Questions about the tracker

C

cybrok

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
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About the tracker knife, or other WSK that are (by what I understood) are kind of ripoffs of it.

I ask here because in my head, you guys are the one who used (abused) those the most.

First, how is the blade? Is there a difference between the "quarter-round" tip and the "draw" blade? Do they all have the same sharpening angle? How are they different if they are?

Next, when I searched about that knife on this forum, s-o talked about a manual avaible on Tom Brown's site, but the tread was probably old and the manual is not on the site anymore (or I was too drunk when I looked).

Thanks
 
cybrok said:
About the tracker knife, or other WSK that are (by what I understood) are kind of ripoffs of it.

I ask here because in my head, you guys are the one who used (abused) those the most.

First, how is the blade? Is there a difference between the "quarter-round" tip and the "draw" blade? Do they all have the same sharpening angle? How are they different if they are?

Next, when I searched about that knife on this forum, s-o talked about a manual avaible on Tom Brown's site, but the tread was probably old and the manual is not on the site anymore (or I was too drunk when I looked).

Thanks
Click to expand...

I will supply a little info but there are others here who can write volumes on the WSK.
I would start off by saying the WSK is no more a rip off of the Tracker than K-Bar is compared to a Marbles. The Tracker name is apparently copyrighted by TB jr. The blade itself was not desingned entirely by Brown though but by a few guys and so it is no one's intellectual property ( to the best of my knowledge ).
As for how the blade is it depends on whose WSK you own. All of the different variations have a difference in the angle of the quarter round as compared to the draw blade. On most models the draw blade has less thickness in the angle as it is used for shaving tinder and such. In mine the draw is actually thicker in that I wanted to use it mainly for batoning through large branches and small logs.
The quarter round also varies in that in a custom model you can pretty much get whatever you want from convex ( imho the best for ease of keeping sharp and sharpening ) to chisel grind. In production models though I think you usually have the hollow grind ( I'm not sure on that though ). Most guys use the quarter for most of the functions from cutting to scraping to chopping with the draw blade being a secondary blade with limited but well thought out use's.
I will say that most 99% of all WSK knives have a saw back which from everything I have read ( and learned from the field ) is not really intended to be a saw. It was really intended to be a notcher made for traps and building hootches and such. For this purpose the sawback is a great tool.
Lastly I will say that most guys out there who have even a production version of the WSK will al have very different knives with some similarities as WSK owners are usually the first to change something on the blade they dont like.
knife10.jpg
 
I don't understand why you started a new thread on this subject. There is more than enough information this seems like a redundant thread.
What are you looking for that you missed on the other threads?
I can email you a pdf of the manual if you want the manual.
This thread just seems to be a place that will repeat the same information. There are too many threads on this type of knife as it is.
just my 2 cents.
 
bartman2 said:
I don't understand why you started a new thread on this subject. There is more than enough information this seems like a redundant thread.
What are you looking for that you missed on the other threads?
I can email you a pdf of the manual if you want the manual.
This thread just seems to be a place that will repeat the same information. There are too many threads on this type of knife as it is.
just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...


Well said. Let's give this thing a rest already . . . :jerkit:
 
Why not let the guy ask questions and get them answered by anyone willing? I'm not trying to start any guff with anyone but we have umpteen million threads on spyderco's ( Manix, manix, manix ) tons of threads on saks and BM models also. I love all those different knives and models ( spydies are ugly though imho ) and read every thread I can to make myself that much more knowledged on the subject. I for one feel you can never ask to many questions about a knife, especially on a knife forum. Besides I always love the chance to whore out pics of my ugly little baby:D .


Chuck Norris is not the man. Chuck Baris is.

Chuck Baris can kill you with a pizza.

Chuck Baris can dance, can Chuck Norris?

Chuck Baris once wrote a story "You and me babe" a love story just to make Chuck Norris cry.
 
I have a Beck WSK and to me....I'd rather have a straight forward camp knife thats simple and sweet.
 
blgoode said:
I have a Beck WSK and to me....I'd rather have a straight forward camp knife thats simple and sweet.
Click to expand...
Amen brother!! Thats why I'm saving my pennies to get one of yours....:rolleyes:
 
Hey Bish - You have a simple Camp knife in 3/16" stock.....how does she perform next to the Tracker Tops version?
 
I stopped useing my Tracker shortly after getting your "To The Woods" knife. Not to be a kiss up but it's by far one of the best knives I have and I use it most of the time. My other favorite Custom would have to be Scott's Buffalo Hunter. Don't forget that skinner I got from you. I use that in my kitchen all the time just so I can use it. lol
 
not to get to far off topic but my most used kitchen knife is a very thin ugly 2.5" blade I made from scrap!
Point being.....
Sometimes what you find WORKS isnt what you thought it might look like.
 
Thats very true. Also to add to my other post I would much rather use a simple knife like that camp knife. Aside from feeling better in my hand it just works hard so you don't have to. lol God I'm just to funny...
 
blgoode said:
I have a Beck WSK and to me....I'd rather have a straight forward camp knife thats simple and sweet.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. I had a chane to use the Top's WSK. I am much happier with my Wetterlings hatchet, and straight camp knife. I don't much care for the "all in one package" Just my opinion.....
 
I loved my TOPS Tracker since the day I got it and wouldn't trade it for the world. I purchased it after my first class with the Tracker school... and now after taking a bunch more and other survival schools - I still wouldn't get rid of it for any reason.

It's a great knife that can be used in many different situations... but mainly I find myself using it as a hatchet when in the field to either chop down wood from a tree and to split wood once chopped or to make notches in wood for traps.

It's heavy duty as I bet most of the other WSKs are.

There are many different designs of roughly the same knife... it really depends on your personal preference.

Also - TOPs is just about to come out w/ a smaller version of the Tracker that is about 1/2 the size of the original.
 
I am getting used to mine also, definately a small learning curve to get the most out of it. Thinking of convexing the q-round part. Don't know yet.
 
bladefrienzy said:
Ya, I'll have to check into the mini too. Bishop, I don't think even I can break the tracker.
Click to expand...
You may be right. What I would like to see is a 3/16" version with a flat or convex grind. Maybe have more of a point as well. That would be a cool knife. What do you think Brian another project?:D
 
blgoode said:
I have a Beck WSK and to me....I'd rather have a straight forward camp knife thats simple and sweet.
Click to expand...
Don't you know it Brian.:thumbup: When I was a Tops dealer, I sold several of the Trackers when they first were introduced. I had one customer that actually used the knife for everything they said could be done with it in the owners manual. To me it's a cool looking knife but I think I could get more accomplished with a large camp knife and an axe. Just my opinion.
Scott
 
bartman2 said:
I don't understand why you started a new thread on this subject. There is more than enough information this seems like a redundant thread...
Click to expand...
I think what Bartman is likely trying to express is frustration with individuals failure to search the forum first instead of just posting or reposting the same question over again. I am sure some if not many of my threads have been redundant. I think most if not all are guilty of just being lazy and not doing a search...and maybe reposting the question in an already existing thread thus reviving the thread and having the original discussion re-examined...

I for one do encourage people to ask questions....but, I understand the frustration.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386314&highlight=wsk
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388118
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395651
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397668&highlight=wsk
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367395&highlight=wsk
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354294&highlight=wsk
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365036&highlight=wsk
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383455&highlight=wsk
 
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