOB. I went with the Brakimo for all the reasons you stated. I cant wait until it arrives. Im going to mount my MSK1 to this knife.

[@sgav8r]

I think the Esse-5 has advantages over this in pretty much every area that matters.

[@alanwilliams5836]

Thanks for this video Aaron. I'm one who has a definite opinion about when and how with the traditional scandi grind knives. I like them short and small for fine bushcrafting tasks. I do not care for them in heavy tasks, like chopping and batoning. They always eventually seem to edge roll on me with heavy use. I like my scandi knives to be about 5 inches or less... anything larger, and I just (out of instinct) want to chop with it, which I do not prefer to do. For heavy chopping and splitting, I prefer either a medium to high saber grind, or even a hollow grind knife. I'd even take a large flat grind over a large scandi for heavy tasks.

[@gideonstactical]

Alan Williams that would usually be my preference as well that's why I was surprised how well this edge held up

[@stevemack389sm]

love ALL UR videos my brother!!!! And this knife this TOP'S knife is completely SUPERB quality!!!!!!!

[@Macovic]

I have had the Brakimo for a couple of years now. Blade is great once you have put a convex secondary on and also sharpen the spine to to use for kinder scraping and firesteels. The handle is however horribly uncomfortable. It is leaf thin! And it is very blocky despite the scalops. Pommel shape is great! Although I am very happy with the overall design (espacially the blade and transition from blade to handle) it fels a little unfnished with that thin blocky handle. A super concept but the knife is 50 percent finished, in my opinion. Useful handle with gloves when far below freezing, otherwise not so much. Good kydex but horrible spring steel clip. It is to sharp and can not be used.

[@JakeJakerson2]

Im debating this or the Tex Creek for small game backpacking trips

[@ottawasilver7720]

this blade is definitely on my list! Thanks for sharing

[@gideonstactical]

ottawasilver 77 glad to help!

[@brs2916]

I'm between this one and Baja 4.5 which one would you recommend?

[@Airik1111bibles]

This is the knife I've been looking for, I love scandi grinds but finding a bigger one tough enough to use for everything is hard. I would add liners to mine and heat the sheath up and for it again....maybe I will have to try it out first...JUST awesome looking.

[@trentjones8415]

Can you do a video on how you sharpen a Scand grind? I always have trouble with sharpening them.

[@BlackRifleSurvival]

I was sold on the Brakimo after I tried it out, it is right there with my BOB, in that same category. Great review. TOPS knives Rock!

[@gideonstactical]

BlackRifle Survival glad to hear it!

[@cocovasquez1]

I regret not getting this knife sooner, Now it's my all time Fave

[@csh6220]

You cannot go wrong with a Tops knife. I have the BOB and love it. I wish the Brakimo had the fero rod holder like the BOB, and I like the taco style sheath. The rotating belt clip is very handy, although I made a dangler with a D ring and survival bracelet (works great and no taking belt off to attach to my belt). Technically, the "modified scandi grind" is a scandi with a secondary bevel which is a Saber grind. Ask a seasoned knifemaker about this. The term Scandi appeals to bushcrafters. Good marketing. Again, you cannot go wrong with a Tops knife. I really appreciate your videos. You keep it interesting and I trust what you say. Keep them coming, and Thanks!

[@dave3gs]

IMO this a "do it all" outdoors knife. Not too large or too small. The only thing I don't like is the oversized lanyard hole.

[@WDLC1911]

PerceptionVsReality, I wonder why it's made that way... It's a bit puzzling.

[@dave3gs]

WDLC1911 Agreed. Other people said the knife felt heavy towards the blade and too light on the handle. Thats another no, no for me.

[@SteveSmith-sd5hq]

Joe Flowers (the designer) said in an interview once, that it's kind of an all perpose lanyard hole. You can hang it on tree branch, hook a carabiner through it to hook it on to your backpack, or just make a paracord lanyard.

[@USNVET81]

Also doubles as a arrow shaft tool to straighten shaft

[@5angels332]

Great looking blade but works out to around $215 here in England. Such a pity because I'm looking for a good 5" blade and it would definitely have been on my list.

