First Time Playing with a Tracker

A friend was kind enough to loan me a Tracker to play with and I took it out for the first time yesterday.
I used a rotten Pacific Silver Fir for my set today, and it was a lot punkier than I expected. This made working with the knife easier, but made the friction side of things more difficult.

[@AnthonyJones-zo7dy]

I do like how you just show stuff in your videos without a bunch of superfluous explanations. Clearly showing how is really all that is necessary... great job! All the VERY BEST!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Anthony. 🙂

[@garyminick1050]

Yes ,totally agree with you. His unspoken videos are nothing short of brilliant !

[@rustyknightjustme]

Would you buy one again?

[@VIKINGOINTRUDER]

Undoubtedly it is not the tool. It's those clever hands that wield it.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@castle6660]

FACT! While the tool is important, and the Tracker is a great tool... A man like this... would figure out how to accomplish these same tasks with a spoon and leverage. Very impressive 👏👏👏

[@asmith7876]

Must be the happiest dog anywhere. And wow, this guy...incredible skills along with perseverance! Unbeatable combination.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks A Smith! 🙂

[@ozibeno4574]

Impressive man. True woodsman. And I ecco the rest. No useless narration. Well done.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ozi :)

[@dasta7658]

Thanks for posting this. It was really enjoyable to watch. I loved the fact whilst using the bow and drill you showed the realities of it and didn't just splice together footage to make it look like it worked in a hot minute. I also like there was no talking and not being one of those people who have just bought an item and they start talking about how it is the best tool ever. Thanks again!

[@buchgeisterralf3251]

You have a golden eye for choosing section and anle for your camera. And I know no one else who is cutting his videos this carefully. Congrats and thanks again for this. Take care! Ralf

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks again Ralf! 🙂 It is really great to hear that you notice things like that. The editing process can be a lot of work, but it can be fun at times too.

[@RedRaider14]

Finally, someone making curls the RIGHT way with this knife! These other demonstration videos on youtube have been killing me lol

[@peterv1318]

This guy knows what he is doing. Don’t run out and buy this knife thinking you are going to be able to do the same with it. This is the best video on this knife.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Peter. I agree with the sentiment...it's a solid blade for sure, but I can do the same with a butter knife.

[@garyminick1050]

Thanks for the leverage trick about half way thru video ,but then again you are always thinking outside the box. Great video. I also highly respect your time conservation too . Keep um coming dude !

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks again buddy. 🙂

[@dougwatches]

Innovative uses of the Tracker, IMHO, esp. in making the birds nest bundle. I would have never looked at the knife, and thought "What can I do with this, turned blade side up?" Kudos.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Doug ☺️

[@billallison3923]

This knife has eluded me for over a decade now. Every time I’d get ready to make the purchase, I’d talk myself out of it. I’ve got one coming and I’ve found this video tremendously helpful.

[@nwprimate6416]

Right on 👍

[@jeffcarter3139]

Great positive video. I've always admired that knife design.. I really enjoyed watching and have a great day. Tennessee

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

When I first saw a Tracker I thought it was a gimmick but as I’ve starting looking into it I now really understand the design. I think it’s the best survival design and I’m looking (that’s saving money for) into getting one 😊 Great video, really shows off the knife’s design.

[@peter4Flags]

Brilliant ,lovely to watch your skill with; a beauty of a knife. The knife just borders on being a mini machete. Thank You .

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Peter!

[@shanesims2864]

Great job !!!!! Great looking man's best friend to 🐕 also thanks for your time!!

[@W4rg3rm]

This man is a monster! Him and the dog. Enjoyed the video. So much knowledge here. Subscribed.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks man :)

[@ratroddiesels1981]

we enjoyed your video. thats an awesome knife . and we liked your lab too.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks ratdrod diesels!

[@davidtraver5227]

I love the way you do this very well done no wasted movement.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks David!

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Really have been enjoying your videos. I've been binge watching them at the end of the day. Great quality b roll very well put together. It's not often that a channel just grabs me. Yours does! As a creator I watch how a video is edited and filmed along with the content. Great job!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Blake. I really appreciate your kind words and am so glad to hear that you've been enjoying the videos. 🙂

[@acehanson7231]

I love black labs. They are super fun loving dogs, great use of the Tom Brown Tracker

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ace! 🙂

[@Just_Chuck_It]

I remember when I used to bash the Tracker....... Then I attended a local survival class. One of the other students had a tracker. Even the instructor poked fun at him. Until this guy started to destroy wood that was wearing the rest of us out, and made some of the best damn feather sticks any of us had ever seen. I asked if I could use his tracker. He was only too happy to pass it over. I used it to my a slit wood fire. Easiest fire I had made in a long time. When we got back to cell coverage, I ordered one off of Amazon. I always have a good folding knife on me, but the tracker is 110% my field knife!

