► Please check out EJ Snyder on UA-cam: ua-cam.com/users/EJSnyder333 ► SXB Knife reviewed in this video: ejsnyder.com/sxb-skullcrushers-x-treme-blade/ref/SurvivalLilly ►EJ Snyders online survival course: ejsnyder.com/product/survival-and-outdoor-skills-series/ref/SurvivalLilly
Also. I need to point out the fact that Tops Knives Does Not,advertise there blade as the Tom Brown Tracker. Which Should be Copyright Infringement. Whereas every company I have seen selling "His" creation. Sells them as The Tom Brown Tracker. I won't go into the history of this iconic knife which I Love Dearly. As a member of the Artist. Blacksmith Association of North America, a Knife Specialist. Enthusiast and history buff. You don't see Bowie Knives,Not referred to as anything other than Bowies. Do you? I give Tom the credit he is due. I hope you will as well. Because I do like you and you videos.
@@robertstrohlin6051 the only thing is that Tom Brown was probably not the original inventor of the Tracker knife. Watch this video to see the evidence and website: ua-cam.com/video/p8J9tnRNAoI/v-deo.html Also there is no copyright on knives. they are not patentable. Also EJ Snyders tracker looks so much different than the one from Tom Brown. Next thing is that all knives are basically "copies" of each other. There are only a few shapes and handfull of grinds. So all look somehow similar. How many companies make machetes that look really similar? but still it is not a copy because there are small differences?
I bought one. It should be called the John Holmes SXB. 9" of cutting blade 1/4 " thick and tall / long handle = heavy and big. If you have extra money, add it to your collection. I paid $227.00 and it is a beauty but if you are on a budget or a serious outdoorsman, weigh the alternatives such as the Ka-bar fighting knife, Becker BK-9, Ka-bar Kukri, British MOD and the smaller, but sensibly sized, Cold Steel SRK. Of course, the little brother Skullcrusher may be just right for all-around-practical.
Tops knives are made in my home state of Idaho. We're not just about potatoes here! They offer a very nice line of cutting tools for outdoorsmen. Thanks for giving those two offerings a look. Cheers.
I own several TOPS knives. Love em and live seeing the tops truck rolling through western Montana. If you're into GOOD knives, check out Ruana knives made in Bonner Montana since 1937.
I lived 20 years in Alaska, 12 in Arizona, did private contracting in Africa, and so far, my favorite knives are two by Cold Steel..they were the made in USA blades. My Cold Steel Recon Tanto is the bomb. It is my go-to field and tactical knife. My other favorite, which I have had going on 30 years, is the Cold Steel LTC Kukri. It was rated a factory second due to a bit of the krayton handle being smooth without checkering and cost me $30.00 in 1990. But I have used and carried it in weather from +120F to -72F and carried in salt water as well. Still holds an edge and works fine.
Very few cold steel knives are made in the USA, a couple are but most are made it Japan and Taiwan etc etc, nothing wrong with that I like some cold steel stuff. I have a trail master and several of their hawks
Those are both great knives. I've still got my Recon Tanto I bought over 20 years ago, back when they were made in the USA out of Carbon V steel. I did have one of their big Kukris years ago that was a great chopper but it broke at the handle when I was riving some cedar. I was pounding on it pretty hard and it wasn't really designed for such work. Their kukri machetes aren't bad either for lighter work. A lot of people think Tantos are only good for one thing but it's no true. I use to do a lot of carving and my Gunsite Tanto was one of my favorites for carving. They were handy for limbing shooting lanes when I didn't have a fixed blade. I liked it so much I bought a second. I wish they still made them because both of mine were stolen. They still make the big tanto folders but imo the new handle design suck.
@@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279 I am not a huge fan of folders in general. But, I am restricted at work to an "ordinary" pocket knife. But, to be fair, I use the hell out of my knives. I broke a Buck folder when I was climbing and one of my crampons came loose. I opened the blade one-handed and rammed it in the rock crack. Broke it off levering myself up on it.
@@ronschramm9163 I agree I'll almost always pick a fixed blade over a folder. But there are times when one doesn't have a fixed blade to use and a good folder comes in handy. I've got a lot of folders but the ones I have the most faith in are the Cold Steel folders because I trust their locks. I've abused them badly and have yet to have one fail. I use to do a little free climbing myself and had a close call, it will definitely get your heart racing. Saving yourself with a Buck 110 is pretty impressive. I had one years ago I used a lot on the farm. They are pretty tough knives and back then they were probably the toughest one available. I need to get another one someday, I gave mine to my dad. They make a switchblade 110 now that seems pretty interesting. I'm not a switchblade fan but might make an exception for that one. 😊
A great review and presentation Lilly . I absolutely love hearing you laugh which our world needs so much more of these days. Thank you Lilly and please stay safe...Michigan, USA.
I gotta say I am impressed not only that the knife baton an entire actual log. But you did as well. Nice work. And I really like the camo pattern and colors on your backpack.
Similar in design and function to the JAB Ka-Bar “Potbelly” knife, which also comes with a small companion knife. Also 1095, large, weight forward 1/4” blade. Both equally functional in the woods.
Ive got one too! You don't hear about them much. I misplaced the scales because i wanted to make some others. Didn't like the looks of the original. If you haven't found out yet, the mora classics fit perfectly in the piggyback sheath. I just got the bark river bravo 3 to replace my choppers tho. My first brkt and Im sold on them.
Lilly! You’ve got my SXB❤! I’ve got a Tops Tracker, an SXB and some other knives. The SXB is what I’d choose if I had to make do long term with just one knife. I keep it with a rifle on a gun belt for when the cr💩p hits the fan - or for hunting season. BTW, those saw teeth aren’t for sawing, they’re for making notches for building traps, etc.
Excellent video Lilly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with EJ many times and I made his Hemlock Custom SXB Skullcrusher for him. He is one hell of a guy, larger than life and he's put the SXB Skullcrusher through more torture than anyone else. A do everything knife that would make Rambo blush. Keep up the good work Lilly!
