This knife Really Scares Me !!!

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
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For the first time in my life I have in my posession a knife that really scares me !
This is the Tops Tracker that fellow forumite Horn dog has so generously donated to me as he hated it and I have to say I totally love it !!!!!
As soon as I opened the package a smile spread across my face, pictures do not do this knife justice, it's a beast ! I sliced up a post it with ease and then turned it loose on my arm hair, I'm sure the hairs lept off in terror before the knife touched them, man is this crazy sharp !!!!!

Anyways I couldn't wait to take it out today an try it out. First of all let me say that while this knife certainly is very, very sturdy it ain't the dead weight that many would have you believe, in fact I wore it horizontally in the small of my back and was running through parts of the forest and jumping across streams and didn't even notice it being there.

Oh yeah it's mean....
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I tried the serrated section at notching a sappling and it worked exactly as intended and cut a very neat notch that would be ideal for making traps and such like, unfortunately the pics came out blurry but there will be others taken soon !

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The water is once again flowing at a good rate, love this time of year !!!
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This is the only close up shot that came out but looks quite cool if I say so myself !
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The handle on this knife is awesome and permits three grip positions ( I will explain more in another post ) when held in the back most grip this thing chops like a demon and bites real deep into the wood !!!
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I know I look a bit serious on this pic but I was worried a sheeple might come along, how'd I explain having this beast with me !!!!
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Couple more pics....

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When I got back I decided to try a fuzz stick, now here is the real shock......this knife cut fuzz sticks better and with more precision than any of my other blades !!!!
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Vic, I love ya buddy !!!!!!!
 
Not to be negative or anything ...

But remember that HD just put a very, very good edge on that thing. :)
 
So, maybe it is not the knife that gets such derision, but the out of the box edge. A knife is only as good as it's edge, and most don't take the time and energy to put this kind of edge on one. Thus, the knife design does not get a fair shake because of the factory edge grind.

I don't know, jsut sayin'. :)
 
great pics pit...:thumbup: it sure is pretty over there this time of year... where's maisy...:o

those knives are beast's.. i have a few friends that own them..
 
hlee said:
So, maybe it is not the knife that gets such derision, but the out of the box edge. A knife is only as good as it's edge, and most don't take the time and energy to put this kind of edge on one. Thus, the knife design does not get a fair shake because of the factory edge grind.

I don't know, jsut sayin'. :)
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Yeah I believe you are quite right bro, I should have mentioned that Horn dog had convexed the edge instead of assuming people would know. You don't have to spend much time on this forum to realize that a lot of people are unhappy with factory edges on many knives and change them to one better suited to their needs, with TOPS knives though people just tend to slag them off !:confused:

Hey Mike, Maisy was there buddy I just got over excited with the knife and didn't take many pics of her ! Here is one for you though !!!!;):thumbup:

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Oh man.....first it is moras, now this!!! :D Just messin with ya man. That is cool.

I could always tell that Vic could put a mean edge on anything. In fact, I think his Jeep bumpers are convex and scary sharp :D

Nice and high polish is the way to go :thumbup:

I am glad you like that thing.

B
 
I'm glad it is working out for you, pitdog. It was just dead weight with the factory grind. I am so glad you like it and that my regrind was able to bring out the beast within the steel.
 
Hey Horn Dog if you read this how did you but that edge on the Tracker. I have one and would like to try it. I have gotten lazy with my sharpening stone skills since I got my spyderco sharpener so I will have to brush up a bit.
 
Very cool! I sold mine a while back cause I could never get the edge sharp. Looks like a great knife!
 
You know what is REALLY interesting about this thread? This thread really proves that the edge on a knife is everything, and that the manufacturer, the steel, everything else is way off in the background somewhere.
 
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What a gift! I wouldn't mind having one of those... ;)

I hope you won't go all Benicio del Toro on your local hunters now.
OK, that was a bad one... :D
 
misanthropist said:
You know what is REALLY interesting about this thread? This thread really proves that the edge on a knife is everything, and that the manufacturer, the steel, everything else is way off in the background somewhere.
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly. I'd rather have a sharp 1095 steel bowie than a dull one in INFI. I gave the Tracker the harshest review I have ever given a knife. It wasn't the design, or the steel. It was the useless obtuse "edge". Knives should come reasonably sharp from the factory IMO. A knife as costly as the Tracker should come with a well ground edge. It took me quite a while to take enough steel off to make it cut to its potential. I am glad that it is working so well for pitdog.
 
Nice pics 'Ol Bud, I didn't really think I would care much for that knife but after that convex job & your review I wouldn't mind giving one a try :p
 
The otherwise excellent HCLE was pretty much ruined by having a horrible stock edge.

I think it was fantastic that Vic could take a knife he did not like and make it a wonderful gift for Pit that he will really treasure and get a lot of use out of. I have a Ontario USMC (K-BAR) knife i got from Vic that has that same amazing edge and it is one of my favourite outdoors knives as well. The 1095 steel and the great edge are a big part of it but also the warm leather handle and sheath also add a lot to the feel.

Congrats Pit. When a knife with that kind of specific grind works for you it works great but when it does not suit how you use a knife it is all wrong.
 
DocArnie said:
What a gift! I wouldn't mind having one of those... ;)

I hope you won't go all Benicio del Toro on your local hunters now.
OK, that was a bad one... :D
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That's funny cos that film kept going through my mind while I hiked, especially that scene where he said " do you think you can beat me with your rifles ", man I'll be camo'ing my face next ! LOL !!!!:eek:
 
Good pics Pit bro.
Looks like you may be busting some negative views about the tracker here.

Man, Vic puts a mean edge on.
 
if Tops would get rid of their silly short hollow grinds and go full flat they would have a ton of useful designs imo. too bad really as they have alot of nice designs otherwise.
 
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