More Tracker / WSK discussion - Hunted

I am so glad I took some time to look around a bit at the BF forums. Here is how and why I began making the WSK (and yes, I paterned it specifically from the Dave Beck version - although I have never seen one of Dave's knives up close but only in pictures):

Ron wanted a Dave Beck WSK. I had made Ron a knife or two before and upon finding Dave had ceased making them I was commissioned. After which Ron showed the WSK I had made for him off on the net. Others, many of whom wished to have a Beck but unable to, came to me for my version.

My feeling about my version is this: Mine is founded in Dave's design and that is the man I give credit to for the knife I now make, even though there are some obvious differences between our two versions.

Dave, if you see this could you PM me your number? I won't give it out if ask me not to and I would love speaking with you over the land line some time.

RL
 
I know very little about knives. However, in addition to this recent post:

Beck knives said:
There many differences in the TRACKER knives as they evolved over the years. I had made seven different standard models that were advertized. These varied in length, blade & handle shape. By far, the most popular of my designs which remains to this day, is my "C" model TRACKER. Although the newer versions I began producing again in 2003 were made from the exact pattern I used for "the Hunted" TRACKER knife, there are some significant improvements made to the newer (post 2003) model "C". As seen from the initial pictures posted, the knife I made for "the Hunted" was the older "C" model. These can be distinguished by the obvious hollow ground drawknife edge & non-tapered tang. Most were also boldly stamped with the "TRACKER"
trademark on the left side of the blade. The photo posted of my newer TRACKER/WSK version is from the same pattern but has been improved with a much stronger flat ground drawknife edge. A fully tapered tang was also added to reduce unwanted weight & re-destribute balance to increase performance & improve feel. The newer versions were also differentially hardened & tempered as compared to the earlier knives as used for "the Hunted" which were hardened & tempered evenly over the whole blade.
Click to expand...
I had the following in my files of information on the Beck WSK. I obtained this information on the web in this forum somewhere. It would be nice if Mr. Beck could confirm the accuracy:
someone somewhere said:
Specs for the Beck WSK "Tracker Knife"

Survival Knife Features

Blade: 1/4" x 6 1/4" Starret 01 high carbon tool steel, differentially hardened and selectively tempered...performance... Each cutting edge has been tempered to a different degree of hardness to compliment its use. With the back left soft to add resiliency and just enough blade flex as to resist breakage under extreme stress. The blades then receive a lengthy wet sanding to 1000 grit. Next, they are hand polished, gun blued, and gently rubbed to ...deep dark grey finish...

2" Flat Ground Double-Sided Chisel Edge : For general carving and drawknife use. Please note pre-1999 models were all hollow ground (recent) knives...feature...flat grind for greater strength with chisel-like performance.

Hook: 1/2" radius hook for specialized tool making and to recess the more delicate chisel edge safely away from the hatchet portion to ensure protection during chopping.

Hatchet Edge: This 3 3/4" portion is flat ground for chopping and splitting and has been tempered slightly softer than the chisel edge for resistance to chipping.

Point: Re-enforced diamond shaped point for deep penetration and added strength.

2 3/4" Wood Saw: Staggered, self-cleaning, hand-cut saw teeth...Used primarily for making traps.

4" Radius Back: Provides a safe location to strike with a stick while driving the hatchet edge deep for splitting wood. Rounded off for a comfortable hand holding position when using the hatchet edge as a scraping tool. This section, which runs along the tang, has been left soft to better absorb stress and resist blade breakage.

Fully Tapered Tang: This feature lessens and redistributes the weight of the knife to the hatchet edge to produce greater momentum and deeper penetration while chopping. The butt has been hard spring-tempered to resist peening if dropped or struck.

Handle: Made from...black or olive/black...linen Micarta. (Additional handle materials available upon request.)...contoured to provide an ergonomically correct fit for the average sized human hand... The rearmost handhold position allows more point weight for greater hatchet use performance, while the forward gripping position provides better center balance for improved control while carving. Handles are secured in place with epoxy and permanently bolted using stainless steel bolts and brass nuts. Guaranteed never to loosen even under the most severe use. A brass-lined lanyard hole is added in the butt.

BECK Stamp: The mark of authenticity to distinguish this as the original hand-made BECK knife.

Overall Length = 12 1/4” Weighs 1lb 12oz w/ Sheath.
Click to expand...
 
Lizard,

That looks to be the description for the WSK off of the old BECK web site.
I still have the printed copy from the site, and it's the same one.