Hi Lilly. Just remember, EJ Snyder is a military veteran and survival instructor. And according to him in a interview, he had a knife break his first go on Naked And Afraid. So he spent time making a blade that met his needs and standards. A knife for survival and combat.
Which you would have to "saw" with the "teeth" on the back. We all know these are not going to be effective at "sawing trees", but you still have to saw to make notches.
Hearing your laughter in this video gave my spirits a lift. I'm so happy to see you enjoying your work. I know you have expressed an interest in appearing on Naked and Afraid on TV. I don't think I could watch you endure days of hunger and suffer from thousands of bug bites. I enjoy watching you do what you love, but watching you suffer would be terrible.
I’ve been a fan for years, started viewing on my iPhone. This is quality content over the years, much respect. I loved her polar dip survival video, bow videos, and her tropical catch and eat videos.
Tom Brown was the original designer of this knife. I highly encourage you to read the numerous books he wrote. He was very influential in the USA outdoor/bushcraft community in the 70's & 80's.
Ummm...sorry Tom Brown designed a Great Knife in the Tracker...but this is the SXB was different and even though my knife falls into the Tracker Class of knives it's main influence was TM Hunts M18 which I carried for a years before designing the SXB I have an Origins Video on my You Tube Channel on the SXB and a Review of the M18
@@angelicupstart23 Yes it is waayyyyyyyy different...it's in the Tracker Style Knife Class based on heavy belly and draw blade design...Tracker has misplaced MHO Tops Tri saw up front SXB are to the rear...Tom Brown Tracker has a curved handle SXB straight....Tom Brown Tracker shorter stumpier with a mere 7 inch blade. The SXB 9.5 Blade longer sleaker with a Skullcrusher at the end of the handle...BUT your right it does look EXACTLY like a Tracker...very observant! Thx for the comment. You rock!
It's more accurate to call the SXB a type of machete, not a knife. My issue with all the popular brands in America, including Tops, is that 1095 is all the rage for survival knives. I have 1095, I like it. It's tough and easy to sharpen? But they don't hold an edge well at all, so as a survival knife, you better know exactly how to sharpen or realign it with natural materials. If you're hiking in the wilderness and only have 1 option in case you get lost, sure the SXB would be great. But if you're making a planned excursion and have options, it's far more logical to take practical, solid fixed blade and a good, lightweight folding saw. Energy expenditure is far less with the folding saw. If you're low on food and water, having to hack and baton wood for fire is a big use of energy. For naked and afraid, I get it. For an average survivalist, a combo of light, practical choices is smarter.
Also it may do it like my tracker does but you can pull the knife toward you up the stick like a draw knife and it makes really awesome curls for tinder.
Solid knife review. The knife is similar in design to the Tom Brown Tracker Knife. I first saw that knife in the 2003 film "The Hunted". If I had to get a survival type knife, that would be it.
I bought the SXB when it was first released by TOPS. I have used and abused this knife to much more of an extreme than I have with any of my other knives. I've broken many and damaged even more, lol. The SXB has been the only one to not bend, break, or anything other than perform as usual. The nylon sheath definitely sucks, but an aftermarket kydex sheath is well worth it. The saw back is awesome for making really quick notches, especially for tent stakes. Another feature I really like about the SXB are the lanyard holes. Being able to run a Paracord lanyard from the front bottom hole to the rear lanyard hole truly makes this knife easy to handle as it keeps your hand locked on to the handle. No worries of slipping or sending the knife sailing in the distance when chopping, which I've seen people do before. Another feature is the blade design itself. The large sweep makes for easy chopping, but when used in other ways, skinning and processing game is very easily done. My experience with TOPS has definitely been good. A top tier manufacturer imo, as they pay close attention to detail and their quality is amazing. I've only had one TOPS knife fail, which was the Silent Hero. The last inch and a half of the blade bent while batoning a piece of oak. It didn't break, it just bent. When contacted, the customer service lady was very polite, she quickly took note of the issue and told me what to do. Needless to say I sent the bent knife in and got a new one. I did the same test again and this time no problems at all. Just have to keep in mind TOPS does a differential heat treat so the edge is harder than the spine, allowing the knife to bend under stress instead of breaking. They also do this by hand, so it's not a perfect system, but imo, it's what set them apart from other manufacturers who's process is more automated and less hands on.
I have a cold steel srk compact, and it is about the same size as the smaller knife. The bigger knife is more like a machete than a knife. Anyway, great video Lily!
I have a couple of Mora knives too. For camp work, they are nice. Cleaning fish, pealing potatoes, cutting sticks for marshmallows, spreading mustard on hotdogs, etc. I don’t try to split wood with one, or any other heavy work. They aren’t designed for that. Some may not realize that Lilly, the lady in the video, has designed and sells her own survival knife. It’s a rugged, useful knife. It will handle cooking and camp chores, plus a lot heavier work. A knife is a personal choice, and we choose one for our uses. Be proud of your choices. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I plan to eventually get the knife you designed. Until I can afford that I'll keep using my BPS Adventurer. Absolutely love everything about my Adventurer but I'm sure I'll be equally as impressed with your knife.
I'm a big fan of the bps adventurer myself. Really can't beat the quality for the price. I carry that and a bigger blade usually when I go camping. But if I only had the adventurer I don't feel like there is anything I couldn't do. Probably the sharpest knife I have.
This knife looks to be the style from the late 90's/early 2000s film 'The Hunted' with Tommy Lee Jones and Del Toro (it's a mid level rated film but always liked it for the survivalist and bushcraft themes, inlcuding the line between the two).
@@asiapartridge138 Tracker isn't that great to be honest. SXB is a great 1 tool option it has the advantages of a Hatchet and a knife. The Tom Brown Tracker is the most overrated 1 tool option. The best thing about it, is TOPS is the maker and it is quality knife.
I had a similar experience with a buddy of mine when we went hog hunting. I dont know what was going on with his Gerber, but it was not working. I lent him my Uncle Henry golden spike and it skinned, gutted, and sliced that pig like a hot knife thru warm butter.
