Hardcore Knives and tools for Wilderness Camping: Hot off the Press the FKMD DINO TRACKER KNIFE (FX-9CM08 B) A SUPER DUPER KNIFE!

FKMD DINO TRACKER KNIFE (FX-9CM08 B) A SUPER DUPER KNIFE!

Made in Italy

Super new from FKMD FOX knives in Maniago in Italy is the FX-9CM08 B DINO TRACKER knife, a ROC design, known as Black Roc Knives, the man behind the designs is Ken Vehikite. (@black_roc_knives).

What to say? If you are familiar with this guys designs/knives and those designs that have been brought into reality from FOX knives, then it will come as no surprise to learn that this is an absolutely superb bushcraft knife. Straight out of the box, I knew I had picked a winner. (Although I don't mention price I will say that I feel this is exceptional value for money considering it's made in Italy, using N690Co steel, Forprene grip and a great ballistic nylon sheath/carry system

The carry system/scabbard can be fixed to PALS webbing systems.

There is provision (and supplied) for a cord or cordage to be tied into the small nylon loop at the base of the scabbard. The scabbard features a drainage hole and quick release from the belt loop (which by the way is also velcro and webbing based.

The scabbard is symmetrical therefore the knife can be carried for either handedness and this is accommodated via a rotating retention strap on the actual sheath itself. The fitting of the knife itself into the scabbard is by friction only and there is zero rattle. Construction of the scabbard is that of a welt design where the material between the two halves is some sort fo high density foam rubber. This is an big improvement upon previous scabbard designs notably for my RIMOR (another excellent knife) and that of my FKMD PARUS (a super survival knife) where those two knives were lacking in the carry systems (maybe those who actually made the scabbards simply forgot to place the welt material before stitching the two halves together?

How about cutting power?

Knives are supposed to cut first right? Well this knife is no exception and it's ability to cut stuff is simply great. I test all of my knives here by cutting all sorts of off stuffs and not necessarily under kitchen conditions, often there tests are done out in the wilds such as on a tree log suitably cleaned and made reasonably hygienic!

I look at the comfort afforded by the knife design or lack thereof, so you as a reader or viewer are not going to waste your time with a purchase which is just down right difficult to use As such shown below is an example of the outcome from slicing through (with ease) some rather choice beef which I had begun to marinate with some fresh garlic and later herds from the forest. The knife balance is good despite it weighing in at around 300 odd grams. (the knife not the steak!). This blade is thick at around 6 mm,

and usually I would say such a thick blade is too thick for food preparation however there is a caveat. That caveat being how the geometry of the actual blade is will determine how much ease or lack of it takes to cut through raw meat. This knife passes just fine! The belly region has a Sabre grind to the edge and the smaller straight portion which is the reminiscent of the "TRACKER" style knife has a little higher Sabre grind to the edge with a distance of approx. 35mm to the spine here and where the belly is at it's maximal distance from the spine the blade width is approximately 45mm. This means for my hand, when wrapped around the handle and cutting something, my fingers are basically inline with the edge of the belly region. This is just fine.

Talking about cutting and steel heat treatment.

I've never had a problem with any FOX knife's heat treatment and this knife is no exception. After some heavy dut bashing away at pine branches and cutting fibrous materials

the knife easily slice through the benchmark tomato skin with ease!

Yes, note this is a proper tomato and as such correctly botanically described as fruit because it is indeed a fruit and as such it should be tasty and sweet, which is was!

How about chopping power? After all this is a "Tracker Knife"

Well the best way to show you this aspect is via some videos and they will be available soon on my Youtube channel but suffice it to say , yes it can chop and it chops well due to the overall balance of weight distribution.