David Beck W.S.K. vs. TOPs "TRACKER" round #1

Check this out:

Beck_WSK.JPG


It's #590. Place was very helpful in answering a lot of my questions on the options for the knife, especially the sheath, while my knife was on order with David Beck.
It's a beauty, isn't it?? :D

George
 
Cool! I like seeing and reading about everyones experiences with these awesome knives. Some day, I hope to add my review here too. :D
 
Just got mine :D The number stamp is a bit obscure but it looks like #606. All I can say is that everything everyone said above is true. This knife is a beautiful work of functional art. The balance is amazing and the handle is very comfortable which is surprising for a knife this size. I have handled the Tops version and there is a big difference. It is almost the perfect example of why you should purchase a hand made knife over a factory version. After seeing the quality and craftsmanship of his work, I think I might just have to place an order for a larger custom.
 
Awesome! That's a great sheath and I love the detatchable pocket! I'm glad you like it. I made a custom wood and glass display case for each of my 2 Beck's and I can't help but stare at them sometimes. Beautiful and functional knives.

Take care,
J.P.
 
I agree Jared. Again, I really appreciate your help with the different options on both the knife and the sheath during the ordering process.
That other Beck survival knife you designed is a beauty as well!!

Fan of Steel,
I recently attended a Standard Class at Tom Brown's Tracker School (which was awesome by the way - I would strongly recommend it). I got to see and handle a bunch of TOPS Trackers out there. They are great knives but they are nowhere near the real thing. I didn't whip out the Beck because I didn't want to attract any attention. I will have to put it to work one of these days, but I just don't have the heart yet!! :(
 
Let us know how it handles out in the wilderness. I'm always interested in hearing what others do with their WSK's.
 
I visited the BK knives website and if I read correctly, Mr Beck has a medical condition and is no longer accepting Orders for his Survival knife. Does anyone know if this is correct?

If it is true, I hope that his condition is not too serious and that he improves quickly.
 
I think he is in the recovery process......but I am not certain of that.
 
I was reading in the TOPS Tracker Knife booklet that you can get online, it said in the intro that the verison used in the Hunted was a hand made one by Chip Mconnell, I think that's how they spelled his name. I thought it was dave beck.
 
never heard of Chip Mconnell.......I'd like to see what someone else can dig up.

David is the man in my book ;)
 
There were several "Trackers" used in the filming of "The Hunted". Most were rubber casts of a real knife and others were aluminum trainers made by the prop department.

For the close ups it was a Dave Beck Tracker with his Pearl Grey blued finish and black linen Micarta scales. The version in the film had the draw knife section of the blade hollow ground which Dave used to do, but does not on his new Trackers.

Tom Brown would give anybody credit for that knife exept Dave. It's to bad when all you have to do is pause the DVD and there it is, Dave Beck's knife. Tom Brown is just moaning and groaning because Dave's making them again and that cuts into his profits on the TOPS version that uses his name.
 
Just ~$100 more gets you the real thing....it's significant, I guess....but why not buy the best the first time?!?
 
The TOPS tracker seems good enough for me, it also costs a lot less and you can get it sooner, and the warranty is better.
 
can anyone post a side-by-side of a WSK and a TOPS Tracker? i'm sitting the fence and i need to see them. there may have been pictures like that at the beginning but they have long since disappeared. thanks to anyone who can oblige!
 
If I was the type of person to spend $300 on a knife then I would certainly pony up the extra hundred for a nicer version.
 
Well said, my thoughts exactly. It's almost like the difference between a Hyundai which is cheap and has a great warranty or an expertly crafted BMW. The extra $100.00 and the extra wait to me, is well worth it. It simply comes down to what you'd rather have long term, a hand made custom knife that will only appreciate in value, or a mass produced (but well made) copy.
 
well, actually it's more like an extra $165 and visually i'm more excited by the TOPS. besides, i'm gonna use it and i'm not sure if a slight performance advantage and slick construction is worth $165....now if the WSK was noticably different in size (longer blade) then that would probubly put me over the edge (bad pun) as i always kinda felt like the TOPS might be on the short side.

I JUST WANT TO SEE THEM!!!! PLEASE!!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!

:) thanks.

ps-it comes down to what i NEED. i much perfer Beck's work. i'm sure his blade has better feel and balance but i'm looking for a tool and i'm not sure i can justify that much extra expendature for a subtle difference in feel. this is one blade i'm not buying as a collector.
 
You can get it cheaper then $300, besides I'm not going to spend $300, or $400 on a knife, that's ridiculous.
 
so is saying that it's rediculous. but you are right...you can get them much less than 300. but i'm guessing you don't have a picture of them because you probubly don;t own any 'rediculous knives'.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top