View Full Version : Tom Brown Tracker Knife
I was doing a search on the web and came accross this https://www.trackerschool.com/KnifeAboutTrack.cfm
has anyone got one or used one (I'll be surprised if Hoodoo hasn't used one), how do they feel in the hand as they seem quite large, this is the TOPS made version that was used in the film The Hunted. Any info or opinions would be interesting.
Brian
I was doing a search on the web and came accross this https://www.trackerschool.com/KnifeAboutTrack.cfm
has anyone got one or used one (I'll be surprised if Hoodoo hasn't used one), how do they feel in the hand as they seem quite large, this is the TOPS made version that was used in the film The Hunted. Any info or opinions would be interesting.
Brian
I've seen and handled one although never used one - that said all I can say is Tom might be inspirational as a teacher and have many devoted followers but he cant design a bushcraft knife!
rapidboy
23-04-2005, 10:34
:eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/TrackerKnife.jpg
:confused:
Brian,
I too have handled the Topps version of this knife but have never used it. It is my understanding that a knive maker called Dave Beck made the original knife for the film "The Hunted" but, being a custom maker did not want to produce the knife for re-sale. As a result Topps now officially make the knife although there are copies around.
The Topps knife is made of 1095 steel coated with an anti-corrosion material. The grips are Micarta.
The general consensus of opinion within the knife world is that the design attempts to be all things to all men, and fails in most. Furthermore the knife is very expensive given the materials used.
A better version of the design is made by Roger Linger who uses O1 steel for the blade. His knife has a great deal more attention to detail.
Incidentally Roger also makes some exceptionally good bushcraft knives. Do a search for him and you won't be disappointed.
Regards
Tack
TheViking
23-04-2005, 12:02
I've never handled it or anything, but i believe the same as Gary. He's trying to put too many tools in one knife. A simple knife is much better IMO and if one wants multiple tools, then i can recommend a Swiss army knife. ;)
ChrisKavanaugh
23-04-2005, 17:57
Mors Kochanski promoted a survival knife- Those red handled moras :D G.B. has the various incarnations of the Woodlore Chris Janowski of WSI in Alaska marketed The Ranger ( also made by TOPS) a fairly straightforward knife with striking anvil for splitting wood, rangefinding holes, a bowdrill divot and butt scraper for woodcarving. Tom Brown lent his name to the Tracker. Ron Hood has the ATAX and last of all the former Soviet Empire issued the spetsnatz survival machete with mutliple cutting and sawing surfaces, an arched blade for digging and even a hollow handle with a few matches and fishhooks. Then you have the classic hollow handles survival knives ranging from the rediculous Rambo bowies to the decent Spanish Aitor line and super expensive Randalls ( designed by an astronaut in the mercury programme and not a survival instructor) and the very well made Chris Reeve one piece line. Notice how the price curve apogee matches the performance paragee :p
C_Claycomb
23-04-2005, 19:35
Coming back on track a wee bit ;)
I fully agree with Tack having handled the Topps version on a few occasions. It is really REALLY heavy and even the edge meant for carving is better at bruising wood than cutting. The movie knife, including the smaller companion blade, appeared a much better crafted tool.
Roger Linger's looks much closer to the Beck verion
R. Linger (http://home.earthlink.net/~rmedise/id8.html)
http://riflestocks.tripod.com/pics38.html
The only thing that I am not sure about is whether this amalgamation of tools is really weight efficient. I mean, there is no doubt that it would be nice to have all your tools in one place, a carver, a chopper and a saw, but certainly the TOPS version is pushing it weight wise. I am far from convinced that a GB mini (or even a wildlife hatchet), a puukko or similar, and a pack saw would weigh more than the Tracker knife.
Due to its shape you have lost some of the soft vegetation cutting ability usually associated with larger knives.
If you are really interested, go have a look on www.Bladeforums.com, there are LOTS of threads about the different Tracker knives there.
This is one of the good ones:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246478
The General
24-04-2005, 03:07
Its certainly a conversation starter... Would anyone bring one to seriously use on a bushcrafty course? I doubt it.
