Tracker / WSK

N

Noware

Tracker
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
96
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6
Location
Southwest MI
Clarifications:

Not all of the comments I'm referring to were posted on BCUSA (Thanks for calling me on that J).

To rephrase the question, what are the downfalls of a WSK, specifically, the tracker from TOPS? Is there a better option, and why it's better?

Original Post:
Ok, I've got to ask...

What is with all the hate on the TOPS Tracker? I've just seen a lot of negative remarks (some funny), and want to know if they're legitimate or if it's just people hating to hate. It seems like a pretty standard WSK design, given the other ones I've seen.

I have one, I don't have any issues with it. It functions well for me on the farm and in the woods (I hate the sheath though, saw a beautiful leather one here that I'd love to make or even purchase...need to find that again).

Is it something with TOPS that people don't like? Is it an intrinsically poor knife for some reason (bad steel, material, etc.)?

This isn't me defending the knife at all, but I'm not interested in smarmy, holier-than-thou remarks. Help me understand what the issue is with that knife. Am I shortchanging myself by keeping it around? I don't feel like I am, but I haven't tried all the knives out there either.

Please include if you own, owned, borrowed, or used one. Quite frankly, if you haven't, and you say it's garbage, then are all WSKs of that design garbage, including RS6, Horan, Martin, etc...? I'm open to that opinion, but please elaborate on it.
 
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One of the guys on here that would run circles around a bunch of us in the woods uses one almost exclusively and he loves it so it works great for some and not for others its all just opinion I reckon check out mr black's threads and videos he does some incredible stuff with his
 
I actually don't see very much hate for those blades around here at all. Lots of guys use em and like em. Not sure where you got that idea.
 
KerriTM said:
One of the guys on here that would run circles around a bunch of us in the woods uses one almost exclusively and he loves it so it works great for some and not for others its all just opinion I reckon check out mr black's threads and videos he does some incredible stuff with his
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Thanks Kerri, I will search out those posts. I am curious, for those that don't like it, why?

This isn't academic, knowing your tools shortcomings helps you prepare.
 
I own two of them (a #1 and a #2), and use them both. They are just knives, they work.
 
J said:
I actually don't see very much hate for those blades around here at all. Lots of guys use em and like em. Not sure where you got that idea.
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Apologies, not all of the remarks were here at BCUSA, and I should have clarified that. The couple here were related to tools in the field and someone would say "tracker" and note that they were being funny, not serious.
 
Shortcomings are only valid in the hands of the User. If you like it, then it has none. If others do, then its on them. I don't reccomend relying on other peoples opinions whether or not your knife is good to prepare.
 
My Tracker 1

firefly026.jpg



Tracker 2 is in this picture.

doodah486.jpg
 
Noware said:
Apologies, not all of the remarks were here at BCUSA, and I should have clarified that. The couple here were related to tools in the field and someone would say "tracker" and note that they were being funny, not serious.
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Yeah they seem to be controversial around the net. I don't love em, but i don't hare em either. I do alot of sheaths for those knives so i know some folks like em...lol
 
J said:
Shortcomings are only valid in the hands of the User. If you like it, then it has none. If others do, then its on them. I don't reccomend relying on other peoples opinions whether or not your knife is good to prepare.
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That's my whole point, I don't want opinions :) For example, gunguy put a great, fact based review on the BK2. I'm looking for something similar for the Tracker and/or other WSKs

What i want are facts, e.g. the steel is poor, the QC isn't there, they don't stay sharp, are too hard to sharpen, compared to "X" they don't perform like they should, the price to quality ratio isn't there, etc...

To be honest, I'm a bit provincial when it comes to bushcraft knives.
 
Full size and Mini

I have the full size Tracker and loved it out of the box, encountered some problems when using it. When chopping, I would have glanced blows that would go wild and the draw knife would just skitter across the wood. The coating would gum up when using the notching saw. I solved the problems by sending it to MIke at Sugarcreek knife works.
Mike started by removing the coating, then he reground the blade completley. THe main cutting area is now a Scandivex grind and the draw knife is now a full Scandi grind! No more glanced blows and no more skittering across the wood. Problem solved.

I removed the coating from my Mini, but left the grind intact.

