Becker Crewman VS Cold Steel Trailmaster

Joined
Feb 15, 2003
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102
OK boys and girls, here is your homework assignment.

Becker Crewman and the Cold Steel Trailmaster. Which is better? Why? Would you trade a Trailmaster for the Companion? Why/Why not?
 
What kind of comparison is that?
Try BK9 vs Trailmaster
or BK10 vs Master Hunter
or Crewman vs Companion
or Big knives vs Smaller knives
 
i have someone who wants to trade for my trailmaster. i've never had the opportunity to use or even hold the crewman. looking for real input, so the comparisson and questions stand.
 
Not that this is on topic exactly, but a better match for the TrailMaster would be the BK9. I just happen to have one I'll trade you for the Trailmaster, if you want one as big. I can't speak to comparison, as I've never handled a trailmaster. Why do I want to trade? Why not, I never use the BK9 anyway, and the Trailmaster looks cool too!

-Trent
 
Financially, you would be making an error to trade a Trailmaster for a Becker Crewman. The average retail for a Crewman is $45. The average retail for the Trailmaster is $120. You could almost buy three Crewman for the price of one Trailmaster. Or you could buy two Crewman and pocket the other $30.

I own a Trailmaster myself. It's a great knife. I'd never trade mine.
 
he's offering other pieces to adequately compensate, so as far as cash value goes, i'm not concerned. just don't know anything as far as becker goes. pics are as close as i've ever come to one.
 
the crewman is a fat knife. Its thick, sharp, and tough. Big handles, fit my hands just find. No fancy poop. Only thing I don't like is the shealth. Just wanted a simple shealth with belt loop instead of this long shealth, with a sharpening stong pocket. I appericate it, but don't need it like that. So I made my own.


For the trail master. Hell if I know, never handled that. Which would be more useful too you?
 
it's really hard to compare two knives of such different size and purpose, which is why you are getting flustered replies. But both the Becker and the Trailmaster are actually made in the Camillus factory, so in terms of base quality they are about the same (and probably the same steel). The Trailmaster, as you know, is a big'ol chopper. The Crewman is specifically meant to be a smaller, but very sturdy, "military" work knife.

So if you don't need the knife for specific tasks, it's just a matter of aesthetics - which one looks cooler to you? Are you bored of the Trailmaster, since you don't use it, and just want a change? If so, the Becker is a quality knife - there are many posts saying that the BK7, for example, is the best work knife for its price, or any price up until you reach Swamp Rat territory.

If you do need a knife for a specific task - well, the Crewman is a short stout knife, so it is strong but will not cut as well as a thinner blade (like a Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, for example). But it's not as thick as a Trailmaster, and a whole lot lighter. Crewman specs are:

5.5" length blade of 0170-6C carbon steel (like Cold Steel Carbon V)at 58-59 RC blade hardness, full flat grind, .188" thick, Black epoxy powdercoat. Handle is some plastic material ("Becker Trademark GV6H") that many people find too slippery or too fat, but others like it just fine.

Hope this helps!
 
I am sorry,
that is a totally subjective personal choice you will have to make on your own.

Personally I love my trailmaster and would not trade it unless the trade involved another large bowie.

The companion is a cool knife and the crewman is of thinner stock and arguably a little more useful. But for me doesn't justify a trade on its own.

Bottom line for me is relative value. Trailmaster wins as pointed out by
Kevan Taylor-Perry.
Why don't you include the other knives he wants to trade you as well and we can idly offer random opinions.
 
Awight, here's an opinion for ya'...

I'd say the BK-10. It's fairly man portable, quite useful, and tough as nails. I trust the handle construction of the Beckers much more, and have an unyielding faith in the chosen steel for Beckers. It's not as useful by itself as the Cold Steel, but a folding saw in your pack goes along ways towards evening out the odds.

Another reason for suggesting the BK-10 is cause Camillus/BK&T have something that Cold Steel seems to have lost, if they ever had it to begin with: INTEGRITY. It's indisputable that Cold Steel has been ripping off designs from other quality makers (Spyderco and ATC to name a couple) and Lynn Thompsons tirade about Karambits and shots at Strider show much ignorance and little class. Imagine that, the maker of blowguns, throwing knives and spears havin' that much to say about practical weaponry.

I recently picked up a Trailmaster myself, but wish I had known and considered these facts and perceptions buying it. I've got the knife now, and love it anyways, but it will probably be the last Cold Steel product I ever own.

best of luck in your decision, and I hope I didn't just send this thread down the crapper for ya'!:D
 
I'm also going to tell you to trade for the BK10. Although I've owned around 6 or 7 of the Trailmasters through the years, I just can't get used to the feel of them, as they are too "blade-heavy" for my tastes, and the "rubber" handle just doesn't feel right.

However...If you ever feel like you might need to pry apart a large tree or a '57 Chevy, then by all means keep the Trailmaster.:D.
 
If you're looking for some more input/reviews, you should check the "Camillus Forum" in the "Makers/Mfgs" section. I've been trying to decide which Becker would be right for my needs, and this forum has been a tremendous help. Alot of good info in there.

Good Luck!
 
Originally posted by sere_usaf
...I've been trying to decide which Becker would be right for my needs, and this forum has been a tremendous help. Alot of good info in there.

Good Luck!
Get the BK7...It's a good size.
 
well, after some consideration, i decided to trade for a recon scout. basically the same knife, but more my size range. thanks for the info gents.

SEMPER!
 
Becker cause its better. Stronger, made tough, ect. Won't ever buy cold steel again. They have nicer shealths, but becker could do the same if they wanted. Screw cold steel, and their 420.
 
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