Co-Worker in need of camp knife advice.

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Violentgrip

Joined
Feb 4, 2012
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35
A Co-Worker of mine is in need of camp knife. He wants to use it to do heavier chores such as chopping/splitting wood. He likes the Tom Brown Tracker but is that a good knife for the price?

Trying to stay close to its size and capabilities, what would you suggest to him?

Thanks in advance.
 
Tom Brown tracker? Kinda weird design for a general use camp knife, they aren't very good at anything really.

An ESEE 3 or 4, or a BK2 or other model from either company depending on what size and shape you're interested in. Personally I'd got with a bk5 for a general camp knife, or an ESEE 3.
 
Violentgrip said:
A Co-Worker of mine is in need of camp knife. He wants to use it to do heavier chores such as chopping/splitting wood. He likes the Tom Brown Tracker but is that a good knife for the price?
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In my opinion....no. At any price. But I bet he thinks it's awesome, right?

Bottom line, to me...a serious outdoorsman or knife junkie is going to steer away from that knife. So your buddy is a recreational camper. The Tracker isn't going to cause him to die while car camping or anything like that, so let the guy have his fun, bashing trees and logs with a knife that he thinks is awesome looking.

I'd just get a hatchet or folding saw, a SAK Farmer, and a nice 3 inch drop point fixed blade slicer....but that trio isn't the sexy survivalicious awesomeness that is the Tom Brown Tracker. :)
 
The Tom Brown Tracker was designed to do many things, but none of them very well. Typical "gimmick".

You'd do much better getting & using a standard profile knife.

I would recommend a Becker knife or an Ontario Ranger instead.
 
second on the Becker, tell him to get a BK9 and he can chop to his hearts content..
 
CWL said:
I would recommend a Becker knife or an Ontario Ranger instead.
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Those would be excellent, but again un-survivalicious, choices. I'd go with the Ranger....like an RD-7, and knock the shoulders off the edge bevel. Then you would have a full flat bomb-proof tough 5160 chopper/basher/smasher with a really nice edge. And at a great price.
 
marcinek said:
Those would be excellent, but again un-survivalicious, choices. I'd go with the Ranger....like an RD-7, and knock the shoulders off the edge bevel. Then you would have a full flat bomb-proof tough 5160 chopper/basher/smasher with a really nice edge. And at a great price.
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I think you have a winner there!
 
Get a Mora... any Mora. For a first camp knife when you don't know exactly what blade size, shape or thickness, it is a great decision.
 
Fallkniven F1 or a Bark River Bravo 1 in CPM 3V steel. Then take an axe and folding saw too.
 
The Ontario SP-50 is a lovely heavy knife suitable for choppin wood or whatever
Wonderfully balanced, perfect finish, good heat treat from what i read, have not used mine much
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Wow, thanks for the responses and awesome suggestions! My co-worker isn't a stubborn guy and will take my opinion seriously because he thinks i'm a knife nut (far from it compared to most people here). I will compile a list of knives everyone suggested and give it to him tomorrow. Thanks again!
 
Also if there are any more suggestions, they are still very welcome. I wish I was better experienced in this area and want to give him good suggestions.
 
I think for entry level, most bang for your buck, this combo is a great option for under a hundred bucks.

The Ontario SP53 in 5160 is an insane chopper and can handle anything you can through at it. It has a comfortable handle and a decent sheath.

The Mora Bushcraft in Sandvic will do everything else. It just works so well as a cutting tool. The scalloped blade is great for detailed work.

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Any of the Ontario SP's or RD's are fine, you just need to pick the blade shape that suits you. The SP53 with the saber grind and recurve blade is just a beast.

You also can't go wrong with Becker, ESEE, Scrapyard ect.

Swamp Rat has some nice offerings on there sites at great prices.
 
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