I thought the folks at Tops were straight shooters....is there a way to have them change the name to be given credit where its due? I feel that there is a ethical concern here.....i agree, im not sue crazy either but....this is your family legacy. I gotta say it would be pretty hard for me to purchase a tracker now from any other manufacturer. Even though ive owned some of Dave Becks knives and find him a great guy and maker. Right is right.

Dang it. Now I “need” this knife.

I'd rather have one of Robb's Tracker Knives because they aren't outrageously priced like Dave Beck's!

So, sue Tom Brown and everybody connected with "robbing" you of your credit.

I Will buy the Robb Russon one, I was going to get the brown,but never now!!!

Tops is trash. Dave Becks is perfection. This is a great history.

My dad invented gravity before Isaac Newton stole it!!

I feel so sorry for yr dad what a disheartening chain of events leading to straight out theft of intellectual property

The facts are this Who gives a shit who designed it it's all about the guy who had the balls to put it into production ...

Hey Mark where did you get that “KNIVES” shirt?

Where can I get a Russon tracker

I'm so glad your father is still alive. Until today, i had no idea about this controversy. After watching my DVD of The Hunted again, i decided to KZbin search Tom Brown for survival info and not this knife.But of course videos about this knife was at the top of the feed, so i decided to watch one of these videos, and in the comments section someone had posted about your father and Utah Knives being the creator of the tracker. That got my attention, and so I went to your website, and then I saw your first video from 4 years ago. Afterward, I was wondering if your father was still alive, and then I stumbled into this video with him in it, and that makes me happy he's alive to see his story gaining traction. A video I saw before this one, the guy stated he specifically bought a tracker from you and not TOPPS was because of your family's history with this knife. I'm not surprised Brown ripped your family off, as he comes across as a snake in the grass in the special features portion of The Hunted. If I ever do buy a Tracker, I will be buying one of yours, and it will be because of your family's history with it, and because Brown ripped off your family. BTW, I like the improved model you showed in your video from 4 years ago. Especially the hook idea.

BEST interview on KZbin! Thank you and GOD BLESS you both.

Whats next , did you design crocodile Dundee's knife

So why if tour dad designed the tracker knife,then why was the picture that your dad says tom brown sent him along with measurements and specs for what the features of the lnife was to be used for. Doesn't make any sense that someone else would know what your dad was designing, And your so called collaboration with a gut hook that damn thing will get broken using the knife for batoning

I understand that your father doesn't want to sue over the situation but I think I might have an idea that could really make things right. I think maybe you should go to the patent office and patent the design tell the story about the design make it yours legally. It's a lot less messy than a lawsuit but it still tells the truth on the books

Wow, who knew. I have just ordered a APO-1T in the style your father created. The redesign by survival Lilly is made in AUS-8 and has no saw, but is probably more like the original size (I think). Anyway Im glad I know the story and I won't call it the Tom Brown Tracker but my Russon Tracker.

WOW!!!

I think this will be my next knife. Seems like an interesting design. Expect an order from Alberta Canada in the coming weeks 😊 I'll do a demo and review on KZbin to bring it more attention as well.

Thanks to Urban Knife Guy for this accurate depiction of the "Tracker Knife story". For more information, I have published an interview with my father, Robb Russon--the original designer of the knife--on KZbin where you can get the words from my father himself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqLPnHmmr8aEmrs

Had a Tom Brown tracker , cool to look at . Not really practical . It's supposed to be a one tool option , there's no such thing

This story angers me to no end. I have been a HUGE fan of the T1 by TOPS for a long time. I own 3 of them (all of which are far more heavily used than any you'll see on KZbin). I'll never buy another one. Unfortunately, you have lost a great opportunity to a liar & thief (Tom Brown) & to any number of patent laws. However, for whatever it is worth, you made an enormous contribution to the outfit cutlery world & to your family's little-known legacy. May the words "Tom Brown Tracker" never escape my lips again! Thank you, sir, for the countless hours of joy your genius has given me around the fire.