@@blueduck9409 Can't go wrong with Uncle Henry. My first knife was Uncle Henry Hunter growing up in the Philippines in the 80s, my Father got it for me since he worked in the US embassy & had access to the PX. I used the heck of that knife, from cutting elephant/talahib grass to chopping guava branches & carving it to make a slingshot, to butchering chickens, goats, & pigs. Never failed once.
These are cool knives. But I always have to kinda wonder what people think they're going to be "surviving" from? Genuine survival knives come from the military, most often with pilots who need a sturdy knife when ejecting into hostile territory and need to S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) their way back to friendly lines, or a safe evac point. But civilians on the other hand? Like I work on a mountain in Oregon and I see people doing long hikes on the Timberline Trail and Pacific Crest Trail all the time. People who need evacuating are not in some sort of S.E.R.E. situation. Instead they get into situation where they fall, or injure themselves, or run out of water. Sometimes I wonder what everyone thinks they are "prepping" for? It does seem a bit like LARPing in the woods at a certain point.
NOT a fan of the tracker design. BIG fan of Lilly however. A decent kukri (cold steel, condor etc) would be a far better survival knife for the naked and afraid challenge. Then you need to learn and practice the skill needed to use it. You can't make a spear our of it, true. But it's debatable whether you should do so, and risk losing your only tool/weapon etc rather than taking the time to carve and fire harden a decent spear as indigenous tribes have historically done.
Both knives are nice. But the BEAST is a great combination of knife, machete, axe, saw and drawknife. A big multipurpose tool. As an American, I would rather have a Bowie Knife and a tomahawk with a hammer poll, but that is probably because I am so familiar with their use as a Mountain Man re-enactor of the American Fur Trade Era for 30 years. Lily, you should visit a Rendezvous re-enactment Encampment pf the Colonial/Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Era in the USA. I know you would love it. There may even be groups that do this in Germany.
As a Marine , l have to say there isn't a thing that can't be done with a KBar ... l have made my own sheathing for it but l do hear alot if disagreement with my position , good review , it is a very cool looking knife effective knife like the ability to affix it to a spear. Thank you.
When I started out doing outdoor survival/bushcraft or what ever you wanna call it alls we had was kbar like knives mine was a Case usmc with the guard cut off
I EDC a C.A.T. 200 from TOPS for a few years now and love that thing! They might not be the best but they force the best to do better than them. I’ll always have a TOPS knife. The people that run and work at tops are great people too!
try a bolo machete. it’s very similar but the handle is shaped much better for chopping. I recently picked up a 6” outdoor fixed blade which is very thin and made for food prep. I Iike it so much that I dont think i’m going to carry a heavier large knife anymore but the downside is it won’t process wood. I considered this and usually when I’m making a fire i’m also cooking. i have a silke saw and a nice axe and a nice machete but I usually don’t take those for a weekend trip and recently i’ve been in areas which have strict no burn policies so I haven’t needed to process wood at all because i’ve be using charcoal so a more kitchen related knife made sense to me.
I don't know much about survival or knives but, I do know something about structural engineering because I am an architect. The big knife you are showing looks impressive but, I don't like the fact that there is a bolt hole at the most narrow part of the neck, immediately behind the finger coil. I had a nice looking steak knife similar to this and it broke when I pressed down too hard while cutting some meat on my plate. It seems silly to me to sacrifice the structural integrity of a survival knife just to do something ephemeral like holding the plastic grips to the knife's tang.
100% agree! I was speechless when I first saw this obvious design failure! All of that weight and energy directed towards the widest portion of the blade, will translate to the weakest portion, which is where you described. Unbelievable 🤦🏼♂️
Cool Video 👍 Thank U for the Info and the Links 👍 I love Tops ordered Allrounder 7 month ago at Böker the Storm Vector the Yacare and the Slingshot..still waiting 😢
Excessive ricasso so can't choke up for fine carving; excessively complex edge that's difficult to maintain; transition from shallow belly portion to the deeper belly portion looks like a stress-riser. Can't go wrong with a basic hudson bay design if you want weight for chopping.
I bought the SXB. No, it is not a sword or dagger in any sense of the word. It is a modification and enlargement of the Tracker-style knife concept. One might be able to accomplish the same tasks with a Kukri for all I know. But this thing is definitely worth adding to a collection.
Lilly... Great video. You are correct in choosing the larger of the knives. A large knife can do what a smaller knife can do. But a small knife cannot always perform the same task as a large knife. I also like that the scales can be removed with a tool to fasten into a spear or lance. A lot of thought went into the planning and design of this beautiful tool. Any outdoorsman would be excited (?) to own one of these knives.
Hey I just got thru watching your surviving the Canadian wilderness video and went to comment and they were turned off. So here goes....WOW. that was quite an adventure you had. I'm glad you are safe. Thank you again for sharing this and all your great content.
I've found that a Swede saw is much more efficient that any chopping device. I wish that they would incorporate a Swede saw into the entire spine of the knife.
They are looking very good and you talk very well about them, I have said before I am kitting out 5 youth to teach camping and woodmenship and survivel and was sold on your design for us, which do you recommend lilly.
Interesting and multifunctional design. But for the $300+ range the choice of steel is sub par compared to other offerings and this knife is heavier than other knives that could do just as good if not better in the field. 1075 can be sharpened in the field with rocks you find but I’d rather have better toughness like 3v or Magnacut in a smaller offering and if you really want a chopper it’s all also about geometry so get a proper kukri.
People always forget how big that knife is. It is 3 - 4 times bigger than normal knife. So if a normal knife is 100 usd then the price for the larger knife is more than justified
I've no intention on gearing up or having some blade for an apocalypse. Rather I have a blade to make fire, prep food, possibly process game. There's an some like the Cold Steel master hunter 3V, Mora Kansbol, Terrava Skrama and Puukos that are reasonable in prices and actually work well. Keep one good knife, an Swiss army knife in the pocket and an axe with saw in the kit and your set. For $300 you can have it all and be totally set up to make fires, process game and if needed build a structure.