Without beating the dead horse, my thoughts are that the Tracker is an unknown to people and perhaps a little intimidating to some. Most of us on theboards are used to carrying small to medium sized knives and Tracker isn't either of those. It throws the finger to usual and customary to say the least. Glad you enjoy yours as well as I do. Todd
 
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I just wish the dang things weren't so heavy and expensive so I could afford to try one out!
 
emergprep said:
I have the full size Tracker and loved it out of the box, encountered some problems when using it. When chopping, I would have glanced blows that would go wild and the draw knife would just skitter across the wood. The coating would gum up when using the notching saw. I solved the problems by sending it to MIke at Sugarcreek knife works.
Mike started by removing the coating, then he reground the blade completley. THe main cutting area is now a Scandivex grind and the draw knife is now a full Scandi grind! No more glanced blows and no more skittering across the wood. Problem solved.

I removed the coating from my Mini, but left the grind intact.

Without beating the dead horse, my thoughts are that the Tracker is an unknown to people and perhaps a little intimidating to some. Most of us on theboards are used to carrying small to medium sized knives and Tracker isn't either of those. It throws the finger to usual and customary to say the least. Glad you enjoy yours as well as I do. Todd
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round abouts what did it cost for those mods...I have experienced some issues chopping, but wasn't (and still am not) sure it's not my technique. I do want to get rid of the coating fully (can I just sand blast it off if I protect the edge?)
 
Trentu is yor answer there

Dutch253 said:
I just wish the dang things weren't so heavy and expensive so I could afford to try one out!
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THe WSK is a design and there are many variations. Trentu has some of the best and he is far from being in the same price range. HE also makes killer sheaths for them! Check him out on Redneck knives subforum lots of goodness there! :4::4:
 
Sugar creek knife works

Noware said:
round abouts what did it cost for those mods...I have experienced some issues chopping, but wasn't (and still am not) sure it's not my technique. I do want to get rid of the coating fully (can I just sand blast it off if I protect the edge?)
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You will have to PM Mike for that info. He is on the vendor sub-forums, well worth looking into. Great guy to work with, makes simply awesome knives as well!
 
KerriTM said:
One of the guys on here that would run circles around a bunch of us in the woods uses one almost exclusively and he loves it so it works great for some and not for others its all just opinion I reckon check out mr black's threads and videos he does some incredible stuff with his
Click to expand...

+ 1....true statement....that combined with the fact said skilled person has used many blades in the field and never had a Tracker fail is enough for me- I was given the opportunity to use a couple of the 01 models that have had excellent reprofile/regrind work on them and they did not disappoint.
 
rusty stove said:
+ 1....true statement....that combined with the fact said skilled person has used many blades in the field and never had a Tracker fail is enough for me- I was given the opportunity to use a couple of the 01 models that have had excellent reprofile/regrind work on them and they did not disappoint.
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Can you elaborate on the reprofile/regrind. Same as previously state, e.g. 0 grind on draw area, and convex scandi on chopping edge?
 
I love my WSK, what a lot of people fail to realize is that the Tracker excels when you use it as if you were using paleo tools. The same techiques work like a charm. If you go into it thinking it will work like your normal modern tools you will be greatly disappointed.
 
emergprep said:
I solved the problems by sending it to MIke at Sugarcreek knife works.
Mike started by removing the coating, then he reground the blade completley. THe main cutting area is now a Scandivex grind and the draw knife is now a full Scandi grind! No more glanced blows and no more skittering across the wood. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

This pretty much sums it up....also- Panzer has the 01 where the finish was removed and the blade treated with gun bluing IIRC- it looks awesome.
 
Uh huh. And what makes it a "wilderness" survival knife? Is a Mora a WSK? A Spyderco Bushcraft? Isnt a "wilderness survival knife" the knife you have on you in the woods? Is this just some bizarre naming convention? I dont mean to thread jack but this is baffling.
 
Jennifer said:
Uh huh. And what makes it a "wilderness" survival knife? Is a Mora a WSK? A Spyderco Bushcraft? Isnt a "wilderness survival knife" the knife you have on you in the woods? Is this just some bizarre naming convention? I dont mean to thread jack but this is baffling.
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Its just what the designer decided to name it
 
Isnt a "wilderness survival knife" the knife you have on you in the woods?
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I officially hate that line. I mean absolutely 100% can't stand when I hear people say that. Not targeting at Jennifer but more at everyone that has repeated this sorta Yoda intellectualism as of late. It just annoys the heck out of me. Ok sorry for the rant. Back to your holiday fun.

YodaKnife.jpg
 
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