- Joined
- Oct 18, 2001
- Messages
- 20,978
I really like the Tracker concept...
But I must admit...when I picked up my first one...felt like a brick in the hand. That's what prompted me to set out to make one of my own. Seemed like a good challenge.
Also, my biggest complaint was similar to Cliff's above: It's just not a practical chopping knife. (look at the kukri for an ultimate chopper design)
So, with the above in mind...the two most significant changes I made to the design were to lighten the handle considerably (by drilling it out and adding a "bell") and make the blade more of a kukri shape, yet still retain the "basic concept".
I also followed Beck's sawback - which IMHO is the only one that actually works. Not my (nor Dave's) design....take a look at the saw on your SAK...exact same idea. And that's one mean cuttin' sonuvagun.
I don't think mine is "The One Perfect Knife"...just another version. It has it's limitations too...it's not as "pointy/stabby" as the others. And it's 1.5 inches longer. But a 14" knife thats only 19 oz seems much lighter in the hand and I try my darndest to get the balance "in the ring".
I've taken some heat about the hole in the blade...but some of Beck's have a hole in the blade too.
I think this is a great discussion and really appreciate seeing a lot of input. I don't think the "Tracker/WSK" concept is the Ultimate Knife...
But to those knifemakers who put 'em down and look down their nose I say...."Give it a try yourself...Make a better tracker."
It's just a knife...in a long chain of knives/weapons/tools...don't be afraid of it...don't give in to the hype either, of course...but it is steel...is a knife...and does cut.
But I must admit...when I picked up my first one...felt like a brick in the hand. That's what prompted me to set out to make one of my own. Seemed like a good challenge.
Also, my biggest complaint was similar to Cliff's above: It's just not a practical chopping knife. (look at the kukri for an ultimate chopper design)
So, with the above in mind...the two most significant changes I made to the design were to lighten the handle considerably (by drilling it out and adding a "bell") and make the blade more of a kukri shape, yet still retain the "basic concept".
I also followed Beck's sawback - which IMHO is the only one that actually works. Not my (nor Dave's) design....take a look at the saw on your SAK...exact same idea. And that's one mean cuttin' sonuvagun.
I don't think mine is "The One Perfect Knife"...just another version. It has it's limitations too...it's not as "pointy/stabby" as the others. And it's 1.5 inches longer. But a 14" knife thats only 19 oz seems much lighter in the hand and I try my darndest to get the balance "in the ring".
I've taken some heat about the hole in the blade...but some of Beck's have a hole in the blade too.
I think this is a great discussion and really appreciate seeing a lot of input. I don't think the "Tracker/WSK" concept is the Ultimate Knife...
But to those knifemakers who put 'em down and look down their nose I say...."Give it a try yourself...Make a better tracker."
It's just a knife...in a long chain of knives/weapons/tools...don't be afraid of it...don't give in to the hype either, of course...but it is steel...is a knife...and does cut.