Thanks Lilly. For the knife review. And I take your carbon knife with Me on all my canoe trips in Boundary waters Mn USA . I can trust it . My next trip. End of June , Ill be 70 yr old ,how cool is that . Keep up the great vids . Roy Boy
Done it maby many times with river stones and other steel knives spines in the field. But Sharpens Best is a good fast choice plus I've used regular sharpening stones. Life long Knife users always can get the job done. But I see ur concern...it's a regular question
those are UNI directional button snaps. they only open and close pulled directly up or down. from the sides, they will not come undone. so they're inherently more securely fastened!
Hey Lilly, those snaps are most likely the "snap the dot" design. It will pull off easily on one side but will be very difficult to peel off if you're pulling off thr other side. Same with snapping it back. Place it on one side and press it across to the other side. If you look at the button, you shoukd see a dot on the outside or a dot on the back inside. The purpose is to prevent accidental opening. Those holes on the handle is for attaching a hand/wrist strap. Yes it can be used to strap to a pole to make a spear but it works better as a wrist strap.
Looks good... I prefer an ESEE 6 knife, in this kind of situation. Or RTAK II/ Esee Junglas, if You want something bigger. The most important are the knowledge, the capacity to adapt and You are very good in what survival means. Anyway, good luck!
I'm not a fan of tops overpriced and 1095 is ok for a smaller knife but I prefer a different steel for a chopper. Also the price for 1095 is just ridiculous.
Davie Crawford knife guru in Northern Ireland made me a tracker in 01 two years ago and to be honest I really enjoy using it i like the change its about having fun
Hi Lilly, I have a survival knife from when I was in Navy it was made in Onida NY back in the 60's. The saw tooth back was used to cut through the plexi glass conopy on fighter jets for emergency escape, not much good for anything else
If that is like the US Air Force survival knife I own it is like a shorter version of a K-Bar also made at the same factory I think. Only with the saw tooth spine as you said.
These designs are essentially modifications of the kukri knife shape. A kukri chops like this and cuts like this. Has a better curve than the sudden shift in blade shape.
Great video. Long time fan. Lilly have you heard of Blackie Thomas, he is on you tube as well. He is a master woodsman from southern Alabama U.S.A. he is very knowledgeable on bushcraft and firearms as well as camp cooking
I love the idea of these knives but they seem a bit too "busy". I can intuitively see how they are a bush craft knife married with the kukri, but Im not convinced yet tbh. Not disparaging them but Im just not convinced, and not sure if I want to pay the ticket price to find out if I am wrong.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
► Please check out EJ Snyder on UA-cam:
ua-cam.com/users/EJSnyder333
► SXB Knife reviewed in this video:
ejsnyder.com/sxb-skullcrushers-x-treme-blade/ref/SurvivalLilly
►EJ Snyders online survival course:
ejsnyder.com/product/survival-and-outdoor-skills-series/ref/SurvivalLilly
Other then being naked I would go on that show and most likely win, I would like to do the show alone to
Well the website doesn't show either of the SX knives you have been using, Lilly. So sad.😮💨 Great review though, keep up the great work!!! 🥳
He is a great leader.
I served with him.
Also. I need to point out the fact that Tops Knives Does Not,advertise there blade as the Tom Brown Tracker. Which Should be Copyright Infringement. Whereas every company I have seen selling "His" creation. Sells them as The Tom Brown Tracker. I won't go into the history of this iconic knife which I Love Dearly. As a member of the Artist. Blacksmith Association of North America, a Knife Specialist. Enthusiast and history buff. You don't see Bowie Knives,Not referred to as anything other than Bowies. Do you? I give Tom the credit he is due. I hope you will as well. Because I do like you and you videos.
@@robertstrohlin6051 the only thing is that Tom Brown was probably not the original inventor of the Tracker knife. Watch this video to see the evidence and website: ua-cam.com/video/p8J9tnRNAoI/v-deo.html
Also there is no copyright on knives. they are not patentable.
Also EJ Snyders tracker looks so much different than the one from Tom Brown.
Next thing is that all knives are basically "copies" of each other. There are only a few shapes and handfull of grinds. So all look somehow similar. How many companies make machetes that look really similar? but still it is not a copy because there are small differences?
The reaction to the big knife was priceless 😂
Great review!
Priceless reaction.
I bought one. It should be called the John Holmes SXB. 9" of cutting blade 1/4 " thick and tall / long handle = heavy and big. If you have extra money, add it to your collection. I paid $227.00 and it is a beauty but if you are on a budget or a serious outdoorsman, weigh the alternatives such as the Ka-bar fighting knife, Becker BK-9, Ka-bar Kukri, British MOD and the smaller, but sensibly sized, Cold Steel SRK. Of course, the little brother Skullcrusher may be just right for all-around-practical.
Hearing Lily describe that big knife sent my mind to dirty places and was absolutely hilarious 🤣
Yea there for awhile I was wondering if it was a knife or something else she was talking/thinking about! 🤪
@@DIRTYdeeds613 wake up brother, your dreaming again, Lol
That’s what she said!
ok, perv.
It's never dirty unless the person is nasty.l9l
Tops knives are made in my home state of Idaho. We're not just about potatoes here! They offer a very nice line of cutting tools for outdoorsmen. Thanks for giving those two offerings a look. Cheers.
I spend alot of time in Mountain Home ID, have to look up this company.
@@SoloHiker1 Their headquarters is in Ucon, Idaho, which is in the eastern part of the state, 15 miles or so north of Idaho Falls.
Well potatoes aren't going to just cut themselves. Miss Idaho. Outdoor paradise.
American made Buck knives are also made in Idaho. Respect given.
I own several TOPS knives. Love em and live seeing the tops truck rolling through western Montana. If you're into GOOD knives, check out Ruana knives made in Bonner Montana since 1937.
I lived 20 years in Alaska, 12 in Arizona, did private contracting in Africa, and so far, my favorite knives are two by Cold Steel..they were the made in USA blades. My Cold Steel Recon Tanto is the bomb. It is my go-to field and tactical knife. My other favorite, which I have had going on 30 years, is the Cold Steel LTC Kukri. It was rated a factory second due to a bit of the krayton handle being smooth without checkering and cost me $30.00 in 1990. But I have used and carried it in weather from +120F to -72F and carried in salt water as well. Still holds an edge and works fine.
