You guys want to talk about survival knives?

Yeah nice blade but illegal in my state of PA

The hollow handle with fishing line and hooks, matches and I think there was a wire saw in there…

I really don’t understand the hate for this thread?

So... thread has come this far, but still no mention of Tracker designs?

The TOPS trackers are very versatile. The full-size #1 Tracker in finished configuration is a .25" slab of cutting machine. A bit wide to be an efficient slicer, but heavy enough to do hatchet work, use the front round edge like a Ulu, has a pretty lengthy straight edge, and that Great TOPS round edge that transitions the two and makes so many other tasks possible.

Not really a big fan of the scout carry metal clips TOPS uses on their Kydex scabbards, but other hardware can be rigged to work. If you had only one knife to work with, a Tracker might be what you'd want.

I mean, what are The Key Bushcraft Skills, for a survival event? Being able to create tinder to make a fire, process small wood for tending the fire, cutting and processing roots/vines for cordage, being able to baton small to medium diameter wood pieces, notching to enable fastening and tie downs. The Tracker reviews I've seen all remark about the knife's design working okay but not excelling greatly at all of these survival situation chores.

Pretty obvious that the Tracker works for skinning and other meat processing chores.

We once bought a young sheep from a homeschool friend down in Tx. Processing the carcass on our kitchen utility table was a very big task. I'd killed deer, but never processed and wrapped the meat. Not much of a big deal with an 80lb sheep, but splitting the pelvis was one helluva job. We have a Dexter meat cleaver, commercial grade, very thick steel. To cleave the pelvis I had to baton the cleaver with a piece of 2x4, which was fully destroyed by time the pelvis finally split.

So game processing is likely to be a real chore with any knife. Then there is the fact that bones are so heavy and brittle, as The DBK Guys show often enough, hammering bone will chip many of the hi-tech knife steels.


While the TOPS Tracker is meant to be a heavy-duty wilderness tool box of capabilities, I really wish could get it w/o the notching sawback spine. Maybe the splintering of your baton wood is supposed to happen to make fire starting materials? I dunno, but the whole notching thing is kind of over blown.


My own preference is the TOPS Skullcrusher design. Pretty much the same knife, except less blade sweep up front and a longer area for drawknife work behind the rounded transition edge between front and back. The SXB also has a bit more versatile handle and better sheath.

What I don't have, but have considered is the TOPS Cuma. One of these is available w/o the sawback. The Cuma has more of a Kukri sweep and lacks the focused round edge, but does have the solid spine, enabling easier use as a skinning blade. The Cuma also has a more versatile point for hole-making. Seems to be a modified short Kukri in many ways an excellent design.


There really is no other company like TOPS for all their incredible designs and quality results. Could they do better sheaths? For sure.

Back to the Tracker though... The #1 and #3 are the largest sizes; 3 being titanium, iirc. These knives are heavy and have a real hawk-hatchet sweep on the forward blade. With enough lanyard to choke way back on the micarta handle, they chop pretty effectively. The #2 is medium sized which is very versatile, and the #4 is a mini-Tracker, maybe a great neck knife if you want the a small package of Tracker features.

2nd Amendnent says otherwise. Don't be a wuss.

Probably because this is a conspiracy site where people talk about paranormal and spiritual things.

Not some autism board where you can sperg out about knives and other stupid materialism shit to buy.

Take this crap over to Reddit. You’ll fit in better there.

Naw already thought of that…if you ever had to use it in defense you would be fucked

Only if you got yourself killed.

172$....

Get some steel and a file dude, geeze...

I'm old school, USMC K-Bar

Probably because this is a conspiracy site where people talk about paranormal and spiritual things.

Not some autism board where you can sperg out about knives and other stupid materialism shit to buy.

Take this crap over to Reddit. You’ll fit in better there.

Oh? You mean it’s not a site where half the shit is dumbasses whining about not having a girlfriend, the laundry list of fast food they’re going to go get or “conspiracy” shit that’s so fucking stupid it gives you hysterical blindness just reading it? It’s not THAT kind of site you fuckin’ asshole? About a 1/16 of the content on here is worth a shit. If that. But the stuff that is god is worth it. I don’t think a thread about survival knives is even close to being inappropriate on here. So lighten up, Francis.

Oh? You mean it’s not a site where half the shit is dumbasses whining about not having a girlfriend, the laundry list of fast food they’re going to go get or “conspiracy” shit that’s so fucking stupid it gives you hysterical blindness just reading it? It’s not THAT kind of site you fuckin’ asshole? About a 1/16 of the content on here is worth a shit. If that. But the stuff that is god is worth it. I don’t think a thread about survival knives is even close to being inappropriate on here. So lighten up, Francis.

Naw, if I used that in self defense and killer someone and it was justifiable I would still be fucked by using an illegal blade. Not worth it. The funny thing is in PA you could literally walk around with a machete on your hip but if you have a 3 in assist blade you could be arrested

Never did see the value in "survival knives". If your gonna pack the weight around why not use a Leatherman?

You get the knife plus lots of other tools.

Unless you plan on being in a knife fight, then I'd want the big blade.

BEST survival knife EVER. HOODLUM. [link to www.bladehq.com (secure)]

So I was in the market for a new mid sized knife and grabbed this one. It’s a Tops knives Silent Hero… didn’t get it yet but on its way. Will have to update when received.

[link to www.bladehq.com (secure)]

What is yours?

Anything from ESEE.

Can't beat them for the money, and lifetime unconditional warranty.

im going to get a esee5 [link to www.youtube.com (secure)] you can never have to many knives imo.

im going to get a esee5

Esee makes a nice product. They have about 8 designs, but make numerous catalog variations. TOPS takes an opposite approach, also nice product, but few, if any, variations on a particular model; just many, many different blade designs.

Both Great Value knives. Esee Junglas for me. I stripped the blade coating, and ground in a finger choil. Now it's a Great Knife.


Anyone use the Esee Survival Kit on their sheath? Pretty neat pouch; I dunno about the kit contents. The Altoids tin kits were a constant topic on Hoodlums way back when.

Reallybigmonkey1 on YT almost always fastens a mora or some other small fixed blade knife to his matchete scabbards. The BK-9 has a pouch and sleeve for a Becker Remora, essentially a neck knife. Monkey likes a pouch for his folding saw and mora knife sheath on his machete Scabbard.

If you're carrying a Survival Knife, are you also carrying a pack of some sort? ALICE era buttpack with shoulder straps? A fanny pack? Lowe made a nice padded fanny pack & belt with 2 water bottle holders. Can put other pouches on the belt too, but becomes a Belt & Suspenders kind of deal.

What are your other Carry Items if you are out in the woods w/your Survival Knife?