Cold Steel Trail Boss

H

hatchetjack

Joined
May 24, 2005
Messages
2,261
Would like any reports from those who have tried and used the Cold Steel Trail Boss axe. I'm looking for a larger chopping tool primarily for camping and shelter making.

I've liked the Trail and Frontier hawks and found them to be good working tools.

Thanks.

hatchetjack-
 
I have two of them. Great tools!
Very clean finish, put together great and after a little edge profile they cut as well as my Ox-Head. They are no Gransfor Bruk, but as good as a Snow&Nealley.
Wide cutting head, they remind me of the Ox-Head in design.
Down fall, that China on the side of the head. I hate it, but have to admit, they are perfect in size and quality for the timber. I wouldn't think twice about these cutters.
Can't beat the price, either.
 
I used one a few weeks ago to fall a tree 1' thick, 25' tall. Some kind of ornamental fruit wood type tree.
I deliberately didn't touch up the edge first. Threw good chips with the convex grind and I am sure after tuning up the edge it will be even better!
I expect the china print on the side of the head will get sanded off when I get around to finishing the edge. Don't get me wrong, the head is convexed very well, as it should be, but the the final edge is not as sharp as it could be.
good axe for the money for sure. I had to mail order mine so I could not sort thru and pick a handle of choice, but this handle is OK, Not great but OK.
sorry I can't post pics :grumpy:
be safe... Ted
 
I own a couple of Cold Steel Hawks - no problem with buying them. The China thing has me holding off on this one, petty I am sure but my 26 bucks should count for something.
 
Got the Trail Boss while away last weekend. I like the balance and the weight is just what I was looking for. The edge could use some work. For those of you that re-profiled the edge, what worked for you? I started with a hand file but still have not gotten it to where I would like. Steel seems harder to work than with the 'hawks.

Thanks in advance.
 
Jack for all my convex sharpening, resharpening I use the good old harbor freight 1" by 30" bench sander.
Got mine on one of the famous $30 sales years ago. Invest in one and some decent belts and ya won't be sorry. Re-profiled all my machetes on it. Just use the slack part of the belt above the platen.
be safe...
Ted
 
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