I spoke with Tom Brown in person and he said that *he* was the designer of the tracker knife.

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqvhKN9grp9iNksi=y3xrlW4dQiPcgUyS This guy does a great synopsis about theiving Tom Brown's intellectual property theft crimes. It would be nice to see Tops (even better; Tom Brown and guilty accomplices) really make it right-Mr Russon deserves monetary compensation/prestige/accolades/acknowledgement/recognition! Thanks for never giving up Russon family!

As a kid I was such a fan of the movie The Hunted. Now that I have disposable income, I’ve been collecting knives. Remembering the movie I wanted to get a tracker knife. I’m so glad I came across this video before I bought one from Blade HQ. I will be ordering my knife from your guises website.

People like Tom Brown are disgusting. Sleezy wannabe. I'm happy to know the truth

Sad indeed

Thank you for sharing your story, my heart goes out to you guys and my respect for the design of the knife just went up now knowing the true story of the knife. It inspired me to make this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYDUe5iNl5WYgqc

The tracker has been my catalyst for becoming a blade smith ..and now iv been doing that for 20 years itd be an honer to shake your hand sir

Whilst I'm not really into the blade design, I did like the one with the gut hook. I really feel that there should be some sort of lawsuit filed. I guess the problem is, your Dad did this on trust and didn't file a patent first. Even if I wanted the Tops version, I'd never buy it because of all the shenanigan's Brown did.

What a great story about you, your dad and the tracker. Of course I will buy the original that you and your dad have put together. I’m also looking forward to seeing the movie. Many thanks for the truth regarding such a great knife and knife maker.

"The day you decide to make knife making a business you will ruin it as a hobby." That's with everything. I've seen happen to people who draw, cook, and even play video games. It stops becoming fun. The adage "If you love something and do it for a living, you will never work a day in your life" is a bit misleading because you turned something you love doing into a chore; something you have to do out of obligation instead of when the mood strikes. People's mileages do vary.

Very sad story. I wrote the whole article about trucker knife for Knives.pl forum somewhere around 2005. Unfortunately the truth wasn't known at that time. I love the design and I have 1 trucker like knife but I feel bad giving Tom Brown credit for stolen design

Interesting story....always nice to see people having *actual (laminated 😉) receipts* for what they say. Difficult for Mr. Brown to deny anything here... A little tid-bit; I had (maybe still have somewhere) that exact Blade-magazine... I've wanted a Tracker for a long time, but never had the funds for it...and now I don't mind much... I guess TOPS gets most of it, but also a percentage still going to Mr. Brown...and with the price even a mere 5% would be a very nice extra income Sad I didn't know about the Kickstarter before now otherwise I'd have been a happy backer (and owner of at least 1 perhaps 2....)... I see the price is a bit higher now so I guess I'll have to start saving - perhaps I'll get one next year with a bit of luck ! Thank you for telling the history and showing the different iterations of the knife !

I guess "Grandfather" wasn't the designer after all....always sounded a bit strange to me as native americans - as far as I know - never had a lot of knivemaking going on after they got access to steel. Mostly they traded or got them in other ways.

Let me start off with “I’m No expert” background in mechanical Engineering. I had a stops Tom Brown tracker 1/4” thick Thought it was a Good design but execution was poor. Had it been 3/16th thick it would of performed much better and sacrifice little strength. I ended up hating that Knifes performance Until I did a Re-Grind on the edges and stripped off the coating and used Gun Blue and polished some parts near the edges. It was night and Day. I always told myself that That Knife looked to me like it needed to be hand made individually big made in mass. Now that I hear this seeing this video I Understand much better and I knew I was correct about a lot of it. In any case I gave it away to a Friend who had seen that movie and was hell Bent on buying one. Now that I know the Shady behavior of Mr.Brown I’m glad I don’t own it anymore. My main blade is a Prather war Bowie simple Bowie Design works well for almost everything.

