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Head to head

TOPS BOB Fieldcraft vs Gerber StrongArm

TOPS BOB Fieldcraft runs a 4.75″ drop point blade in 1095 Carbon; Gerber StrongArm runs 4.8″ of drop point in 420HC. The Gerber StrongArm is the lighter of the two by 2.40 oz.

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  • TOPS BOB Fieldcraft · Drop Point
    4.75″ blade · 0.188″ spine · 9.6 oz · ~1.5″ tall
  • Gerber StrongArm · Drop Point
    4.8″ blade · 0.187″ spine · 7.2 oz · ~1.3″ tall
Spine thickness, same scale
0.188″
0.187″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outline traced from the maker's side-profile photo.
SpecTOPSTOPS BOB FieldcraftGerberGerber StrongArmCheck price
Blade length4.75″4.8″
Spine thickness0.188″0.187″
Overall length10″9.8″
Weight9.6 oz7.2 oz
Blade shapeDrop PointDrop Point
Steel1095 Carbon420HC
GrindModified ScandiFlat
LockFixedFixed
Handle materialCanvas MicartaGlass-Filled Nylon
Country of originUSAUSA
Price bandPremiumMid

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

1095 Carbon

The American survival-knife standard. Dead simple, very tough at these hardnesses, and it will start rusting the day you put it away wet.

420HC

Buck's Paul Bos heat treat is what makes this ordinary steel good. Dulls sooner than premium steels and takes ninety seconds to fix.