I am buying a Tracker type Knife and I want to know if this type of blade design is really usefull or is it just high speed looks. Some survival instructors and knife makers seem to think that this knife is not really good for anything. Has anyone used say a Tracker or Beck WSK in the field and made other tools with it? Can this knife chop good? Is it worth having or is it only going to be a show piece that I can look at?
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Tracker type Knife questions?
- Thread starter RickJ
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2003
- Messages
- 38
Rick;
As with any knife, its worth is dependant upon how you intend on putting it to use & even your own personal values.
If you are looking for "survival" knife which you think will be able to perform all tasks with equal efficiency, that just doesn't exist but then again what will those tasks be? Do you feel this knife needs to be able to be a good thrower, chopping tool, skinner, prying your way out of an airplane? I can pull one hundred people off the street & the hiking trails & I know from experience that everyones' idea of the ideal knife will be different along with what they believe its uses should be good for.
I think the first question you must ask yourself is, what do YOU need the knife to do & in what environment(s). If you say wilderness survival for example, then the best thing to do is not to take ANYONES word, even mine on what is the best choice but first get some "real world" training & put in the dirt time to understand the circumstances you need the knife for & why. This will not only answer your questions but also provide you with a solid foundation on essential skills you may need in that environment & enable you to get the most out your investment. At that point you can then research the proper knife designs along with the various materials & methods the makers use to produce them to get exactly what is needed. Anything short of that & you naturally risk buying a wall hanger. No matter how well the knife's made, if it doesn't suit your purpose, it won't do you much good. I hope this helps.
As far as my WSK goes, it is an excellant knife for the tasks it has been specifically designed for. For making other needed tools in the woods, it's performance has been time proven all over the world but if you need a log cabin you better buy an axe.
David R Beck
As with any knife, its worth is dependant upon how you intend on putting it to use & even your own personal values.
If you are looking for "survival" knife which you think will be able to perform all tasks with equal efficiency, that just doesn't exist but then again what will those tasks be? Do you feel this knife needs to be able to be a good thrower, chopping tool, skinner, prying your way out of an airplane? I can pull one hundred people off the street & the hiking trails & I know from experience that everyones' idea of the ideal knife will be different along with what they believe its uses should be good for.
I think the first question you must ask yourself is, what do YOU need the knife to do & in what environment(s). If you say wilderness survival for example, then the best thing to do is not to take ANYONES word, even mine on what is the best choice but first get some "real world" training & put in the dirt time to understand the circumstances you need the knife for & why. This will not only answer your questions but also provide you with a solid foundation on essential skills you may need in that environment & enable you to get the most out your investment. At that point you can then research the proper knife designs along with the various materials & methods the makers use to produce them to get exactly what is needed. Anything short of that & you naturally risk buying a wall hanger. No matter how well the knife's made, if it doesn't suit your purpose, it won't do you much good. I hope this helps.
As far as my WSK goes, it is an excellant knife for the tasks it has been specifically designed for. For making other needed tools in the woods, it's performance has been time proven all over the world but if you need a log cabin you better buy an axe.
David R Beck
- Joined
- Mar 18, 1999
- Messages
- 9,966
A knife, no matter how well made, won't make up for lacking skills. A guy who really practices his skills, could get by with a small folder (or, maybe no knife at all) But a knife like the Tracker will be a much more useful tool in knowledgeable hands. If I were to buy a Tracker type knife, I'd save and buy the original from Mr. Beck.
not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,449
I really don't like the forward sawback on this thing. It doesn't have much of a peircing point so perhaps the issue is mute, but if you do try to penetrate something with the point the knife is sure to hang up pretty badly. I love gaget knives as much as the next guy, but there are certainly more versatile designs out there.
This is similar knife with a functional point in place of the silly sawback. Notice that the point is comfortably centered for piercing and that there is an effective hammering spine just behind the sharpened clip point. The handle has also been redesigned to be comfortable even when the knife is inverted for use. (this one was made by Bill Siegle from a sketch supplied by myself)
n2s
This is similar knife with a functional point in place of the silly sawback. Notice that the point is comfortably centered for piercing and that there is an effective hammering spine just behind the sharpened clip point. The handle has also been redesigned to be comfortable even when the knife is inverted for use. (this one was made by Bill Siegle from a sketch supplied by myself)
n2s
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2001
- Messages
- 328
N2S,
Why would you need a piercing point on a knife of this design? I really can't think of a reason myself unless you were going to lash it to a stick and use it like a spear for larger game and then I don't think the saw would matter. Just make the cut in the animal a little more jagged on one side. Just wondering. I've not run into a situation where I needed to piercing anything.
Ric
Why would you need a piercing point on a knife of this design? I really can't think of a reason myself unless you were going to lash it to a stick and use it like a spear for larger game and then I don't think the saw would matter. Just make the cut in the animal a little more jagged on one side. Just wondering. I've not run into a situation where I needed to piercing anything.
Ric
not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,449
Ric,
Perhaps I am old fashioned but I like my general purpose knives to have a point. It makes them a little more versatile, and that much easier (read safer) to use. Just think about how much harder it would be to punch a hole in a can without it. It also makes it easier to work with game, and to do other precision work.
The jagged cut means you are tearing through the material. Not only is that less pretty, but it is also alot of unnecessary work. The saw would work like a harpoon. If the material is tough enough you may need another knife just to cut the dumb thing loose.
n2s
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2001
- Messages
- 328
N2S,
I understand what you are saying. Thanks.
Ric
I understand what you are saying. Thanks.
Ric
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2001
- Messages
- 328
It does do everything it is said to do. You must realize, the blade will only perform to the users skill level. The better your skills get the more the knife will do.
Ric
Ric