TOPS KNIVES MSK 2.5 Review: Pocket Woodsmen

[@GaryGraham-68]

I love my msk 2.5 I have had it for 3 years now

[@rickjohnson4009]

Have 2 izula's and 2 msk survival's. Could not decide which I loved more so I got both then both again to keep in my pack. Thanks for the great reviews

[@WilliamKister]

Looks like a knife that I would use on a regular basis. Probably a great EDC.

[@gideonstactical]

It is a nice blade.

[@EarlyMist]

Oh yeah man...I just received this little guy and it is tiny...in an awesome way. I love mini things...but I'm not used to them being so practical. The blade length is maximised while the handle is minimised..yet It feels excellent in hand, balance is on pointer finger handle groove. It weighs less than my Mora and fits (not a big deal...10 grams or so) but fills the same purpose and is smaller. Fits in nicely with my current selection so thanks for the review that tipped the scales on my decision to buy it. You were right on each point. Keeper.

[@NZToddy]

That's for the awesome comparison, has helped me deciding on which to own for what I want out of the knife👍

[@gideonstactical]

+NZToddy great to hear that!

[@COWBOYJDUB]

AlaskanFrontier1, the Fieldcraft has been out for about 2 years, I got mine in spring of 2012, after reading several articles and seeing a few videos on it. If you look on TOPS website, the mini-scandi knife (msk) was designed and built after the success of BOB.

[@paulie4x1]

Good review Aaron, I use mine as a EDC neck knife both in the bush and suburb, when I don't have my pouches folder's I have a knife around my neck, and this Top's MSK is very comfortable and for a little knife it surprised me in the bush, kewl beanz, and Thank

[@gideonstactical]

paulie 4x Glad you like it and the video helped.

[@EnriqSandoval]

Great little review. Good job and keep up the good work. I like your points but I have XL hands and wonder if it's too small. For reference, I received my GSO yesterday and my palm rests on the very edge of the pommel. I really have to sit forward into the grip to get a good full purchase.

[@samn6201]

It would be awesome if you reviewed the buck 119

[@go-joe2929]

Please do a review and comparison on the street scalpel 2

[@willtrax71]

I know this is an Old Video and great review by the way, do you think this would be ok for a Hunting Knife? I need a fixed Blade for this upcoming Year with the Grandkids and I’m looking at the RAT 3 this Tops and a Condor Blue River. Thank you my friend Semper Fidelis

[@gideonstactical]

I personally wouldn’t use it for hunting. You personally want a full flat grind and thin. I would look at Montana Knife Company. Pricy but designed for hunters.

[@willtrax71]

The MKM’s are crazy nice and I would say 100% worth the price but I’m in the RAT 3 Wheelhouse lol and I may go with that or a Condor in 1095. I want to truly thank you my friend, you have reviewed every Knife I’m looking at and it helps tremendously not just me but everyone and I do truly thank you. Stay safe my Friend Semper Fidelis

[@jonnyboat2]

I like it. I'd add a pocket clip or ulticlip to the sheath and stick it in my pocket. It looks like the perfect pocket fixed blade.

[@2009statechamps1]

Hey Gideon, I am hoping that you could do a review of the TOPS Outpost Command! It looks to be a awesome knife but there are not any field test reviews of it on KZbin. It would follow along in your TOPS fixed blade series nicely as well. Thanks, Andrew.

[@willtrax71]

I had to rewatch this video lol a friend recommended the Tops MSK again and the Mini Tom Brown Tracker which I really like but it’s expensive.

[@patrickgermond2750]

So I bought and ordered TOPS Wind runner sre. You think I made the right choice?

[@gideonstactical]

With some small modding I am sure you can.

[@RealBushMonkey]

In the light there looks like a micro bevel on that scandi. I must have this and the BOB!!!

[@gideonstactical]

There is no micro bevel. The MSK and BOB have true zero bevel scandi edges.

[@PrestonGladd]

should have called it the "Bobette"

[@paulie4x1]

This is my new member with my Potbelly, Parangatang and now the Mini Scandi Knife (neck carry), and it's a great EDC.

[@WhyTryGael]

So, if you could only choose one, MSK 2.5 or Scandi "Trekker" ? And, have you reviewed the Tops Rocky Mtn. Spike?

[@neemancallender9092]

I have it as a belt carry I have taken a thick cable tie and threaded it thru the top and bottom open rivets and tie it at the back this gives me a very strong loop for my belt It only cost a cable tie

[@TalonTSI95]

looks like there's a pretty clear secondary bevel in the video.

[@MaybuTron]

Yeah, it's not a true scandi grind. There is clearly a secondary bevel on this knife.

[@alexdoherty9299]

Would you recommend this or the Izula for carving and other bushcraft tasks?

[@gideonstactical]

Either on is going to do a good job, this one has a better sheath and a little more ergonomic handle.

[@alexdoherty9299]

gideonstactical Thanks dude, mine's already in the post :D

[@skumautz]

I'm just wondering for $60 and for about the same blade length would not be better off going with a mora classic number one for 10 bucks or a mora companion. I'm just wondering if that knife can do anything better than these mora type knives for a fraction of the cost.

