A2 Steel Update

not2sharp said:
BTW, I emailed Cold Steel and requested to be placed on a wait list for these items. If anyone else is interested, drop them a note and let them know that you care.

n2s
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I am interested. I love the idea of a 3V Trailmaster. However, at the price it will almost certainly cost I really expect a better handle, and either leather or Kydex on the sheath.

Looking beyond just this particular issue with these specific knives, this move to 4034 is just one of a series of choices suggesting an overall downgrade of the entire Cold Steel lineup. Almost across the board, 2020 product changes have been reductions in quality rather than improvements. Steels aren't getting better, they are getting worse. Even the 2020 LT model was offered in 440 rather than S35 or XHP, again a step down in quality. For new products it was mostly just utility knives and cheaper versions of existing products. The big exceptions, the Black Bear Classic and long awaited A2 knives, were never delivered or quietly cancelled after years of delay.

I think this trend was a major reason some people reacted angrily to this A2 announcement, and why some remain skeptical now. New 3V blades sound good, but they apparently aren't making the ones already in the lineup. However, if you want a disposable utility knife they have you nicely covered.

There is nothing wrong with this. Cold Steel probably makes the best utility and work knives in the world. That's pretty cool and a reason for Mr Thompson to be proud. If I were in the market for one I would certainly rather have Cold Steel utility knife than, say, a Husky or Harbor Freight model. But if I am in the market for a large combat or fieldcraft knife, perhaps as an alternative to a Randall or Fjallraven, I probably won't be searching the aisles at Home Depot or Academy Sports for a company I can turn to. All of which is a rather long way of saying that Cold Steel needs to decide who they want to be, because right now they seem a bit confused.

My previously planned Cold Steel purchases are on indefinite hold while I see what they decide.
 
So Andrew,what kind of finish are these 3V knives going to get.I was hoping for a DLC coating but definitely not one of those earlier epoxy coating.I know some customers don't like coatings, as seen online and in the various CS 2020 offerings.So why not an option for both.

I know it's wishful thinking since the last two versions were naked steel.
 
Im guessing itll be dlc coated,although i wouldnt mind the stonewashed finish like the srk and master hunter.With all the damage ive done in the woods w a Carbon V trailmaster,i can imagine the damage ill do with one in 3V..
 
As an afterthought, I'm wondering if the Trailmaster designation should be kept for the higher performance steels and a new model created for the lower priced steel.

I've always wanted to see a full profile tang Bowie from Cold Steel at a lower price point.
Something perhaps using the materials of the G.I Tanto but with 1/4" stock.
Obviously other materials are available and could be considered.
I guess the DF Survivalist is kind of the answer but I'd still like to see something more primitive looking but with a classic profile.
Picture the Frontier Bowie without the s guard with synthetic scales on a full profile tang.
The profile of the Trailmaster blade would be great but there are lots of options.

The knife would be great for aftermarket modifications.

I used a Jack Dagger thrower to create a rough looking Bowie. I wrapped the handle with 550 and grip tape, found a very basic leather sheath and touched up the edge.
It's not pretty but it's more than functional. I haven't torture tested it but if it will survive throwing it should handle some abuse. Edge holding probably won't be great with the given heat treat but that could be improved upon.
The blade stock thickness used in several of the throwers would probably be sufficient for rough use.
Wouldn't it be great to have a beater Bowie priced under $60 bucks?
Just a thought.
 
Tenbeers said:
As an afterthought, I'm wondering if the Trailmaster designation should be kept for the higher performance steels and a new model created for the lower priced steel.

I've always wanted to see a full profile tang Bowie from Cold Steel at a lower price point.
Something perhaps using the materials of the G.I Tanto but with 1/4" stock.
Obviously other materials are available and could be considered.
I guess the DF Survivalist is kind of the answer but I'd still like to see something more primitive looking but with a classic profile.
Picture the Frontier Bowie without the s guard with synthetic scales on a full profile tang.
The profile of the Trailmaster blade would be great but there are lots of options.

The knife would be great for aftermarket modifications.

