Tops Knives D.A.R.T. Review: Power House Chopper

[@willieboy3011]

Enjoy your field test. The blade length is right, and the steel is very tough. (I am tired of fixing chips on my 1095). The large choil, finger guard, and blade design look right. With the different grinds and angles, sharpening this might prove interesting. Will likely get this soon.

[@lifesyphon1]

I absolutely LOVE my TOPS DART. It can do everything well. I wanted the chopping power of my bk9 or my junglas, but I didn't want to carry a 9 or 10 inch blade. The DART can do it all, chopping, batoning, hammering, and all the finer tasks. The DART doesn't get enough love in the knife community! I bought it thanks to this review, Thank you gideonstactical!

[@gideonstactical]

lifesyphon1 So glad that you like it and that it fits your needs. It is an awesome blade for sure.

[@Sambo169]

I just got a DART! I like it! I believe it can do it all! Don't have to worry about it breaking! It's thick and the 5160 steel is tough! Man this thing feels very comfortable in the hand! By looking at it, it looks like a chopper but I believe it's good for anything! It's got the most comfortable handles I have ever felt on a bigger knife! Very Balanced too! I really recommend this knife! Only thing is ,I don't like the nylon sheath! It deserves a cool kydex sheath! For that I give it a 9.5! Kydex sheath, it's a 10!

[@gideonstactical]

After having used both, the Thug would be better for boar with its hollow grind (good for hunting) and because it is lighter in weight makes it faster in the hand.

[@gideonstactical]

I totally agree!

[@gideonstactical]

Thanks!

[@cretan1263]

Ur dog tried to take your baton at 9:30

[@LaRemnant]

I just found out about this blade and they are so hard to find. I guess they’re discontinued.

[@randallkelley3599]

I used to collect Randall Made Knives. They have or use a similar grind, where it starts low on the rear of the blade, and moves upward. I've always liked that style of grind. I like this knife a lot, but 1" longer might be nice. And perhaps a better sheath. But that all costs $, and at $125,not a bad price.

[@nathanbailey9944]

MINT review! Had my DART for 2 weeks now and LOVE it!! I agree with you sheath-crap!!! I will be getting a custom kydex sheath for the beast!

[@gideonstactical]

Nathan Bailey Right on!

[@gideonstactical]

The button strap will not go around the handle.

[@brnobre4301]

👍

[@jeredsyn1964]

I've never really given that knife a second look because that kukri style just seems so un- American, that plus I just like straight knives. I don't think I'll ever buy a Schrade because of those funky handles. I'm watching this a year after you posted it and I don't think $140 is the price any more which sucks because now I like it thanks to your review. Man that thing really hacks through some wood. Thanks Aaron Mike

[@gideonstactical]

jeredsyn1964 I checked last week and amazon.com had it for $130 and knifeworks.com has it for $150.

[@jeredsyn1964]

I checked knifeworks today and saw the $150. The last time I checked Amazon I believe it was over $200. CRAZY

[@bobajango55]

Thanks for the video, definitely getting this knife.

[@gideonstactical]

Glad the video helped!

[@brnobre4301]

👍🏼

[@steveb8001]

Nice knife, but Tops sheaths suck.

[@ecoeco86]

The dog has stolen the wood! Get him! ;)

[@sethking3]

Thanks for the fast response : )

[@gideonstactical]

No problem Sid! Hope it helps.

[@gnrutd7]

Hey Gideon, you should do some vlogs, open your channel a bit wider and hopefully secure those much subs this channel deserves! Coz seriously, more people need to see these, too cool not to

[@pruthd1956]

I just got my DART and am impressed but your dog took the show with taking your split wood

[@gideonstactical]

Thanks!

[@waltero3035]

Would definitely check this one out. Great vid. Mabuhay, from the Philippines!

[@ryanmidolo]

Have you ever though/tried a hobby or craft store to find a button rivet gun...that could fix an other wise decent sheath

[@JeepJeep234]

In my opinion weight doesn't have that big of an effect unless its pushing 2lbs or more as a combat knife, I would say its all about its balance point. Example being the ka-bar fighting utility knife having some pretty good heft around 12oz but the balance point is behind the cross guard. Just got to think about it, if small knives were the better combat knives, why do almost all military forces around the world use 6-10 inch knives.

[@shcmoly]

Deep woods or backyard, batoning is still batoning. It is a test of the knife not the geography.

[@COWBOYJDUB]

You should try the DART in the Thugs sheath and let me know if it fits...