You could have a large bowie blade like a Cold Steel , 4" spearpoint and at the very least a quality folder for less money. I know what I would find more use out of.
The Jack of all trades... is master of none.
Thanks to you all, I wasn't sure how good it would be, they are possibly using Tom Browns name and reputation to sell it. I think I'll stick with my woodlore, GB, Buck 110 and folding saw for the moment. SWMBO is also pleased as I've taken it off my wish list, I think she wants another hand bag!
Brian
Coming back on track a wee bit ;)
I fully agree with Tack having handled the Topps version on a few occasions. It is really REALLY heavy and even the edge meant for carving is better at bruising wood than cutting. The movie knife, including the smaller companion blade, appeared a much better crafted tool.
Roger Linger's looks much closer to the Beck verion
R. Linger (http://home.earthlink.net/~rmedise/id8.html)
http://riflestocks.tripod.com/pics38.html
The only thing that I am not sure about is whether this amalgamation of tools is really weight efficient. I mean, there is no doubt that it would be nice to have all your tools in one place, a carver, a chopper and a saw, but certainly the TOPS version is pushing it weight wise. I am far from convinced that a GB mini (or even a wildlife hatchet), a puukko or similar, and a pack saw would weigh more than the Tracker knife.
Due to its shape you have lost some of the soft vegetation cutting ability usually associated with larger knives.
If you are really interested, go have a look on www.Bladeforums.com, there are LOTS of threads about the different Tracker knives there.
This is one of the good ones:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246478
well put! i've used one very briefly. i was astounded at the lack of penetration.
Notice how the price curve apogee matches the performance paragee
:D :rolleyes:
i get what you mean, a bit harsh, perhaps the superb chris reeve one piece line is the exception that proves the rule eh? the aitor stuff is waay under rated.
i can't find paragee in any dictionary though?
cheers, and.
[QUOTE=The General]Its certainly a conversation starter... Would anyone bring one to seriously use on a bushcrafty course? I doubt it.QUOTE]
i have been on a course and a student tried to use the tracker knife. Was ok for spilting but when he tried to use it to carve he ended up with a rather nice cut to his hand as the blade acclerated from the steep curve. Needlss to say he was told it might not have been the best tool for the job. After he stopped bleeding he used a micarta woodlore.
ChrisKavanaugh
25-04-2005, 02:31
Sargey, My spelling is probably wrong and my dictionary has gone missing. What do you expect from an american taught british spelling in my youth anyway :o Apogee is the arc of a projectile going up and paragee the arc going down.
OldJimbo
25-04-2005, 06:11
I always thought that apogee was the most distant point in an eliptical orbit and perigee was the closest in.
I shall have to call my Mora perigee since it's always in with me. I think I'll pass on the far out (apogee) stuff at those prices. But each to their own!
The one time that saw and handled the 'tracker' knife I noticed the following:
The handle was so large I had trouble holding it
The bevel was so obtuse that it had almost no penetration and it was difficult to achieve even the most basic carving
It was rather good for beating in tent pegs in hard ground due to its weight
It looks rather comical
It is my conclusion that the tops tracker knife had almost no practical use, even its owner admitted to carrying a proper knife for actual work.
Motorbike Man
25-04-2005, 22:28
In my own and very personal opinion,there is one extremely good reason not to use it.
It is UUUUUUUUGLY!!!!!
:D
Just my opinion :rolleyes:
so shallow..
and very very right :D
Rhapsody
25-04-2005, 23:47
I would buy that knife just so I could wave it about and shout a lot. Looks totally impractical, but the Attila-factor is there.
Motorbike Man
26-04-2005, 00:02
so shallow..
and very very right :D
Shallow?
Moi?
:D
That's no knife... It's a cutlass !! Ya Harr me hearties
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum !!
http://www.stevendaily.com/img/bst/work/03-pirate.jpg
C_Claycomb
27-04-2005, 08:22
Oh enough already!!!
