Track of the wolf's "Lewis & Clark" Trade Knife

[Sharpie44]

So I picked up one of Track of the Wolf's trade knives a few months ago and I was a bit disappointed in it.

I don't want to come off as speaking bad about track of the wolf because i think they are a great company. I just bough a horn from them that I am very happy with.

However i think they need to update the description and picture they have advertising this knife. I did a video reviewing this knife so you ca see exactly what I'm talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqJkZiehv4E

The main problems were that the etching looked horrible and nothing like the image on their page. The brass pins in the grip were not as they were advertised. They were in a straight line making it look like a stake knife and not as strong as it would have been. Finally the false edge was only on one side of the knife which looked ridiculous.

Overall I can't say that I recommend at least the Lewis and Clark trade knife. I don't know about the rest from that company but I think next time I will spend a bit more someplace else. It wasn't worth the $43.

 

[swathdiver]

It's too bad you didn't post a "before" photo with your review.

These "canoe knives" are made by Dean and Midge Oliver of River Traders out of Oregon. An article on these fine folks and how they make the knives can be found in the November/December 2013 issue of Muzzleloader magazine.

I'm very well pleased with my little patch knife, advertised by TOW as a Small French Trade Knife, it is very sharp and holds its edge.

I read TOWs description and find nothing misleading; it does say each knife will vary slightly, so 4 rather than 5 pins is a slight variation IMO. Dean and Midge make them all by hand. The "dark sooty etching" is bluing compound to make it look recently forged.

Track offers to take it back as do the Olivers. Why not give them a call? 541-365-4482 :idunno:

With a successful 17 year track record, it appears they know what they're doing. :thumbsup:

 

[Sharpie44]

I'm not going to send it back at this point. I've modified it enough that I'm fine with with it.

I did take a picture of it before hand. In fact I did a video on before and after but my computer self destructed and I lost a lot of video.

The bluing looked very bad on this one. It looked nothing like the photo which I didn't expect it to look exactly the same. However it just looked bad like a botch cold blue job. It's entirely possible that I just got a lemon on that part.

I was disappointed about the rivets in the handle. I would have much rather had them as shown on the site as that's how I would have done it. This looks like a time/money saving choice they made. If that's how they are doing in now then that's fine just change the photo.

The fact that they only cut the false edge on one side was the real disappointment. That not only looks bad it just doesn't make any sense.

I'm sure their other knives are fine if say so but this one was not.

 

[swathdiver]

I agree with you about the lopsided false edge, if it missed the Olivers the folks at Track should have caught it.

I would buy more but am having too much fun making our own now.

 

[Sharpie44]

I wish I had more time to make my own. I have all the tools and I use to do it but no time with work.

I'm learning a little leather working but that's about all I have time for. It took me an hour to stitch that little sheath so I'm not very good yet. :haha:

 

[Nifeman]

I've had several old butcher knives that only had one sided false edge.

 

[Rifleman1776]

It strongly resembles the knives often seen on vendors tables and blankets at ronny or ml events. They sell for about $15.00 retail and must be made by the truck load. I have several and even at the low price are decent knives. The bleach treatment for faux damascus gives them a pleasing appearance. Yep, I'll agree, TOW messed up with that offering.

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[Sharpie44]

O I like that one. I'd definitely pay $15 for that.

 

[Pete G]

A false edge is generally only ground on one side.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When I got this one from TOtW it was absolutely brown from rust. It looked like it had spent a winter in the woods, or a file you handn't noticed was under the workbench in a damp cellar for a year.

The sheath ("INDIA") smelled like rotten potatos.

But I rubbed a test spot, and then carded it and rubbed in oil. Now I like it a lot. It holds a great edge and is a good design. Serves very well as a camp knife, small game dresser and for food prep. A bit pointy and long for a deer dressing knife but it does that when needed.

 

[pab1]

It strongly resembles the knives often seen on vendors tables and blankets at ronny or ml events. They sell for about $15.00 retail and must be made by the truck load. I have several and even at the low price are decent knives. The bleach treatment for faux damascus gives them a pleasing appearance. Yep, I'll agree, TOW messed up with that offering.

I have the Medium Early French Trade Knife version. I've been happy with it and its easy to give it a shaving sharp edge. The weight is much lighter than I would expect for a knife of this size. I was told these were cut from some type of saw blade. Does anyone know if that's true?

 

[LRB]

I believe you will find that they are 1095 steel. These knives do well for what they are, and cost, but they are not accurate copies of original trade knives.

 

[LaBonte]

What Wick said and yes they are 1095 just like Old Hickory's and many customer knives.

Rifleman1776 Said:
The bleach treatment for faux damascus gives them a pleasing appearance.

Actually the finish is done with gasoline and is supposed to imitate age, not pattern welded Damascus

 

[smoothshooter]

What is the advantage of not bringing the cutting edge back a lot closer to the handles?

And what is the purpose of the keyhole-looking notch forward of the handles?

I have a couple of the " Canoe " knives was well and am happy with them.

 

[Rifleman1776]

What Wick said and yes they are 1095 just like Old Hickory's and many customer knives.

Rifleman1776 Said:
The bleach treatment for faux damascus gives them a pleasing appearance.

Actually the finish is done with gasoline and is supposed to imitate age, not pattern welded Damascus

I was told bleach by the vendor who knew the maker. Old/damascus/whatever, to me it is pleasing.

 

[Rifleman1776]

What is the advantage of not bringing the cutting edge back a lot closer to the handles?

And what is the purpose of the keyhole-looking notch forward of the handles?

I have a couple of the " Canoe " knives was well and am happy with them.

Cutting edge? Can't say, I didn't make it, just bought it because I liked it.
Kehole notch? Just decorative I think. :hmm:

 

[Stophel]

The little "keyhole" thing is just for looks. And frankly, I would find it to be a GREAT disadvantage. For me, that part of the edge is the most important. :wink: Lots of cutting, chopping, and whittling would be done in that area.. if it had an edge there.

 

[smoothshooter]

Could not agree with you more!

That area of a blade is often the most used area, especially when cutting rope/twine, or trimming or whittling on something. Not sharpening it like the rest of the blade is a big waste, in my opinion.

 

[swathdiver]

The Spanish Notch was originally used as a blade catcher or blade breaker in the 16th and 17th centuries. Since that time it's been largely a decorative item but has seen multiple uses such as keeping blood away from the handle, a place to start sharpening from, mending and cutting rope and lines, even removing spent caps from a muzzleloader! Basically, it looks cool and can be used to do whatever you can make it do to something that needs doin'!

 

[Crewdawg445]

I'm with you, I've never had an issue with tow, think they describe everything very well. The two trade knives I have from them are exceptional. Also, period correct knives served many purposes so it is highly likely it was a steak knife... Okay maybe not, but I recently reworked two old hickory knives that I absolutely love and they are kitchen knives, 8" slicer and a 7" butcher.