Jeff
 
Jeff M. said:
Lizard,

That looks to be the description for the WSK off of the old BECK web site.
I still have the printed copy from the site, and it's the same one.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Thank you for the confirmation.:thumbup:
 
Advertising is not allowed on this forum. You must purchase a knife dealer or knifemaker membership in order to show your product. Links to products for sale must be posted in the exchange area.

You also are probably in violation of numerous patents and trademarks. I suggest you design your own knives instead of leeching off of others' hard work. ~Brian Jones
 
One version was out of 0-1 it looks like from the web site. There site says that each knife will come with a leather sheath. I dont see that any where on ebay.......

I wouldnt trust it myself. I'd at least like to see something besides flat head screws in the handle. Sorry friend....just being honest.;)
 
I know...the handle scales can easily be changed.....still get some better screws :) Show the sheath on ebay......
 
visionsect said:
Brian...I had no luck in finding their site...could you pass it my way?? Thanks. -Damion
Click to expand...

www.redscorpionsix.com

Is the Website. They're Quoting $199 for their version of the tracker "Predator"

Someone Buy it!!! and Give us a Review!

Then replace those damn handles! :D
 
Thanks for passing that on! I kept trying "red scorpion six blades" with no luck. I tried getting some more pics of this thing by email but the president, Aron, said they were busy making a move from IN to MO and couldn't supply the pics. -Damion
 
How do think i feel,I talk with Dave,on the phone,A couple of years ago,and was getting ready to order one,and i got called to a fire and the time i got back he was having medical problems and stop making them.I kick my self everytime, I see his knives.:(
 
wait a second......its there first post and there not ready with pictures.....................yeah........:thumbdn:

edited to add : I didnt mean to sound rude but the company is making 1000 of these knives at $199 a piece. Thats ALOT of money....to "NOT have pictures at this time"??

They should give this forum one to try out and I'd bet if there decent they would sell 1/3rd of them pretty fast. I have a Beck but for 200 dollars, I'd rather have a Tops company behind my factory made WSK.

I just dont like people being taken advantage of and this company sounds shady right out of the gate to me. Anyway - I'd be interested in seeing a performance test that would change my mind. With that said - Aron, let this forum take one for a test run friend.
 
blgoode said:
wait a second......its there first post and there not ready with pictures.....................yeah........:thumbdn:

edited to add : I didnt mean to sound rude but the company is making 1000 of these knives at $199 a piece. Thats ALOT of money....to "NOT have pictures at this time"??

They should give this forum one to try out and I'd bet if there decent they would sell 1/3rd of them pretty fast. I have a Beck but for 200 dollars, I'd rather have a Tops company behind my factory made WSK.

I just dont like people being taken advantage of and this company sounds shady right out of the gate to me. Anyway - I'd be interested in seeing a performance test that would change my mind. With that said - Aron, let this forum take one for a test run friend.
Click to expand...


I agree with you Brian...

The one photo that they have seems like it was photoshoped... With the age of digital photo's these days.. It's a shame not to be able to supply simple photo's of products. Even if it's a crappy photo.

Seriosuly.. Just simple supply and demand would dictate that you would prolly want to sell the knife for more than $200 if the tops are usually on backorder.

Oh well.. I would like to see more of this knife...

Then again... I'd rather use my trusty BGoode Companion Knife... Looks over.. wait it's not there!! Damn... :D
 
I hear you fellas. I wanted to see if I could get a better look at the saw blade and screw construction on the handle, but no luck. It is my personal opinion, but if you post something for sell, be ready to provide service to your customer's interest. The president said he was disappointed with the wait he had to endure trying to get a WSK or Tracker knife, and thats why they started making their own. Kind of funny when you ask them for something as small as a picture and they can't meet the call....hmmm. I hate to seem judgemental, but if you mention dissapointment with other people's service right on your site and then don't provide service yourself, I think you need to be careful saying what you say. -Damion
 
Even though this type of knife is of little interest to me I thought it could be fun to own.
http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Predator-Wi...212377242QQcategoryZ42576QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So I e-mailed, via ebay, some questions to RS6-Blades. I asked what type of steel is used and who heat treats it. I also asked what is RS6-Blades business address. Here is the exact answer I received today. I did not change any spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.

"type of steel is in the description, Are you looking for heat treating business? Strange question...
What is your address? This is ebay right now I do not want to open myself up. If you win the auction I will disclose. I work from my shop. I hope you can respect my desire for pivacy. In process of relocating from Indiana to Missouri.
RS6-Blades"

This guy is saying he can deliver in 2-3 days if I pay extra shipping. He also claims to be making 1000 knives at $199.00 each. That is a tidy sum of money. I think this guy is a scammer--- buyer beware.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top