The last 5 posts don't add anything to the discussion, they don't even go off track in a useful direction.
Please keep to the subject.
Motorbike Man
27-04-2005, 12:42
Oh enough already!!!
The last 5 posts don't add anything to the discussion, they don't even go off track in a useful direction.
Please keep to the subject.
The last 5?? what's apogee and perigee got to do with the discussion?
Minotaur
27-04-2005, 15:47
I read some feedback from the people behind the knife fights in the film. They were forced to use the knife and even less impressed than this forum with it.
C_Claycomb
27-04-2005, 16:41
Minotaur, I know what you mean. :rolleyes: However lets leave that topic there.
The suitability, or otherwise, of a knife for fighting is neither here nor there for this forum and is not something that is discussed.
ChrisKavanaugh
28-04-2005, 00:14
I apologise for wandering of topic. You should see me on the trail :( Take one of the redhandled Moras in hand. Excluding cosmetics it's pretty much what people have accepted and recognised as a good using knife. You can use exotic damascene blades, fossil Ivory handles and add your family crest or ranch brand to the same design. It will cost a lot more but make you aesthetically happy. Both will still cut,carve, whittle,split and stick stuff we've been cutting etc. for centuries. Now pick up anything that purpotes to improve or combine on traditional patterns of cutting tools. A. it costs a lot B. it never measures up against those red handled Moras, Wetterling axes, Crocodile machetes that combined cost less with money left over C. any surviving traditional Inuit, New Guinea Highlander or Masai cattle herder would look at the two choices and choose the familiar. ;)
Mr. Beck has made a number of customs along the same lines, but with far better edges according to those that have compared. He cannot call his a "Tracker" so it is the Wilderness Survival Knife.
Hardly my idea of a wilderness or survival knife. As suggested above, a saw, folding knife, and much smaller conventional knife seem more practical -- or a knife/axe combination.
Minotaur
28-04-2005, 13:14
Sorry,
I noticed that not a lot of people had used the knife(might have something to do with the price).
What I was trying to say was they handled it for three months and did not have a good word to say about it.
What could you get for $275 + p&p?
Frosts Miltary Mora $11.00
Cold Steel Bushman $25.00 (or a Bill Hook, Machette)
Bow saw $20.00
(If you are someone with this axe fetish, replace the Bushman and saw with one)
Opeinel No.8 $15.00
With that much to spend I might even be tempted to go for one of those Chris Reeve knifes or the chainsaw commando saw. I just know if I spent that much on a knife, it would spend it's days in a glass case so I did not lose it or break it.
regards
C_Claycomb
28-04-2005, 13:56
Where are you from Minotaur? Price wise, the TOPS Tracker comes in about £155 or so at current exchange rates. That is less than some places are asking for the Wilkinson Sword made Woodlore, which a lot of people here have bought.
I think if it was considered to be a good tool the price would not be an issue to many people. As it is, for that money you can get a set of good tools that will be a joy to use, or one useful, practical knife that will also see more use.
:D The thought of putting a Tracker in a glass case incase it got damaged is very funny1 :D
Minotaur
28-04-2005, 14:47
Despite the use of the dollar, I am a Brit.
I just could not deal with it. I lost my complete survival/bushcraft kit about 8 years ago and replacing stuff has been a nightmare so nothing expensive or hard to get hold off goes in it. We went off site and being a good citzen left all the cutlery etc on site, and we where robbed.
Hardest to replace item, a copy of Scouting for Boys. It cost me a fiver but was the 14 reprint of the pre-70's version, i.e. the original without modern editing. They have just brought it out again but the older version was smaller and nicer.
It changed my outlook on what I carried and why I carried it. Frosts and Opinels are cheep but well made. It means I can have 4 or 5 setups for the price of one expensive knife. I like to use designs that have stood the test of time, not the latest fad.
Bob Hurley
02-05-2005, 01:26
:eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/TrackerKnife.jpg
:confused:
I recognize the design now - it's for fileting the wallets of new bushcrafters.
