Need help understanding this blade type

[WestKentucky]

I have been looking at the “custom” and “Damascus” knives on auction sites recently. Basically just admiring the artwork of some of the hand forged knives. I keep seeing trappers pop up and I can’t figure out why this design is even a thing. I need some help. And just for reference there is this auction which is pretty representative of a lot of trappers I see on there. What’s the deal with the second section of blade? It just looks strange, almost like somebody’s belt sander got out of hand.

Not affiliated in any way, just trying to understand what I’m seeing.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/973196305

 

[Jonah77]

I *believe* it may have something to do with having two distinct blade geometries on the same "knife" (blade). Typically one for chopping and one for cutting\slicing....saves the finer edge from the abuse of chopping...maybe? The only other thing I can think of using that odd edge for would be as a draw knife-more control less likely to slip than a standard edge?

But I don't have one and cannot verify that is what is going on in your examples. I gotta say they are pretty ugly knives though (imo).

 

[Valkman]

I believe the original was Tom Brown's Tracker, these are copies of it. It's just different grinds on the same knife. Not very good copies either from what I can tell.

 

[WestKentucky]

I agree on being ugly. Sometimes ugly for a distinct reason puts some beauty back as functional art. These though, at least to me, look like bad sci-fi props. Or horror film props.

 

[Mizar]

It was an almost forgotten "survival" knife from Tom Brown, made in the 80's, that the movie "The Hunted" brought back to life - you can read the story in the link bellow. Like almost all of the "survivalist blades" I find it rather useless except for some very, very specific task. And then again, a more traditional knife, like the Leuku for example, does the same job better without looking like a Manga inspired nonsense...
https://freerangeamerican.us/tom-brown-tracker/

 

[JShirley]

Most so-called Damascus knives you see are made in Pakistan or India. You should never trust the steel or heat treat used in a pattern welded knife, unless at the least the maker tells you what the steel blend is, like "1080 and 15N20". Even that isn't a guarantee of quality, but it's a start.

The only type of multiple grind knife I'm really okay with, either has serrations on one side, or a saw or serrated spine.

John

 

[RA40]

Some of the local guys are using Baker Forge and Tool damascus billets. I've liked Devin Thomas damascus yet there are plenty of forgers making nice patterns out there. Take search for some of the blades crafted from their steel.

As far as differing grinds, it has become trendy to have those profiles on some blades. One of our gatherings we'd been discussing this and most of us felt it wasn't as practical. May be cool to see when executed well I'll give it that.

 

[gotboostvr]

It was an almost forgotten "survival" knife from Tom Brown, made in the 80's, that the movie "The Hunted" brought back to life - you can read the story in the link bellow. Like almost all of the "survivalist blades" I find it rather useless except for some very, very specific task. And then again, a more traditional knife, like the Leuku for example, does the same job better without looking like a Manga inspired nonsense...
https://freerangeamerican.us/tom-brown-tracker/

Good movie if I remember right (it's been awhile since I watched it) but remember thinking that blade looked pretty ungainly and hardly the kind of knife I'd grab to go live in the woods.

 

[hso]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/973196305

Terrible pakimascus CRAP!

 

[Valkman]

If you're getting 5 "custom" knives for $28 each, run! Cheapo crap.

 

[WestKentucky]

Terrible pakimascus CRAP!

Agreed.

I’m not sure what the majority of the “custom Damascus” is on there… maybe Pakistani blades with handles attached? Some of them are really pretty, but not that blade design. There’s one that’s clearly junk but it’s so pretty I would buy it and put in on a wall if I thought it would be as pretty in person. I’ll find it and link it.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/988462032

 

[Mk-211]

There are a few different versions of the knife. Tom Brown had or still has a survival school.

https://www.trackerschool.com/

Tops knives has made a couple, their own and one for Browning.

Tops Knives


I have the Browning version, like it better w/o the saw teeth.



If I was in the market, it would be one of these two.

The movie "the hunted" was remade in 2003 with Tommy Lee Jones and Benecio del Toro. Toro had the tracker knife in the movie.

 

[Jonah77]

I like John Greco's version better....

 

[Valkman]

I like John Greco's version better....View attachment 1153376

Those turn from a Tracker to a Nightmare grind. Several makers do them.

 

[Old Dog]

They're still ugly, and having used knives all my life, I personally don't see a use at all for the design in question (or similar). While I own Tom Brown's book and appreciate his influence in bushcraft and survival training, I've always questioned the "Tracker" design.

 

[hso]

Agreed.


https://www.gunbroker.com/item/988462032

More pakistani made garbage knives. I'm very disappointed to see this junk on Gunbroker now.

Any custom damascus knife worth having as a knife instead of a paper-weight is going to start at $300 from a young maker like Sam Riner that makes his own damascus from time to time. A big-ol-knife is going to start at more like $400.

Guys, any deal that looks too good to be true is almost certainly not a good deal when it comes to custom knives sold on the internet. The cheap crap with 'Murican sounding names is just a scam.

 

[RA40]

Same for those TV shopping clubs that sell 144 knives for $200.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Do those tracker knives have a single bevel edge?