Very few cold steel knives are made in the USA, a couple are but most are made it Japan and Taiwan etc etc, nothing wrong with that I like some cold steel stuff. I have a trail master and several of their hawks
I really like the SRK great knife. Will have to get the recon at somepoint
Those are both great knives. I've still got my Recon Tanto I bought over 20 years ago, back when they were made in the USA out of Carbon V steel. I did have one of their big Kukris years ago that was a great chopper but it broke at the handle when I was riving some cedar. I was pounding on it pretty hard and it wasn't really designed for such work. Their kukri machetes aren't bad either for lighter work.
A lot of people think Tantos are only good for one thing but it's no true. I use to do a lot of carving and my Gunsite Tanto was one of my favorites for carving. They were handy for limbing shooting lanes when I didn't have a fixed blade. I liked it so much I bought a second. I wish they still made them because both of mine were stolen. They still make the big tanto folders but imo the new handle design suck.
@@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279 I am not a huge fan of folders in general. But, I am restricted at work to an "ordinary" pocket knife. But, to be fair, I use the hell out of my knives. I broke a Buck folder when I was climbing and one of my crampons came loose. I opened the blade one-handed and rammed it in the rock crack. Broke it off levering myself up on it.
@@ronschramm9163 I agree I'll almost always pick a fixed blade over a folder.
But there are times when one doesn't have a fixed blade to use and a good folder comes in handy. I've got a lot of folders but the ones I have the most faith in are the Cold Steel folders because I trust their locks. I've abused them badly and have yet to have one fail.
I use to do a little free climbing myself and had a close call, it will definitely get your heart racing. Saving yourself with a Buck 110 is pretty impressive. I had one years ago I used a lot on the farm. They are pretty tough knives and back then they were probably the toughest one available. I need to get another one someday, I gave mine to my dad. They make a switchblade 110 now that seems pretty interesting. I'm not a switchblade fan but might make an exception for that one. 😊
"OMG. Its so heavy and thick and big". My inner 12 year old just came out. Sorry everyone
A great review and presentation Lilly . I absolutely love hearing you laugh which our world needs so much more of these days. Thank you Lilly and please stay safe...Michigan, USA.
I love TOPS knives and I have the SXB and cannot wait to see Lilly's take and opinion on it. Awesome stuff coming up.
Thanks for your honest review Lilly.
I gotta say I am impressed not only that the knife baton an entire actual log. But you did as well. Nice work. And I really like the camo pattern and colors on your backpack.
Great content keep up the great work
Similar in design and function to the JAB Ka-Bar “Potbelly” knife, which also comes with a small companion knife. Also 1095, large, weight forward 1/4” blade. Both equally functional in the woods.
I have a JAB Potbelly in one of my bags, and would definitely trust my life on it. It’s a good knife. 👍🏻👍🏻
Ive got one too! You don't hear about them much. I misplaced the scales because i wanted to make some others. Didn't like the looks of the original. If you haven't found out yet, the mora classics fit perfectly in the piggyback sheath. I just got the bark river bravo 3 to replace my choppers tho. My first brkt and Im sold on them.
Lilly! You’ve got my SXB❤! I’ve got a Tops Tracker, an SXB and some other knives. The SXB is what I’d choose if I had to make do long term with just one knife. I keep it with a rifle on a gun belt for when the cr💩p hits the fan - or for hunting season. BTW, those saw teeth aren’t for sawing, they’re for making notches for building traps, etc.
Excellent video Lilly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with EJ many times and I made his Hemlock Custom SXB Skullcrusher for him. He is one hell of a guy, larger than life and he's put the SXB Skullcrusher through more torture than anyone else. A do everything knife that would make Rambo blush. Keep up the good work Lilly!
Lily: Please be a contestant on "Naked and Afraid".
I agee with you. Please, Lilly!
Only if I get to go too!
That would be great!
I seriously doubt you perverts want to see Lily’s survival skills.
GROW UP!
I'll settle for just naked. 🥸
Love the tracker blade... love it Lilly
Hi Lilly. Just remember, EJ Snyder is a military veteran and survival instructor. And according to him in a interview, he had a knife break his first go on Naked And Afraid. So he spent time making a blade that met his needs and standards. A knife for survival and combat.
And to make money off of.
I met him at blade show, he seemed like a cool guy
@@tylersingleton9284 The man has to make a living some way, may as well do what he knows.
He was on lost as one of the mercenaries sent to get Benjamin Linus
@@tylersingleton9284>>> That is called _"earning a living."_
Good review. The teeth on the back are not really meant for sawing, they are useful for making a quick square notch in the wood for traps, snares etc.
yes for notch making it is perfect
Which you would have to "saw" with the "teeth" on the back. We all know these are not going to be effective at "sawing trees", but you still have to saw to make notches.
Hearing your laughter in this video gave my spirits a lift. I'm so happy to see you enjoying your work. I know you have expressed an interest in appearing on Naked and Afraid on TV. I don't think I could watch you endure days of hunger and suffer from thousands of bug bites. I enjoy watching you do what you love, but watching you suffer would be terrible.
I’ve been a fan for years, started viewing on my iPhone. This is quality content over the years, much respect. I loved her polar dip survival video, bow videos, and her tropical catch and eat videos.
Tom Brown was the original designer of this knife. I highly encourage you to read the numerous books he wrote. He was very influential in the USA outdoor/bushcraft community in the 70's & 80's.
Ummm...sorry Tom Brown designed a Great Knife in the Tracker...but this is the SXB was different and even though my knife falls into the Tracker Class of knives it's main influence was TM Hunts M18 which I carried for a years before designing the SXB I have an Origins Video on my You Tube Channel on the SXB and a Review of the M18
I do love Tom he's the reason for getting into Tracking back in my Army Days after his books...he's one of the best Trackers alive.
@@EJSnyder333 oh yeah, bud. Your knife is WAaaAaay different than the Tom Brown Tracker that it looks almost exactly like.