I used a Jack Dagger thrower to create a rough looking Bowie. I wrapped the handle with 550 and grip tape, found a very basic leather sheath and touched up the edge.
It's not pretty but it's more than functional. I haven't torture tested it but if it will survive throwing it should handle some abuse. Edge holding probably won't be great with the given heat treat but that could be improved upon.
The blade stock thickness used in several of the throwers would probably be sufficient for rough use.
Wouldn't it be great to have a beater Bowie priced under $60 bucks?
Just a thought.
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There are two Cold Steel Bowie machetes that serve as pretty good beater Bowies. But a beefier model would be nice. Something like the Chaos Bowie without the D-guard handle but a full tang with scales like the GI Tanto!!! Maybe a slightly smaller version about the size of the Marauder too.
 
Man with no name said:
There are two Cold Steel Bowie machetes that serve as pretty good beater Bowies. But a beefier model would be nice. Something like the Chaos Bowie without the D-guard handle but a full tang with scales like the GI Tanto!!! Maybe a slightly smaller version about the size of the Marauder too.
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You're reading my mind!
I have the Black Bear but as you said something beefier would be nice. The Chaos Bowie shape would be excellent!
I've always wondered why the G.I Tanto design wasn't expanded on.
At one time they were showing that a clip point version was in the works but it never materialized. A missed opportunity in my opinion.
 
Tenbeers said:
As an afterthought, I'm wondering if the Trailmaster designation should be kept for the higher performance steels and a new model created for the lower priced steel.

I've always wanted to see a full profile tang Bowie from Cold Steel at a lower price point.
Something perhaps using the materials of the G.I Tanto but with 1/4" stock.
Obviously other materials are available and could be considered.
I guess the DF Survivalist is kind of the answer but I'd still like to see something more primitive looking but with a classic profile.
Picture the Frontier Bowie without the s guard with synthetic scales on a full profile tang.
The profile of the Trailmaster blade would be great but there are lots of options.

The knife would be great for aftermarket modifications.

I used a Jack Dagger thrower to create a rough looking Bowie. I wrapped the handle with 550 and grip tape, found a very basic leather sheath and touched up the edge.
It's not pretty but it's more than functional. I haven't torture tested it but if it will survive throwing it should handle some abuse. Edge holding probably won't be great with the given heat treat but that could be improved upon.
The blade stock thickness used in several of the throwers would probably be sufficient for rough use.
Wouldn't it be great to have a beater Bowie priced under $60 bucks?
Just a thought.
Click to expand...
A full-tang (Becker-style) Trailmaster sounds nice. It solves the issue of the handle getting loose over time and streamlines the process of rehandling the knife. It’s really convenient when all you need to replace the scales are torx screws. I love this idea and I don’t think it necessitates a drastic design overhaul.

“New model created for the lower priced steel.” Well, they could call it Trailmaster Lite, but it doesn’t exactly sound great, lmao.
 
Fieldmaster, Woodsmaster, Fieldcraft Bowie, Fieldcraft Scout, Mountain Scout, etc... Anything with "lite" at the end will probably be 4034, I'd guess.
 
Tenbeers said:
I've always wondered why the G.I Tanto design wasn't expanded on.
At one time they were showing that a clip point version was in the works but it never materialized. A missed opportunity in my opinion.
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G. Scott H. said:
This has been discussed many times in the past. The consensus has always been that it would be a great idea and an outstanding seller. :thumbsup: CS even showed one (in camo finish) as part of a collab line of knives with Buck Medley that never came to fruition, afaik.

edit: Pic!

giclippoint.jpg
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Well, in all honesty the 3V announcement did save the day here.

I saw the trail other day and first thing that came to mind was that having Trail Master and eating Trail Mix while passsing it would be very fitting... then I remembered the 4034 Trail Master and I had to shake away that thought thinking of 3V version.
Trial Master would be more fitting name.

But yeah, I do believe Lynn and Andrew saying well heat treated 4034 won't break, but I also believe I'd need to have a sharpening stone at hand all the time.
 
razorburn said:
So Andrew,what kind of finish are these 3V knives going to get.I was hoping for a DLC coating but definitely not one of those earlier epoxy coating.I know some customers don't like coatings, as seen online and in the various CS 2020 offerings.So why not an option for both.

I know it's wishful thinking since the last two versions were naked steel.
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no coatings planned at this time. The kukri, trailmaster , etc will be high satin finished
 
^ +1; ignore any other rederick,the focus now should be on the knives that are in the works.
 
Not sure why theres so many complaints about the sheaths; ive been using them for years never saw any dulling of the blades,and i like that i can remove the belt loop and add a teklok to it.
 
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