Tom Brown Tracker, My Developing Thoughts

Nice review man, I'm lefthanded you ever decide to part with that entire setup shoot me a pm or email. Thanks for the review and pics. :thumbup:
 
d762nato said:
Nice review man, I'm lefthanded you ever decide to part with that entire setup shoot me a pm or email. Thanks for the review and pics. :thumbup:
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Ok 762, but it won't look quite as pretty when I'm all done with it..haha. If I let it go after testing, I'll pass along to another enthusiast like yourself for next to nothing.
 
Nice videos. Unfortunately they seem to confirm my suspicion about the Tracker design - all fluff and hype and relatively little function. The Tracker just seems like a pointless reason to carry around a lot of weight.
 
thanks for the video patriot. seems to me that the Tom Brown isnt the best knife for what you are doing. That validates my new BK9 purchase :D

you located in Phoenix? Im in Surprise.
 
TaTaToothy said:
Nice videos. Unfortunately they seem to confirm my suspicion about the Tracker design - all fluff and hype and relatively little function. The Tracker just seems like a pointless reason to carry around a lot of weight.
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I have several WSKs (Beck, Linger, Martin, Koster and once upon a time the TOPS) and can absolutely agree that there's nothing magical about them, although I've gotten much better at using them as the years have gone by. My reason for having so many is I was fascinated by and skeptical of the design myself, and was really interested in what could and couldn't be done with it. I'll say this--if length is an issue (especially if you're carrying on a belt) this design comes very close to giving you both a hatchet and a knife together without flopping around all over the place, and when the saw is well designed (the TOPS version isn't) it notches very quickly and cleanly. It does take some serious practice to learn to work with it well, however, something that certainly falls in favor of something like the Swamp Rat Battle Rat or other simpler designs.

That said, if you're basing your final conclusions about the pattern on the TOPS version--widely considered to be the poorest iteration of the pattern due to its incredibly obtuse blade/edge geometry (unfortunately fairly typical of large TOPS knives) then I think you're getting a somewhat false impression.

Patriot222, if you'd like to try it with improved geometry, let me know. I don't have the setup anymore to re-do the hollow grind in back (should have been done with a MUCH bigger wheel than they used) but I can fix that front bevel so it'll actually penetrate a bit.
 
I would be interested in that. I have also been having a hard time putting a good edge on my Tracker.
 
Longtrang said:
I would be interested in that. I have also been having a hard time putting a good edge on my Tracker.
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Essentially I'm talking about changing it from a double bevel into a single convex bevel like I did with this old Becker:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709385

It's really easy to do with a grinder, just have to keep dunking the blade in water to keep it cool. Shipping back and forth to Zambi might get a little costly though. ;)
 
t1mpani said:
I have several WSKs (Beck, Linger, Martin, Koster and once upon a time the TOPS) and can absolutely agree that there's nothing magical about them, although I've gotten much better at using them as the years have gone by. My reason for having so many is I was fascinated by and skeptical of the design myself, and was really interested in what could and couldn't be done with it. I'll say this--if length is an issue (especially if you're carrying on a belt) this design comes very close to giving you both a hatchet and a knife together without flopping around all over the place, and when the saw is well designed (the TOPS version isn't) it notches very quickly and cleanly. It does take some serious practice to learn to work with it well, however, something that certainly falls in favor of something like the Swamp Rat Battle Rat or other simpler designs.



Patriot222, if you'd like to try it with improved geometry, let me know. I don't have the setup anymore to re-do the hollow grind in back (should have been done with a MUCH bigger wheel than they used) but I can fix that front bevel so it'll actually penetrate a bit.
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Wow, a very insightful post t1mpani! It's so true that with the shorter length that it behaves like both a hatchet and a knife in one. I plan on another outing with the Tracker tomorrow so I may have to borrow your statement for the next test video.

It seems that the forums have been down quite a bit the last few days and before seeing your post I re-profiled my Tracker and removed the black epoxy all the way up to the grind step. I probably would have taken you up on the offer but it seems that you might be overseas as well? In any case, I convexed the edge by hand and it turned out pretty darn nice. I already had at some 2x4 in the garage and the difference is quite noticable from the stock edge. I'll be touching it up this evening and I'll have another "go" as some dead wood.
 
cosmophonic12 said:
thanks for the video patriot. seems to me that the Tom Brown isnt the best knife for what you are doing. That validates my new BK9 purchase :D

you located in Phoenix? Im in Surprise.
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Yes sir, Cave Creek area. The BK9 is a beautiful workhorse. Nice choice.




Thanks everyone else for the nice words about the videos. I'll post the other Tracker vids here as they become available.
 
No, I'm in the US---Longtrang's location shows Zambia so that's what I was referring to.

Feel free to borrow anything you like.

Look forward to seeing your further reviews!
 
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Really nice videos, bravo! I had and used a bit the Tops TB Tracker, it's for sure a rough knife, I also have been found really comfortable the handle, but chopping and cutting ability is'nt really good so far...
 
Patriot222 said:
Ok 762, but it won't look quite as pretty when I'm all done with it..haha. If I let it go after testing, I'll pass along to another enthusiast like yourself for next to nothing.
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Sound good but don't hert her to bad. :eek: :D
 
t1mpani said:
Essentially I'm talking about changing it from a double bevel into a single convex bevel like I did with this old Becker:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709385

It's really easy to do with a grinder, just have to keep dunking the blade in water to keep it cool. Shipping back and forth to Zambi might get a little costly though. ;)
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Hahaha, for sure! My wife has all my stuff State side so that wouldn't be an issue. Just had a TAD Gear Ranger Hoodie sent here, shipping cost more than I paid for the dang thing.:eek:
 
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