@@angelicupstart23 Yes it is waayyyyyyyy different...it's in the Tracker Style Knife Class based on heavy belly and draw blade design...Tracker has misplaced MHO Tops Tri saw up front SXB are to the rear...Tom Brown Tracker has a curved handle SXB straight....Tom Brown Tracker shorter stumpier with a mere 7 inch blade. The SXB 9.5 Blade longer sleaker with a Skullcrusher at the end of the handle...BUT your right it does look EXACTLY like a Tracker...very observant! Thx for the comment. You rock!
See the videos that show Robb Rossen was the designer and Tom Brown stole the design.
Love it!! Great review.
Yes yes more knife reviews love them.
Hi Lilly, Another excellent upload.👌👌👍👍
looking at the happiness on his face and his voice at having such power in his hands (the big knife) made me very happy! congratulations!!
Only a real woodsperson can get that much glee out of a new knife. You're the greatest. Love your videos.
It's more accurate to call the SXB a type of machete, not a knife. My issue with all the popular brands in America, including Tops, is that 1095 is all the rage for survival knives. I have 1095, I like it. It's tough and easy to sharpen? But they don't hold an edge well at all, so as a survival knife, you better know exactly how to sharpen or realign it with natural materials. If you're hiking in the wilderness and only have 1 option in case you get lost, sure the SXB would be great. But if you're making a planned excursion and have options, it's far more logical to take practical, solid fixed blade and a good, lightweight folding saw. Energy expenditure is far less with the folding saw. If you're low on food and water, having to hack and baton wood for fire is a big use of energy. For naked and afraid, I get it. For an average survivalist, a combo of light, practical choices is smarter.
Also it may do it like my tracker does but you can pull the knife toward you up the stick like a draw knife and it makes really awesome curls for tinder.
Solid knife review. The knife is similar in design to the Tom Brown Tracker Knife. I first saw that knife in the 2003 film "The Hunted".
If I had to get a survival type knife, that would be it.
That what I was thinking as well.
YESSS AGREED YOU WILL LOVE THE SXB FOR SURVIVAL...ITS THE REAL DEAL OUR THERE!
Good 👍 to see the knife reviews are back on
I bought the SXB when it was first released by TOPS. I have used and abused this knife to much more of an extreme than I have with any of my other knives. I've broken many and damaged even more, lol. The SXB has been the only one to not bend, break, or anything other than perform as usual.
The nylon sheath definitely sucks, but an aftermarket kydex sheath is well worth it.
The saw back is awesome for making really quick notches, especially for tent stakes.
Another feature I really like about the SXB are the lanyard holes. Being able to run a Paracord lanyard from the front bottom hole to the rear lanyard hole truly makes this knife easy to handle as it keeps your hand locked on to the handle. No worries of slipping or sending the knife sailing in the distance when chopping, which I've seen people do before. Another feature is the blade design itself. The large sweep makes for easy chopping, but when used in other ways, skinning and processing game is very easily done.
My experience with TOPS has definitely been good. A top tier manufacturer imo, as they pay close attention to detail and their quality is amazing. I've only had one TOPS knife fail, which was the Silent Hero. The last inch and a half of the blade bent while batoning a piece of oak. It didn't break, it just bent. When contacted, the customer service lady was very polite, she quickly took note of the issue and told me what to do. Needless to say I sent the bent knife in and got a new one. I did the same test again and this time no problems at all. Just have to keep in mind TOPS does a differential heat treat so the edge is harder than the spine, allowing the knife to bend under stress instead of breaking. They also do this by hand, so it's not a perfect system, but imo, it's what set them apart from other manufacturers who's process is more automated and less hands on.
Great Comment 👍
I have two Tops knives
Very very good heat treating process
My knives have remained very sharp even after hard use like chopping things
I have a cold steel srk compact, and it is about the same size as the smaller knife. The bigger knife is more like a machete than a knife. Anyway, great video Lily!
Def NOT a machete...the blade is only 9.5 Inches and Weighs 26 oz....Oz.... that to a issued military machete
Totally Awesome looking knife! Nice job on testing it out....
Mora knives work for me at 1/4th the price..
The price of that SXB will buy you a bucket full of Moras
Aint nothin like a mora
I love Mora knives, but that is an apples and oranges comparison.
Mora is great
I have a couple of Mora knives too. For camp work, they are nice. Cleaning fish, pealing potatoes, cutting sticks for marshmallows, spreading mustard on hotdogs, etc. I don’t try to split wood with one, or any other heavy work. They aren’t designed for that.
Some may not realize that Lilly, the lady in the video, has designed and sells her own survival knife. It’s a rugged, useful knife. It will handle cooking and camp chores, plus a lot heavier work.
A knife is a personal choice, and we choose one for our uses. Be proud of your choices.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I need the SXB in my life. That would be a great addition to my collection! Excellent video and reviews Lilly! Keep sharing!
I plan to eventually get the knife you designed. Until I can afford that I'll keep using my BPS Adventurer. Absolutely love everything about my Adventurer but I'm sure I'll be equally as impressed with your knife.
I bought a APO-1 survival Lilly knife six months ago , very well made , worth the 170 dollars to get it shipped to you.
I'm a big fan of the bps adventurer myself. Really can't beat the quality for the price. I carry that and a bigger blade usually when I go camping. But if I only had the adventurer I don't feel like there is anything I couldn't do. Probably the sharpest knife I have.
Those BPS Knives are awesome 😍👍, and you're helping a Ukrainian small business.
Love the BPS adventurer! And the other BPS knives.
This knife looks to be the style from the late 90's/early 2000s film 'The Hunted' with Tommy Lee Jones and Del Toro (it's a mid level rated film but always liked it for the survivalist and bushcraft themes, inlcuding the line between the two).
That was the Tom Brown tracker. But you're right, this here was definitely inspired.
Also made by TOPS
I guess is a tracker knock off
@@asiapartridge138 Tracker isn't that great to be honest. SXB is a great 1 tool option it has the advantages of a Hatchet and a knife. The Tom Brown Tracker is the most overrated 1 tool option. The best thing about it, is TOPS is the maker and it is quality knife.
