Knives from Track of the Wolf

[burnse]

I gave away my opinel 7.
It went to someone who could use it more than me (since I still have my no. 8), and it gives me an excuse to get a new knife.

I am more partial to traditionally styled knives, and prefer fixed blades to folders.

Now, what really caught my eye are these nice little Courier des bois knives from Track of the Wolf:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categ...&subId=58&styleId=224&partNum=KNIFE-COURIER-L
and
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categ...&subId=58&styleId=224&partNum=KNIFE-COURIER-M

Anyone have experience with knives from Track of the Wolf. Any input is appreciated - especially if anyone has handled these particular models. Thanks.

 

[Isaac's Grandpa]

They carry good stuff. I have made several of the Green River camp knives. They are about 20 miles from my house.

 

[QuietEarp]

No experience with that company, but I have some experience with that style of knife.

I ordered what is referred to as the "Hudson Bay Roach Belly" form Ragnar's Ragweed Forge. It is from the same manufacturer with the little canoe on the blade. I asked Ragnar some questions about that line of knives and he let me know that those "trade knives" often feel to us like kitchen knives in that the blades are relatively thin. That is why I went with the Hudson Bay Roach Belly as it is made of thicker material. 3/16" vs 1/8".

I like the knife a lot though I wish I ordered a sheath as I have yet to get one made for it or make one myself. I bet a thinner blade would be just fine, but mentally I just wanted something a little sturdier. The steel doesn't like to be wet so I have to keep my girlfriend from using it in the kitchen, washing it and letting it sit there damp. It does cut veggies pretty good though.

Hope this helps.

 

[Molasses]

those "trade knives" often feel to us like kitchen knives in that the blades are relatively thin.

I bet a thinner blade would be just fine, but mentally I just wanted something a little sturdier.

I've got a couple of different models than what the OP links to that I've picked up at Track, look to be the same MFG and the blades do seem thin to my sensibilities. Can't say that I've done much with them other than pick one up and fondle it once in awhile, occasionally cut open packaging, that sort of light use. Sometimes they even get used as bookmarks!
However, I just picked one of them up and compared it to a "military" Mora and it's very close to the exact same blade thickness.

 

[burnse]

This has all been very useful. I would only be using them for daily light/medium tasks such as paper and package cutting, as well as food prep while camping. Would probably get a sheath, too, and end up carrying everyday. Thanks!

 

[hso]

In these days of the sharpened pry-bar, we get waaayyyyyy too hung up on the thickness of the stock used for knives when we're not actually using them for a role that needs that thickness.

A knife only needs to be thick enough to do the job it is intended for. Heat treat and material are more important. If you're going to pry with the thing then you're going to want thicker material than if you're only going to cut with it.

 

[Burt Blade]

Thinner blades tend to cut better, and are "handier". Dressing game and cutting meat were far more comon tasks than carving through a horde of foes. But you could carve quite well at that.