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@robg7379]

@@nwprimate6416 Good vid what exact tracker knife is that?

[@GreyGhost9]

This was a very nice video. Just man, dog, and nature.

[@nwprimate6416]

:)

[@JayDouglas01]

Words cannot describe how much I love that freaking knife.

[@nwprimate6416]

😁

[@bimteck]

This is one of the best tracker videos I have seen.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Mr. Beck. 😆

[@SummitScene]

Greetings from the Coast Range of Oregon! Excellent video. Your placement of the hearth board "burn hole" is quite a distance back from the leading edge of the board, which makes the notch longer and wider than most I make. If you have time, I'd love to hear more about your notch design. Thanks for all your effort.

[@nwprimate6416]

Hi Gary! I've played around with a lot of different notch styles and cut variations depending on the wood I'm using, but you're right.; generally I put my divots a bit further back than most folks. My reasoning for this is that a larger notch will hold more dust which I think helps insulate things and also gives me a larger ember to make up for wet bundle materials.

[@vladimirminzu3933]

Beautiful dog!😍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Vladimir :)

[@carlosgarcia6393]

That was the most beautiful featherstick I’ve ever seen

[@lloydm2110]

absolutely great video. thank you for sharing it. greetings from upper peninsula, washington state.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lloyd! 🙂 Always great to hear from the locals! 👍

[@stonefox9124]

Awesome! So nice to see a knife video where u do more than just treat it like a axe

[@bushecho7281]

Love those feathersticks made with the knife, nice.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@MichaelQuigley-fy5rc]

Nice feather stick technique and a beautiful lab.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Michael!

[@jrmartin003]

I love the dog , so cute and loving

[@nwprimate6416]

:) 👍

[@matthewmitchell8678]

That was truly one of the best if not the best use of a Tom Brown Tracker that I’ve ever seen . Anyone who says that this knife is worthless needs to watch this. You worked that thing like a Pro. I bet Tom Brown him self would give you a big 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Awesome job!!!!!!!! I will be subscribing to your channel.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Matthew! 🙂

[@ronaldrose7593]

The is a great multi purpose knife. I am almost sold on it. Thank you for sharing your video. 🤗

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ronald

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Great showcase of the Tracker style knife.

[@nwprimate6416]

👍 :)

[@raposadomato6766]

Hello, my dear Congratulations great channel !!! you really demonstrate technique of how to use the Knife Tracker, a Survival situation really of all the channels I see ?? only your really showed extraordinary ability with Tracker knife.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Raposa! 🙂 I'm a total beginner when it comes to the Tracker. Here's a link to a real Tracker pro if you're interested...kzbin.info

[@linklesstennessee2078]

dang that's a good looking knife there buddy I like your style on getting them feather sticks

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Linkless Tennessee. My wife says it's the ugliest knife she's ever seen. :)

[@JungleJayAdventures]

Whoo Hoo a good Ol Tom Brown. TOPS fan over here. Love their knives...

[@nwprimate6416]

I've been playing with this loaner for a couple of months now and have been really enjoying.

[@JungleJayAdventures]

You can get any of their knives at the Bladehq dot com for way less that directly from the manufacturer. I picked up two different knives.

[@SoerenGraves]

Doing feathersticks is just awesome, kind of meditative. I love the tracker and pair it with a mora #1 exclusive and a saw.

[@Joelife73]

Fantastic 👊💯💪Best regards from Portugal 👊💪🇵🇹😉

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Real versatile tool. Nice job with the fire. It's not easy to get a fire going in the PNW!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@ZuneCraft]

wow!! featherstick with a tracker!! amazing

[@madedigital]

the prep for the fire was on point

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Beautiful in every respect. TY!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks David!

[@robertlee8400]

Yea trackers are fun but when there high carbon steel you have to keep them oiled & sharp just as much as you use them . I absolutely love my tracker it may not be made by Tom Brown Jr but it works just as well . I have a Poshland T-61 high carbon steel with a brown jean micarta handle with hallowed out brass pins , it’s nice & well balanced I even can throw it from 24 feet at a end grain targets & make it stick . I,ve had it for 2 years .

[@nwprimate6416]

Right on!

[@ljbbushcraft6640]

Looks like you enjoyed playing around with this one man. It’s come tool for sure. Subbed bro 😎🔥🔥👍

[@cw9627]

Great Great Video I am sold......Im getting one or even two......

