Tops Tom Brown Tracker T3 Version?

[Glenn Jones]

I would love to hear opinions about this blade from somebody who has actually owned one. People either hate or love the Tops Tom Brown Tracker series. The T1 version has copped most criticism about the grind, thickness , and weight. The T2 version has been described as being too light for many uses. The T3 version is only about one inch shorter than the T1 but more importantly is only 3/16 inch thick as compared to the ¼ inch thick T1, and is between the T1 and T2 in overall size. It is also the only stainless steel version (ATS-34) which is a serious consideration in my sub-Tropical climate.

Very few reviews exist about this T3 blade. There was a recent comparison of the T3 to a couple of other knives at http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...v-Tac-amp-Hellion?highlight=tom+brown+tracker. At the end the writer decided the T3 was the one to keep so it must have something going for it. It was stated on http://www.trackerschool.com/store/store_product_detail.asp?pid=130 that of the T1, T2 and T3, “ I know that the T3 will be the knife I use the most.” If you own one, have you found it to be a useful blade?

 

[MatthewSB]

I didn't realize that they released this knife.

My experience with the Tops version of the Tracker is that they took a great design and made it too thick with aweful grinds. It was horrible for cutting, and everything else you can do with a knife. It's nothing like the Beck WSK and other "real" Trackers out there.

The T3 looks like a thinner, ATS-34 version of the full sized Tracker. Maybe the thinner stock will make it cut better. I'll have to try one out...

 

[Glenn Jones]

I have just found two 5 star reviews, one on Amazon and the other on the Knifecentre website. So far I have seen nothing but good reviews on this version but there is not a lot of information out there compared to the other versions. I have gone ahead and ordered one so I will find out how useful they are soon.

 

[MatthewSB]

I have just found two 5 star reviews, one on Amazon and the other on the Knifecentre website. So far I have seen nothing but good reviews on this version but there is not a lot of information out there compared to the other versions. I have gone ahead and ordered one so I will find out how useful they are soon.

I also ordered one yesterday.

From the pictures, it looks like it is ground thinner (distance from the cutting edge to the grind lines) so it should actually cut like a knife.

It's also an entire pound lighter (12 oz) than the T1 (1 lb, 12 oz) and made from stainless steel. All you lose is 3/4" of blade.

Bark River also has a prototype out of their version of the Tracker, called the Trekker or something. They sold 20 prototypes recently. They didn't have the saw back, which I think is important to the design, but maybe the production version will?

 

[Glenn Jones]

My T3 arrived yesterday. I have only used it for cutting up rolled dog meat and kindling for my wood stove. It completed these tasks admirably. So far I am impressed and it carries very comfortably scout style. If I had to describe it so far, I would call it my "pocket rocket". The only not so good part was that the sawteeth did not work too well making notches on my local hardwood (black wattle). From the review at http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...v-Tac-amp-Hellion?highlight=tom+brown+tracker, it looks like it does make reasonable notches in soft wood. I should also mention that in the past my local hardwood also caused problems for my Busse TGLB and my Cold Steel Gurkha kukri. It is tough stuff.

 

[MatthewSB]

Got mine last week.

The blade is noticeably thinner than the T1, and the grinds are thinner. It cuts like crazy.

Unfortunately, for me, the handle is just a bit too small and the finger grooves don't work with my XL glove wearing hands. My wife picked it up and immediately claimed it as her own. I'll post some pictures in a few weeks after she gets a chance to put it to work making a fire and a lean to.

Just thinning out the blade, like the real Beck WSK, made a huge difference. Tops would be smart to modify the T1 to a 3/16" blade with higher grinds and it would be a real improvement.

 

[Glenn Jones]

Just thinning out the blade, like the real Beck WSK, made a huge difference. Tops would be smart to modify the T1 to a 3/16" blade with higher grinds and it would be a real improvement.

I think your are right. I hope someone at Tops reads this thread and does do something about the T1 thickness. I'm luckier than you, the grip fits my hand perfectly.