The Russon Tracker Knife | A Stolen Design

Urban Knife Guy shares his thoughts on and field-tests the original Tracker Knife that was designed by Robb Russon.
The tracker knife is long believed to be the sole creation of Tom Brown Jr, a survival instructor from New Jersey. The knife's claim to fame is when it was a featured prop in the 2003 movie "The Hunted", starring Benicio Del Torro and Tommy Lee Jones.
The version of the tracker that is most well-known today is manufactured by Top Knives. Called the Tom Brown Tracker, it comes in 4 sizes now. But the Tracker 1 is the full-sized one.
The documented truth is that Tom Brown did not design the Tracker, although he claims credit for it. He did provide suggestions on what a one-tool survival knife should be able to do, but he did not design the knife in any technical way.
The original Tracker Knife was designed in 1981 by Robb Russon, a university professor and hobbyist knifemaker from Utah. He had been corresponding with Tom Brown and sent him the prototype for his knife to get feedback on its design as a survival tool.
Read the full documented story here: www.utahknifeworks.com/tracke...
Watch the interview with Robb Russon on the real origins of the Tracker Knife: • Interview with the ori...
Purchase the Russon Tracker Knife here: www.utahknifeworks.com/produc...
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[@urbanknifeguy]

www.amazon.com/shop/urbanknifeguy bashcraftgear.com If you like the content, you can support the channel by shopping at the Urban Knife Guy Amazon Store and Bashcraft Gear store to buy the knives, gear, and kits for urban EDC and jungle survival that I use and discuss in my videos as well as swag and merch. Thanks!

[@robertrusson9423]

Thank you for your careful and well-considered comments about my original "Tracker" knife. It warms my heart to see and hear a review that notices the intricate details that disappeared when Tom Brown adopted my design as his own. I deeply appreciate these facts regarding the original design -- and who created them -- being finally spoken to by someone who knows what he is talking about! Avery fair and well-thought-out review. Thank you again for spending time on key details. My son has made the truth finally come out after many years of repression by those who looked for their own advancement..

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks Robb! And thank you for your creation that deserves more recognition and acknowledgement. I greatly appreciate the thought that went behind the design, and it is seldom that we have revolutionary designs that are practical. While I will admit that it is very tough to have a one-tool option that everyone will be satisfied with, I think this can be a strong contender when learnt to use correctly. I'm still working my way through finding how to maximise its potential. Thank you once again.

[@adrianjagmag]

Dear Sir as someone who has used Khukuri and Katthi/Indian Billhooks for decades I always felt the Tracker was a horrible design (and said as much often both on and offline), but I now understand the issue was people blatantly ripping off your design and badly interpreting it to boot, to add insult to injury. It now makes some more sense. Might not replace the tools that I'm most familiar with and use regularly but definitely worth it for people not living in tropical rainforest or who want a lighter and shorter possible one tool option. Will get one soon :)

[@dustyhefner2211]

Your blade is my favorite profile out of any Bushcraft design it's so versatile and can be adapted to virtually any need

[@FloridaMan1976]

I'm glad I found this video. A coworker showed me his Tom Brown Tracker and I liked it. But now knowing the story, this is the one I will be purchasing as my next knife. I like leather for sheaths and holsters more anyway.

[@davidrushing2507]

Sir, I think I may have a way to make things right for you significant way. Have you considered patenting your design? You said in your interview that you're not a man to bring lawsuits, I can understand that. I suspect that a patent would be a lot less work and a lot less messy assuming he hasn't beaten you to it.

[@BravoBassin]

So glad to see some one else that is trying to get the truth out about this knife. I personally have wanted to make this exact video to get this information out to the world and call out Tom brown and his big lie. And to also give Robb Russon the credit he desrves for this famous knife design. I Still plan on making the video after I can get my hands on this orginal version from Robbs son. Very well done video and I hope many others will start putting all this information as well.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thank you and I look forward to your video. I agree that the word should get out!

[@bodhi974]

Good review. I purchased a TOPS tracker after reading about Tom Brown and is quote when he was asked what is the perfect survival knife and responded by saying he hasn’t designed it yet. I just found out the whole story and that it was not Browns design about a month ago. I will be purchasing this one in the next couple of weeks. The knife was also used in an episode of Criminal Minds also. I would like the original designer to benefit from it. As far as this knife, I do like it more that the TOPS version. We will have to see when I get mine.

