TOPS Mini Scandi Folding Knife Discussions | Drop

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Showing 1 of 23 conversations about:

TOPS Mini Scandi Folding Knife

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MaxwellDemonic

838

Nov 11, 2018

So uh... paying for the "Made in the USA" mark? Seems a bit overpriced otherwise.

Nov 11, 2018

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pyrobunny

284

Nov 14, 2018

MaxwellDemonicNot really overpriced. N690 is a great steel, and micarta handles are excellent for use. What exactly is overpriced about this? There's production N690 knives that go for well over $50 more.

Nov 14, 2018

MaxwellDemonic

838

Nov 14, 2018

pyrobunnyN690 isn't that significantly different from other steels in the budget range. It's around the same edge retention and corrosion resistance as 440C. Micarta, G10, and FRN are all around the same cost to produce. So the question is, why is the cost of this knife higher than knives that are made with equivalent material types? There are knives posted here that are equivalent or better quality at a cheaper rate and the only difference is country of origin. It doesn't matter much to me where the blade comes from so long as it's competently made and affordable.

Nov 14, 2018

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method_burger

563

Jun 10, 2019

MaxwellDemonicnot really, tops knives has a lot of hand finishing, plus the materials used is about the same price point. but i would recommend one of their fixed blades, since they just got in the folder game.

Jun 10, 2019

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OldTrailDog

Jun 10, 2019

MaxwellDemonicFor some folks, like me, think it makes a substantial difference. Personally I avoid supporting the Chinese military industrial complex when possible. Unfortunately it is becoming less possible for many items. However, I chose to pay the extra premium for US made tools and other items when practical. I don't necessarily feel the same regarding other countries that make premium items, but are not avowed enemies, e.g. Switzerland, Germany, Scandinavian countries, UK, and etc. Currently I use US made Gerber knives for my EDC, e.g. Gerber US-Assist and my favorite, a US made fawn foot handled knife similar to the LST knives.

Jun 10, 2019

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MaxwellDemonic

838

Jun 11, 2019

OldTrailDogCheck your steel markings, anything that's #CR is made with Chinese steel. China isn't a recognized enemy of the United States. Additionally Reate, WE, Kizer, and the vast majority of quality consumer knife companies out of China have no connection with the government or their military. Examples of Gerber knives using Chinese steel: https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Swagger-Assisted-Opening-31-001709/dp/B00B2I8O6Q/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WN2M2X/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DDPF9V3/ That's a SMALL sample of the knives they make with #CR steels. I'd also wager a good portion of their hardware (screws, pivot, standoffs) are purchased from China. Companies like WE buy premium US steel (CPM or at the very least D2 in their Civivi line). Kizer typically uses VG-10 or D2 in their budget lines and more expensive CPM alloys in their higher end stuff. It's far more often that cheap US brands use cheap Chinese steel. If you want to spend more on lower quality due to jingoism, be my guest.

Jun 11, 2019

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OldTrailDog

Jun 11, 2019

MaxwellDemonicHowever, like a number of other manufacturers, it is possible to purchase made in USA items. It most likely will cost more, and that depends on your priorities. For example, you can purchase Gerber knives from Gerber that are made in the USA and are designated as such on their website. Or you can purchase vintage knives for a reasonable price that were made in the USA. I have nothing against a host of other knife makers that make great blades, but I am simply using Gerber as an example. Also, you should be able to contact the knife maker, or other equipment, and ask them. I have done so with Gerber via email and they responded. Thanks for the tip on the #CR. As far as your comments about China being an enemy, you are welcome to your opinion or to stick you head in the sand as pleases you. Sure the Chinese people, per se, may not be regarded as enemies, but I will regard the Chinese socialist/communist government as evil, opposed to Western ideals of free people, and determined to spread their govenment's system far beyond their borders. There I managed to say that in a polite way ;-) even to the demonic.

Jun 11, 2019

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method_burger

563

Jun 12, 2019

OldTrailDogWow, someone still supports gerber usa made knives. You have clearly been collecting knives for a very long time, since for the longest time, they moved most of their production to china (until last year). Companies that put 'designed in USA' obviously didnt make it in the USA, like Mtech. But the issue gets more complex because things can be made in other countries and shipped/assembled in the US. For example, benchmade is made in the USA, but a bunch of their hardware is manufactured overseas. (only what i have heard, but they still support a lot of US hands, so I give them a pass if this is true) And china is a communist/authoritarian government, which means everything is owned by china, including 'private' companies, since nothing is private. With some exceptions, such as Hong Kong, and Taiwan (and yes, I think Taiwan is it's own country, even though it is not recognized by the UN)

Jun 12, 2019

MaxwellDemonic

838

Jun 12, 2019

OldTrailDogSocialism and Communism are mutually exclusive. I'd suggest doing some research on that before making nonsensical claims. I'm not saying China is perfect by any means and yes, their government is corrupt and bent on censorship. However they've moved from communism in the last several decades to social capitalism. In an actual communist state the people don't really have the option of leveraging money. The entire idea behind communism is to eliminate entitlement and greed by taking money out of the equation. There has never been a true communist government that was successful. Also the demonic in my name is a reference to a thought experiment about the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Maxwell's Demon. It has nothing to do with religiosity.

Jun 12, 2019

OldTrailDog

Jun 12, 2019

MaxwellDemonicI would politely disagree that socialism and communism, as practiced, are mutually exclusive. Rather shades of gray centered around the premise of removing freedom from individuals and incorporating that freedom and power, political and economical, toward centralized top down control. There may exist nuances in the strict definitions between the two, but in reality and practically, they are two birds of feather. To whit, whether it is Russia, Venezuela, China, and etc. The lauded socialism practiced by several Scandinavian and European countries is in fact more capitalistic than socialistic. Some even more capitalistic than the increasingly big brother the USA has become. Thought provoking as it may be, Maxwell's demon is non-existent. Whereas, demons, aka devils or evil spirits, do exist and have much more of a desire to manipulate the door to a human's heart, aka thoughts and choice, than participating in scientific conjecture.

Jun 12, 2019

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