Tracker/WSK

W

wade

Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
493
For over a week I have been reading everything I could dig up on all variations of these knives. I would like to buy one, however it seems like many owners of these knives find them less practical in use than a straight blade. For example fine work like skinning small game, carving trap triggers, or pennitration abilities. I have no doubt on how well it would be able to chop. My questions to everyone are from a survival stand point: How practical is this as a survival knife? Would you rather have this or something else in a extended survival situation? Has anyone used it for extended periods of time in the outdoors? Any opinions would be helpful, especally if you own one.
Thanks alot
Wade
 
Myakka heaps nothing but praise on the Roger Linger WSK version, and many consider the Dave Beck version to be equally as good, if not better. It is a Jack of all trades, master of none, given the choice, a hatchet, a hunter and an SAK would be btter chosen in most peoples eyes, but if you could only take one knife it might not be a bad choice.

It seems from most peoples responses that you either have a knife using style that suits the WSK, or doesn't, so i guess your answer lies there.
 
Well,I don't own one or even ever handle one.My observations from around the internet seem to conclude that it does a variety of jobs based on it's design.So it may not be the best tool for every one of the jobs it performs,but can do them all adequately for survival purposes.For example,it can chop,but an axe would be best,but you have the knife and not an axe.....
In anycase,I'm sure the knives owners will chime in here soon, to fill you in.
 
Wade,
The WSK is a great design. The knife will perform all the survival tasks well, but like tombstone said it is not the best tool for every one of the jobs. The knife is heavy, but to do all it jobs you would need to carry several different tools. I really love my Linger version, but most of the time I carry my Bushcraft blade when I venture off into the bush.
 
Myakka,
Thanks, but why do you decide to leave it behind? What do you find it is not good for? What does your bushcraft blade do that the Tracker cannot?
 
wade said:
I have no doubt on how well it would be able to chop.
Click to expand...

The forward edge presentation is actually opposite to what is required for optimal chopping, and the disjointed edge in general would be problematic for a lot of brush clearing as it would just hang up.

Similar with many types of cutting which require deep slices, chop or slice up a thick large fish for example and you run out of blade length in the tip upsweep, try to fillet one and the hook gets in the way.

As for comments about versatility, it is hardly the case that a similar drop or clip point pattern is a niche knife. That class of knife in general (size) is of that multi-purpose style.

I would like to see a tracker-style compared to something like this and see how the performance relates :

http://www.bgoodeknives.com/images/bushknife.jpg

Start off running the TOPS version against it, then upgrade to a custom one, or just mod out the TOPS version and repeat it.

That bushknife is by Brian Goode, I would drop the final handle sweep down a little more and an arguement could be made for more of a guard, but those two issues are influenced strongly by user method.

-Cliff
 
I carried the TOPS verson on a 4 day hiking trip and on several smaller trips since and it has never let me down yet.It's not as good as the custom ones so I here but,you can get 2-3 trackers for the price of a custom.With a few little mods you'll make a great bush knife into an outstanding bush knife.
just my .02$
 
savagesicslayer,
What did you use it on? How did it perform? Did the saw on the Tops model seem to clogg up on you? Do you feel like it would work well if you had to skin or clean game animals? And thanks for your $0.02
 
Wade,
I'm one of those "less is more" people. I like to carry very little gear with me. Even those the WSK can do more, my Bushcraft blade can be batoned to split wood, I can carve notch instead of sawing them, The scand grind is a great wood carver, and it doesnt scare the crap out of peaple like the WSK does. Dont get me wrong I do use the WSK, and really like it. It just is not my go to knife like the Bushcraft knife is.
 
Has anyone used one to skin or clean game? I looks like it would be difficult.
 
I cleaned a medium size rabbit with mine once, it worked. I wish I would have had a smaller and and more pointy blade to cut around its small ears, legs, etc areas. It would be okay on a larger animal like a deer or wild hog.