[@bodhi974]

I just received my tracker a week or so ago. I like this design over tops version for sure. I had a few imperfections in the manufacturing of my blade. S little surprised to see to be honest. I can work those out and yes, not very sharp out of the box. I own the ops and a boker version of a tracker but the Russon is my favorite of the three. Hopefully I can get it worked in to use as my primary blade when hunting and other outdoor pursuits.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing! Have you managed to fix some of the edge issues and does it work for you?

[@bodhi974]

@@urbanknifeguy still kinda working on it. End of the year time is short. I’m sure I will be able to clean it up. Love the knife and will be fine once I’m done.

[@urbanknifeguy]

@@bodhi974 Nice! Happy holidays!

[@GlockNinja]

One of your best videos. I agree you 100 percent. Copying is one thing, but taking credit is another. I have learned that I do not like D2. I love 1095.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks! Yes, you have that Kabar 1095 Cro Van steel. I too like 1095

[@robertrhinehart4779]

Nice review!!! Enough said! I love this blade!

[@butamini]

I learned this from MY PARANG video. In Japan, carrying a knife longer than 5 cm is not legally allowed. If you carry anything longer than that, it is a violation of the misdemeanor law unless you are camping or working. Therefore, your packing is a legitimate idea and I personally like it. I also made a video on the "Russon Tracker" It is compact, easy to carry and lightweight. I gave Mark feedback to cut the blade on the straight part. It seems to be doing exactly that. I'm using a translator, but I hope you get the message.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Yes I have watched your video! Thanks. What do you mean cut on the straight part? The grind?

[@urbanknifeguy]

I was in Japan (Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo) a few months ago. And yes, carried a non-locking knife less than 5cm. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYurZGmNf5uKhs0

[@butamini]

@@urbanknifeguy

[@butamini]

I watched that Japanese video, and it was a great idea. I was thinking of knives, first aid supplies separately, so I found the first aid kit a terrific idea for a reason to carry the LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL RX.

[@BushcraftWoodsDevil]

Good review. I agree. . .hollow ground not wise for heavy chopping, as the edge is at risk of bending [I've done it]. This is a case study in patent or copyright and protecting your work. I do think that Lombi, Beck, and TOPS made modifications to the design over time, but Brown should have acknowledged the original designer. Probably can't now because it'd open him up to civil action.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, all versions had variances in design by choice or necessity. But, yes, claiming credit for the original design is a big no-no imo.

[@raccoonvalley5530]

I really like that one better than the tops one

[@66meikou]

Good review. I was on the fence about this blade. I've got more blades than I know to do with si I may offload a few. I have and esse 6 in orange. An izulu 2 in orange plus a exterma ratio selvans. I also have a hand made 14" khukri from nepal.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks! We cannot have too many blades 😅 I recommend you check this one out. The video drops tomorrow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laW2fn6noL9jn7c It is not as good in some ways, but better in several. And is 1/4 the price.

[@dallasscism910]

Agreed, only reason i never bought 1, im find this 1 after making sure original designer gets credit/$ for this

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thank you!

[@LovingIdaho]

The first tracker knife I got was in the mid 80s . Those was the originals . All others are copies .

[@castle6660]

Just for the record... One of those "copies"... Is without question the best tracker knife ever made. Far superior to all other versions of this particular style of knife. That would be the Dave Beck wsk.

[@LovingIdaho]

@@castle6660 , mine from the mid 80s has held up great under hard conditions . No manufacturer name on it . I say mid 80s , but my dad passed on in 83 . He bought it for me before he passed . It is my favorite tracker knife . I plan on doing a vid on it when I dig it out of storage .

[@urbanknifeguy]

I would not consider Dave Beck's a copy as he made it without knowledge of Russon's work. Only off of drawings and descriptions by Tom Brown, based off of Russon's design. I agree it is a solid build.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Looking forward to it.

[@castle6660]

@@LovingIdaho That's awesome...look forward to seeing your knife

[@ariefazlan6276]

Where did you get this knife?

[@urbanknifeguy]

Pls see the description for all info. Thanks.

[@johnh.2340]

In all fairness, the bamboo should have been held firmly to prevent movement. It was just a big shock absorber at that point.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanls ffor the comment! There may be some validity to that. But I have tested many paramgs and knives similarly with much better results. One happens to be another Tracker too kzbin.info/www/bejne/laW2fn6noL9jn7csi=nR4LiZw8ARk9jajv P.S. I did reprofile and sharpen the Russon Tracker subsequently and went back to cut through bamboo again. But, it could not out of the box.

