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Introduction


Contents


Introduction
History
Using the Tracker Knife

The Chopping Blade

Chopping

Hand Positions

Scraping
The Carving Blade

Carving

Splitting

Draw Knife

Fast Stock Removal
The Saw Blade

Sawing

Notching

Scoring

Wire Breaker
The Quarter Rounder

Use of the Quarter Rounder

Use of the Gut Hook
The Point

Penetration/Spear Point

Drilling

Scrimshaw
The Tracker Sheath
The Scout Companion Knife
Caring for the Tracker Knife
Warranty and Return Information

This manual applies only to the Tracker Knife made by
TOPS Knives.

This manual was converted to PDF format for presentation on the
Internet by Walter Muma (http://wmuma.com/tracker). The print
quality of the photographs in the original manual was relatively poor
hence the poor quality of the photos in this PDF document.

Introduction


The Tom Brown Tracker Knife is a multipurpose tool designed
for the serious survivalist. It is made of the finest materials and
with exquisite craftsmanship to provide a tool that will last
generations.

The Tracker Knife is a tool that
performs multiple functions. Each
area of the knife is made to execute
several functions with ease. There
is a chopping blade, a carving
blade, a saw blade, and a pounding
area.

The Tracker Knife can chop, split,
carve, score, scrape, saw, notch,
and drill wood, bone, and even
antler. It can be used to gut and
skin an animal, then scrape the
hide. It can be lashed to a pole for
use as a spear, and it can be
thrown much like a tomahawk. It is
an extremely versatile and useful
knife.

The Tracker Knife is manufactured in accordance with the
strict design specifications established by Tom Brown Jr., and
the leading manufacturer of tactical knives, TOPS USA.

The knife is made of 1095 high-carbon steel, 3/16 thick. It is
laser cut and hand ground, then heat treated followed by cryo
treatment to create a knife with outstanding edge-holding
capabilities and hardness. It is then finished with a baked-on
epoxy coating to make it impervious to the elements and
finally, laser engraved with the logo, signature, and serial
number. The result is a knife that will meet the most
demanding expectations ...
History


The genesis of the Tracker Knife began during an interview
between Tom Brown and a journalist over twenty years ago. In
the course of the interview, the reporter asked Tom which
knife he considered to be the best for survival. Tom thought
about it for a minute and responded that the perfect survival
knife did not yet exist. "Why not?" the interviewer asked.
"Because I have not yet designed it," replied Tom. The
journalist challenged Tom with the statement, "That is one
knife I would love to see." Tom decided he would love to see it
too.

Seven years and dozens of prototypes later, the basic design
of the Tracker Knife was set. Tom looked for a quality
manufacturer and chose Ed Lombi to hand make the first
versions. Ed made the knives for several years until he
decided to pursue other interests. Tom found another
manufacturer in Dave Beck. Several refinements were added
as Dave began manufacturing the Tracker. After ten years or
so, Dave also retired from making the Tracker. For a couple of
years the knife was again unavailable.

In 2001, Tom began working as a technical consultant and
writer on a feature film being directed by Billy Friedkin and
starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benecio Del Torro. The film is
titled "The Hunted" and is based loosely on an episode of
Tom's life. The Tracker Knife is carried and used by the
antagonist, played by Benecio.

Tom began searching for a company that could make the
Tracker in sufficient numbers to meet the demand anticipated
as this knife gains in notoriety. Tom chose Mike Fuller and
TOPS USA, the leading manufacturer of tactical knives that
are favored by US Special Operations forces. TOPS has
created a work of art that will serve its function as a true
survival tool. As the TOPS slogan says, "One Life, One Knife."

Using the Tracker Knife

The Tracker Knife Is a serious tool that can be used for many
survival tasks. These tasks in themselves are safe, provided
they are performed properly. The instructions in this manual
are written to help you use the Tracker Knife safely. If you do
not adhere to these instructions, you risk both life and limb.

The Tracker Knife, like any knife, can be extremely dangerous
if not used properly. There are some fundamental safety rules
that must be adhered to when using any knife; the Tracker
Knife is no exception.

While using the Tracker Knife:

- Always use great care when removing the knife from the
sheath. Do not place fingers or hands on or around the
opening of the sheath when removing or replacing the knife in
its sheath.

- Always keep your hands and fingers (and any other body
part) away from the potential path of the knife. Never chop
anything with your hand within the range of the path of the
knife, i.e. holding the piece being chopped. Never carve with
your fingers in the path of the knife.

- Understand that the Tracker Knife will cut, slice, chop,
scrape, or saw any human flesh it comes in contact with. Treat
this tool with respect. Recognize its potential to do harm, and
be respectful of it.

The Tracker Knife is a tool. Treat it with the same respect you
would treat any other tool. As you would not be careless with a
chainsaw, do not be careless with this knife.
The Chopping Blade


The Tracker Knife is designed to function as an axe. The
forward section of the knife is designed with a curved blade
that is configured to handle chopping chores. The forward
section of the knife is weighted and beveled to be a powerful
chopping tool. It will chop as effectively as a small hand axe.

Chopping and Hand Positions:
The key to effective chopping is leverage. The Tracker Knife
has a three position handle that allows the user to vary the
amount of leverage on the axe. With the hand in position one,
the user can do light chopping chores.

Hand position 1


For heavier chopping chores, the user can switch the hand to
position two, which increases the leverage or striking power of
the chopping blade.

Hand position 2

To increase striking power even more, change hand to
position three. This increases leverage for heavier chopping,
but may not be as comfortable for extended periods of
chopping as position two.
Hand position 3
The Scraper

The chopping section of the
blade is also useful as a hide
scraper. It can be held as
shown in the photograph at left,
and used to dry scrape an
animal hide. A piece of buckskin
as a palm pad makes the
scraper easier to use for
extended periods.





The scraper can also be
used to scrape a piece of
bow wood down to a single
growth ring as shown in
photo to the right.

The unique shape of the
chopping section of the
Tracker Knife was also
designed to be useful in
scraping out the char from a
bowl that is being burned in.
The curvature of the blade
is perfect for this task.


The Carving Blade


The Carving Blade
The carving section of the blade is designed to accomplish
most cutting chores. It is a sharper edge with a flatter bevel
that will accomplish most cutting chores with ease.

With the knife gripped in position one, the user has good
control for most carving chores. Placing the thumb on the back
of the blade gives even greater control for fine carving.


The carving blade can also be used for accurate splitting
chores. There are two methods for splitting: the chopping split,
and the pounded split. The chopping split is useful for a task
such as splitting firewood where exactness of the split is not
critical.
For exact splitting, the use
of the pounding technique
is better. The blade is
placed on the wood
exactly where the split is
desired, and the back of
the blade is struck with a
hardwood branch or
similar hammer, and the
blade is driven into the
wood. The hammer strikes
the back of the blade until
the wood splits.
NOTE: It is critical that you
never use a steel hammer
or other steel tool to beat
on the back of your knife.
Hitting steel on steel is
always dangerous and
damaging.

Draw Knife

The Tracker Knife
is designed to
function as a draw
knife that can be
used for fast stock
removal for
making an
advanced
throwing stick or
even a bow. By placing a piece of buckskin over the saw
portion of the blade, or by pounding the tip of the blade into a
wooden handle, the carving portion of the blade can be used
as a draw knife that will remove stock accurately and quickly.
This can be partic