Think of it like this. You are going out in the woods. Besides your brain your most important tool is your knife. Looking at it another way. You have the choice of a capable 4x4 with a locker in the rear, mud tires, etc or a Gremlin with bald tires, but hey it is cheaper than the 4x4. Which one would you rather bet your life on?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Best knife for survival ?
- Thread starter WORM1595
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 5,483
Or, you could buy the Mora, which is equal to the 4WD utility-quad, lighter and more compact, easier to manuver, can actually go more places than the big 4x4 truck if you think about it, just doesn't have a bunch of useless gadgets on it like a radio and AC, and a fraction of the price. How does that fit into your scenario? lol! :thumbup:
Edit: I'd also like to throw a "Booyah!" in there.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Messages
- 277
I've had both the Tracker 1 and the Tracker 2 sold the Tracker 1 due to size and weight.Now that said the tracker series is kinda like havin a little hatchet
and draw knife together.Not sure if as a first "survival knife" this is the way to go.The ESEE 4 may be a better way to go,4" drop point blade 3/16" thick 1095 high carbon steel.Here's several to compare the Tracker 2 to.I had to thin the edge down due to TOPS knives way way to thick an edge.I like my scary sharp.
I did a shelter making weekend with it couple years back.It performed as good as any of my knives,but all in all a real hatchet performs much better. I hate the sheath it came with I modified it to carry normal.Hedgehog makes a great sheath for it kinda spendy thou.for the money you spend on the knife you could buy a decent Benchmade Bone collector drop point,ESEE drop point,Gerber Prodigy.and buy a survival pack with all your gear needed
MSRP Tracker 2 299.00 can get for about 197.00
MSRP ESEE 4 163.47 can get for about 91.00
Gerber prodigy 80.00 can get for about 60.00
there are way better "survival knives" out there I know sometimes you get a itch for something and until it's scratched it won't go away.I built up my go to gear first and then started trying different knives.My first setup was a Camillus/K-Bar:thumbup:,Army issue "swiss army knife" and a Gerber multi-tool.I never felt under gunned still don't.It really isn't the knife as much as the knowledge
gained thru experience.I could survive with a kitchen knife but whats the fun in that If you need more pics of the Tracker 2 in action PM me
and draw knife together.Not sure if as a first "survival knife" this is the way to go.The ESEE 4 may be a better way to go,4" drop point blade 3/16" thick 1095 high carbon steel.Here's several to compare the Tracker 2 to.I had to thin the edge down due to TOPS knives way way to thick an edge.I like my scary sharp.
I did a shelter making weekend with it couple years back.It performed as good as any of my knives,but all in all a real hatchet performs much better. I hate the sheath it came with I modified it to carry normal.Hedgehog makes a great sheath for it kinda spendy thou.for the money you spend on the knife you could buy a decent Benchmade Bone collector drop point,ESEE drop point,Gerber Prodigy.and buy a survival pack with all your gear needed
MSRP Tracker 2 299.00 can get for about 197.00
MSRP ESEE 4 163.47 can get for about 91.00
Gerber prodigy 80.00 can get for about 60.00
there are way better "survival knives" out there I know sometimes you get a itch for something and until it's scratched it won't go away.I built up my go to gear first and then started trying different knives.My first setup was a Camillus/K-Bar:thumbup:,Army issue "swiss army knife" and a Gerber multi-tool.I never felt under gunned still don't.It really isn't the knife as much as the knowledge
gained thru experience.I could survive with a kitchen knife but whats the fun in that
If you need more pics of the Tracker 2 in action PM me
Or, you could buy the Mora, which is equal to the 4WD utility-quad, lighter and more compact, easier to manuver, can actually go more places than the big 4x4 truck if you think about it, just doesn't have a bunch of useless gadgets on it like a radio and AC, and a fraction of the price. How does that fit into your scenario? lol! :thumbup:
Edit: I'd also like to throw a "Booyah!" in there.
My M1008 CUCV was $2700.00 which is about half the price of a quad and does not have a radio or a/c, but has a 14 bolt rear with a locker and a DANA 60 up front.
So where does your modified, clip point, meat cleaver fit into all this? Was this copied from "The Loony Toons?"
Try chopping a log with a mora.