[@BrayeThierry]

I would buy that original tracker but i cant find it...and i live in belgium...so if anybody want to help ? Let me know abaut it Thanks Thierry

[@urbanknifeguy]

Can you order direct from Russon from the US or must you buy through a local dealer due to country laws?

[@guerrierodelgiaguaro]

Hi there! Any possibility to buy it in Italy? Many thanks.

[@urbanknifeguy]

You will have to order directly from Russon. Link in the description! Thanks!

[@guerrierodelgiaguaro]

@@urbanknifeguy Hullo Sir. Sadly, we in Italy can buy this kind of stuff just from an authorized seller here, not from abroad. Many thanks for sharing.

[@urbanknifeguy]

@guerrierodelgiaguaro OK I understand. Thank you.

[@guerrierodelgiaguaro]

@@urbanknifeguy Sir, that's a tragedy here, we don't have the 2nd Amendment or something similar. You have to be always very grateful to the Founding Fathers. Don't stop to protect the 2nd Amendment & the Bill of Rights. Long Live the Constitution.

[@urbanknifeguy]

@guerrierodelgiaguaro I'm not from the US. But luckily, our knife laws are quite friendly at the moment.

[@MrPh30]

I can see elements of Puma WhiteHunter in it also .

[@urbanknifeguy]

I was not familiar with that knife and looked it up. And yes! I see the similarity in the front heavy geometry. Thanks for educating!

[@MrPh30]

It was popular with Rhodesian Selous Scouts and Rhodie/ Zimbabwe national parks and professional hunters also. A good knife it is , lot of experience in the making of its But i am asking a knife maker buddy to make a tracker of his own style for me ,hope he has time for it .

[@butcrack6786]

I just cant unsee modified bowie. Heavily but still.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Personally, I think the blade geometry is quite different from a Bowie. But both big knives.

[@leejohnson8095]

I just see a shovel. I don’t know why this knife is practical.

[@makinwaves8147]

Someone needs to send one of these to Zac Whitmore from BladeHQ/Zacinthewild so he can see the REAL Tracker and hear the story, because i dont think hes aware as ive never heard him mention Mr. Russon.

[@urbanknifeguy]

I would be surprised if Zac is not aware. But if he only knew of the Tracker through the Tops version, it might be possible. Thanks for watching.

[@makinwaves8147]

@urbanknifeguy I enjoyed your video very much, and I gave also read Mr. Russon's son's story online that you used for reference. I hope your video picks up good traction as it's very informative. Its also fun and interesting to watch you use the knife for its intended purposes. All in all though It would be Nice to see one of these in Zac's hands and hear him also do a story on the original Tracker Knife.

[@urbanknifeguy]

@makinwaves8147 Thanks for your kind words. I really do hope Mr Russon gets more recognition too. I am sure in time more people like yourself will watch the video and share the info with others. Thanks again!

[@John..18]

Tops should change the name of their knife, out of respect for the original designer,, imho..

[@expatatat]

At least “Tom Brown” is a completely meaningless and instantly forgotten name 😊

[@nutthrower4415]

Not my cup of tea. Just seems awkward to me. I guess I’d have to see it in more real life situations. I love my knives but just can’t justify forking out the money for this one. Cool looking I’ll give it that

[@urbanknifeguy]

I agree it is definitely not intuitive but I think has its place as a "one tool option". Just needs a more appropriate steel IMO

[@supersaiyanbear5298]

Made in Pakistan? No, thanks tho....

[@luisloya1120]

Pakistan?😢

[@supersaiyanbear5298]

​@@luisloya1120 Hey, I'm sure Pakistan is just fine.. But Americans gotta start making their own stuff.. No more outsourcing. Not to Pakistan, Not to China, Not to Anywhere..

[@user-vc8hy1lu4l]

Lol stolen design

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your comment. You disagree?

[@user-rm3tm6mn6k]

Stolen knife for sure 👎

[@urbanknifeguy]

👍👍

[@user-rm3tm6mn6k]

@@urbanknifeguy people stop copying other people hard work

[@baldbollocks]

Great review. Thanks.... I'll pass

[@urbanknifeguy]

You are welcome!