I went with the TDI. Quite a bit less expensive, bigger finger groove, and not being double-edged means the KABAR TDI is actually going to be street legal for civilians to carry in a lot more jurisdictions. The TOPS seems as though it was created for soldiers as a last ditch defense blade during hand-to-hand combat.
This is just me and I know I won't tell someone how to treat their dogs, but every time you intentionally hit 1 knife against the other it drove me insane..
I do Armed Executive Protection, and aside from carrying a gun everyday I also carry the Kabar TDI knife as another tool. I love it, its a great little knife. However after seeing this video I think I'm really diggin the Devil's Elbow as well. 👍 I may just have to get one.
This video being 6 years old, I'm not sure if they're still producing this blade. It's possible. But honestly not too sure. I do appreciate you taking the time to watch. Be safe out there.
I have the original TDI in serrated and the large TDI with Tanto blade & serrations and also the Hinderer TDI. After watching this video I just purchased the TOPS Devils Elbow XL. You can never have enough knives but you could always use a few extra hands to hold them.
@@GearReviewDepot I live in Los Angeles where there are tons of crazy homeless people roaming around everywhere. I like to keep Hawkbill or S-Shaped Blades inside my truck. Hooking and pulling works good for me when inside a vehicle. I have a fully serrated Cold Steel Black Talon II right in my center console perfectly within reach.
I went for TDI. It just has more uses fro EDC, CC and general package opening. You can almost baton the TDI (though it's not for that). The finger groove on the TDI is more than enough for fast and strong handling.
I have tdi and the coating is cheap and when you hit something hard with this knife the metal on finger choil can cut your finger. The sheath sucks too! But they are cheap and it's a good option if you can't afford something like the tops but I have the tops too and in my opinion it's better and because of the double edge it's great for they are made for! Both are good
I've never used my TDI and thought "I need more knife." With that said, the Tops knife looks great and I know they make quality stuff. It just looks like a little much for my purposes. If I was to carry it in a more overt way, it might be the way to go. But... I already own the TDI.
I own the Ka-bar tanto model and the Hinderer, i looked at tops but their pricing is excesive. In fact i own a couple Tops knives and like their quality but prices are often over the top in my opinion.
"I honestly don't know", at least he's honest. A person doing a comparison study of two personal protection blades, should at least have an idea of the advantage of a double edge tool in a combat situation. Slashing and attacking no matter how the blade is presented is a huge advantage. I am sure that this guy is nice and friendly, but he (like many other), blade lovers, haven't clue one about usage of a blade in a life or death scenario. Hopefully, without direct experience, a novice looking for the best in close tool, will understand the usage flexibility of a double edge when needed.
Sorry my friend, I no longer have a website. I do have links to Amazon where buying via those links will support this channel. Regardless I do appreciate you taking the time to watch my video. Be well and stay safe.
NOT TAKING THE TIME..... LEARNING WHAT I CAN WHERE EVER I CAN, AND EVERYONE I MEET TEACHES ME A LITTLE BIT MORE, IN SOME FASHION OR ANOTHER, YOU SEE. SORRY I DIDNT KNOW CAPS WAS ON.
TDI is cheaper, slightly longer blade and the blade steel is more corrosion resistant. More legal to carry too, some states don't allow the carrying of blades longer than a certain blade length.
My ka-bar tdi disappears when worn. I don't feel that its it's uncomfortable or printing. Most of the time I forget I have it on me. Hopefully when I need it i remember. Thinner blade makes easier penetration. That said , never used or even seen a devil's elbow. If I go for a tops defensive carry I use my Tops I.C.E. X-772 MINI Dagger. Check it out. Awsome little ppiece.does take up more realestate but effective.
Stick 2 the kabar tdi Ive owned mine for 8months n love it alot its always on me 24/7, n if u do get the kabar tdi n want a different sheath check out matthews fabrication on amazon he sells good custom made tdi sheaths or go on www.phlsters.com he also makes awesome tdi sheaths
Hey thanks for the review and comparison. Yours is the only one I could find showing both side by side. I know it has been years now. But I have to ask. Are you still carrying either of these knives? I am a big guy like yourself and I am considering purchasing one of the two. To add to my daily carry. Does your recommendation still hold after these many years? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Absolutely I’d still recommend these two! I don’t have them anymore but they’re both great for EDC. Personally I’d go with the Devil’s Claw, especially the Devil’s Claw II. Nowadays I’d prefer a Karambit style blade for ESC.