[@nwprimate6416]

Right on!

[@eomproductions5783]

Simply brilliant 👍🏻

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks EOM Productions! 🙂

[@jonathangarzon2798]

One of the few correct uses of the tracker

[@nwprimate6416]

Go check these guys out...bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/tracker-action-pics-thread.67725/

[@requiscatinpace7392]

I like your dog 🐕 !

[@kitkat12326]

Stayed for how happy the dog is out there.

[@nwprimate6416]

He's the best. :)

[@Peregalooduses]

Punk wood is awsome coal extender, helps coal live longer. Exelent video !

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Perega looduses! I couldn't agree more on the punkwood. It's cheap insurance.

[@DanielVBlades]

Awesome vid. Great skills.

[@frantzvallon1154]

This thing is perfect not to long soled heavy tip great great peace of art.

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@twotonanchor]

I love my tracker, but can’t seem to get the hook as sharp as this one. Great video. Thanks for posting up.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Brandl! Have you tried using a round stone or file?

[@twotonanchor]

Half-heartedly. I got frustrated with my poor results. Your use of it has motivated me to try again.

[@lonesurvivor7921]

Good vid..👍 I admire your determination with the bow drill

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lone Survivor! 🙂

[@scottheady3577]

Super cool and helpful thank you

[@nwprimate6416]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Trackers a good knife...well done!...woods

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@ronaldrose7593]

As Crocodile Dundee would say "now that's a knife". Good looking knife for sure. 🤗

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@tomtenbrunsel266]

Great Videos with various instruments. Would you show how You fashion the upper end of the bow drill and socket sometime. Thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Tom! You can see me making the bearing block out of a piece of cottonwood bark at around 1:34 . I just get a little divot started with the tip.

[@darkedge8735]

My god that thing looks so perfect!

[@nwprimate6416]

☺️

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

Not gunna lie. The feathers were pretty dope. Nice job

[@EatCarbs]

Never really been a huge fan of the tracker myself.. but it goes to show that in the right hands it can work great. Impressed. Thanks for the video

[@deanoboland]

Great work on video mate

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Dean 🙂

[@beleraphon07]

Considering that is a borrowed knife, in your hands it looks like you've used it every day for a good few years. Shows your consummate skill and the best features of the tracker off brilliantly.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks again buddy. :)

[@Army-MacE]

I love watching your videos! Always looking forward for the next one! Excellent display of skill! The knife is a modified Tops Knives TBT1. It’s not mine, I just recognize who’s it is...

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jarrod! I figured one you would recognize it. Being unfamiliar with the TBT, I'm curious what modification you noticed.

[@Army-MacE]

It looks like Field Expedients Tracker knife, the bevels have been modified. To give it more slicing style of a cut, and less of a wedge style of cut. If that makes sense...

[@nwprimate6416]

Whatever he did, it's working. 🙂

[@johnjohnston277]

Jarrod MacEachern

[@flyflung]

Nice work. Cool dog

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks CS T !

[@ntv-thuthachmiennui6147]

Your survival spine is awesome.

[@ryanhamley4161]

Good job on the video

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ryan!

[@CineresCineribus]

I have watched your videos with the Tracker probably several hundred times now. Who did the regrind on it? I'd love to see a video of some up close pics and details about it. Thank you much!

[@Lone58]

I enjoyed this video immensely, many thanks. Subbed

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lone58!

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

I love the tracker design and it’s derivative the Tops SXB which does chop as good as a hatchet.

[@bagheerasadventures]

Love your work. Bagheera NZ

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks man!

[@pacificbushcraftandfirecra6358]

The Tracker is crazy... on Loan? As in, you have to give it back? Couldn't do it...lol. Great demo of the versatility of the thing... Awesome burn down too Brother... Be well

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! I'm sharpening it up and sending it out today. 😟

[@toddlecher4097]

i use a hatched blade for chopping wood unless you or kydex sheath have a sharp stone gonna loose your edge pretty quick

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@jeffluker1895]

I love my Tracker knife. The more I use it the more I realize just how much it can do.

[@fire_x_friction8820]

What a great video.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gary!

[@NorthernWoodsmanElite]

Great video buddy I subscribed

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks NWE!

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

So many methods on using this knife

[@nwprimate6416]

It's goofy looking and takes some getting used to, but the more I play with it, the more I like it.

[@clintphillips3437]

@@nwprimate6416 that's what she said

[@thebeertracker.jaybeertrac9846]

Great knife always has been,regardless of what all the keyboard warriors say.

