READERS COMMENTS

Yea IRS an expensive knife and I'm not cheap I'm just realistic. The knife isn't worth it. So keep your comments to yourself little ballads bitch.
Posted: Apr 08, 2012 Boodan

$119 from the manufacturer for that knife is not unreasonable, as a matter of fact, it's a down right bargain compared to some.

For me, a knife is an investment, not a toy, and I invest everything I have into any decent knife I purchase, everything including my own life. That's because a knife is a tool, and for me it's more of a survival tool than anything, even if the only think that says survival on my resume is Boy Scouts, which is what I am, a Boy Scout nearing his Eagle with a love for the woods, knives, fire, and survival skills beyond pitching a tent or carrying a backpack.

When I buy a knife that costs more than $10 (lowest you can buy a quality knife for, i.e. Mora), I do research for weeks on how the knife performs, what it's made of, even the secret to the manufacturers/designers heat treatment if I can find it, and then I talk to people who own the knife in question, sometimes people trust the knife so much they will loan it out to help me make my choice. If you want to learn everything you can about a knife, it's designer, the current manufacturer, and anything else, ask people who know. A good place to do this is bladeforums.com, they have some of the nicest, most helpful and most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to knives, and some of the designers even chime in.

Bottom line, don't knock it till you try it, and I guarantee that $119 is the MSRP, not what you'll pay if you look for a lower price. My bet is you can find it for under $50 brand new from a dealer.
Posted: Mar 29, 2012 Joseph M.

If you can't affort it and you are just mad because you found out that you couldn't pay for it with food stamps then just keep your mouth shut. You get what you pay for and TOPS knives are worth the money. I dare say that the ones complaining have only some "Boy Scout" survival on their resume. Great work on the knife Joe. Keep up the good work Backpacker.com!
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 Joey

If you can't affort it and you are just mad because you found out that you couldn't pay for it with food stamps then just keep your mouth shut. You get what you pay for and TOPS knives are worth the money. I dare say that the ones complaining have only some "Boy Scout" survival on their resume. Great work on the knife Joe. Keep up the good work Backpacker.com!
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 Joey

Ya really have to say its pricey. Here is one that not only gives you a fire startewr but water filter and para cord. check out the knife kit at the bottom of the page at http://www.rockymountainsurvival.com/Survival_Kits.html Much nicer setup at half the money.
Posted: Nov 28, 2011 Ed

Ok guys, yes it is expensive. But manufacturing a product for public sale involves more than grabbing a piece of metal from your shed and scraping it against a rock.

If this knife is a good buy based on quality, then the actual knife owners themselves will be the best sales force ever, because there is something about a superior quality knife that people love to look at, talk about, hold, use and show off.
Posted: Jul 11, 2011 Steve C.

Crying over spending $100 for a knife? If I put money into anything to do with survival, it would certainly be a knife. While I have some decent, sharp Mora knives that cost under $20, I also have a knife and its smaller companion that cost near $300. What would I take with me into a survival situation, given the choice? Hands down, the $300 pair of knives. To each his own.
Posted: Jul 08, 2011 Sandy

I was looking for a more expensive lite knife and I bot a Cold Steel that weights 2.7oz. and cost $20 bucks and has won the a award from Field and Stream in 2010 the Pendleton Lite Hunter.
Posted: Jul 06, 2011 JCH

wow there are a lot of broke readers out there...that's why they read backpacker online rather that get a subscription...That price is from the manufacturer, dealer costs are considerably less. I'm a TOPS fan for life. Its just money that you end up spending anyway.
Posted: Jul 05, 2011 Jay

It may be a nice knife,but I have what I need for considerably less money. Becker BK-7, and a variety of Mora knives, plus a few multitools.
Posted: Apr 30, 2011 Eric

Is it self sharpening too!??? lol
Posted: Jan 20, 2011 SgtGrunt0311

Don't be retards its around $75 from dealers.
Posted: Nov 29, 2010 Anonymous

Seriously Joe, $119? I realize that you have to recoup your R&D, but not off of every knife. A bead chain and plastic sheath to boot! Cut the price in half, throw in the para-cord for the handle wrap and neckcord and put it in a Kydex sheath. You won't get rich off of the first two, but you'll sell ten times as many.
Posted: Nov 16, 2010 WayneB.

Some cheap people on this string. You'wish you paid $119 dollars when your cheap Wal Mart knife breaks and your stuck out in the middle of nowhere. TOPS makes great knives!
Posted: Oct 15, 2010 JD

The only reason you can price this knife soooo high is because there is a market for it. Blame it on the idiots who will actually buy this knife for $119!!! What is your motive here, to help people with an innovative idea or to rip enough suckers off so you can pay for your "over priced" car and add to the problem? Get real...
Posted: Sep 30, 2010 Matt

I love backpacker.com but,

$119?!?! Get real!!!
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 Ed

To those who are cheap; Buying survival gear in general is kind of like buying a good helmet. You should really only spend the money on a good one if your head is actually worth it. Just sayin...
Posted: Sep 04, 2010 Old_Mountaineer

Someone asked why gear had to be expensive? It doesn't, and it wouldn't be if there wasn't a market for it. So, let's all exercise a little discipline and common sense and stop buying overpriced merchandise. It's the same reason the average new vehicle is now $25-30,000 - it doesn't have to be that way.
Posted: Sep 03, 2010 John

I hear you... The way I see it. If I’m caught in a situation where I am really depending on my knife, it is not going to be a knife that cost $35 bucks.

Hey Joe, nice work! I may not buy the knife because of the all steel handle but any guy that fronts the money and does the R&D on their idea or dream, gets my vote!

My knife of choice is the LMF II Infantry.

Posted: Aug 30, 2010 MountainWarrior

Joe Flowers - I'm a little embarrased by all of the whining over a 100 bucks, by the Backpackers on here. I'm sure you can't tell them to grow a pair, or keep their Bic lighters and WalMart pocket knives and be quiet... but someone else can. Good looking knife I hope it does well for you.
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 Marc

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