[@gideonstactical]

5 Angels sorry to hear that

[@MrMatthew7000]

thanks Aaron! always a fair and balanced review from a great man!!

[@gideonstactical]

Matthew W thanks bro!

[@Abbbb225]

I know you talked about it a little, but if you feel like it I think it would be nice to see a comparison video between the Brakimo and the BOB, seeing how they each cut and chop.

[@Sambo169]

I love this blade! My handles are the rocky mountain handles! I recommend that because you get a better grip!

[@anthonymaddix4063]

I am looking at the TOPS BOB as of right now cause I am just getting into bushcrafting and maybe later getting the Brakimo knife after I get some more money.

[@nonjaninja4904]

I'm glad you compared it to the BK2, since I'm trying to decide between the two.

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

I love Joe!!! He is a great trail buddy! I rock the scandi Trekker with this knife. Both Tops both Joe designs and both freaking awesome! The shango would be a great combo as well. SS for food and 1095 for the rest.

[@canoerepairshop]

What would you prefer to sharpen? A skandi with a micro bevel (Brakimo) or a flat grind with a micro bevel? Love to know.

[@lamprozar1]

love the design really nice hate the handle not my type for sure I had a Tahoma field knife let it go didnt like the handle it's been that way for me with all the tops knives I've tryed thank you for showing the knife I might get it and re handle it love the shape of that blade

[@gideonstactical]

James Case I understand it's usually the handle and ergonomics on any knife that make or break it for the person using it.

[@stevemack389sm]

I really am so impressed with this knife tops has really hit it over the top literally with this knife it's the best shape size and I love the blade which is absolutely perfect it's just perfect in every way to me anyway because I like the size of it I like the size of a blade I like the size of a handle of that life is well and it's just perfect to me like I said and it's a great video I like how it did every job perfectly fine and basically like I said it is a tops knife it's the best night that tops is made for that's why I didn't name of tops knives if it's because it's like a lot of their knives THERE name is TOP'S and IT'S BECAUSE They are on the top of the food chain of knives!!!!!

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

You can add anything behind those scales to make them thicker in 123 ez seconds since they are removable scales. So take some plastic glue it to the scales and dill holes. Done!

[@556suppressor]

Getting one this summer for my first Bushcraft knife.

[@tbeiber09]

I love mine! its a great solid reliable knife. love the honest and informative videos as always too man

[@gideonstactical]

Tim Beiber thanks so much!

[@machodeth4822]

great vid man thanks, I was eyeballing this one already. I'm sold after seeing this. One thing though brother not sure if you know but I bought a BOB earlier this year and I think they made improvements over some of the older releases of the knife. More handle contouring and I think they softened the jimping a bit because mine's pretty good and I normally hate jimping.

[@gideonstactical]

Macho Deth very interesting! Thanks for the heads up.

[@machodeth4822]

I think is was to prepare for launching the BOB in one of those CM super steels like they did.

[@schlooonginator1227]

Yeah, Tops really did a great job with this. Tops really have come a long way in the past few years with blade designs. It used to be all 1/4" thick nlades with traction coating and wacky shapes. Just wish they put some thicker scales and moved away from the blocky shape because if it were a nit more, oh, LT Wright like, they would be perfect. Dtill this knife is a home run. Love love love they blade shape, brilliant.

[@cabochris100]

Nice review. Just purchased a Brakimo through your link! It was between this and an ESSE 4 or 5. I'm looking for a Unicorn, my ultimate knife for camp/hunting (a 5 inch blade seems about right) and do always carry a Mora Bushcraft Survival as Back-up. Obviously a compromise but I can't wait to see if the Brakimo dethrones my current #1 pick, the KOA D2 Bush Camp?

[@csh6220]

Putting a small secondary bevel on the scandi will make the edge much stronger without losing performance. Just make it very small. Handle is pretty thin but manageable. I enjoyed your review.

[@amedeoperri3571]

Great review as usual!