@@jacobbcox1985 I never said the tracker was good or bad I said is a knock off the tracker a blind person could see that a mile a away
Excellent video again Lilly! 👍❤️🏴
WOW!!! Those are amazing Knifes. Thank You for the illustration. I love your channel.
Awesome review.
cool video!!
My buddy let me used his knife processing a pig, and that blade design is really functional opening up a pig, chopping the feet, etc.
I had a similar experience with a buddy of mine when we went hog hunting. I dont know what was going on with his Gerber, but it was not working. I lent him my Uncle Henry golden spike and it skinned, gutted, and sliced that pig like a hot knife thru warm butter.
@@blueduck9409 Can't go wrong with Uncle Henry. My first knife was Uncle Henry Hunter growing up in the Philippines in the 80s, my Father got it for me since he worked in the US embassy & had access to the PX. I used the heck of that knife, from cutting elephant/talahib grass to chopping guava branches & carving it to make a slingshot, to butchering chickens, goats, & pigs. Never failed once.
Great video Lilly, thanks.
Looks like a great knife.... big or small. But the two I prefer are yours and the original Woodlore (Alan Wood) knife both of which I have.
Great road test. Thanks Lilly
Lilly seems to be very happy just like when a kid gets chocolates
Great review. I always enjoyed your knife vids and reviews. Thanks.
Great video you are so real lots of fun
These are cool knives. But I always have to kinda wonder what people think they're going to be "surviving" from? Genuine survival knives come from the military, most often with pilots who need a sturdy knife when ejecting into hostile territory and need to S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) their way back to friendly lines, or a safe evac point. But civilians on the other hand? Like I work on a mountain in Oregon and I see people doing long hikes on the Timberline Trail and Pacific Crest Trail all the time. People who need evacuating are not in some sort of S.E.R.E. situation. Instead they get into situation where they fall, or injure themselves, or run out of water. Sometimes I wonder what everyone thinks they are "prepping" for? It does seem a bit like LARPing in the woods at a certain point.
Good review. Can't wait for more knife reviews.
NOT a fan of the tracker design.
BIG fan of Lilly however.
A decent kukri (cold steel, condor etc) would be a far better survival knife for the naked and afraid challenge.
Then you need to learn and practice the skill needed to use it.
You can't make a spear our of it, true. But it's debatable whether you should do so, and risk losing your only tool/weapon etc rather than taking the time to carve and fire harden a decent spear as indigenous tribes have historically done.
Just came across your channel looking at Bows. Love your reviews thank you Lily
Your passion is infectious! Love your videos!
Excellent test and review. Outstanding video.
This knife was designed by Tom Brown jr back in the 70s
An amazing outdoorsman and tracker!
His books are filled with a wealth of knowledge!
I was going to say the same.
Thank you for educating the younger.
Ummmm it's not Tom Browns Little Tracker....It's MY SXB design a much bigger and different knife
Rob Russon actually invented the Tracker design, Tom Brown made a lot of money off of it.
@@bushcraftcostarica808 SO TRUE!!!!
This was an excellent review, you have done well
Both knives are nice. But the BEAST is a great combination of knife, machete, axe, saw and drawknife. A big multipurpose tool. As an American, I would rather have a Bowie Knife and a tomahawk with a hammer poll, but that is probably because I am so familiar with their use as a Mountain Man re-enactor of the American Fur Trade Era for 30 years. Lily, you should visit a Rendezvous re-enactment Encampment pf the Colonial/Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Era in the USA. I know you would love it. There may even be groups that do this in Germany.
Lilly, your laugh cracks me up!!!!!!
As a Marine , l have to say there isn't a thing that can't be done with a KBar ... l have made my own sheathing for it but l do hear alot if disagreement with my position , good review , it is a very cool looking knife effective knife like the ability to affix it to a spear. Thank you.
The kbar rocks !
@@SurvivalLilly l love you 😍!
Semper Fi carried K Bars for years...even tho I was a Ranger
When I started out doing outdoor survival/bushcraft or what ever you wanna call it alls we had was kbar like knives mine was a Case usmc with the guard cut off
While the K-bar might do the job, I suspect that the SXB will be superior for chopping like an axe.
I EDC a C.A.T. 200 from TOPS for a few years now and love that thing! They might not be the best but they force the best to do better than them. I’ll always have a TOPS knife. The people that run and work at tops are great people too!
try a bolo machete. it’s very similar but the handle is shaped much better for chopping. I recently picked up a 6” outdoor fixed blade which is very thin and made for food prep. I Iike it so much that I dont think i’m going to carry a heavier large knife anymore but the downside is it won’t process wood. I considered this and usually when I’m making a fire i’m also cooking. i have a silke saw and a nice axe and a nice machete but I usually don’t take those for a weekend trip and recently i’ve been in areas which have strict no burn policies so I haven’t needed to process wood at all because i’ve be using charcoal so a more kitchen related knife made sense to me.
Knife collector here. More of a tool collector really. Axes, machetes, hammers etc. Would love to see more reviews. Thanks.
I don't know much about survival or knives but, I do know something about structural engineering because I am an architect. The big knife you are showing looks impressive but, I don't like the fact that there is a bolt hole at the most narrow part of the neck, immediately behind the finger coil. I had a nice looking steak knife similar to this and it broke when I pressed down too hard while cutting some meat on my plate. It seems silly to me to sacrifice the structural integrity of a survival knife just to do something ephemeral like holding the plastic grips to the knife's tang.
100% agree! I was speechless when I first saw this obvious design failure! All of that weight and energy directed towards the widest portion of the blade, will translate to the weakest portion, which is where you described. Unbelievable 🤦🏼♂️
Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info and the Links 👍
I love Tops ordered Allrounder 7 month ago at Böker the Storm Vector the Yacare and the Slingshot..still waiting 😢
Great review by the way where did you get your jacket from 👍
Clawgear milvago
Excessive ricasso so can't choke up for fine carving; excessively complex edge that's difficult to maintain; transition from shallow belly portion to the deeper belly portion looks like a stress-riser. Can't go wrong with a basic hudson bay design if you want weight for chopping.