[@gideonstactical]

A Mora can defiantly do the same if not more then the MSK, but a Mora is much bigger and this is design as a little neck knife like an ESEE Izula. Mora Knives can do almost everything knives 5" or less can do, but not everyone is a fan. I am :)

[@seanb6986]

Try carrying a Mora on your neck to the mall

[@paulie4x1]

Oops I should of looked when this video came up on me that I already posted, sorry Aaron but I really enjoy your video's and always happy to see them, sorry man.

[@gideonstactical]

paulie 4x No worries.

[@paulie4x1]

Thanx, Aaron, , ,

[@BeardedGunsman]

the mini scandi actually came out way before the BOB.

[@Alainahere]

I kinda wanna email BHQ and request for them to market an exclusive black g10 on the msk to match the B.O.B. Or do you think TOPS would accept a custom order like that?

[@OutdoorAesthetics]

You could try they make every handle by hand so contact them

[@Alainahere]

I did actually and BHQ actually emailed me back saying that they'll definitely forward my idea to their marketing guys, but I haven't heard anything back yet. I think I'll just go through tops.

[@kristenrussell8755]

Do you have a rusting problem with msk mine is rusting

[@jjskn93]

Thats not a scandi. The secondary bevel shines like a big fat outline on the blade!

[@tybassett]

tops calls it a modified scandi just like the B.O.B. and the trekker

[@jessebordner4988]

can the msk 2.5 ride on the b.o.b. sheath

[@gideonstactical]

With some small modding I am sure you can.

[@skumautz]

At some point can you do some review and testing on how durable a mora knife is

[@gideonstactical]

Yes, we will be doing Mora knives and the new Ax by them as well this year.

[@nate_6163]

Can it fit in your pocket?

[@gideonstactical]

Yes you can

[@yankeejedi2575]

I'm looking into an EDC knife to wear on the belt with a minimal imprint. I have a tec lok and soft loops to modify. Does anyone know if this fits that need? If not what would you recommend?

[@Talmidiym8463]

I would suggest the Tops CAT series of fixed blades. Cat stands for Covert Anti- Terrorism. Amazing knife

[@davide88rn]

this or izula? i got medium hands...

[@gideonstactical]

Izula

[@davide88rn]

gideonstactical thanks!

[@paulie4x1]

No offence Aaron and ofcource it is more expensive, but my Busse Combat Anneversary Mean Street LE for a short blade (3 1/2" blade) can be used as a Search and Rescue Knife. That impressed me and it became my All time Fav's 3 1/2" blade. My Rodent 3 is also one of my Fav's a Lil Tank but a great carver similar blade profile for a little longer one of my Fav's the Skookum Bush Tool a true Bushcraft Knife mine is a 4" blade, but as a EDC and now my add-on to a great new Summer Set and prolly into the colder weather I would recommand the Top's Mini Scandi Knife to everybidy, it's everything you said and more, I love mine, Thanx, Top's.

[@LukeMorry]

its a little knife that's right up my street :) but for $112 here in the UK, it'll sting a lot :(

[@gideonstactical]

Dang that is pricy!

[@LukeMorry]

tell me about it, and that's not just with Tops knives, its with EVERY KNIFE!!!! :'( I cry myself to sleep every night because of it :'(

[@davidferguson1378]

The MSK is a mini version of the Tops Scandi, not the B.O.B. Just an FYI for anyone wondering about that. But I'm pretty sure he does a vid on that knife after this review was released.

[@davidmathews2124]

This is an excellent knife. Great blade profile. But I can’t use this effectively. The handle is just too small for me. Of all the other wannabes out there I go with the ESEE Azula. Better non-funky warrantee as well.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

lol you realize the Fieldcraft was only released last year right? as far as the MSK im pretty sure its an older design

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, Yup that's my baby I don't mean maybe, I have this one teamed with my Johnson Adventure Potbelly and both Rock !!!

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, Tiday cleaning and oiling my tool's I used yesterday, and it's going to rain again, so I'm bunkering in today, but what I noticed how good my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Potbelly and the Top's Mini Scandi Knife 2.5 handle colors match, Yeah, I like using my Potbelly as a 1knife carry and you know how necessary a knife like the M.S.K. benefits a large knife like the Potbelly, I can also go with the B H Bushcrafter, But it's nowhere near as comfortable as a neck knife, anyhow that's the purpose of a 1knife carry with my Potbelly anyhow, Yeah, I'm pretty happy teaming these two knives, both complementing each other. Yeah, my new set is, I think, my Estwing Double Bit Hatchet, and the Corona Folding Saw (10") Seems like alot of tool's for just a hot cup of coffee on the open fire, but it's fun playing Rambutt, heh heh heh, Yeah, I enjoy myself, can you tell, , ,

[@paulie4x1]

