I can take it as well as I give it.
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Best knife for survival ?
- Thread starter WORM1595
- Start date
I can take it as well as I give it.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,574
Cool.
Getting back to survival.
What activities get you out into the woods?
Myself, I like to hike and camp but really enjoy hunting and long distance backpacking. More lightweight/adventure packing ... scouting and looking for historical/rock art sites.
I have several large choppers and axes/hatchets. I don't carry or use them. There is plenty of deadfall here and a small thin saw works better for me.
I still have trouble understanding why someone would need to chop a log like the one in your picture if they were in a survival situation.
In my situation it isn't necessary or useful enough to carry a knife that size.
Getting back to survival.
What activities get you out into the woods?
Myself, I like to hike and camp but really enjoy hunting and long distance backpacking. More lightweight/adventure packing ... scouting and looking for historical/rock art sites.
I have several large choppers and axes/hatchets. I don't carry or use them. There is plenty of deadfall here and a small thin saw works better for me.
I still have trouble understanding why someone would need to chop a log like the one in your picture if they were in a survival situation.
In my situation it isn't necessary or useful enough to carry a knife that size.
Trying to more with less. Last weekend I went out with the clothes on my back. Jeans, Goretex bottoms, t-shirt, leight weight silk long sleeve shirt, polar tec zip up, goretex jacket, baseball style hat, yellow handled knife, canteen cup, canteen, iodine water purifier, sleeping bag with bivy cover, thin leather gloves, 123 flashlight, crappy tarp, firesteel, 550 cord, helios lighter & .45 ACP.
Friday night 20 degrees. Saturday night 15 degrees.
As it wams up I want to try even less gear.
In the event of a major disaster, something like what just happened in Japan I would like to not be a part of the mob. Being able to make a Hogan type shelter would be an asset in my opinion. Another possible use for logs that size would be to make an improvised raft.
I would like to get down to the following items by summer.
Tracker style knife with firesteel
canteen
canteen cup
snug pak jungle bag
iodine water purifier
USMC Field tarp
some 550 cord
leather gloves
a small pack to tote the above items
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- Joined
- Jun 6, 2008
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- 1,574
Sounds like you have it covered man. Really gonna leave the .45 at home?
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2006
- Messages
- 122
I own my fair share of production and custom hard use/survival knives, including a Randall Model 18 and a Model 15. But on a cost/benfit/utility comparison, IMO, nothing beats a Gerber LMF II. A SS, sharpened prybar, hammer-head, glass breaking, electrically insulated, 5'' blade in a multi carry sheath that has a built-in rough sharpener. Only down side is that its a bit heavy for its overall size, but I can deal with that given its other virtues. Go to Knife tests to view the destruction video. Damn tough and useful.
I will probably bring my Beretta Model 87BB .22lr.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2008
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- 1,574
How do you carry the Tracker and Beretta?
stitch,
You have pretty much covered all my points already. You carry the tracker for the same reasons I choose to, do more with less. Which, to me, is the art of "SURVIVAL" anyways.
Which brings me to another point. Survival vs. Bushcraft, to me they are one in the same. Everytime I go into the woods, I am in a survival situation. Bushcraft is the primary skill that I choose to survive on.
Back on topic. I actually carry the TOPS version of the Tracker, although that Horan version got my wallet tickled. I have no issues with the TOPS' performance at all. Matter of fact, the TOPS handle is more effective than some of the others, IMO. A lot of people confuse the sweet chopping spot of the Tracker for the quarter rounder tansition point. This is not it. The chopping portion is the top knife blade, which I find to be just as effective as most small hatchets. The other portion of the blade is for carving or a draw knife. Which, I find it to be very effective (I drew knifed a primitive bow out yesterday in about an hour). And the weight, a lot of people have a problem with the weight. It does weigh in close to 2 pounds. I don't find this to be a problem, though I am 5'5" tall but weigh in close to 200 pounds myself (I was into bodybuilding for a while). I think high strength is important for survival/bushcraft.