That ain’t a knife, that’s a short sword and dagger. Really cool ones!
I bought the SXB. No, it is not a sword or dagger in any sense of the word. It is a modification and enlargement of the Tracker-style knife concept. One might be able to accomplish the same tasks with a Kukri for all I know. But this thing is definitely worth adding to a collection.
I haven't been on here much lately so idk when you hit it, but congratulations on 1 million!!! ❤
I have a Tops Knife on my Battle Belt. And it's really nice.
Lilly...
Great video. You are correct in choosing the larger of the knives. A large knife can do what a smaller knife can do. But a small knife cannot always perform the same task as a large knife. I also like that the scales can be removed with a tool to fasten into a spear or lance. A lot of thought went into the planning and design of this beautiful tool. Any outdoorsman would be excited (?) to own one of these knives.
Awsome info. Thanks Lily.
Hey I just got thru watching your surviving the Canadian wilderness video and went to comment and they were turned off. So here goes....WOW. that was quite an adventure you had. I'm glad you are safe. Thank you again for sharing this and all your great content.
I love her description of the second knife just her accent and description is perfect
I've found that a Swede saw is much more efficient that any chopping device. I wish that they would incorporate a Swede saw into the entire spine of the knife.
Good review.
They are looking very good and you talk very well about them, I have said before I am kitting out 5 youth to teach camping and woodmenship and survivel and was sold on your design for us, which do you recommend lilly.
Interesting and multifunctional design. But for the $300+ range the choice of steel is sub par compared to other offerings and this knife is heavier than other knives that could do just as good if not better in the field. 1075 can be sharpened in the field with rocks you find but I’d rather have better toughness like 3v or Magnacut in a smaller offering and if you really want a chopper it’s all also about geometry so get a proper kukri.
People always forget how big that knife is. It is 3 - 4 times bigger than normal knife. So if a normal knife is 100 usd then the price for the larger knife is more than justified
@@SurvivalLilly The Ka-bar Kukri is $62.35 on Amazon right now. 11.5" blade. Made in Taiwan...
I've no intention on gearing up or having some blade for an apocalypse. Rather I have a blade to make fire, prep food, possibly process game. There's an some like the Cold Steel master hunter 3V, Mora Kansbol, Terrava Skrama and Puukos that are reasonable in prices and actually work well. Keep one good knife, an Swiss army knife in the pocket and an axe with saw in the kit and your set. For $300 you can have it all and be totally set up to make fires, process game and if needed build a structure.
Totally agree.
Thanks Lilly. For the knife review. And I take your carbon knife with Me on all my canoe trips in Boundary waters Mn USA . I can trust it . My next trip. End of June , Ill be 70 yr old ,how cool is that . Keep up the great vids . Roy Boy
Good luck sharpening them in the field with small diamond block or stone. IMO flat grinde, simple shape of blade rocks!
Done it maby many times with river stones and other steel knives spines in the field. But Sharpens Best is a good fast choice plus I've used regular sharpening stones. Life long Knife users always can get the job done. But I see ur concern...it's a regular question
Great job Lilly!
So entertaining and genuinely informative/instructional. You put in the real hard work. You're just so cute Lilly!
They are AWESOME knives a lot like you. Great video 👍😊
Looks like a kukri designed by committee.
those are UNI directional button snaps. they only open and close pulled directly up or down. from the sides, they will not come undone. so they're inherently more securely fastened!
Where did you get your hoodie from. I've have one for 3years but 2 zip have broken and I can't remember where I got them from please.
I was to ask the same …
Hey Lilly, those snaps are most likely the "snap the dot" design. It will pull off easily on one side but will be very difficult to peel off if you're pulling off thr other side. Same with snapping it back. Place it on one side and press it across to the other side. If you look at the button, you shoukd see a dot on the outside or a dot on the back inside. The purpose is to prevent accidental opening.
Those holes on the handle is for attaching a hand/wrist strap. Yes it can be used to strap to a pole to make a spear but it works better as a wrist strap.
It's so good to see you smile about a knife I love it
Looks good... I prefer an ESEE 6 knife, in this kind of situation. Or RTAK II/ Esee Junglas, if You want something bigger. The most important are the knowledge, the capacity to adapt and You are very good in what survival means. Anyway, good luck!
I'm not a fan of tops overpriced and 1095 is ok for a smaller knife but I prefer a different steel for a chopper.
Also the price for 1095 is just ridiculous.
Davie Crawford knife guru in Northern Ireland made me a tracker in 01 two years ago and to be honest I really enjoy using it i like the change its about having fun
Hi Lilly, I have a survival knife from when I was in Navy it was made in Onida NY back in the 60's. The saw tooth back was used to cut through the plexi glass conopy on fighter jets for emergency escape, not much good for anything else
If that is like the US Air Force survival knife I own it is like a shorter version of a K-Bar also made at the same factory I think. Only with the saw tooth spine as you said.
Good for making notches in wood for traps and for shelter building.
These designs are essentially modifications of the kukri knife shape. A kukri chops like this and cuts like this. Has a better curve than the sudden shift in blade shape.
The attention to details in these knives is awesome. Amazing tools!
Great video. Long time fan. Lilly have you heard of Blackie Thomas, he is on you tube as well. He is a master woodsman from southern Alabama U.S.A. he is very knowledgeable on bushcraft and firearms as well as camp cooking
I love the idea of these knives but they seem a bit too "busy". I can intuitively see how they are a bush craft knife married with the kukri, but Im not convinced yet tbh. Not disparaging them but Im just not convinced, and not sure if I want to pay the ticket price to find out if I am wrong.
Browning sold 5 of Tops made knives in thier FDX line or field duty extreme rebranded for 1/2 price of Tops . It got me started collecting them.
I've had the SXB for seven or eight years, it's my personal all-time favorite and most capable knife I own.
Perhaps you could oil/wax the interior cavity of the sheaths to inhibit rusting of the blades.