Cliff,
The Linger WSK is quite the chopper. You need to position your hand on the rear finger grooves and then the sweet spot is about one inch forward of the hook. Its almost like use a mini hatchet (not as good, but close)
 
wade said:
savagesicslayer,
What did you use it on? How did it perform? Did the saw on the Tops model seem to clogg up on you? Do you feel like it would work well if you had to skin or clean game animals? And thanks for your $0.02
Click to expand...
On my 4 day trip it did everything from cutting poles for drying clothes and crutch making(my brother-in-law twisted his ankle) to food prep and serving platter/plate.
I did only limited sawing and it worked for what I needed it for,mind you I wasn't sawing down a tree with it.The clogging is a minor problem and I barely notice it.I keep it razor sharp so game prep wouldn't be too much of a problem.Although I'm not a hunter so I don't "clean" much game.
 
I am not talking about the power, but the presentation of the edge to the wood, Cook talks about this in detail in the axe book in detail concerning how an axe bit needs to be shaped for optimal cutting. Consider :

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34745&d=1100906664

vs

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/gb_wildlife_hatchet.jpg

Look on the axe how the edge is presented to the wood and note the radical change in the WSK which has a presentation similar to the far upper toe of a carving axe and thus the cut line will be on a major angle which will make continuous lines impossible.

Lee also talkes about it in his book on sharpening and goes into more technical detail than cook and references how wood is actually cut and why you need two sweeping curves at the ends of the bit for optimal cutting.

Note that when you see writeups on hanging an axe head by experienced axe men you will always get critical warnings about this issue and that when layed flat on a 2x4 (or whatever) the dead center of the bit should make contact, this is for the edge presentation issue.

-Cliff
 
Hey All,
I happened by this posting and thought I would comment a little. I have spent many days in the woods with my TOPS tracker, and it has performed really well. Stripping lumber for cordage by use of the small blade, carving spindles from the rounded edge, notching sticks for traps, and many other chores were made simple by use of this knife. the black coating is tough as nails too. I was disappointed with the saw blades for true sawing needs, but it did a wonder at notching. It seems to clog up right when you are at the end of notching a piece of wood and doesn't seem to continue moving through. It has been difficult at times when trying to make smaller cuts on items also, because the size of the knife makes percision cutting a little difficult.
I do have a Linger WSK that I have not yet put to wilderness work, but plan to take on a hiking adventure soon. Just from the look, feel, and everything about Roger Linger's version seems so much more practical and useful. The saw teeth look like real saw teeth, the rounded edge is more pronounced, and the handle sooo much more comfortable and alive. Both TOPS and Roger's knives are good items to have in the arsenal. I would choose Roger's version any day over other styles. Hope this helps in some fashion. God Bless
 
how much is a Linger WSK. I have been told a few hundred dollars more than the tops, is that true what is the actual price of one?
 
wade,

I think the Linger wisk is now around $600.00. You should get in touch with Roger to make sure on this. the wait is pretty long. Also check with Roger on the wait. You won't be disapointed!!! Rogers work is outstanding!!!

Jeff
 
Jeff is right. The price I last encountered was $625. That is the basic charge from what I know. If you want some specialties in the blade or handle materials, then it will most likely be a little extra. Last I checked Roger was very very busy, but as Jeff mentioned, it is worth the wait. Roger is a wonderful guy with an honorable character. It shows in his work. As Jeff stated before, I would check with Roger on the wait time also. He may not even be accepting orders until he gets a few of them busted out, but Mr. Linger would be the man to check with regarding this.
 
You cant go wrong with Roger, He is a master craftman and a wonderful person to boot. He makes one heck of a nice blade too. I own 4 of his customs. :D

Ron
 
Last I heard, Dave Beck was not making the WSK anymore. He mentioned in a post somewhere on these forums that he was making smaller knives as a hobby, but I am not sure if he is selling those or doing it for fun. I really would love to see Dave get well and start making his fine work again. I never held one of his knives, but all the pics I have seen look fantastic! This goes for all his knives. We should keep Dave in our thoughts. He seems like a great and respectable guy. -Damion
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top