The Hunted

Joel,

if you do a search on the word "tracker", you'll get all of the info you want. But if I have it correctly, here is a short overview, leaving out some details and speculation:

The knife design is a mix of Tom Brown and Dave Beck's work. Dave Beck used to be a main maker of that knife. There was a couple year period where Dave beck didn't make the knife, and Tom Brown took the design to TOPS to have it made there. Then the movie came out. The movie version is not the TOPS version as far as I know. THe grind is much higher as on the Dave Beck version. I am not sure about the saw teeth, but if you can find a pic of the movie version, check the saw as well- the TOPS saw has large teeth like a chainsaw, where the Beck version has smaller teeth. Any confusion over the knives is that we don't know who makes the knife "just like" in that movie. TOPS makes the Tom Brown Tracker Knife, so if that is important to you, get the TOPS one. If you want the one more like the actual one in the movie, made by a custom guy, then the Beck is the one to go with. There is also a maker in Austrailia (I forget his name, but there are tons of pics on his work here- do a search for "tracker" or "evo"). He makes an ATS-34 "version" of the knife as well.

Goos luck!
 
Crayola, thanks for the info. I was more curious as to who actually designed the knife, since it seemed from reading both sites that each man was claiming to be the sole designer. A collaboration that both neglected to mention does seem like the most likely explanation.

Thanks again (off to do that search now).
 
In the June 2003 issue of Blade Magazine, on page 10 it explains that Tony Swatton made the actual knives used in the movie. The design looks like the Beck 'C' model. TOPS started making the Tracker after the movie was "in the can" as per Mr. Brown's instructions and in anticipation of the large demand for the "Tom Brown Tracker" knife.
 
Scan of the cover...

blade_april03LG.jpg
 
Thanx to all for answering.

I will try to build this on my own. When I finish it, I will post a picture.

Best regards

Lars;)
 
Originally posted by Allen242
In the June 2003 issue of Blade Magazine, on page 10 it explains that Tony Swatton made the actual knives used in the movie. The design looks like the Beck 'C' model. TOPS started making the Tracker after the movie was "in the can" as per Mr. Brown's instructions and in anticipation of the large demand for the "Tom Brown Tracker" knife.
Click to expand...


The first knife in the movie was made Dave Back (the one that BDT looses in the first fight seen just before the FBI shows up).. Tom said that in the Blade article mentioned above, he states, "It was made by a friend of mine, Dave Beck. I believe the other knife (the one forged by BDT) was made by someone else.

Ric
 
I'm going to wait a year; perhaps it won't even be this long.

TOPS has advertisements with the knife at 299 bucks while other knives of the same alloy with the same handle material are 179.

I've seen some Hunted knives already dropped to 225, and the DVD isn't out yet (or is it?)

It's so butt ugly that only real sportsmen who understand the various attributes will purchase the knife. The wannabees will quickly lose interest. (I'm not one of the experts, BTW. If going out to the 'wilderness,' anyplace without electricity and but only ten miles from a pizza place or my wife won't go, I can get along with a strong pocket knife and a small hand axe.)

I think it's a curio. In a year, I'll pay 100 to 150 bucks and probably just use it only in South Dakaota. Maybe I'll display it as an oddball.
 
have to add my two cents.

I have been looking at Dave Beck's "Survival" knife for years. Like ten. Always wanted to own one, never could commit the money. I commited and am now waiting for my knife from Dave, which I will pass on to my son (eight years old), and he to his son etc. if all goes as planned. My son and I share the bond of walking in the woods and the love of knives. I could have spent half as much on one of the mass produced "trackers" Tops is making. I wanted the original, for craftsmanship and hand made quality. Not to say the Tops isn't a good knife, haven't seen it to make that judgement. I believe Dave Beck and Tom Brown both give the other credit in the design. Several people were involved in the brainstorming to come up with "The Ultimate Survival Knife". Dave was the first to make it is my understanding.

So much for two cents, more like two bucks.

GW
 
Hayduke,

Don't get me wrong; the idea of the 'one knife' concept in a 'form follows function' styling is a great idea. This might even be a great knife. I'm just not sure this is 'the one.'

The fact that this particular style (after having been around for a while) suddenly gets very famous surrounding media hype makes me skeptical. I think the inflated price is gouging.
 
Good call. Your right, it might not be "The One". I like Dave's work. As far as Top's price gauging, your most likely right!

See you on the trail.

GW
 
Hayduke,

If you 'see' me on the trail, then I'm not doing my job, am I?;)

I hope TOPS adjusts the price back to what they charge for knives that are Rc 58 versions of 1095 with micarta handles, and that is 150 to 175.
 
Price Gouging?!? I can think of several other makers selling "Hi-Tech" steel knives that costs about $10.00 more per blade than 1095 to buy, but sells for more than the Tracker and does not have any of the complicated grinds or sawback that the Tracker has. I don't see anyone challenging them on this forum? And yes I know about harder to temper etc... But much of it is still just hype!
If you think the TOPS knife is too expensive, don't buy it, but many others must not think so, as sales are great. Much of the demand IS due to advertising and marketing, but isn't that the American way? If the market didn't control the price, many custom makers would have to do this only as a hobby.
 
I don't mean to enter into depate or affend anyone. I love knives. Thats all. I understand your point Allen.

Please hey, easy on the feedback here everyone, we're here to share a common interest, not argue.
 
Sorry, it must be the caffeine.
Let me make it clear; I do not speak for TOPS, I just know Mr. Fuller quite well and do not think he is the kind to take unfair advantage of others as alledged. I also think 1095 gets a bum wrap sometimes on the forums because it's a user knife and not very sexy to hype.
I'm not angry, just new at this forum stuff and used to talking to people in person. I also should explain that there are many other factors involved in pricing a knife of this kind that have nothing to do with the material or workmanship. (Royalties, Availability on Demand, Advertising, Etc...) I didn't know we were arguing, I thought this was a discussion?
 
Allen242,

Nowhere was the quality issue discussed, and I certainly never meant to imply it. I stick by my opinion that 299 is gouging, and as the movie ages, the price is dropping. I saw a price for 225 already.

(I don't think the initial profile is 'hand cut.' They probably feed a sheet of 1095 into a CNC machine and whack out 30 blanks at a crack.)

As to quality, I think the KFF, a Kershaw Whirlwind and a manual LCC are great knives. None of them are priced over 130 bucks, and some of those LCC's have titanium on them, and all are stainless.

Even a great knife, but one made of 1095, is now worth 300 bucks, UNLESS made by Bagwell, Emerson, or another custom maker.

I'm sorry if I offended you.
 
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