[@nwprimate6416]

I can't argue with that. 🙂

[@zarplialabai3420]

Not the tops version of it, though. This and the original have different grinds/bevels

[@petrosspetrosgali]

faultroy yeah. I agree. You couldn’t give it to me...well that’s not true. If I had a forge, I’d take one. I’ve chopped down some saplings with a knife once-with my Essee 6- I’ll stick to my hand hatchet for that. That experience left me baffled as to why anyone would not want to carry one. There is no knife in existence that can chop nearly as well as a good hatchet. And I keep thinking; how in the HELL do you sharpen that knife?? It looks like in most users’ hands, it does a lot of things fairly poorly.

[@justafloridamanfromthe75thRR]

@@petrosspetrosgali why not take a chainsaw instead? That would chop trees even better... This is not a hatchet, this is a survival knife, I don't understand why people don't understand this. AndI would choose this over a hatchet anyday of the week in a survival situation, since it can do so many more than a simple hatchet. But yeah, a hatchet definitely chops better than a knife...

[@freddiemiranda5366]

Good use of a good knife great looking dog your best friend.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Freddie 🙂

[@topluang06]

Good video!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@benjamincoetzee1369]

You are left handed? ☺ Interesting to watch, thanks for the video.

[@davidb8872]

These vids are the best teaching guide to friction fire making I have seen any where almost makes me think I can do it, what are u using to hold the spindle on top ? Thanks great vids love the background and the dog

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks David! This time it was a piece of cottonwood bark that you can see at about 1:35, but my favorite bearing block is a piece of fatwood.

[@Дмитро-ы8ю]

Video is a professional instruction, so interesting and useful. Thanks to author.

[@jamesbowen5573]

Well done

[@wolfsword3890]

I just dicover your channel, that is great !!!!!! The knife is Tom s tracker ? It look great.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks man. It is a Tom Brown Tracker.

[@cevq6126]

Btw, that’s a gorgeous Black Lab.

[@thomasgold-1000]

I’m usually not the biggest fan of trackers but you sure know how to handle it well! Great video TY. BTW What´s the name of your beautiful doggy, if you don’t mind me asking... Sure looks very similar to my Lena when she was a pup...

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Thomas! His name is Lupo.

[@larenacornell5678]

Lupo....nice name!

[@QuantumMech_88]

tom brown is a joke .

[@William_Asston]

Oh my gosh ive never in my life seen feathersticks made with that recurve bit on the knife. That's insanely clever. How the heck would you sharpen this knife though?

[@William_Asston]

@Lonely Wolf wouldn't that make a secondary micro bevel on it though? I can't featherstick for shit with knives that have micro bevels.

[@SWheatleyOutdoors]

dude! that knife is a beast haha!

[@nwprimate6416]

No kidding! It's like a hatchet with a blade below the edge. 🙂

[@m.jenkins8503]

This looks like a good knife used for wood. But tom brown Jr. Design it for all around knife. How is for filleting fish, and small game. Or breaking pelvis bone of elk?

[@nwprimate6416]

This was a borrowed knife and I didn't get the chance to try on fish or game, but with practice and some ingenuity big knives can usually do small knife chores just fine.

[@jrozanec1]

you are a master of bow drill. what is the purpose of punk wood that you put on top of the amber?

[@avalanchegt81]

Nice job

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks avalanche8! 🙂

[@indio87knivesandaxes]

Grest video, how did you do the regrind of tops Brown tracker.?

[@nwprimate6416]

I borrowed this one from a buddy of mine. I'm not sure how he did it, but he definitely reprofiled it.

[@mr.v2666]

I love that knife

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@gregwiesneth]

I’ve been running mine for over 15 years, it’s my go to for backpacking (worth all 2lbs 😂). I’m in process of doing a scandi regrind. Definitely not an easy knife to sharpen let alone regrind. Think I need to take a dremel Stone to the guy hook/ feather stick hook. Any suggestions?

[@nwprimate6416]

The guy that loaned me this one included a small round ceramic rod that worked great for sharpening that portion.

[@avoiceinthewilderness-o5o]

The way you feathersticked with tracker I'm try that

[@davidortiz3047]

I really like The the wood shaving futures and Technic the way it turns into a bush it's partical and convenient 🤓

[@nidannow]

Nice Video are you on the TOPS knives users page on FB I’ve seen this Tracker. Love the re grind it looks like a short beefy Dave Beck version I’ve had my T-1 since 2013 and I’ve kept it original....... until now it’s sitting in a vice with mustard on it after I re profiled it I figured I better patina coat it.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jamie!

[@SidharthMishra99]

Ohh Superb Knife,How can I purchase it from U ???