More Tracker / WSK discussion - Hunted

gundy

gundy

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
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I was bored tonight. Thought I would point out the obvious and some interesting facts about Dave Becks knife in the Hunted Movie...and compared to my old WSK.

Notes:
a) No, the TOPS TB Tracker is definately not a true repro of the original tracker as used in the movie. Prove me wrong... :D
b) There were obviously repros used, note the grind differences as pointed out.
c) The deeper grind and sawteeth pronounced within the grind bevel of whats thought to be the original (that may have been Tom's knife?) suggest it is an earlier 'C' type handled version.
d) The leaf spring Tracker style knife is interesting, looks convex ground in other shots I have.
e) Dave Beck made one hell of a knife!

Enjoy...

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gundy said:
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Thank you for the photo.
I just wonder how possible to make　sawteeth in survival?
I mean ok let's say you have the steel ok you make the edge without tools
but sawteeth??????????
If somebody knows how to make sawteeth in primitive way, it will be very interesting knowledge.




plan no useless move, take no step in vain.

ishiyumisan
Click to expand...
 
Ishi, in the movie we see deltoro bash the spine with the edge of his "hammer" (spring). These resemble 'dents' rather than sawteeth in my opinion. Why you would bother I do not know, other than the fact that he missed his Tracker and wanted something to resemble it...:) I know I would...
 
Benicio's character had a "One-Tracker" mind perhaps? (drum roll please!) Ok, you can groan...

I was surprised to read in the TOPS Tracker Knife usage manual (written by TB Jr) that the knife for the movie was in fact made by Chip McConnelly (or similar name), not Dave Beck, although the configuration was the same as Beck's.

The TOPS versions are handmade, but TB Jr and Mike Fuller made some mutually agreed allowances to change the handle profile and get rid of the arrow-hole, and some other things, in order to make it more cost- and time-effective to produce a greater number of blades. The demand for these knives since the movie (and just from TB's following) have kept the craftsmen in the TOPS shop (not a factory) busy some 15 hours a day or more. TOPS was chosen by Tom to make the knives...it was a perfect way to get a tool made that has excellent quality and attention to detail, while being able to meet the demand (especially since the movie came out).

SOme people feel the TOPS version is too thick at the edge, etc. TOPS makes tools that are robust for the tactical industry (meaning LEO, Mil, etc.), and often, they like thicker edges to keep them from breaking, etc., when these guys have to do things with their blades other than just cut stuff.

However, I can tell you this: if you want TOPS to regrind the edge of any of your TOPS knives with a more acute, thinner edge, they will certainly be more than happy to oblige -- in fact, if you order from them, you can ask them to do so before they ship. If you wish to have a regrind after you've bought one, contact them at 208-542-0113 (phone is best with TOPS, although they now are set-up to respond to emails now very quickly). I think you just pay shipping, and they will do the regrind for free (not certain on that, so verify the terms with them directly).

SPeaking from the emergency survival standpoint, I'd first try to find and use a piece of chert, flint, or similar stone to make a quickie primitive knife before expending all my energy to set up a forge! Even then, I would not forge a knife that has so many varied grinds -- it would be a straight up blade at most. Trying to do sawteeth would also expend too much time and calories when I could be doing other things to attend to my survival priorities.

Now, if I was living long term in the woods, had my shelter, etc. together and was already living in "survival with style" mode, then I would set up a good forge, and spend some time making better tools. But trying to forge a blade while on the run from pursuers, well...it takes too much time and probably attracts too much attention!
 
This design has certainly drawn alot of attention and seems to be quite a bit in demand. Gundy, with your Beck WSK, exactly what is the primary grind? I know Linger does a flat and Tops is a shallow hollow grind. I was curious what Beck used? I'm so tempted to make one of these but personally, I don't feel comfortable copying another makers design. I try to stick with my own original designs or that of a customers. Nice pics BTW. :)
Scott
 
gundy said:
Ishi, in the movie we see deltoro bash the spine with the edge of his "hammer" (spring). These resemble 'dents' rather than sawteeth .
Click to expand...


Brian Jones said:
SPeaking from the emergency survival standpoint, I'd first try to find and use a piece of chert, flint, or similar stone to make a quickie primitive knife before expending all my energy to set up a forge! Even then, I would not forge a knife that has so many varied grinds -- it would be a straight up blade at most. Trying to do sawteeth would also expend too much time and calories when I could be doing other things to attend to my survival priorities.
Click to expand...

Cliff Stamp said:
Grind them with natural rocks on the fully annealed steel.

-Cliff
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Thanks a lot guys





plan no useless move, take no step in vain.
-----------------------------------------
ishiyumisan
 
Brian Jones said:
Benicio's character had a "One-Tracker" mind perhaps? (drum roll please!) Ok, you can groan...

I was surprised to read in the TOPS Tracker Knife usage manual (written by TB Jr) that the knife for the movie was in fact made by Chip McConnelly (or similar name), not Dave Beck, although the configuration was the same as Beck's.
Click to expand...

Tom Brown said in his interview with Blade Magazine just before the movie came out that Dave Beck made the one that was used in the movie. They asked him about the TOPs Tracker and at the end of his answer he said, "but the one in the movie was made by my good friend Dave Beck" or something to that effect. I will see if I can find the mag.

Ric
 
Yeah, I saw that, too. TB Jr. has released two different claims..lol. I will double-check the manual today as well.
 
Thats my Roger Linger WSK with a Jamie Briggs leather sheath with FireSteel loop.
 
Forgive me for asking a silly question as I know NOTHING about knives but have been reading alot about the WSk and was curious. What is the difference in the Beck, Brown, Linger WSK??

I love that knife and want one bad!
 
Umm... Thats a complicated answer, but I'll take a shot at it. The Beck WSK was a knife that David Beck created off of an earlier design of Tom Brown's "Medicine Blade" made by Ed Lombi in the late 80's. Tom loved Dave's design so much that he decided to have him make the knife as Ed wanted to go on to do other projects. When the movie "The Hunted" was to be released Tom turned to TOPS knives to make a production version of the knife to handle the volume generated by the film. Dave recently stopped making his WSK for health reasons. Roger Linger makes a great version of this knife as you can see from Myakka's pics. Grrr! I'm jealous and on the waiting list for one of Mr. Linger's WSK's. (Must have patience grasshopper) The Beck and Linger versions are in my opinion of much higher quality. I own a TOPS Tracker and am satisfied with its performance. It's a solid knife, but I had to have it resurfaced because the factory edge was too steep especially on the draw knife. The saw teeth also left something to be desired as they tend to clog up. There are plenty of pics out there of all three. Hope this helped. If I got any of the details wrong, chime in fellas.
 
Scott,
If you look at the first set of pictures you notice that the "Original" Becks knife has a hollow ground draw knife. The one I have(Current Picture) is all flat ground buddy.
Notice the hatchet to draw knife connecting area. The flat ground version has a more smooth transition.
 
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