I agree Sarge. Most "plain" tools are really versatile - more versatile than their bells-and-whistles laden brethren. But they rely on skilled users to bring out their best qualities. How many different ways do you hold a pukko, for instance, depending on the task? I regularly use about 4, while just doing house renovations. The simple blade and plain/large handle are what makes that work.
The "tracker" knives have a certain audience, for sure - and it's canny marketing to design something for this niche. Dan's tracker is clearly going to be a really high quality (and stunningly pretty) one. Can't help but think, though, that the biggest strengths of the design will come from the explicit Khuk parentage he's bringing to it, and his exceptional workmanship.
'Cause think about what will make this design work so hard. Weight forward, deep belly, thick spine, differential hardening, 2 handed potential for drawknifing, and a forward bend to the blade that enhances chopping efficiency, coupled with a swell in the handle butt, to aid retention. Familiar, eh?
Just confirms what we already know: that khuks have gone through a centuries-long evolutionary design process in very tough conditions, to emerge as stellar and versatile outdoors knives. Add an equally stellar small knife (like one of Dan's kardas), and you're good to go.
t.