[@fentamyl]

your dog is so fucking cute jesus christ

[@nikgeos]

Very nice knife and another great review bro ! ....

[@Mraussieadventurer]

Great Video mate I already Got the Buck thug a few days ago through you'r review they do look very similar.. i got the buck thug to use as a hunting survival knife..i have an Esee 5 but i found it to be a bit short for hunting purposes.. Just wondering which one do you thing would dispatch a Wild boar better ? cheers and great review

[@lucianbrad4291]

Hi Aaron, I guess that crappy velcros might be updated with 2 snaps : I found that there a special tools to make holes and afterward to mount snaps - wouldn't that work ? Indeed, this procees needs quite a bit of attention - to punch those holes in the right spots - in order to obtain the right retention Indeed, it would be best if they've done that in the first place ... Not to mention that some kydex instead of nylon would have been perfect ... Or at least a leather sheath ... By the way, do you know a leather sheet suitable for this blade?

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, I bet the Top's D. A. R. T. would team up great with the O. K. C. Gen2 SP-53, Something to consider Guy's, Defenetly a Great Wood Processing Combo to keep you warm in colder weather.

[@drez13]

Great looking knife.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

thats 5160 alloy steel

[@simonandreassen9880]

Please do a similar test with the outpost command from tops knives =) please.

[@tonyolivieri1130]

I'd like to see the steel eagle 107e model reviewed as well as the Alaskan harpoon

[@gideonstactical]

Tony Olivieri I will be doing the steel eagle by the end of the year, but I have no plans or desire at this time to do the Harpoon.

[@tonyolivieri1130]

fair enough it didn't strike me as a desirable knife at first but I read a review on it and forgive my inability to give a reference but it made me curious just not 125 dollars curious. If you know where I'm coming from (Amazon pricing)

[@bullballsallday]

9:41 The doggie got a stick. Adorable.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, I bet the Top's D. A. R. T. it would team great with the O. K. C. Gen2 SP-53

[@jonathaneldridge4901]

Between the Dart and the Anaconda7b which do you perfer

[@TandTWilderness]

The dog ran off with your wood lol

[@brandonwhite1869]

Considering the results of this review, would you safely say that the dart could comfortable compete with an RTAK II or the tops condor alert, or a 8 1/2-10 inch blade? And how do you think the 5160 steel tops uses compares to their 1095, or ontario's 5160 for edge retention and overall blade durability?

[@gideonstactical]

The Dart will chop better then a Buck Thug, BK2, BK7, RAT7, ESEE6, but larger blade like the BK9, ESEE Junglas, Ontario SP-51, and Rtak are several ounces heavier making them chop better. 5160 and 1095 are very similar in the make up, 5160 is just a little tougher and less prone to breaking. The 5160 Tops uses is very good.

[@sethking3]

I like the vid thanks. Do you think this is a poor man's Fehrman First strike? I'm loving the materials and design for approximately 150. Would you go with the dart over BK9?

[@gideonstactical]

I have never seen or used a Fehrman First Strike so I cannot comment on that, but I would say that if you are looking for one blade that can chop, baton, and do all your carving and small cutting, then the dart will be better. If you are looking for a blade that just chops and batons then the bk9 will be better.

[@pathrst]

granted I haven't scrolled through all of your videos, but it seems you have not explored the actual kukri. what are your thoughts on them why do you seem to not favor them? I have one and it is a good companion for me. just curious what you think.

[@simonandreassen9880]

Please do a similar review with the tops outpost command knife ...

[@gideonstactical]

Sorry the Outpost is not really up my ally. I do not have any plans to review the Outpost at this time.

[@GuyInAHotdogSuit69]

If they made an XL version of this with a full-sized 12-inch kukri blade and kydex sheath I'd buy at least three of them on day one.

[@dubon811]

Bullpup92 check the "Armageddon"

[@michaelstjohn6086]

Will this fit in a Spec-ops sheath?

[@MrNinjakob]

I hate seeing beutiful blades being paired with such crappy sheaths.

[@SacredGter]

They did it so the knife was at a better price point. Most of the bigger knifes have these but r still affordable.

[@zachbartlett5123]

Do you know anyone who makes a good kydex sheath for this knife ?

[@gideonstactical]

You will have to probably have to go custom. redfeathergear or azwelke would be the two I could recommend.

[@sawdust6968]

yellowhawk dougs work is AMAZING!

[@timothygrmn]

@ 9:44...YOINK!

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

LMAO