Cold Steel SK-5 Trail Master has been DISCONTINUED

T

tabeeb762

Joined
May 18, 2007
Messages
818
from the CS site:
http://www.coldsteel.com/trmashica.html


Trail Master (SK-5 High Carbon)
Specifications:
Weight: 16.7 oz.
Blade: 9 1/2"
Thick: 5/16"
Overall: 14 1/2"
Handle: Kraton®
Sheath: Leather
Steel: SK-5 High Carbon
Black Epoxy Powder Coat Finish
Out of Stock / Discontinued
$139.99
39L16C

Its being replaced by 39L16CT in 2009 which shares the same specifications except for the $239.99 price. You guys think they're bringing production back to the US or just inflating their price because they can?
Glad I got one of the discontinued ones for $59 yesterday
 
I got it from the auction site. International shipping was actual cost too ($16) so its a hell of a deal
 
That is a lot of knife for under $100. I hope they move production back to the US. I wouldn't be surprised it they offered it with a satin finished, convex edge.
 
I would really like to know what the difference is between the discontinued model and the '09 model. The price difference is huge. I foolishly sold my Carbon V model a few years ago during a funds shortage. Now I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on the 'bay and getting an SK-5 model for 60 bucks.
 
I believe the new one is going to be made in the USA...

Don't quote me on that though.

CombatGrappler said:
I would really like to know what the difference is between the discontinued model and the '09 model. The price difference is huge. I foolishly sold my Carbon V model a few years ago during a funds shortage. Now I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on the 'bay and getting an SK-5 model for 60 bucks.
Click to expand...
 
Even if it's just a move to Taiwan, it'll be a bump up in consumer confidence. I tested the Chinese SK-5 Laredo and it preformed well, especially for the price. Others have reported similar results with Chinese SK-5 Trailmasters, but mainland China has earned itself a stigma with other products in general. It appears that if you don't watch 'em close, they'll cut corners at the least. Cheaper production costs may have been offset by reputation, so overall sales may have suffered. Again, my experience with the Chinese SK-5s has been good, so I'd get 'em while you can, where you can, before prices go up.
 
if you put the sk5 & carbon v trailmasters next to each other, its very hard to tell the difference,it was pretty well made,but having such a stigma about the word china,i scraped the word china into a square & coated it black.maybe its being made in japan,i couldnt see the price double if it went to tawain?
 
tabeeb762 said:
I got it from the auction site. International shipping was actual cost too ($16) so its a hell of a deal
Click to expand...

i have just done the same:D !
it was couple of days that i was watching those trail masters... I think that the only modele from cold steel that inspire me!:D
I was wondering why the ones in Carbon V cost 250-300 usd and this one only 60 usd? Only because one is china made?:confused:
 
Carbon V versions have a long track record of excellent toughness and edge holding. Combination of steel and heat treat.
 
I've got a RS in Carbon V and truthfully it is as fine a large knife as one could ask for. Might have someone put a new handle on it but other than that it is a great user. keepem sharp
 
Mike Sastre said:
Carbon V versions have a long track record of excellent toughness and edge holding. Combination of steel and heat treat.
Click to expand...

i have just destroyed my old thai machette batoning some hard wood 5 min ago...:(
I think i would put some stress on that trail master when i would get it !:D
i'll see if that new version is as good as old one! (if memory serves, i think i have seen some pics of the old version broken after batoning also anyway!)

Surelly batoning put stress on a knife, specially on the handle !:eek:
cdf7ef893e654f4350a2e6fdca53614f.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
 
Mike Sastre said:
Carbon V versions have a long track record of excellent toughness and edge holding. Combination of steel and heat treat.
Click to expand...

I just bought the Chinese made, SK5 version for 66 bucks on ebay (including shipping). I have an old Carbon V Recon Scout, so it will be interesting to compare them.

With regard to SK5, I have a SOG Tigershark that takes and holds an edge every bit as well as the Recon Scout (performs very well, maybe better than the RS, as the Tigershark has a much better edge configuration. The 5/16th blade on the Recon Scout leads to a very thick edge, which I should have thinned by now, but have been too lazy). Plus, an old Cold Steel Bushman, in SK5 (according to CS) and it is the best 15 dollars I ever spent on a knife. Takes a dynamite edge and appears to be virtually indestructable.

In my experience with both steels....I don't think that SK5 is in any way a step down from Carbon V. (It remains to be seen what the Chinese made version will exhibit in the way of fit and finish/quality control, but I didn't suspect I could go all that wrong, at the price).

BTW, my CS SRK, in Carbon V, has been a very good performer and, if anyone is interested, the newly redesigned Cold Steel site is advertising SRK seconds in Carbon V for 50 bucks (I didn't check the Special Projects site). This SRK has been a great knife. The Carbon V performs very well, and is generally (except for chopping, clearly) much more useful/versatile than the The Trailmaster and Tigershark.

I was just reading an old post on British Blades, with pics of an old, satin finished Trailmaster that one of the forum members had fitted with a leather washer/wood butt handle. I would dearly love to do this to my Recon Scout and the new Trailmaster, considering I have very little money invested in either knife. Anyone aware of someone who does leather washer handles who won't charge a second mortgage (not that I could get a second mortgage in this economy <g>)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top