ChrisKavanaugh
02-05-2005, 03:22
Not to bash the tracker anymore, but I can take Minotaur's logic further. With $275 USD I bought my Wiggys superlight mummybag @ $150 when my ancient down bag finally gave out and 'upgraded' my core survival knife from a $8 Mora to a $85 fallkniven F1. My old surplus rucksack literally fell off my back the same week and was replaced by a new german army daypack for $35. I had $35 left from my weekly salary at the time and managed petrol and lunch for the next 7 days. I just sold the Fallkniven for $100. I think I'll hide my money for transport and food somewhere wild. :cool:
hi all, i own a tracker, but have not as of yet had a chance to give it a decent trial! as it needs sharpening as the edge is not that keen from new.
the weight issue i havent noticed, probably from lumping weights around the gym allday :D , as for cost if you purchase from the states and haves it shipped ova ull be hit for £80 from customs, so not much diff from buying from a well known site in this country, how ever u can get it for about £175 wiv micarta handel.
it works well for mr brown on his courses as he doesnt teach the conventional style of bushcraft or survival and required equipment for his course inclued a wood rasp!! not the first tool that would spring to my mind for bushcraft.
mine was a gift so im not gonna complain there.
as for the exponants of sayok kali who worked on the film the knife is not tactical in nature so therefore not sutiable to there experiance.
but its deffinatley a nice addition to an ever growing collection.
once ive got it in the field and experimented ill let you know, however i can clearly see how a woolore would be more effective for many jobs.
if your gona worry about loosing sumthing this size then id suggest an optiton :p :confused:
Minotaur
04-05-2005, 12:38
Hi Bazman,
"as for the exponants of sayok kali who worked on the film the knife is not tactical in nature so therefore not sutiable to there experiance."
Not wanting to get tactical but I think the main thing they kept saying was 'it was very jack of all trades and master of none'. They would rather have used multiple knives, than just the one. The only good things they had to say about it where tactical. In the kali systems a lot of the blades used are bushcraft daily carries in South-East Asia i.e. machettes etc.
I'm going to stop now and not get told off again by the mods.
What I was trying to say in my first post was that these people had used it daily for 3 or 4 months and could not stand it.
My personally opinion comes down to the fact that it is too expensive for my kit but if Tom wants to send me one to test or anyone is feelling generous? Bazman, try this experiment, put your bushcraft kit togeather and then work out how much it all costs and then see how hard it is to replace it all. I am worried about losing it to five finger discount more than anything else but yes, I have to train myself to put things back in their place or they get lost. :rolleyes: :o
C_Claycomb
11-05-2005, 09:37
Minotaur, jamesraykenney
Gentlemen, this is not the place for this discussion!! The use of knives to fight off people, dogs or boars is not bushcraft. The discussion of the pros and cons of spear design for boar has nothing WHATEVER to do with whether the Tracker knife is good for bushcraft. The assertion that you like to carry a gun for defence has nothing to do with the either bushcraft or the original topic of the thread. Britain is not so wild, or overrun with large predators that there is any excuse, legal or otherwise, for people to be running around with cleavers for protection.
Since the original thread has merit, and may yet have some useful posts added I am not locking it. I am however removing your posts as they dilute what was otherwise a fairly informative thread.
jamesraykenney
12-05-2005, 00:25
Minotaur, jamesraykenney
Gentlemen, this is not the place for this discussion!! The use of knives to fight off people, dogs or boars is not bushcraft. The discussion of the pros and cons of spear design for boar has nothing WHATEVER to do with whether the Tracker knife is good for bushcraft. The assertion that you like to carry a gun for defence has nothing to do with the either bushcraft or the original topic of the thread. Britain is not so wild, or overrun with large predators that there is any excuse, legal or otherwise, for people to be running around with cleavers for protection.
Since the original thread has merit, and may yet have some useful posts added I am not locking it. I am however removing your posts as they dilute what was otherwise a fairly informative thread.
No problem...It was getting offtopic!