[@jmccray00]

Looks like a slightly larger version on Vulture equipment Works Cholera 1 with a less comfortable handle. I've been telling you ya need to get your hands on one.

[@gideonstactical]

jmccray00 I still would like to

[@craigmccormick8142]

I’ve been on the fence about the brakimo vs. The bob for a long time now and I’m almost ready to pull the trigger after hearing your thoughts. That bob in 154cm tho…. Damn my indecisiveness haha.

[@SteveSmith-sd5hq]

Awesome review, Aaron! I've been waiting for you to do a review on this knife. I am stuck between this knife, and the Ontario Blackbird sk5 for a belt, kinda do everything except chop knife. in your opinion, which would you take? I will have a hatchet or saw with me.

[@gideonstactical]

Steve Smith this will have better handle ergos and a kydex sheath. If I could only do one....hard but the brakimo

[@SteveSmith-sd5hq]

gideonstactical​ Awesome, thanks for the response! Keep up the great work, man

[@janisukanen884]

Oh wow! That is cool! I like it a lot! I have always thought that TOPS BOB is a great blade but I like that one even more. Looks like a winner for sure. Great review :) Big thumbs up!

[@gideonstactical]

Jani Sukanen thanks you so much friend

[@cj_m2477]

This just went on my list. Thanks for your great reviews.

[@devonsmith4935]

I would like a review on the dragonfly 4.5.

[@paulhughes3961]

I think with this review I have made up my mind. Might have to go for different handle scales. Thanks for sharing.

[@theGimpfantry]

Would please consider reviewing the TOPS Desert Son?

[@TheWibbo]

good review, debated the tops Bob vs the Eka w12 Nordic when buying a new camp knife. would be interested in your views on the Eka

[@JustInCases72]

here's one ,the esee 6 or the Brakimo survival / camping / bushcraft

[@mcr0741]

To be honest, the ESEEs are just overpriced crappy knives. And I discovered that when I tried a few other knives in the same steel. The Brakimo is the best implementation of the 1095 steel, and is miles better than ESEE 4,5 or 6.

[@codynevins9013]

It's got the ESEE 5's blade shape, minus the pry bar thickness.

[@gideonstactical]

Yep!

[@FreshlyMinted1]

gideonstactical hey which would you say is the overall better blade between the bob and the brakimo

[@ryanc5681]

I was gonna buy this knife last week. I waited but now I deff want it. Great knife. This knife and the baja 4.5 I want. Any chance you can do a review on the dragonfly by tops? I am buying a LT wright gns next Friday. And a bark river. Would love to hear and see your input on them.

[@ssunfish]

I like hearing your choices! Great kbuves for outdoors!

[@MrWmburr7]

When you had the Brakimo side by side with the BK2, I noticed they both had a very small semi-circular notch at the near end of the blade. Its way too small to be a finger choil, so what is the purpose of that notch? Thanks.

[@charlessalmond7076]

Sharpening choice, so you can sharpen the whole edge.

[@garywagner3569]

another great video, I already bought 3 others knives from your videos...I just might have to get another....

[@gideonstactical]

Gary Wagner awesome glad to hear it!

[@MartyBecker]

Nice review! Will this knife strike a fero rod with the spine? The Tops BOB does not.

[@gideonstactical]

beckerm13 no it won't has a slightly rounded spine but you could easily grind it down if you wanted to

[@PrestonGladd]

that's the one thing that bothers me about a lot of TOPS "bushcraft" series, they wont put a damn 90 degree non-coated edge on the top of the spine. The BOB idea was horrible, if they would have just extended the butt and then put a 90 on it, I would have been fine with that, not sure why they refuse to put a small 90 non-coated portion on the spine.

[@joeyjones9041]

@@PrestonGladd because they differentially heat treat their knives to male them tougher and therefore the spine is too soft to strike a ferro rod anyways. Thats how the Japanese forge Katanas. I don't see why they don't just harden the edge and the spine but leave the middle softer.