The whole conversation is very peaceful and informative to listen. Huge respect for both of you!

fuck tom brown period if this hasnt been taken care of its a shame im sure you're owed a good bit of money and more respect i called tops today and they still said he was the creator but the correspondence proves that your the original creator. this made me sad for your father man in a real way is this still happening?

I had not heard of this portion of the story. Looking at your dads version “medicine blade”, I would prefer it over the Tops version I actually purchased. Obviously changes my opinion of Tom Brown. There is a difference in the two knives but very minute at best. Maybe you should look at other companies and see if they can produce them.

I love the new design survivor knife. The gut hook and hammer handle are smart. I hope your dad gets worldwide recognition for your design. My only gift to the world is grinding a bottle opener into the spine of my cheap edc. Haha. Dunno why more knives don’t have that as a feature. Seriously though, I’d be gutted to see a design I created become world famous and not get credit for it. If I see one of your knives for sale (and if I have any money) I’ll buy one.

Would you make 1 and send it to australia

I bought a mini tracker made by tops just today. In wanting to do some research on the cool design, I came across this great video. It really makes me want to return this Tops knife after learning all of this information. I really appreciate the truth about this knife.

I feel for you, Having your notoriety pulled, I have had my own share of "dud" end results, And here is what I learned from it, There are an infinite number of parallel universes. And when we physically die, We get to experience the same one over again if desired, Or switch to a different parallel universe That has the success we are looking for in this life, And this life becomes the faded Dejan vu, What a weird fleeting dream, So do your best to see the bigger picture of the universe,,, That power hungry politicians and religious porn fanatics Hope you never find out,,, As an edit I have to say the tracker is one of my favorites as well, And now after hearing your story,, It would seem the tracker ll Or tracker lll are closer to your original design,

Imho, Tops should hang their heads in shame, and remove any mention of Mr Tom Brown,, from blades and advertising.. But that would lose them sales, from all the "dim" people who are too ignorant, to be bothered about truth, and integrity.. I'll never say the words Tom Brown, and Tracker, in the same sentence again,, Thank you both so much,, 🔪🔪👍👍

When the time comes I will be buying a UKW Tracker. I'd rather support the closest thing to the original that can be purchased than the wolf in sheep's clothing version. I'll admit I was going to buy a TOPS one, but after seeing this they lost a customer; their fault or not.

Thank you so much for this video,, I'll never use the words Tom Brown, and "Tracker" , in the same sentence again,,.. I hope your father gets all the recognition he deserves,, I've just ordered a Boker Tracker, and I'm waiting for delivery,, (it's as much as I can afford to pay at the moment,,) Great video,, thanks again, for setting the record straight,, 🔪🔪🔪👍👍

As an beginner wanna be knifemaker i really feel for your father. Even from Sweden Im familiar with Brown and have also seen this knife in the movie and heard the outlandish claim he makes about it. Im happy you made this video and that atleas your father Will get recognition as the designer. Also as a fan of using kickstart for things i would be happy to but this knife from you in a campaign there If i can afford it. Thanks for a great video.

I will never buy a TOPS knife if I can help it. They have the worst customer service of any company. They ignore requests and only look out for themselves and their military users

I totally plan on purchasing your knife Mr Russon. 👍

Was just re-watching this and that sheath drawing at 24:38 caught my attention. While I can't see it completely, I get the impression Brown was drawing a "Crow Sheath" which was a very common pattern on the frontier. It could be worn strong side or support side, usually handle reversed for a kind of "twist draw. If moved forward of the hip, it presents for a cross draw by opposite hand.t could be slid around the belt to wherever it was needed at the time. It was common and you see this in period paintings such as Jacob Miller's works, where it is worn behind the hip, butt forward - - out of the way yet accessible. I have always felt that the so-called "Scout carry" was some sort of misinterpretation of the Crow Sheath, which quite frankly, is a much more versatile sheath. Very secure too, as the sheath has a single loop and is woven onto the belt so the body of the sheath is trapped directly against the body by the belt. Go to a present-day Mountain Man reenactment and you will see this carry.