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Seeking Expert Opinions on This Custom Tracker Blade – Field Use, Design Thoughts?

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Hunter 911

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Hey folks,

I recently came across this custom tracker-style knife and added it to my growing outdoors https://postimg.cc/XXRdJsCn and camp-use blade collection. I'm an avid camper and backwoods wanderer, and I always like to keep a few unique blades in the mix—especially ones that offer utility across multiple tasks.

This particular blade caught my attention due to its curved belly and spine design, which seems like it could be great for skinning, slicing, and heavier camp work. It has a very ergonomic handle with good control and finger grooves, and the full tang feels solid in hand. The steel is Damascus, which I know varies a lot in performance, so I’m especially curious about edge retention and durability for batoning, wood prep, or even fine work like feather-sticking or tinder scraping.

I’d love to hear your thoughts from a functional and user perspective:

Does the blade geometry lend itself well to actual camp/hunting field use?

Any thoughts on edge control and sharpening such a shape?

Would this blade fill a functional role in your kit, or is it more of a looker?


Looking forward to hearing from experienced voices here. Always trying to learn more from the pros who actually use their knives hard.

Thanks in advance!
 
Others may know better, but to me that looks like a pakimascus clone of a tom brown tracker style knife. It probably won't hold an eye and probably will delaminate if pushed very hard. They're not usually heat treated well, if at all. Sorry.
 
Looks like a knock off (or for all I know the original) of those tracker Dan knives. I personally think it's trying to be everything, i.e. skinner, kephardt, bushcrafter, etc. and as with most knives that try to do everything it does nothing very well. Your mileage may vary.
 
NB Knives sells one just like that for $100, thats about 3 times what its worth. Similar knife on ebay is under $30 dollars. Cheap Damascus blade from Pakistan or India, probably finished here in the US, Heat treat optional.....no edge holding, etc.
Some really like the Tracker design, some don't. I think it does a little bit of everything but doesn't do much of anything as well as a decent fixed blade.
 
Arathol said:
NB Knives sells one just like that for $100, thats about 3 times what its worth. Similar knife on ebay is under $30 dollars. Cheap Damascus blade from Pakistan or India, probably finished here in the US, Heat treat optional.....no edge holding, etc.
Some really like the Tracker design, some don't. I think it does a little bit of everything but doesn't do much of anything as well as a decent fixed blade.
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Hi Arathol,

Great ! Thanks

So what should the basic purpose of a tracker and tasks it should ideally perform with its design in outdoors ?
 
You didn't give any specs....?
Some features I might like.

For a chopper, you don't really want such a round handle, because it will Roll when you make an angled contact with the wood. Slight flats on the handle sides will give you more control.

I think hunter/slicing knives are very specific. And stand alone. I want very thin edges. Very low angle primary. Convex, hollow or flat ground. Thin, and Hard. NOT beefy.
 
DMG said:
If Mr Wilson is picking up the same thing i am, it could be this.

If i wanted to market a knife with out the associated costs, i might start talking about it on a forum.
Click to expand...
Somehow, I don't think it's achieving the desired result were that the case.
 
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Crag the Brewer said:
You didn't give any specs....?
Some features I might like.

For a chopper, you don't really want such a round handle, because it will Roll when you make an angled contact with the wood. Slight flats on the handle sides will give you more control.

I think hunter/slicing knives are very specific. And stand alone. I want very thin edges. Very low angle primary. Convex, hollow or flat ground. Thin, and Hard. NOT beefy.
Click to expand...
Specs are,

- Steel is high carbon one of them is Mn 65 & 4340 Steels

- 5.5 mm thick and blade is over 6 inches. May be 6.5 / 6.75 inches. Not sure

- Steel used is damscus. Patterns are excellent and smooth. Blade Finish is also good.

- Over like 650 grams with solid steel on it.

- It has a secondary edge visible but the edge is continuous over that part so slices through the stuff till the end of blade towards handle.

- feels beefy and Heavy while in hand. Like holding a solid piece of steel

- Handle is Micarta and fits very well in my hands since I have a bit extended grip due to my palm size

- Tip is also very sturdy along with a thick spine

- have done batoning and feather stocking with it. It's does its job well with batoning and cutting a round 2 inch thick and round wooden piece

- the edge has retained it self very well.

- there was one other thing mentioned about it from the maker was that the fat belly is perfect for butchering and slicing pieces of meat during hunt along with field dressing by its sturdy pointed tip. (I haven't tired these personally so look forward for the feedback on these tasks )

- Along is it's heavy camping tasks like chopping wood, feather stocking, tindering and rope cutting etc.
 
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DMG said:
If Mr Wilson is picking up the same thing i am, it could be this.

If i wanted to market a knife with out the associated costs, i might start talking about it on a forum.
Click to expand...
:) not at all. I got it from a friend as a gift.

I just need a feedback on the blade design and it's workability in the field from the experts.

I would be much appreciate if experts here could provide feedback on what need to improve here in the design and specs to make it a functional heavy duty performer as a perfect camping knife for outdoors.
 
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Nothing will tell you about the utility of the knife like using it for some of your intended tasks. Cut some rope, peel some bark, chop some branches, make some feather (fuzz) sticks, and determine for yourself whether the knife passes the tests. Does the knife hold an acceptable edge? Does it dull, chip or get flat spots readily? Is it comfortable and secure in hand while working with it or does it raise hot spots and blisters?

After you do, post a review on it if you care to in the "Knife Review" section and let us know if it was up to muster.

What we're doing here at present is spinning wheels and going around in circles...

Good luck. Perhaps you'll be able to answer the questions you have in reasonably short order.
 
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