[@dennisjpoleyjr8713]

Nice knife! I have the TOPS BOB that comes with a similar sheath, maybe the best kydex production sheath available, it has a metal belt clip, do you like the new plastic clip ? Will it hold up to use as well as the metal one? As always...good stuff!

[@gideonstactical]

dennis j poley jr I like the metal one better, but this is durable

[@dennisjpoleyjr8713]

Cool, thanks.

[@SteveSmith-sd5hq]

dennis j poley jr. They actually switched it to the metal one.

[@SantiagoMenendez]

Awesome video! Between this one and the hog 4.5, which would you go for??

[@stephenfowler8611]

Great video, brother! buuuuuuut, now you threw a wrench in my new knife plans for next week... I was set on the Esee Laser Strike, now it has some competition for my $$. What's your opinion on this vs the Laser Strike?

[@gideonstactical]

Stephen Fowler I would say the TOPS HOG 4.5 is the knife you would like better then the laser strike

[@DavidDavidsonvii]

Check out the TripleX knives Rambler Bushcraft knife, it's great.

[@gideonstactical]

David Davidson will do

[@patmcguire6867]

I appreciate your reviews.

[@massimobargagna5641]

Tops blades are Wicked

[@no_handle_required]

Channel name should be "In My Large Sized Hands" :)

[@joeyjones9041]

Haha yeah he loves to remind everyone of them

[@JackG79]

@@joeyjones9041 at first i thought it was an ongoing joke. The funny part is that his hands aren't much bigger than average. Lolol I have double XL mma gloves and could really use a triple XL on my right hand because its been broken so many times. I feel like they look like little racoon hands. But then I realized he was serious and it was even funnier.

[@Dacian-Dacu]

HELLO! (Sorry for my english) Between B.O.B. and Brakimo... What will be your choice? Thank you!

[@JustInCases72]

i just received the Brakimo today time to go test it

[@axlplayer14]

I don't know why everyone says that the bk2 weighs one pound. I've weighed mine and it weighs 13.5oz. Not really that heavy.

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

MORAfied Becker BK-series... Looks pretty darn good as an all-arounder... maybe looks a bit unwieldy/unbalanced in terms of leverage and efficiency when compared to let's say a MORA Bushcraft or even the TOPS BOB. A little concerning to me would be overemphasis on the oversize lanyard hole ie. make it more useful for something/application. Skeleton-type pommel for me generally spells or can expose weaknesses as well as lightening up a knife where it likely should not become an effective solution (more gimmick than function).

[@johnfromscotland1050]

Late comer to the table,but........ just got the knife, and I love it. Thanks for the video bud, that's what made my mind up from the Bob. Cheers.👍

[@sergiotheg13]

Hows it holding up? Do you still like it? Or have you found a better knife?

[@johnfromscotland1050]

Sergio, my friend.....long time after using it, still a great knife and one I through in the bag for a day out or kayaking, or overnighters and want less weight, I still go to this knife, my new knife for long time out (2,3,4 days) or longer time out is a LT Wright Sospe, but won't get rid off my Brakimo. Hope this helps.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ericjudd9603]

Can u use the spine for a ferro rod?

[@neilsneilson]

Is this edc friendly? That tumble finish is a real head turner.

[@gideonstactical]

If you like to EDC 5 inch fix blades lol

[@aaronflanagan8090]

Maybe a B.O.B. , Brakimo, Dragonfly, Baja, comparison video is in order?

[@brandona.6337]

Just curious as to how you think it compares to the ESEE #5 ? I own the 5 as well as the BK2 and prefer the 5 iced the BK2 but I don't like the weight so I was considering this TOPS blade what's your thoughts ?

[@gideonstactical]

Brandon A. If you like the Esee five but want something that's a little thinner and lighter weight I would say this is the way to go.

[@brandona.6337]

gideonstactical thanks s lot Erion I appreciate your advice and enjoy all the great vids you put out 👍🏻! I've been a sub for I believe 4-5 years know and recommend your work to all of my friends thanks again !

