Has anybody had a Tom Brown Tracker re-ground?

savagesicslayer

savagesicslayer

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May 24, 2005
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I'm thinking of getting mine ground down and I was wondering if anybody has had theirs done and if they have any complaints or not. :thumbup: :thumbdn: :confused:
 
savagesicslayer,

Contact TOPS at 208-542-0113. They will happily regrind your knife to your specs...I think they charge a nominal fee, but they are very responsive to customer requests.

Best,

Brian.
 
Thanks for the number.I really want to know how the re-ground tracker works. :thumbup: :thumbdn: :confused:
 
I thinned the edge down but not a regrind.......I'd Contact Tops...
 
I had my tracker (tops) modified to improve the "quarter-round" portion of the blade. I originally contacted TOPS to do this but was informed that they would not modify my knife. I found a custom knifemaker who would do the job for me but it wasn't cheap. He had to remove material slowly as to not heat up the steel. When I originally received the knife with the user's manual it appeared different then the one used in the manual, particularly in the "quarter-round" portion of the knife and the high grind along the draw knife portion of the blade. I understand that the knife in the manual was a prototype (#5?) and subsequently production versions are not as defined in having higher grinds or the quarter-rounder. I have photos of my modified knife but am unable to post them. I do enjoy the knife and it is my constant companion on hunting-hiking and rambling in the woods.
 
It is trivial to host photo's on the net, there are numerous free hosting sites, I use photobucket.

-Cliff
 
Viking69 said:
I had my tracker (tops) modified to improve the "quarter-round" portion of the blade. I originally contacted TOPS to do this but was informed that they would not modify my knife. I found a custom knifemaker who would do the job for me but it wasn't cheap. He had to remove material slowly as to not heat up the steel. When I originally received the knife with the user's manual it appeared different then the one used in the manual, particularly in the "quarter-round" portion of the knife and the high grind along the draw knife portion of the blade. I understand that the knife in the manual was a prototype (#5?) and subsequently production versions are not as defined in having higher grinds or the quarter-rounder. I have photos of my modified knife but am unable to post them. I do enjoy the knife and it is my constant companion on hunting-hiking and rambling in the woods.
Click to expand...
Shoot me an e-mail of your knife pics:savagesicslayer@yahoo.ca
 
Viknig69 here are your pics.
Tracker2.jpg

Tracker1.jpg

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!! :thumbup:
 
Hey Sav,

That looks familiar! I wanted to follow up on Brian's post from above. When I spoke to TOPS to try and have this work done they would not do it (even for a fee). Perhaps they have changed their policy since last spring. Also, I was inquiring abount having the epoxy coat replaced after the mods and was told that they (tops) would do it for a fee on knives that had been subjected to normal wear and tear, but not knives that had been modified. So I went about the mods through some different avenues. In my opinion, a few production changes would improve the knife, higher grinds all the way around, a more developed quarter round and more cant to the overall knife profile. I would also reduce the overall size somewhat in proportion to a 5 1/2 inch blade. Just some thoughts after using my knife.
 
Higher grind and thinner edge would make this knife usable. The one I played with wouldnt do anything but chop......not a good woods knife IMHO. WHat mods have or will you make?
 
Damn I love seeing a Tracker used like that. Hope mine gets that much use!

I personally think these have gotten some bad press on the forums simply due to the hype. Mine is right on time.

Professor.
 
I now own the one Brian is refering to, he's right, I thinned it out even more and there is an improvement, but still no great slicer. I'm wondering if a convex edge would be better hear?
 
I too, was unhappy w/my Tops Tracker after I saw the handmade WSK. So I used my $35 Rockwell 1/42 belt grinder and went to town. I am happy so far with the results.
 
The Tracker modifications look like the standard on a Predator WSK. Nice looking work. But why buy the Tops version if the Predator is already done. Why do the extra work? I like the TOPS screaming eagle and carried it for the longest, but why modify if one already exists. sell it and buy the right knife for the right task. just my opinion.
 
My tops certainly isn't as refined in balance, finish and in many opinions, performance as a beck or a linger. But my experience is that it is a hard working tool. You can baton this thing right through a stump if need be. The saw works for what it was intended to do (although nothing like my leatherman) but between the two I feel my bases are covered for running around in the woods.

RS6 looks like a good offering but not to the dimensions and profile of the original beck. The knife looks like the chopping could be improved through a more kukri style profile (like the beck), the tops would benefit from this as well.
 
My tops certainly isn't as refined in balance, finish and in many opinions, performance as a beck or a linger. But my experience is that it is a hard working tool. You can baton this thing right through a stump if need be. The saw works for what it was intended to do (although nothing like my leatherman) but between the two I feel my bases are covered for running around in the woods.

RS6 looks like a good offering but not to the dimensions and profile of the original beck. The knife looks like the chopping could be improved through a more kukri style profile (like the beck), the tops would benefit from this as well.
 
Anybody hear thinking of a convex edge? I wonder if it would help the tracker. It sure is awesome on my Bark River knives. Steve
 
I think the question still remains. I know that I have a tracker that I'd like to have reground. In fact, the one pictured above is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. The question of who will do the work is still unanswered. Do we have any names? I'm chomping at the bit over here. Let me know. Thanks again!
 
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