How many survival classes have you taken? I have taken two survival classes from Cody Lundin and numerous tracking classes from Horizon Tracking Services. I actually go play in the woods on a regular basis. That is just on the civillian side.
snip
Tom Brown, Jr.: An old reporter asked me if I had to take only one tool from civilization into the woods what would it be? I said a knife, so seven years and thirty prototypes later you have the tracker knife -- anything for any situation -- it can be used as a saw, a skinning blade, it is perfectly balanced so you can throw it like a tomahawk. Unfortunately in the movie you see only 2% of its applications, the rest of the time you see it as a fighting device.
snip
http://trackertrail.com/publications/thehunted/tbj.html
My knife reminds me of the chopping ability of a BOLO that I used in JEST -Jungle Environment Survival Training- in 1989 taken at Subic Bay. It only weighs 19 1/2 ounces and is one hell of a chopper.
Last edited:
For the mall, I think it'd be just about perfect.
For a potentially unplanned prolonged stint in the woods, I think a Leatherman Wave would prove more useful.
Seriously? Sounds like you have been watching way too much "Survivorman".
I spent 113 nights in the mountains sleeping on the ground in 2010 and shoot outdoor photos for a living. I don't own a TV. Who, exactly, has been watching too much survivor stuff on the tube?:jerkit:
Oh, that explains your "Survival" training. Did you build your own shelter? Make traps for your own your own food? Make your own cups, bowls & utensils? Make your own bedding? Split fire wood? Make a fire bow drill? Make cordage? Or did you bring all those things with you?
If need be I can make an improvised knife out of a rock.
You're absolutely correct. After 40 years in the boonies, I'm now off to ebay to buy a Rambo knife. Thanks :thumbup:
It seems like most of the people that bag on the tracker design have never actually used one. They are merely hypothesizing armchair lack of knowledge. It is frustrating that most people have no idea how long that the design has been around and how useful it really is if one knows how to properly use it. I will agree that it is not as pretty as say something like a Loveless, but the true beauty is in the functionality of the design. Isn't a multi-tool a "jack of all trades, but master of none" also?
Isn't it getting personal when some is talking crap about a knife they have never used?
Isn't it getting personal when someone makes a false claim that the knife was made for a film when in all actuality it has been around since 1982 or that anyone that owns one must have a Frost's fantasy collection? Or that it would be good for a trip to the mall? But talking about ones own skill set is not allowed even when it concerns the mentioned knife? Are experiences not allowed, but only opinions?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Messages
- 277
Mine has been used and abused,as you can see in the picture.I'm am getting sick of this forum and members attacking others because they don't agree
with the knife they carry.Everyone is untitled to their opinion but please keep the personal attacks out of it.
with the knife they carry.Everyone is untitled to their opinion but please keep the personal attacks out of it.
Sounds good to me. I know what works for me. If someone else knows what works for them then great. I have tried to provide as many references on the original design through what is available now. I am speaking from the experience of owning one and continue to get grief from those that don't like it based on it's looks. This topic is about recommending a Tracker knife. How can anyone not recommend something when either they do not own one or have never used one?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Messages
- 277
Hey Stitch do you use the original sheath with the clips or did you get a custom sheath?
Mine did not come with a sheath as it was a custom. I had a local leather guy make me one. It is a highride and is very comfortable. The guy that made it for me used to be one of the designers for Galco. It set me back $125.00. To me it is worth every penny.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Messages
- 277
mine came with the kydex with clips worn scout style.i removed the clips and attached a nylon belt loop worn in normal vertical carry
Mine is vertical as well. I will try and get some pictures of the sheath posted next week.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,574
I've been in two survival situations in the back country. One heat stroke and another a torn ligament in the knee. For me and I think like most others, my first thoughts were staying hydrated, sheltered and most importantly, being found/getting out. Not eating, not building traps, not building fancy shelters, no spoons, no bowls and definitely not chopping big logs with a large knife. Survival isn't bushcraft. A nice 3.5" to 4.5" blade will excel at about any task. A small saw is great for a debris shelter. The combo of the two will let you split wood. Add a hatchet and you have a great trio. The tracker will work, I think it might make a sloppy dinning set. The sweet spot is not ideal for chopping and the saw really doesn't saw well. For about $65 you cold get an Eastwing hatchet, a Mora and a Bahco folding saw. You would be far better prepared than having the Tracker and have some extra cash. I could never recommend a poorly designed tool like the Tracker to anyone. Just my opinion.
I wonder what Cody Lundin would say about the Tracker.
I wonder what Cody Lundin would say about the Tracker.