[@johnzane3977]

I thought you were holding an esee 5 at first. does it feel similar to the 5?

[@michaellaird9262]

this one has peeked my interest since I've first seen it. my only question is how does the Tops scandi grind compare to a something like a mora when u need to sharpen it or touch it up?

[@gideonstactical]

Michael Laird The 1095 is very easy to work with and tuneup.

[@JustInCases72]

still cant make up my mind the esee 6 or the Brakimo survival / camping / bushcraft what would you pick

[@gideonstactical]

John Reynolds LaBrecque chemo is gonna be a little bit lighter weight and not as long a blade. So that would be part of the issue. If I'm doing a lot of Bushcraft, triggers, traps, fine carving, then the Brakimo. But if I'm doing more survival and need some heavier baton and shopping as well as find work for Esee six.

[@JustInCases72]

Thanks I just might have to get both get the esee first then in a month or so get the other

[@prepared2thrive101]

Love your channel.

[@beinghuman3225]

Any thoughts on the BOB rocky mountain handle?

[@bossmodus5020]

I want this Knive in Cpm 3v !!

[@silentwarrior2385]

That or 154cm

[@adityadhand563]

you should review a condor knife you have never reviewed one before

[@gideonstactical]

Aditya Dhand I have a long time ago but I hope to soon.

[@navigator1372]

Those tops knives are the best looking

[@NothingCoherent]

hate how thin tops handles are

[@Eldofarmboy]

The Brakimo is nice but personally I prefer my BK-16 and my Druid 220

[@t.fisher8793]

Is the sheath ambidextrous?

[@gideonstactical]

No, unless you use a Molle lock

[@nuancolar7304]

I may be wrong because I haven't used a Brakimo before, but to me the tip on that knife just looks a bit more fragile than other knives. Maybe it's just me.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah, A great review, But how and what I do in the bush, I look for a choil on a 5" blade if I can, Don't get me wrong, I have the BK-2, and I have a friend that can carve a spoon with his, we'll I got mine just as sharp, But then I also have a knife in that size with a chpil, It's a Flat Grind with a fairly thin apex. It's my O. K. C. Afghan in the 5160 and I team it with my Ranger RD-9. But one of my all time Fav. in that size and you have one too, It's my Ratmandu and I even have two in the INFI steel. But I also have that size in a knife I had modified, it's my modified Attitude, I also had a High Scandi put on it, Awesome, Yeah, This knife has alot of potential for a good bush craft knife, Yeah, I approve . ,, .

[@shittyfattits807]

How would you compare this to the esee 5?

[@nicklacasella5585]

Different grind do you prefer this over something like the TOPS HOG

[@gideonstactical]

I prefer the Hogs High Saber grind

[@oldgeccko8207]

Thanks for another Real Use review. Off track here, but these Knife Companies may make really good Sheaths for some of their knives... Then I have to have one made for a Lefty! If they can make THAT Knives sheath Rotating, why can't they make it switchable?

[@michaelstjohn6086]

I watched a vid on here where a guy made a TOPS BOB sheath ambi by drilling and heating the other side of the sheath for the bolt in the clip.

[@oldgeccko8207]

Michael StJohn Cool, I'll look for it.

[@michaelstjohn6086]

Wish I could remember which one it was. So many BOB vids lol. I remember he drilled the sheath, put a bolt in hole, heated it while he pulled it out.

[@cjm9860]

great review man.

[@steviefowler6382]

Wow, I’m late to the party on this one. Better than the BoB?

[@joeyjones9041]

You have a comment on here from 3 years ago, I'm surprised you didn't remember this knife.

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Great designer and review!

[@elmooko69]

Nice! Glad to see he left out the jimping which has always kept me from buying a Tops Knife!

[@DamionJR4923]

How do you sharpen the tops modified scandi grind?

[@gideonstactical]

DamionJR4923 just like any other pretty straightforward.

[@johnzane3977]

Side by side with ESEE 5?

[@JustInCases72]

its a nice knife.will made and its a good looking knife .

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

Great review... Great knife... Great channel...