Design: "Track n' Trail" ~ Wilderness Series

gundy

gundy

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Apr 6, 2001
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Thought I would share a design pic and get some thoughts. I am going to start and have Peter Jensen bring some of these ideas to life, marketed under the term 'Wilderness Series'. There will be a couple of solid designs offered that are a no nonsense working knife for the outdoors and more importantly, affordable to all! (the smaller versions anyway, the larger is one hunk of steel!).

Made from O1 steel, 1/8" to 3/16" (depending on size of knife) with working grinds for intended hard use. No high mirror polish' here boys and girls! These are workers.

Identified by a paw print, I intend to have leather sheaths with firesteels to make a complete package.

The first release, which are cut out and rough ground, have been named the 'Track n' Trail (the Trail being the larger knife). 3/16" O1 steel, brown micarta handles with brass fittings and a working satin finish. The large is an 8" bladed camp style knife while the smaller 4" version is of course for those lighter duties.

Would be interested in peoples thoughts on these first two. Can not wait to receive the proto's for a trial.

Thanks in advance, all comments, good or bad welcome.
 

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Think the blade has a deep enough belly?Just kidding.Very nice design. :thumbup: :)
 
I like the blade shapes alot. This is just my opinion, I don't really care for finger grooves on the handle. I think they are better suited for fighting knives or self defense knives. I think more subtle curves in the handle would be more user friendly. Overall I like your idea. :) Good luck with the final product. :thumbup:
Scott
 
Gundy,
Very nice looking set, I really like the design and finger groves too. The paw print logo is very cool too :thumbup:
Just be sure the back spine is left squared off, to spark the FireSteel. I'm in on a set. Keep me posted.

Ron
 
Keep these Knives like they are and I wiil buy a set, I like the finger grooves and the blade shape, If the steel is good they will be a great set of knives.
 
Hello!

Very functional designs, true to the old axiom of "form follows function". They remind of an indispensable farm/outdoor tool a great uncle once had when I was a kid.

May I forward my two cents worth? Maybe it could do without or at least "merge" the last two finger grooves on the ring and pinky fingers into a single large one? I think the articulated grooves are more critical on the first two digits (the index and middle) for precision work.

Nice knives all the same!
 
I don't care for finger grooves either. I love micarta, even if it's not traditional. On the small knive, don't round the spine. Gotta have a good sharp and hard edge (not the cutting edge) to use with the firesteel.
 
Guy, first off let me say that I like that design a good deal. Looks emminently practical for kitchen chores and the big one should be robust enough for splitting purposes, especially in 3/16-inch stock. An 8-inch blade coupled with a 4-incher will cover the bases nicely.

gundy said:
I am going to ... have Peter Jensen bring some of these ideas to life
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Good choice of makers!! :cool: Given the success of your history with JEB blades in the past, this looks like another winner.

Identified by a paw print, I intend to have leather sheaths with firesteels to make a complete package.
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Is that a dingo paw print?

IMHO the cordura-over-kydex sheath construction (like Becker & older Busses used) would make for a more durable sheath in humid environments. I'm in the rainy NW USA, so sustained inclement weather and humidity are considerations. Consequently, leather loses primacy as the sheath material of choice, in spite of the fact that I really like the look of leather. I suspect leather sheaths can be made quicker & cheaper than the cordura/kydex sheaths, thereby aiding the affordability of these knives, but I would want the higher cut-through security of kydex nonetheless.

Good idea including the Firesteel. :thumbup: Will there be a pocket or other means for carrying a sharpener and maybe some water tablets? Will there be a piggyback sheath to carry both of these knives at once? :cool:

The first release ... have been named the 'Track n' Trail, or TNT
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Not sure if Tom Mayo's got it copyrighted, but you may want to look into the TNT name issue. If you've already addressed this, please excuse my presumptuousness. :foot:

Re: handle shape. My preference is for a single deep finger groove at the front of a handle to index the edge, even in the dark. Your TNT finger grooves look shallow enough to maybe not pose a problem, unlike a Randall model 14 standard handle as an example of deep finger grooves that offer little optionability of finger placement, even though they happen to fit my hand well when I've fondled them.

