View Full Version : Tops Tracker Knife
Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with the Tops Tracker knife made popular by Tom Brown?
https://www.trackerschool.com/AboutTrackKnife.htm
Wonder how it compares to the WS Dartmoor or Lofty Wiseman's survival knife (apart from being more expensive)?
I think that this knife is similar to the WS Dartmoor or the Lofty Wiseman knife ... big, cumbersome and awkward. It looks impressive but that's about it I'm afraid ...
Would look great on a Klingon warrior mind you!
Beam me up sco........................... .................
:lol:
The Dartmoor looks classier, that one looks evil :shock:
Would look great on a Klingon warrior mind you!
Beam me up sco........................... .................
I have the brow ridges for it ...
TheViking
15-09-2004, 16:48
Hi...
I think it's often that big, awkward, multi functional fixed blades, don't do the job. Nothing wrong in having a big knife, but a fixed blade with too many functions, always seems to be clumsy and disfunctional. :roll: :wink: I'm here talking about the ATAX (http://www.survival.com/atax.htm), Spetnaz Machete (http://secure.sovietski.com/isroot/sovietski/ImagesOnline/catalog/200610.jpg). :wink:
And I have the forehead! :super:
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 17:10
do you think klingons have Goretex in there boots or would they prefer Glarg hide from Ursa major?? :rolmao:
Paganwolf now your being plain silly :nono:
I have to agree, probably only really useful for chopping/splitting - I think they are trying too hard to develop 'the only outdoor knife you will ever need' whereas most people probably prefer a knife, axe, saw combination. Mind you, it has obviously gone through considerable development/testing so it must be good for some outdoor tasks, but maybe not bushcraft?
C_Claycomb
15-09-2004, 18:41
You really want to go ask Ian Maxwell from Shadowhawk. He has one :-)
There is a review/comparison on Bladeforums, somewhere, and the bit that has stuck with me goes something like...
-After using the David Beck Tracker knife the Tops version feels like a club-
:rolmao:
Much is made of the knife in the Hunted being the same as the TOPS knife. It isn't. BIG difference!
I am sure that the TOPS knife is much stronger than either the Dartmoor or the Wiseman knife.
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 21:58
They used to sell tops knives on BKCG they dont any more :?: wonder why :?: ill have to ask Mike...
They used to sell tops knives on BKCG they dont any more :?: wonder why :?: ill have to ask Mike...
Heinne sell them, the tracker is £247 :yikes:
ChrisKavanaugh
15-09-2004, 22:37
I've handled the Tracker, The ATAX, Spetsnatz machete and countless hollow handled knives with 101 FREE items. They share one excellent feature- gouging pieces of expensive paper out of their owner's wallets. This is allright if your wealthy or pursuing the holy grail of Titanium teastrainers and boots lined with unborn Alpine goat leather ( preferably twins for the left and right.) If your somebody just starting out it is at best is discouraging and at worst dangerous. I've lost count meeting people on the trail with some overpriced and nearly useless chunk of steel and essential gear like sleeping bags or proper clothing bought from some discount outlet. My Wiggy sleeping system-$ 300 USD, Filson Wool cruiser jacket-$285, MORA knife-$9. I have no desire to buy another 3 digit piece of cutlery. That money is transport, fees and food in some park I haven't visited. :chill:
They share one excellent feature- gouging pieces of expensive paper out of their owner's wallets.
And they are darn effective at doing that! :o): :biggthump
:lol: Or at knocking off the digits on one's bank statement (i cant help it!)
BIG-TARGET
17-09-2004, 23:27
If you are into TOPS knives(QUALITY all the way) Here's one that was made just for Hood's Woods. The ATAX (http://www.survival.com/atax.htm) !!!!!!
Ron & Karen are great!!!! :You_Rock_
Welcome!
That knife looks painful after a lot of use IMO.
"If you have a good pocket knife or multi tool and the ATAX . . . you can do it all."
Perhaps. Just not very well. Imagine clearling away brambles -- or cutting down a tree. :yikes:
C_Claycomb
18-09-2004, 18:37
I had seen a picture of the ATAX, but not the slides of all the stuff you could do with it. That is kinda a neat idea. That shape makes it look pretty easy to put a handle on it for chopping. Not a good bramble clearer, but then neither is a 4" belt knife, or a GB :roll:
I think if I had to part with money on a bizarre bush blade I think I would have the ATAX over any of the others I have seen, such as the TOPS Tracker. However I think that I would have the Beck Tracker knife over the ATAX. It looks like it would take some practice to use. Imagine having to have a video guide to tell you how to use your knife :rolmao:
James Watson
19-09-2004, 12:54
Hi.
I've got the TOPS Tracker knife.
It took me a while to get use to it's size, but I feel its a good knife. It's a little mass produced though. You should see how many you can spot at an Advanced Tom Brown Class! The only problem I have with it is the sheath, it's a little loud.
Unfortunately Dave Becks stopped making them. I met a guy who had one of his last made. It was beautiful. I've been told that the ultimate maker of the tracker knife is Billy's( TB Instructor) dad. Never seen one, he makes about 6 a year.
What I like about the knife is that you can do pretty much all bushcraft tasks with it. I've found its great for scrapping deer hides.
Best wishes,
James
TheViking
19-09-2004, 13:00
That's great, but I have a feeling that if one man buys this knife, he will forget the most important in tracking & bushcraft: The knowledge & XP. IMO. :wink:
He would probably think: "Hey, i've got this knife, now i'm a fully educated tracker". :roll: Not saying that everyone does this but the novice might.
Cheers
James Watson
19-09-2004, 13:25
That's great, but I have a feeling that if one man buys this knife, he will forget the most important in tracking & bushcraft: The knowledge & XP. IMO. :wink:
He would probably think: "Hey, i've got this knife, now i'm a fully educated tracker". :roll: Not saying that everyone does this but the novice might.
Cheers
I totaly agree with you Andy.
I'm trying to get away from steel knives anyway. I think people, me included rely on there knives too much.
Best wishes,
James
I totaly agree with you Andy.
I'm trying to get away from steel knives anyway. I think people, me included rely on there knives too much.
Best wishes,
James
Flint? Jade? Obsidian? Teeth?
James Watson
19-09-2004, 16:59
Flint? Jade? Obsidian? Teeth?
I've not tried carving a bow drill set with my teeth, but maybe one day :wink: jaw bones with teeth are great for cutting grass. :biggthump
James
BIG-TARGET
20-09-2004, 03:22
"If you have a good pocket knife or multi tool and the ATAX . . . you can do it all."
Perhaps. Just not very well. Imagine clearling away brambles -- or cutting down a tree. :yikes:
True!!!!
If you have that combination , you can actually rebuild civilization from scratch!!!!!! :chill: :pack:
I have to agree, probably only really useful for chopping/splitting - I think they are trying too hard to develop 'the only outdoor knife you will ever need' whereas most people probably prefer a knife, axe, saw combination. Mind you, it has obviously gone through considerable development/testing so it must be good for some outdoor tasks, but maybe not bushcraft?
I've seen and tried the tops tracker....... I should imagine its good at hammering in tent pegs........ or um....... or as a paper weight..... its very heavy so you could probably use it as the counter weight for a tilting arm snare as well
BIG-TARGET
20-09-2004, 12:05
The one made from TOPS is a bit lighter! :wink: