Review of the Tom Brown Tracker Knife Part 2

[gargamel6699]

I bought a Cold Steel Kukuri Machete for $19.99. I machined a small natch 1" from the handle. I assure you that it will outperform both these knives in almost every sense. Doesn't hold the edge too well, but a few quick passes with a stone keep her razor. I have beat the hell, I mean really really beat it, even through Puertorrican beach and jungle and still works fine.

[wowzerz1229]

im trying to find a good fixed blade survival knife. what would you suggest?

[NoMorCinn]

I am a knife collector, I have looked at the "Tracker", I just think the "saw teeth" to be of little or no use. I look at yours, I like the functionality of it. Keep up the work.

[thosasurvival]

lol ur shaving your wood

[fatboy3992]

Hey buddy you are giving your knife to much credit when the other knife did a better job in less time with less effort like the sawing yours was crap you just tried to compete with the other one and to shave the wood yours was hardly took off any wood the only advantage you have is better grip but from both of your videos that the tom brown tracker is a far better knife

[synRdave]

ive never seen sombody work so hard to make the tom brown tracker look bad. man even you have to admit you held back on the chopping. of course your gonna think your knife is better to be fair you need to have somebody else use both knives

[RatifiedCow]

Who did the custom sharpening job on the edge?

[dunpostyn]

Yours makes it look like a brick , with regards to sharpness.

[kaldicuct]

Ive studied the TBT for a while now. seems the only area where it lacks is chopping. If paired off with a hatchet, axe, hawk, to do the heavy chopping, the TBT could be a pretty decent survival knife. I wont be able to say for sure till i get my paws on a hawk and a Tracker.

[spockady]

realy enjoyed your R/V Sean. you pointed out a flaw or two and positives that has helped me decide. i have to agree with others that the notching ability of it was pretty impressive with minimal effort. whilst your knife did a great job of that, you used more time and more effort. that aside, thanks for the video.

i will subscibe and look forward to more of your vids

[MuseseekerMan]

Does Tom Brown even use that knife. It looks more designed for flash than practice.

I like your knife better, it looks more practical and the handle is nicer.

[wetslipperyseal]

I just watched both your reviews and I felt you held back a little as not to slay the TBT but I respect you for being that way. I got the TBT years ago and I am into survival and the outdoors pretty heavy and I just have to say, I too feel the same about alot of what you said. I am glad I have it in my collection but after putting it to use, I am not fully satisfied with it. I LOVE how it draws and made some great primitive weapons with it but the chopping was at best fair. Do you sell yours?.

[seanmulhall]

@wetslipperyseal

My knife is not for general sale, but I have had so many enquiries for it I am hoping that Chris will make a limited number.

[Capolan]

i taught wilderness survival for some time - I have to say....some of these cutting styles should be avoided at all costs. if you draw the blade to you, and risk cutting yourself horribly in an environment where you cannot afford this kind of injury. why would you put yourself in a situation where you could injure yourself?? I would NEVER teach this.

[mrfurball]

your design was based on the parang machete and believe me, i've used parangs in the far east and its a very effective tool so your design in my option is very sound, its was your execution to demonstrate the effectiveness of your design that made me write my other comment.

in my option u took a design that works and applied it in a very original manner to the small survival knife sector so yes i like ur knife.

[mrfurball]

ur design was obviously based on the parang machete, ive used a pang when i went to the far east and believe me its a very efective tool so ur design im my mind is very sound and reliable, its just that these 2 videos will not convince anyone just what a great little parang u got there.

great design choice,poor demonstration .

[mrfurball]

have u ever seen a kitchen knife informercial? where they try to cut a very ripe tomato by mashing the tomato with the side of the knife and squashing it because its so darn hard to use regular knifes to cut tomatoes but their knifes will cut paper thin slices of tomotaos? well those informercial seem more credible than this video.

ps.deep down the tom tracker looks so rambo awsome but we all know it sucks major nutbunnies, and u just made ur design seem worst than the knife u were outstaging

[avair12]

@lonepantherkmt Im just saying Tom Brown created this knife in the late 1980's and it was around way before the movie. the original knife is far batter than the TOPs version that you can buy now. It may have been made popular for buy the movie but it was not created for it.

[scrimpyanimal]

much better than part 1, much less biased. the "gut hook" portion of the TBT always confused me. it seems more like a design flaw that they turned into a selling point. as far as the notches however, you were completely biased. yes the "saw-back" portion of the TBT may be an inconvenience to many, but in this department it is perfectly suited. you appeared to take three times as long (plus more energy) to make an inferior notch and passed them off as equal.

[seanmulhall]

@scrimpyanimal

I didnt intend to imply they were equal notches but I that I was able to carve a notch without the saw back. It is one of design areas of the TBT that I strongly do not like. But this video is only my opinion.

[sprucepantherkmt]

@scrimpyanimal not one thing was biased in his whole review. he not only told us the way it was--he showed us thre bushcraft technique and the hollywood created knife simply couldnt cut the mustard.

[scrimpyanimal]

@sprucepantherkmt that knife was not created for a movie, they simply used it (incorrectly as a fighting knife) in a movie

[sprucepantherkmt]

@scrimpyanimal u are wrong it was a hollywood creation

[avair12]

@sprucepantherkmt I got the knife from the original maked Beck, in 1992......way....before the movie. you should do your home work.

[avair12]

@sprucepantherkmt I got this knife in 1992 from Beck the original maker, this is wayyy before the movie. do your home work.

[cobalt120]

I've seen a clone of a TB tracker on ebay. It actually looks better in design with it's longer skandi edge section.

[wncranger]

Very nice, Sean. Although late in replying, I really think your design makes more sense. Thank you so much for creating your videos and please continue. Don't let the negative responses rile you or cause you to ever stop enjoying what you are doing. For those of us, who due to circumstance, can't get to the outdoors as much as we would like, your videos are a God-send.

[mikehen06]

i think these two knives don't compare well. they are two different tools that happen to do some of the same things. so being used to the style of one trying the other wont seem as practical. i.e. let tom brown use yours and i bet he wont like it as much cause it doesnt fit his style. thats the perks of designing yout own knife. i do agree that the curved end should be just a little longer though. i wanna stab some1s heart through the top of their collar bone area and the tbt just wont reach.

[seanmulhall]

@mikehen06

I agree with you completely. Both knives are designed specifically for the individual. Many people do not like my knife but for me its the best one I have used. Maybe I should rename my knife Marmite.

[pockEclipse]

@mikehen06 well said.

[frankgon4]

I agree with your comments on the saw back. I designed a knife this year. The original had a saw back. I removed the saw back from the design after testing. The curve on the back for the knee does not seem like a good idea. Good review of the Tracker knife.

[chrissept21]

GB SFA

[032125]

Very fair review. I've not yet found the knife that wasn't a compromise in some way, but if I had to choose between the two I'd take yours. Personally I carry a Junglas because I could afford it and it does and admirable job.

That knee trick I didn't like at all.

[521McFadden]

looks good for skining large animals

[kaldicuct]

seems like the main problem for the tracker is the saw placement. straighten the "knee cup" ill say, and put the saw on that, seems youd get more leverage for it as well. extend the draw blade for more to work with, turn the chopping blade down in a kukri fashion, make the handle a little less boxy. You know what, if you get the time, or inclination go ahead and make the knife i just described in a rant, love to see the reveiw of a tweaked tracker.

[Caveman0713]

I appreciate your review Sean, I was actually contemplating a TBT purchase. I never could justify a $300 purchase. I make a few of my own knives but I keep at it because only a few do all that I want them to, and they don't them all as good as I would like. I have been looking for a good multipurpose bushcraft knife with both large knife and small knife qualities.( I want one knife to do the job of both large and small) Any ideas?

[ThePearljam333]

As a hunter, Army guy, just plain outdoors man period, all your points were valid, and I think youre exactly right. I would not want to be down drawing with the TBT while having that sawblade on the back, thats a no ´for me right off the bat. In my opinion i wouldnt get rid of the saw blade, I would extend the curve of the knife straighter, and place the sawblade at the topside neck of the knife, wouldnt be as wide but still usefull... good video..

[seanmulhall]

@ThePearljam333 Some really good ideas you have for improving the design of the TBT

[MrEhud77]

@ThePearljam333 So basically you want a bowie with a scandi grind near the tang and a saw blade on back?

[rainmechanic]

you were much too kind to the TBT knife...IMO Its a knife in search of another movie to star in... To those who subscribe to the man Tom Brown, i suggest you read up some on your messiah's past.. He is a bonafide proven FRAUD.. The story about "Grandfather" the appache indian living in New Jersey of all places, Tom Brown plagerized a series of outdoor books written by Ernest Thompson Seton between 1910 and 1920... The story of his childhood is that of two boys in Setons adventure books...

[TheAuspicious]

Good step by step reviews of the TBT!I have to agree with you on its design flaws! When it comes to drawing ,it is a very good an effortless, the blade doesn't bite too much! The tip as you say is too short and curvy! I like your SFK design, when it comes to Hatcheting, you've designed it perfectly it seems! I like the saw, I feel i don't need to put the stick down and hold it firmly, I can just hold it with 1 hand and make decent notches! As a TBT owner, it is very hard to disagree with you! GJ

[kewldudesweet]

it looks like mainly a great carver but for carving i dont need a freakin 28 ounce $300 hunk of steel ill just buy an opinel no8 for 15 bucks haha

[mr666Killerclown]

i like the knife, i agree the saw should be removed

[OregonBackpacker]

im curious what is the purpose of a draw knfe? to de-bark a log? great review by the way. i might trade my 22lr for a tops tbt but the 2 edged surfices have been ground to one edge. thanks

[archery3131]

As a person who uses knives under real world conditions, I have to say that the review appeared very fair to me, and the points made were valid.

[seanmulhall]

@archery3131 Thank you for your support.

[cammoronx7]

hey good review. i had been considering buying a tbt and i had not even thought of half of the things you pointed out. i was wondering if your knife is mass produced or if it was a custom job

[seanmulhall]

My SFK is a one off custom. I am curnetly speaking to Chris about making a production version.

[grappler321]

$300 of crap

[mtbronk]

it a hollywood knife but a cork scew on it and let 007 us it ! that thing is going to hurt a user of it sume day. to short for its waight. save your money let hollywood us it

[skbsick]

@mtbronk almost fair points but it was not designed for Hollywood, the original design belongs to RedScorpianSix and there's is better but not made of as good of a steel,

It sucks about once a year i think i want one but only for its looks not it's usses, thus i dont own one ha ha

[TheWoollyMammoth]

you do need the curve for skinning uses and I feel you are too partial to your own knife you are more used to it and have the pride of it being your thing I like your videos but this was not a fair comparison or commentary overall it was not a trashing of it but it wasn't fair either.

[seanmulhall]

I was consious I was using someone elses knife but I did not intentionally go easy on the TBT. Plus the TBT is far better for feather sticks but as for chopping it does not have the forward weight of mine.

[TheWoollyMammoth]

sorry the notching isn't even close it took you much longer and not as deep and perfect of a notch not the same like you say

[seanmulhall]

I agree but the saw back restricts the amount of different grips you can utilise with the TBT. I was able to acihve a similar result.

[TheWoollyMammoth]

actually the gut hook part isn't for fish it's for cutting the skin without cutting too far when you gut animals with fish this doesn't really matter so much.

[seanmulhall]

Thanks, I was unsure of its use but was relaying the information I had been given.

[grappler321]

pinch the skin and slice..easy

[evilevilrick]

I would never for this knife, it sells for $300 bucks. If it was made of gold, maybe, them it would be useless. Really want a shock Hedghog leatherworks, sells a sheath for it for about $250. You can keep the knife and the sheath. RTAK II $90, there are many out there that are every bit as good and probably more useful for around $100. If you have so much money that you can just through away on stuff like this, well just through it my way. I'll say thanks and promise not to screw you.

[smoith4]

I own the TBT and It does have a lifetime replacement and sharpening warranty.

[seanmulhall]

You cant grumble at that. Not many other knives offer the same warranties

[chris34389]

Very good tests and comparison video Sean!!! I like both knives... one thing to note, the curved edge on the TBT is usefull for skinning. A very round curved blade is important, in that aspect. However I wouldn't even consider buying that knife for 300+ dollars I wouldn't spent that much on any knife as a matter of fact... maybe if it has life time replacement no matter what.

[ChronicMist]

one good survival knife for it's money it's RAT-7 from Ontario, which is around 100$, or his equivalent RC-6 made by Rat Cutlery, which has almost the same price :) got RAT7, love every part of it, simple, but what's most important, functional

[Bushcr4ft]

i know it's not your type... but i strongly recommend a smaller knife such as the woodlore knife by ray mears, or numerouse knives made by mora of sweden. i know you like your big knives but the smaller ones are very good and although they cannot chop (something i feel is not necessary for a knife) they are more useable, take and hold a sharper edge and fine carving is indefinitely better.

[seanmulhall]

I do own lots of smaller knives and I am having one designed to my own spec. The SFK was to answer to heavy camp chores without having to carry an axe. Although the SFK will cope with most of the chores of a smaller knife there is no getting away from the fact that I am having to compramise on comfort when holding around the choil. I always intended to carry the SFK with a smaller companion knife.

[hoosierarcher]

12 - 14 inches long logs up to 6 inches in diameter split easily(straight grained maple, well seasoned) saplings cut for shelter up to 5 inches in circumference which is about 3 inches in diameter cut down at about a 45 degree angle sheered with one strong swipe. If a Ghurka that weighs between 125 and 140 pounds can behead any size man with one blow, a 6 foot one inch 290 pound man can sheer through so little wood.

[Bushcr4ft]

that is ridiculouse.

[hoosierarcher]

what do you find ridiculous?

Nothing eroneous was intended I did make a mistake and corrected that. If I didn't have my digicam stolen i would post vids about how great a heavy kukri chops. From cutting down saplings to splitting larger logs it is a nearly perfect replacement for an hatchet and a machete. and why my comments are negatively rated because I give a preference for a blade superior to the TBT.

[Bushcr4ft]

well i hate the tbt anyway any i am sure your knife is better...

just sounds ridiculouse that your knife can cut through a 5" log in one swipe...

[hoosierarcher]

That is what I corrected. You can't edit posts. I typed the wrong word. Try a kukri for yourself and see if it isn't the best chopping tool you've ever used.

[iRaptor59]

Your knife reminds me more of a small Golok than a TBT.

[jbr1074]

5" in one swing? Gotta cal BS! Sorry...

[hoosierarcher]

OOPS! sorry I meant circumference not diameter.

The ATC was freshly sharpened and I'm pretty strong. Mulberry saplings diameter was probably 3". I've done bigger with 2 swings, one to each side.

[seanmulhall]

Depending on how long the log is I belive a kukhri could split a 5" diameter log with one chop. My SFK will split 12"long logs upto 4" thick with one chop. A Kukhri with its 8mm blade and extra weight and wedge profile should split better.

[Bushcr4ft]

@seanmulhall ah i see. would it then not be easier to just carry the axe?

[Bushcr4ft]

i am also am very interested in this custom small knife you are speaking about... what do you ussualy carry asyour standard small knife?

[seanmulhall]

I have several diferent small knives. I use the Fallkniven F1 and several custom prototypes. My new design is 3.5 inches in length. I wont have it until next year but will post a video once it is made.

[guiltybystander77]

That is, assuming you want to carry the kilo or so of metal. Its always a trade-off.

[seanmulhall]

My knife weighs 650grams. I did not weigh the TBT.

[guiltybystander77]

ok. Most kukris are about 750 to 850 grams (some even 900) so even though a massive kukri would split better, its also more weight. To quote nutnfancy:'there is good weight and bad weight, this knife is a pain to carry in, but once you're there, you really don't want to mess around'. Like I said, always a trade-off

[stripymccatpuss]

The more I see that Tom Brown knife the more it sucks, everyone wants to reinvent the wheel..... I just put new tyres on...

[Bushcr4ft]

i agree. it is an insult to bushcraft. it is just a ridiculouse piece of brutality;]>

[torpilo]

28 ounces and 300 $ for making feather sticks..

[LouieG7777]

EXAAAAAAACTLY!! Thank you torpilo!! The TBT is waaaaaaaayy too overprized!! To be quite honest I wouldn't even pay $20 USD for personal use of this knife. However I would pay that much and resell it for $40 USD because I would feel bad to stiff someone for more than that on this knife.

[Bushcr4ft]

ye wel it is ridiculouse but he's saying that it has many uses other than his horrse sh*t story about the 5" logs...

[agglutination]

How the hell do you sharpen that thing? It's all kinds of goofy

[seanmulhall]

The TBT has two seperate cutting profiles. So you need a small stone and sharpen blade seperately. The front with a circular motion and the rear with a straight up and down motion.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Sean...

Fair review.. I like your knife Bro.. Wanna send me one to review? LOL!

[seanmulhall]

I dont make them or sell them, but if I can find a way of getting one to you I'd love you to review one.

[MrPaulbibby77]

as i thaught sean when we chatted about this knife and i said i would not buy another if i had to replace it but as always a great vid and best of all a fair review and a complete review 5*

[LouieG7777]

MrPaulbibby77 thank you sooooo much for lending your knife for this review. There are people out there that would probably still buy your knife for a little under $100 USD on e-bay.

[007vauxhall]

Brilliant

[CZBOHUNK]

Sean, Great review Keep them comeing.

[hoosierarcher]

the saw back on the Tom Brown tracker is like tits on a boar.

[LouieG7777]

HAAAHAHAAAA!!!

[stealthyspider]

Great review Sean.

[Isismygoddess333]

Ive never been impressed with the town brown tracker over hyped due to that movie they used it in,I tried batoning with my buddies TBT and it wasnt to efficient.Ill take my 40.00 Ontario marine raider bowie anyday over the TBT

[clap5]

Would you ever do a feild review on the Cold Steel Recon Scout or Trail Master?

[tetsubo57]

I prefer your knife. The TBT gets a lot of press because of the association with Tom Brown. But he's become a bit of a nutter over the years. I mean, how often do you need to make square bottom notches?

[captaincoolness55]

for the indentation on the bowdrill fireboard, try laying the board on the ground, then stepping on the board, then using the knife in a stabbing and twisting motion. you know... pressing down, and twist with the handle instead of the knife point. just a thought, i don't know for certain if it'd work better, just makes more sense to me. hope the idea helps.

[canteencorner]

Great set of reviews - a truly fair and honest comparison. I had a TBT2, now I just carry a custom F1 and a folding saw.

[seanmulhall]

I agree with your current knife choice. The custom F1 is a beautiful knife and super strong. I also love the grind on it. It reallly suits my style of use. Thanks for your comments on the review. This video was at the requests of my subscribers and I was not out to slate the TBT but to try and give a fair review of it in my opinion.

[Balefulmoon]

Sean, Red Scorpion Six sells essentially the same knife as the Tom Brown Tracker, called the Raven WSK, in a version without the saw blade on the back and with a more rounded handle.

I have not tried either the Tom Brown or the Raven, but I thought you might want to have a look at them.

[seanmulhall]

The Raven might be the better knife then. The draw knife part of the blade in outstanding.

[davideli7879]

I agree. Too many trade offs. I was hot for this knife, the first time I saw it. But even then, I did not like the saw back. I just don't care for that on a knife. They are not good saws, and they get in the way. Your knife is fine, but (and I know you disagree) I much prefer to use my K-bar, my folding saw, and yes Sean my Camp axe, I have seen most of your video's and know how you feel about this(the axe) but I have been using mine for over 30 years now.

Dad, said always use the right tool..

[seanmulhall]

Im not anti axes, but for what I do in the woods I dont feel I need one. I do own 2 but never take them out with me.

[davideli7879]

I did not mean that you were anti axe. Just that you think they were too much to carry. I wish, I had 1/10th of your out door skill. While I grew up in the hills of east Kentucky and camped and hunted, I still don't have your out door skills. I can use the axe better than most, as it was apart of my every day life, we had a wood cook stove, and a wood stove for heat. I still use a wood stove for heat, so I still use a axe, or maul/ wedge.I do still camp, but I drive there. So I don't carry much.

[Odaon]

Good stuff. The knee technique is more for fine work. Like taking bark off, rougher work with that wont work very well as you showed.

[seanmulhall]

Thanks

[Bloodynavallint]

Good video

[dragonflyhiker]

good review