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Battle Mistress VS Trailmaster VS Basic#9

sevenedges

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Sep 14, 1999
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Does anyone own all three? Or at least two?
If so which one do you consider the best wood killer? Lots of questions any answers?
I have the battle mistress on order and want to snatch a trailmaster or basic#9 in the meantime. I also have a CS kurki which chops pretty decent for a light, thin blade. Anyway what should it be trailmaster or
basic#9? I just can't wait six more months!
 
Can you wait one more month? I am about to do a no holds barred test on both and you will get the results right here!

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
The Trailmaster and BM are two very differnet knives. The Trailmaster is lighter has a much thinner tip and has other things such as the guards and non-indexing handle that I would assume are to make it a "fighting" knife and each of these aspects lower its utility ability. The BM on the other hand is more suited to heavy work and every aspect of its design is made for this. I am interested in Mike's report as well - I would be very surprised if the Trailmaster came out ahead of the Busse in any utility type tasks.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 15 September 1999).]
 
I Own a trail master....and while its a good knife I never actually use it for anything! My CS Kukri and Ontario Bolo will out perform it in the field any day of the week... THe Handle, guards, and thick blade don't lend themselves well to utility chopping, and the uncoated Carbon V blade is too quick to tarnish and rust in the field. Take a look at Newt Livesays RTAK I have one on order now! Its a much better utility design than the trail master and it a hell of alot more cost effective than a BUSSE at only $150!
 
I agree that the Trailmaster and the Busse are very different knives.

I am with Defender -- I would love to see a head to head test of the RTAK and the Busse Basic 9. That would be something.

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." --Douglas Adams

 
1095 is a plain high-carbon steel. While it will make a good knife, the properties of the steel simply cannot match the high-alloy high-carbon steels. On low stress work you will get similar levels of performance but as the tasks get harder differences should set in. I would be interested in seeing an RTAK (or better yet the 12" similar designed knife, RPM) compared to the Basic #9.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 15 September 1999).]
 
hey guys
I think the Rtak and basic9 are both great knives. WHile i have never tested this, i have talked to both makers and they both make great stuff. I myself, I am going with the basic 9. I am getting it for 199 bucks and it seems that it is probably better than the RTak. Newt makes great stuff, so does jerry, I am going with jerry this time.
luke
 
"1095 is a plain high-carbon steel. While it will make a good knife, the properties of the steel simply cannot match the high-alloy high-carbon steels."

Cliff,

I'm quoting you from a previous post. I'm very curious about what you are saying. Would you please explain this further and give examples also?


Thanks,
Don

 
Well...
I have had a BM on order for a while now so I can't vouch for its performance. I can say that if it lives up to its publicity, that's probably the one to have. I don't know what "modified" infi means for the Basic, but it doesn't augur improved performance. The Basic might be more cost efficient, but for sure the BM is a better knife...I guess. I don't have to guess about the CS Trailmaster. I have owned a carbon V version for years and I have used it alot. I'm surprised at the lack of support the Trailmaster is getting lately. I don't know if it's better than the BM, I'll find out soon, but that doesn't change the fact that this is truly a great knife. The balance is superb, which is important for extended or difficult chopping or trimming. It is an excellent chopper. I really put mine to the test a couple of years ago on the Nahanni River in the NWT in September. Chopping, cutting, trimming, even some kitchen work and light hammering. Lousy in the kitchen, of course, but fantastic at everything else. I didn't and don't like the CS sheath, though, so I had one made for it in leather. Made a big difference. One word of warning about the Trailmaster. It will rust - quickly and badly. I forgot it outside the tent in a log one night and when I woke up in the morning the Carbon V was already pitting! It's available from CS in stainless [AUS 8?] and apparently also in "San Mai III"
I can't tell you how the knife performs in those steels, I could only guess from my experience with other knives. They say that the BM will rust, but you can rub the rust off with your finger if it hasn't sat too long. A blade that performs like high carbon but is also rust resistant? A woodsman's wet dream. If it's true, try the Busse. I will.
HJK
 
What ist the prices of these knives you are considering? Have you considered a custom knife? Have you looked at my "Spec Ops Series"? You could probably own one of them for what you are going to pay for a factory made knife. If you want more of a fighter, I would recomend the Bowie ($300 as shown)
specopsbowie.jpg

If you want something for chopping, I would reccomend the Chopper ($350 as shown)
chopper.jpg


Thanks,



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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
Thanks for the thougt HJK. I agree about the rust issue because the edge of my C.S. ltc kurki rusted badly one dewy florida night as well. also left outside the tent. however i dont care for the sheath to much either and wanted to khow where you had yours made. just incase i buy a trailmaster.

SALAMANDER




[This message has been edited by salamander (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
Lynn,

Send us one of those knives and someone send us an RTAK. I will test any knife you want against any other.

I promise the test will be fair and VERY well documented!

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Lynn,
Send us one of those knives and someone send us an RTAK. I will test any knife you want against any other.

I promise the test will be fair and VERY well documented!
Mike,
KodiakPA has the SOS Bowie on order. He is going to do a serious reveiw, and post it to the forum.
I would enjoy having you do the test. At this time however, it is not possible to send one. My businessis going through a major growth spurt. Lots of sells, lots of orders, lots of knives to go to customers. Thanks for the offer. I may contact you at a later time, about testing.



------------------
Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
Salamander, my sheath was made by John Freeman here in Ontario. He is also an excellent knifemaker and he is on the web.
 
Don, the high-alloy steels offer significant advantages over 1095 in regards to abrasion resistance, strength (bending), corrosion resistance (even the non-stainless ones), and toughness (impacts).

Are the advantages important enough to warrent the extra cost? Depends on the user. For example, I can get by with dirt cheap drill bits as I don't drill into much except soft wood. My brother on the other hand does a lot of metal work and the occasional rock so he needs a bit designed for higher stress levels.

It is much the same thing with knives.

-Cliff
 
I will add any knives to the mix you guys want as long as someone supplies them.

See my other post which tells which ones are already slated to be tested.

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
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