Also, sheepdog, about the price tag and length. The blade is 4 1/4", but you need to add in the draw knife of 2 1/8" which will give it a full length of 6 3/8". I got news for a lot of you ESEE freaks out there. The tracker's price shot up due to popularity, so what do you think is going to happen to ESEE knives in the very near future? Their price is going to shoot up too. So, prepare yourselves for that. Think it's a joke if YOU want to, I really don't care. Too many people will hate on this knife that have never even held one, let alone actually use it.
You have pretty much covered all my points already. You carry the tracker for the same reasons I choose to, do more with less. Which, to me, is the art of "SURVIVAL" anyways.
Which brings me to another point. Survival vs. Bushcraft, to me they are one in the same. Everytime I go into the woods, I am in a survival situation. Bushcraft is the primary skill that I choose to survive on.
Back on topic. I actually carry the TOPS version of the Tracker, although that Horan version got my wallet tickled. I have no issues with the TOPS' performance at all. Matter of fact, the TOPS handle is more effective than some of the others, IMO. A lot of people confuse the sweet chopping spot of the Tracker for the quarter rounder tansition point. This is not it. The chopping portion is the top knife blade, which I find to be just as effective as most small hatchets. The other portion of the blade is for carving or a draw knife. Which, I find it to be very effective (I drew knifed a primitive bow out yesterday in about an hour). And the weight, a lot of people have a problem with the weight. It does weigh in close to 2 pounds. I don't find this to be a problem, though I am 5'5" tall but weigh in close to 200 pounds myself (I was into bodybuilding for a while). I think high strength is important for survival/bushcraft.
Also, sheepdog, about the price tag and length. The blade is 4 1/4", but you need to add in the draw knife of 2 1/8" which will give it a full length of 6 3/8". I got news for a lot of you ESEE freaks out there. The tracker's price shot up due to popularity, so what do you think is going to happen to ESEE knives in the very near future? Their price is going to shoot up too. So, prepare yourselves for that. Think it's a joke if YOU want to, I really don't care. Too many people will hate on this knife that have never even held one, let alone actually use it.
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- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Messages
- 277
I don't feel under gunned with my TOPS version either.I do like the Tracker 2 thou.I've always like smaller lengthed blades on my hip and my bigger blades on my rucksack/pack.My usual pack knife is a Smith and Wesson kukri paired with a RAT RC-4 -Tracker2 - Benchmade Bone Collector w/guthook- Chris Reeve green beret 5.5 modified by me see earlier pics.and just for shits and giggles sometimes I carry my Jorgenson 3 tomahawk made in Grants pass,OR instead of the kukri.
tyrant,
Right on, man. What sets the TOPS apart from the others is the handle design. The 3 part handle is more pronounced and fuctional on the TOPS, as Tom Brown actually had a part in it in colaboration with TOPS. Might I add that TOPS is the only production company that is liscenced by Tom Brown to make his knife. It is all in the now more pronounced chopping grip. The TOPS handle has a deeper curve for this than the others.
Right on, man. What sets the TOPS apart from the others is the handle design. The 3 part handle is more pronounced and fuctional on the TOPS, as Tom Brown actually had a part in it in colaboration with TOPS. Might I add that TOPS is the only production company that is liscenced by Tom Brown to make his knife. It is all in the now more pronounced chopping grip. The TOPS handle has a deeper curve for this than the others.
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- Aug 30, 2007
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- 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.
I thought it was pretty obvious that I was joking around and having fun with the utility quad stuff, but I have to admit, I'm having trouble figuring out if you're joking back or honestly trying to insult me with this.
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demoteamone
BANNED
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2006
- Messages
- 260
The Tops Tracker Knife and family .. its a waste of money....the catting and choppin capability is almost zero.
What the hack do I need such a clump or brick of a knife for, when I can have a knife with much more catting and choppin capability;
With better grip,and almost the same weight.
Why would anyone take a tops tracker with you for 'survival'or other bushcraft hobbies when you can take a Mora and an axe?
Can't think of any practical use,especially when there are better options.
Enjoy the video becouse they will give u a good picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKPjC7FcLNU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscldjNzAAk&feature=PlayList&p=AB39C18C6F1D5C8B&index=5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAo26hTrjo8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rjUp4IElG0&feature=related
What the hack do I need such a clump or brick of a knife for, when I can have a knife with much more catting and choppin capability;
With better grip,and almost the same weight.
