Curious on ESEE and Tom Brown Jr. Tracking

[shotgunner11]

I would, if I had any idea how to inlet the walnut I'm using for scales so they would be flush. I do not have much experience making things.

Most hardware stores will carry a drill bit that will chamfer the edges of the hole. Not positive of the name of them.

You can also drill your hole and then use a much larger bit to enlarge the opening.:thumbup:

 

[gundude73]

i agree that machetes are great, i have one and it has served me well from de-limbing, cutting down brush, and even chopping into 3-4" pieces of wood.

 

[jsdvnc]

Most hardware stores will carry a drill bit that will chamfer the edges of the hole. Not positive of the name of them.

You can also drill your hole and then use a much larger bit to enlarge the opening.:thumbup:

Are you talking about using plain old wood screws going all the way through one scale and part way through the other? I thought you meant machine screws with a nut or something.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I would use screws if I were you. Never had machete handles stay on well with pins.

It'll stay nicely if you clamp the handle together with Gorilla Epoxy!

Are you talking about using plain old wood screws going all the way through one scale and part way through the other? I thought you meant machine screws with a nut or something.

I believe he does indeed mean machine screws. You could also use Chicago screws or cutler's rivets.

 

[ChrisF]

Most hardware stores will carry a drill bit that will chamfer the edges of the hole. Not positive of the name of them.

You can also drill your hole and then use a much larger bit to enlarge the opening.:thumbup:

I think you may be referring to a simple, "Countersink" bit.

Most hardware stores have them for #8, 10 and 12 size screws. You can usually find them as separate 1/4" hex shanks which are easier to work with than those, "Drill and drive" combo kits.

 

[KNIFEABILITY]

The Tracker is not a good knife. Tom Brown is an excellent wilderness survival teacher, but the knife that he made, The Tracker, is just a hunk of useless metal. However, it's a really high-quality made item; it's just the design that sucks. I've owned one and it is crap. Nothing about it is good. It is like chopping down a tree with a shovel, carving with a table knife and sawing with a wiresaw. It does everything, just not very good.

Regarding ESEE, I must say that I have more use of my fully convex-modified Izula and a regular Mora, than I have with my RC6. It has an excellent build quality, but the design isn't top notch. The edge contact is in front of the grip line, making it less controllable for fine cuts, there's a finger choil instead of a fine carving area, which could be OK, it's just that when you're carving for any longer than a few minutes, then it becomes uncomfortable to do so, because the spine of the blade (with f&%#ing jimping!)is digging into your palm-area between your index finger and thumb.

The handle area is really heavy compared to the blade, so as the blade wears down, the weight of the knife will become more and more focused in the palm area, which isn't optimal for chopping. The pendulum-effect is not in use.

Like I was on about with The Tracker, the build quality and finish are great, it's just the design that isn't as well executed.

Great quality stuff, just less than perfect designs. Putting on my flamesuit...

I have heard that Tom Brown Jr got caught telling lies about his background in wilderness survival training with a Native American he calls grandfather. I do not know if there is proof either way but his knife is pretty flawed in design for his claimed knowledge. The ESEE-6 on the other hand is superb in design and balance for me. The choil puts the balance point of the knife in the middle of your hand for excellent control while carving, and when holding by the handle you get the capability of a larger knife. This knife is the most superb bushcraft survival tool I have ever owned. I don't know how you could change the design and not take away from one area or another. Pair it with the Junglas and camping tasks become real easy. Hands become tougher in a very short amount of time. The ESEE-6 is my main user and saying it is of mediocre design makes me want to eat my firesteel!

 

[stoffi]

To each his own.