Just got in, we went out for a hot cup of coffee in the rain heh heh heh, anyhow, Yeah, the M.S.K. teams up well with the Potbelly and surprisingly the handle color match (tan), but mainly I wanted to check out my Estwing Double Bit Hatchet, and so far so good, it's an Estwing, Oh Yeah, I had my Wicked Tough Saw. Not quite a lite carry, But we didn't have to go far from the car to the wooded area on the property, so we managed, But what a dreary day, wet, a wet kind of cold, so we didn't stay out too long, but a hot cup of coffee on a day like today was the premiere of the day. But I did get a chance to checkout the Estwing a little better and I got to see if it was worth to team up the Potbelly with the M.S.K. and I'm still not completely sold, maybe it's just that I'm comparing a longer handle knife to it, like my Blind Horse Bushcrafter or my Skookum Bush Tool. Maybe the next time it won't be so wet and I can pay more attention to it. Today was let's get the fire started I'm cold day, But I know I'll sleep well, So, G'Nite, , ,

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, I just bought a set of knives to give rest to my Summer Long Knife which is my ALL time Fav's Rodent Rucki what a knife, everybody ask how and for what I was going to use it for because its pricy. Well now they know, with some envy I may add, anyhow to give my Rucki a rest I got the Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Parangatang and I paired it off with a Potbelly, both have the tan handles, so I also thought what smaller knife I should get just incase, well first of all I have the Becker Tweeners in the three different styles, and changing to the tan handles all of them came with too would not be hard, and I also have a tan Skookum Bush Tool in 3V, and I have my tan Blind Horse Bushcrafter which I had the handle thinned down and polished it came out perfect for me it fits like a glove,and looks alot nicer IMO, but the solution was around my neck which I just so happened to be carrying around my neck as my EDC that day, it's a tan handle and it turned out to be a perfect add-on to my new set, although I heard the Potbelly was a 1knife carry option maybe that's why the thinner tip so you can perpetrate into stuff easier, it's tin but the 1095 CroVan is a durable steel and so far I hope it's going to hold up for what I'm going to do in the bush and hold's up to what I'm going to put it through in the bush as a 1knife carry option. The Parangatang ofcource is my Long Knife that is good enough to carry into the colder weather, it was either the Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Parangatang or the O.K.C. Bushcraft Machete in the 5160 carbon steel, I went with tge CroVan because in the colder weather my friends 5160 Ranger Rd-9 chipped a little, mine never did maybe he had it too thin for a chopper, I dunno, prolly was too thin ? anyhow it doesn't mean down the line I won't get the O.K.C. Bushcraft Machete, I think I will, but right now my Summer Long Knife set these are it my Parangatang, Potbelly, (as a rest for my Rucki and modde Rodent 6) and my EDC neck knife the Top's Mini Scandi Knife. Not only do they match to eachother, I think they will serve me in all conditions I plan of using them. Also with this set I may only use my Wicked Tough Saw and also give my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet a rest too, I dunno I love that 2Hawks. Thanx for doing a great video on a knife that I was just using as a EDC, boy did it change my mind for such a small knife. It's like a lightweight that punches like a heavyweight just right especially for my purpose and this particular set. Thanx, Aaron.

[@StarDarkAshes]

As long as you go for the face and eyes I think it would be perfect for self-defense. Anybody takes at least one of those in the face and still comes after you is just pretty much an idiot.

[@no-mt6oh]

can the back of the knife, can it throw sparks?

[@patrickjacob1303]

+Hunter N4KE no it cannot. the traction coating prevents throwing sparks.

[@no-mt6oh]

+Patrick Jacob thanks for the help!

[@chudball5400]

+Hunter N4KE You can actually use the small part that isn't covered in the traction coating, above the tip, it's not ideal but you can do it.

[@Airik1111bibles]

Mine came with a horrible dull secondary bevel....Its now fixed but if you don't have the skills to reprofile this thing don't buy it. Another big downer is that handle being to skinny, it really needs a thicker grip the scales are just to thin for such a little knife it makes it worse. I'm glad I got mine for $48 , I love my Brakimo but this MSK is a gimmick, I recommend a Mora Eldris or Joker Avispa neck knife over that thing.

[@hoasjhdfiadsf]

hmm. i think i'll get a tops 2.5 for hiking/fishing

[@gideonstactical]

She is a beauty

[@trooper2221]

What is with this steel, it’s impossible to sharpen

[@paulie4x1]

But then I can Scout a new area and look for fatwood, So Yeah, I don't mind packing the tools I nentioned, the M.S.K. is defenetly around my neck, the Estwing and the Corona I will be packing them, along with my necessities in the pouch and canteen, , ,

[@trooper2221]

I’d give 10 tops for a essee

[@notailfishing1104]

all taks u did, u did with allot of effort, worth buying a small knife like that? NO.

[@2009statechamps1]

Hey Gideon, I am hoping that you could do a review of the TOPS Outpost Command! It looks to be a awesome knife but there are not any field test reviews of it on KZbin. It would follow along in your TOPS fixed blade series nicely as well. Thanks, Andrew.