Why would anyone take a tops tracker with you for 'survival'or other bushcraft hobbies when you can take a Mora and an axe?
Can't think of any practical use,especially when there are better options.
Enjoy the video becouse they will give u a good picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKPjC7FcLNU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscldjNzAAk&feature=PlayList&p=AB39C18C6F1D5C8B&index=5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAo26hTrjo8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rjUp4IElG0&feature=related
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2010
- Messages
- 2,137
a sharp one?
And the one you have on you when the SHTF.
I carry my knife on my right hip - high ride vertical sheath - centered on the trouser seam. I carry the Beretta 87BB in a Milt Sparks Summer special - made for an officer's ACP - inside the pants holster centerd on the right rear pocket.
I carry my canteen/canteen cup on the left side to balance out the right side. GI canteen cup, 1 qt Nalgeen GI style BPA free canteen - it doesn't get that nasty GI canteen tase , GI canteen cup stove, 1 qt GI canteen carrier with the ALICE clips removed, 2 qt GI canteen carrier strap attached to the canteen cup and iodine water purification bottle - 1 oz bottle with 3 bottles worth of Polar Pure iodine crystals in the small pouch on the outside of the canteen carrier. I need to look into another way to purify water since I recently found out that iodine does not kill Cryptosporidium.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11990150
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demoteamone,
I did not watch all of the videos all the way through. In the first minute of the guy actually using the tracker, I could see that he was already using the knife wrong. A three part series and he starts out chopping every time, and using the wrong technique. Again, he is chopping with the draw knife and quarter rounder. A common mistake for those who DON'T KNOW how to use the tracker properly. You chop with the top portion of the blade, the knife blade as it is called in TOPS specs for the knife. That is the reason it has a hatchet like curve to it. Also, his grip is all wrong as well. It is difficult to explain to someone that has never held a tracker before. The knife has a 3 position grip. The bottom end of the handle is designed for a three finger chopping grip. Stitch, was kind enough to put up the link to the tracker's instruction book, that was written by Tom Brown the designer. I suggest people check that out before assuming how to use the tracker. I don't think the guy in your video link even took a look at it, and it shows.
I did not watch all of the videos all the way through. In the first minute of the guy actually using the tracker, I could see that he was already using the knife wrong. A three part series and he starts out chopping every time, and using the wrong technique. Again, he is chopping with the draw knife and quarter rounder. A common mistake for those who DON'T KNOW how to use the tracker properly. You chop with the top portion of the blade, the knife blade as it is called in TOPS specs for the knife. That is the reason it has a hatchet like curve to it. Also, his grip is all wrong as well. It is difficult to explain to someone that has never held a tracker before. The knife has a 3 position grip. The bottom end of the handle is designed for a three finger chopping grip. Stitch, was kind enough to put up the link to the tracker's instruction book, that was written by Tom Brown the designer. I suggest people check that out before assuming how to use the tracker. I don't think the guy in your video link even took a look at it, and it shows.
That reminds me, I meant to call them today. I know, I know, it'll get here I promise.
That's it, I can't take it anymore! I am trying to sit through these videos, and I can't stand it. This guy is just not getting it. Chop and baton, chop and baton, or tried to rather. I am going to do a review video myself. A good one.
Stitch,
you want to help out with doing a review vid on your custom, so we can get some contrast comparison going on. I'll be doing mine on the TOPS version. The seemingly most hated of all the trackers. Lets show people how this knife is supposed to work, and be used.
That's it, I can't take it anymore! I am trying to sit through these videos, and I can't stand it. This guy is just not getting it. Chop and baton, chop and baton, or tried to rather. I am going to do a review video myself. A good one.
Stitch,
you want to help out with doing a review vid on your custom, so we can get some contrast comparison going on. I'll be doing mine on the TOPS version. The seemingly most hated of all the trackers. Lets show people how this knife is supposed to work, and be used.
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People that live in glass houses should not throw stones.
In my opinion the knife you make in all honesty looks like a clip point meat cleaver.
http://www.cookware.com/LamsonSharp-39560-GNW1472.html
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