Charly Dumeng The Devil's Elbow is a nice blade for sure but they have a new knife out called the TOPS 10/27, really good functional blade. Check it out.
@@GearReviewDepot I think it's because you keep talking with your hands while flipping the knives back and forth. I agree with him, it looks like you are on stimulants. Hold still!
Very thorough review. Thank you. I'm shopping for the TDI type knife and while doing the reviews, found yours. I agree with everything you said and made up my mind, TDI it is. Thanks again and now to check out your channel.
Thanks for the review. Both are good knives. I have the full size Ka-Bar-TDI and will be getting the smaller version soon. The tops knives look very cool also. I like the double sided blade. The Tops Scorpions Tale has the karambit finger hole which I think is great. Take care.
It does look pretty cool. Also looking at the Fox Karambit folders. Trying to get the wife to buy me for Christmas. Lol. Great vids, thanks for posting. Anthony.
You are wrong when you said they were designed as slashing weapons. The opposite is true. Whilst they CAN slash (especially the Tops double edged blade) they are thrusting blades.
Good job Tim. I don't think I would buy either one of these to be honest. I do have quite a few Tops knives and no Ka-Bars so maybe I'm not going to be completely objective but I'll try. Handles are very important to me, they're half the knife, and an EQUAL half at that. You can't have one without the other. I don't want to sound like another guy who does videos and always talks about his hand size (we all watch the same stuff right?) but I wear an XL in most gloves like Mechanix or Wells Lamont and that's even a little tight. I tend to shy away from anything that doesn't have a 4 inch handle, or at least close. Between that and the micarta I'd be leaning toward Tops. The reason I never bought any of the Becker knives is because they come with a slippery handle and a powder finish that easily starts to come off and make a mess. I like my stuff to look good as well as preform well. Stay safe brother. Mike
Ok I hear ya Mike. I'm also a fan of TOPS, they have some real nice knives for sure. Not a fan of the Becker line for mostly the same reason as yourself. I don't mind the coating coming off from lots of use but I wouldn't be too pleased if it wore off very easily. I like to have it worn off through lots of hard use. As always, thank you for stopping by. Be safe.
+Michael Quigley The TDI is designed for weapon retention and backup to a firearm. I know a fair number of LEO types who carry it offhand to stab the hand/arm of anyone trying to take their firearm. I'd expect it to be pretty effective in that role.
I'm looking at the getting the trainer variant and working with it before I decide on getting the live version. Too bad its a pain finding their trainers now.
tengu190 I know of some that was having the same problem so he just bought two of them and dulled the blade on one and painted it for his trainer. My suggestion was carve one out of wood but he wanted what he wanted. lol
Yeah, I have plastic, wood, and metal trainers. Some are ones I took to the grinder. There is a physical and mental difference when training with all 3. I find people react and use them differently between the three materials.
the spec's of these 2 blade's would be great for processing & skinning game as oppose to being categorized as a tactical knife.the only way to find out which fits an individual is illogical each blade has it's minor drawback's if your looking for a logical tactical blade is the TOPS CALIFORNIA COBRA
Jimping Ain’t easy! The Tops is a TDI copy. Both are good but one is gooder. The devil’s elbow is a stupid name! I wouldn’t buy it because of the stupid name.
You never heard of TOPS knives ir just this particular TOPS knife? Check em out, lots of good blades to fit absolutely everyone for every situation. Thank you for stopping by. Be well.
Exactly..I live in Texas aldo, we can own the knife but can't carry it or take it out of the house. A lot of places don't allow those Dagger type blades, I have a Ka-bar TDI on the way right now with a eight2ten kydex sheath included. Can't wait to get it in a few days
the TDI sheath that comes from KABAR absolutely SUCKS....For both the small and large sized TDI Knife...it doesn't have a clip strong enough to keep it on your belt when presented. Plus the KDI is made in twain which is pathetic for an American company like KABAR
TheProfessorDank A karambit would be just as deadly if not more, in the right hands. Karambits make great self defense tools because how devastating a slash cut can be from one.
TALIAMO65 both of the knives have coatings. also he is tapping them with their sides, not scratching with the tip of the blade. Hell, the sheath for both knives are probably more abrasive. The guy did a great review and your bitching isn't needed.
