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Having a WSK made by a local knifemaker

C

chardin

Joined
Oct 4, 2005
Messages
94
I've grown interested in the Wilderness Survival Knife concept, but was dissatisfied with the TOPS Tracker I ordered on a few counts. After examining my alternatives, I decided to give a local knifemaker a try, and get involved in the design at each stage.

I chose Mark Terrell of San Antonio. I explained the WSK concept and what I specifically wanted, and we've arrived at an agreement on the design. This is not a copy of the Tom Brown design; this is an implementation of the general concept, and it continues to evolve as we discuss things.

How many others have gone this route, and what did you emphasize on your version of the general concept?

Is there any interest in my discussing the design process as it proceeds?
 
I've decided to discuss the process regardless of any feedback.

The first design Mark sent me was:

tracker.png


This is a pretty unorthodox design. The blade is canted much more than many WSKs, and the gut hook behind the saw is a novel feature. Mark put that in because the quarter rounder did not strike him as a promising gut hook. In fact, this design doesn't have much of a quarter rounder in the compound grind, and I pointed that out to him. He corrected it in his next design:

tracker2.png


The finger grooves and shorter handle were an idea he wanted to run by me. I decided against it; these would make it harder to use the knife as a heavy chopper with the index finger in the second position. He also wants to try putting the gut hook in the quarter rounder again, although I cautioned against making that section too hooked; that would compromise its utility as a quarter rounder.

If that doesn't work out, the gut hook moves back up behind the saw blade. That does reduce the draw length of the saw, but I don't consider this critical; the saw is for making small notches, not for cutting down trees.

The blade will be 3/16" D2 and the handle will be micarta. I have emphasized the importance of width-contouring the handle; the Beck and Linger versions did this correctly, the TOPS does not.

What do you think?

(All images in this post are copyright 2005, Mark Terrell, and are reproduced here with his permission.)
 
If the gut hook is incorporated in the quarter rounder, it hardly matters; I wanted the quarter rounder anyway. If it is behind the saw, it doesn't weaken the tip, which is the usual gripe against gut hooks. I don't see a problem in this case.

I looked at the Jensen EVO. I do not like it at all. It lacks the proper blade cant, the saw looks minimally functional, the draw knife is not flat (!), the handle is not width-contoured, part of the hide scraper is stippled. When I emailed the suggested contact address to ask questions, I got no reply, not even a price quote. I prefer a more responsive organization.

Mark Terrell has been fantastically responsive. He is very open to new ideas and discusses features intelligently and with a real understanding of purpose. He's inventive, but is willing to put aside ideas that do not fit the design purpose. Thus far, my dealings with him have been excellent.
 
I happen to like the looks of the Jensen draw, "The inner curve on the main edge increases cutting performance by trapping materials being cut within the curve, and allows superior control when the blade is being used as a draw knife." Makes sense to me. Can post the images of your designs - doesn't appear they came through? Will you be coating your blade? Can I ask what price Mark Terrell is charging?
 
Now that I can see the image, could I suggest extending the tang beyond the handle to use for prying or even as a flat-head screwdriver? You may also want to include a hole near the non-slip notches to help when lashing the blade as a spear.
 
Fishback said:
I happen to like the looks of the Jensen draw, "The inner curve on the main edge increases cutting performance by trapping materials being cut within the curve, and allows superior control when the blade is being used as a draw knife." Makes sense to me.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure it does to me. I would believe it with a plastic substance like clay, but not a fibrous substance like wood. Still, it may be a good feature; I think it would be worth a comparison test.

Fishback said:
Will you be coating your blade?
Click to expand...

I favor a low-sheen satin finish, but he provided several options.

Fishback said:
Can I ask what price Mark Terrell is charging?
Click to expand...

For this initial effort, he is charging $300. I think that is a bargain price, and I suspect he is assuming some of the cost himself as an investment into research that could translate into future sales.
 
Fishback said:
Now that I can see the image, could I suggest extending the tang beyond the handle to use for prying or even as a flat-head screwdriver?
Click to expand...

That's an interesting idea. However, where would I hold the knife to use that as a pry bar? I am not sure now much leverage I'd get off the handle.

Fishback said:
You may also want to include a hole near the non-slip notches to help when lashing the blade as a spear.
Click to expand...

Another interesting idea. Thank you!
 
I'm glad you started this thread because I've entertained doing the exact same thing - please keep me posted on your progress. $300 does seem like a reasonable price for a custom. What kind of sheath will you go with?
 
Here are a few WSK's I had Roger Linger make for me.
 
Last edited:
Ah, the WSK expert is here! I was hoping to see you in this thread. Your expertise in this space far exceeds mine.

The second WSK in that photo looks very unconventional to me. The quarter rounder is missing and the blade cant is very pronounced. What was the thinking behind these design features?
 
better chopping.

I really like your drawings, please keep me updated on your project. Good luck

Ron
 
i just love this blade style.i made an edc siz to a customer's specs a few weeks bach and i'm working on a larger 1 for myself.it looks like the WSK/TRACKER but it doesnt have as large a belly
 
I'm also designing a WSK style blade.I've incorperated many different aspects of the TOPS,Linger,Beck and EVO models.I'm still roughing out a final design.
 
Mark got back to me with some photos of the knife in rough form. All photos are copyright 2005 by Mark Terrell.

Closeup of the saw blade from the side
The entire blade from the side
The entire blade from the side, edge up
The saw blade from the side again
The saw blade, edge-on
The whole knife
The whole knife, again

This is very like what we had discussed. I did have some concerns about the saw teeth, which I wasn't sure would cut a square notch in a piece of wood. Mark will modify them accordingly before commencing heat treatment.

The gut hook is gone altogether; Walking Man and others, including Mark himself, have convinced me that they're useless. I've skinned all of my deer with a 2" drop point and never had a problem.
 
Yeah here are my designs
#1
mattsWSK.jpg

#2...It's a little more radical.
template2.jpg

Your blade is amazing.(green with envy here):D .
If you don't mind my asking what was wrong with your tracker?I love mine,but that's just me...and I'm wierd:p
 
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