However, finger grooves can be very problematic (to the point of making a knife a non-starter) because hand sizes vary so much and handle comfort is such an extremely subjective factor in knife usage. We know that two users picking up the same knife can yield one "I love it", one "I hate it", and a handful of "Hmmm... I'm just not sure" opinions on any given day.

Bottom line: I'd like to see a deep (maybe 1/3 depth) single finger groove at the front of the handle, followed by a semi-pistol grip curved handle without finger grooves to the butt of the handle. But that's just me and my opinion is worth every penny you pay for it. :)
 
gundy said:
Thanks in advance, all comments, good or bad welcome.
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I am just curious about why not offset saw or any saw????




plan no useless move, take no step in vain.

ishiyumisan
 
I like the large one. It reminds me of one that I call my super skinner that I have to finish up soon. 5" blade, 1/4" stock skinner :)~
 
Most Excellent! I have been wondering when these would surface. When my Tac-Dragon arrives, I think I will give these a try. I like them very much and the O1 should prove to be a very good blade steel.

Can't wait to see the final version.

Cerberus
 
I really like the designs I would like to see em when there all done, how much you askin for them?
 
I think that the 4" design ground from 5/32" stock would be great for a general purpose camp knife :) :thumbup:
 
Very nice! I think I'm with the others on the finger grooves though; either none at all or just a good index finger groove. I'd also prefer some sort of synthetic sheath as well, but that's not a big deal.
 
thanks for all comments guys...to answer some Q's...

1. There is also a design drawn up with exactly one index finger groove and then a steady contoured back handle.

2. The spind can be left square.

3. Rok, it is suppose to be a Dingo Print, good guess...more rounded than a wolf or fox...

4. Kydex sheaths will also be offered incorperating an oversized and removable nylon pocket that can house all sorts of goodies including tins etc.

5. TNT - oops! I forgot about Tom's goodies! I was simply abreviating, they will be known as Track and Trail or T and T's now... ;) Sorry Tom!

6. Regarding a saw, it can definately be a custom option, but it adds significant cost and nothing beats a SAK or Leatherman saw.

7. As for price, nothing is worked out as yet, but it will range from a working finish to a presentation finish if so desired. Still, I am really targetting these as well hardened, good working knives that have function over finish. They will still perform the same.

Phew! I should have checked in more often!

I will also be bringing out a 10" overall, similar design version down the track...more of a one knife to do it all kinda thing...

Thanks!
 
Things are coming along very nicely! Ready for heat treat. :D :eek:

Jensen Rune on the opposite side of the ricasso.
 

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Beautiful.. I'm gonna keep a close eye on these. My next round of student loans is due in a few months.. If everything is done by then, I'm in.

I'd really like a Piggy back Kydex sheath. leather has like a 30 day life span here in Florida.

I look foward to hearing more about these knives :thumbup:
 
Gundy,

Thumbs UP from me on these designs! I like 'em! A lot! I agree with Scott/Razorback about the finger grooves in the handles -- they can be okay if customized for your hand, but otherwise can work against versatility, or against the way some folks like to use a knife. I don't mind having them myself if they fit my hand and are not TOO pronounced, but I still prefer the finger-groove free.

Really, really great stuff, and well though out.

I'd bring up one other caveat, for your legal protection, though: if you decide to market these commercially, you may want to change the logo OR change the word "Track" or both on the series. Tom Brown's Tracker school uses a very similar logo, and "Track" and "Tracker," used on blades for the outdoors, may create trademark or copyright infringement issues for you, although it may not apply or be enforceable Down Under. TB Jr. and his many supporters are very, very willing to pursue these things.

However, as with the Mayo TNT possible conflict, I'd hate to see you guys make a bunch of these, then have to spend time and money redoing the logos and names because a copyright owner decides to pursue it legally. I've seen some products in several industries, and the companies who make them, go broke because of legal costs and the costs of refurbishing and having to completely redo the marketing. Just a thought. Plus, as you know, with the knifeknuts on the internet, people love to cream RIPOFF for any reason, even "no reason."
 
Gundy, The blades are looking great, I cant wait to see the final product.
 
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