Cold Steel Trail Master Aficionados Thread

[HandofCod]

Depends really, but if you love that knife, you will enjoy it's big brother. It has a lot more power.

Edit: Great picture BTW

Taken with my iPhone, would you believe. I'm going to get some quality pics up as soon as I get out with my Canon 50D in my next camping trip.

I think I'm going to have to start saving!

 

[Buffalohump]

Its good you got the Chinese one. Some of the Taiwanese made ones are giving problems. One guy has broken a couple. I paid $105 for my Chinese SK-5 from NGK - bargain of the decade.

I just bought my 1st Trail Master!!!!!!

It's a NIB OS (black finish) and i pd $115 +shipping. Was this too much?!? Did i get taken?!?

Here are some pics from the auction:

I was hoping to find a Carbon V version, but the description says SK5...
Did CS make a black SK5?

 

[Ankerson]

Its good you got the Chinese one. Some of the Taiwanese made ones are giving problems. One guy has broken a couple. I paid $105 for my Chinese SK-5 from NGK - bargain of the decade.

A few of the guards were milled out of spec as in the hole being too large.

CS has it under control though. :thumbup:

 

[Buffalohump]

Well, there you have it from the horse's mouth. Jim is pretty hard on his knives!

 

[fmajor007]

Thx Buff - what a good price you got yours for. It's encouraging to know i bought a "good" one. It's tough for me to keep all the variants straight - even though there's a list floating about the Boards. All the same, i am pretty stoked to get my TM watch Jim's vids regularly (and prolly will til i get my TM!!!!).

I was just camping this weekend with the Fam and could really have used the TM for branch cleaning, etc - makes wanting mine all the more bitter/sweet.

 

[Tony8179]

So I received the Tail Master I recently purchased on this forum. From the pictures I saw and the questions I asked other Trail Master enthusiasts I was fully expecting a San Mai III model, but when I saw the box and then pulled out the knife I was surprised at seeing this 16JS sticker on the very old school box. I swear I can see the San Mai III line, but I'm not 100% sure because I've never owned a Cold Steel SMIII blade before. I wasn't able to find much information on this knife as it appears Cold Steel made it for a very short time. So can anyone give me some more info? What kind of steel they used? How rare are they? Anyone have a number of how many were made? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks guys.

 

[Ankerson]

It likely AUS8, but post a closeup photo of the Line.

My SM III

 

[Tony8179]

Here's a couple shots. I didn't do very well at getting the line because it's so faint. I'm starting to think that the line I'm seeing is actually just where the convex for the edge started. The edge is at the top of these pictures. The tip is definitely as thick as the San Mai III version and the edge is obviously convexed and crazy sharp.

 

[fmajor007]

I don't know much about these things, but w/the SMIII blades isn't it reasonably easy to see the steel "sandwich" when looking at the spine?

Again i post in the bliss of ignorance, but is it possible that you have an early convex-grind Carbon V TM?

 

[Ankerson]

Here's a couple shots. I didn't do very well at getting the line because it's so faint. I'm starting to think that the line I'm seeing is actually just where the convex for the edge started. The edge is at the top of these pictures. The tip is definitely as thick as the San Mai III version and the edge is obviously convexed and crazy sharp.

That's AUS8, not SM III.

It's rare. :thumbup:

 

[Tony8179]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll have to try and find a SMIII version now or an old Carbon V version. Don't know if I'll want to use this bad boy now knowing that it's rare.

 

[Ankerson]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll have to try and find a SMIII version now or an old Carbon V version. Don't know if I'll want to use this bad boy now knowing that it's rare.

It's that one and Mine, the AUS8 SM III that are the rare ones.

 

[Srben]

I had to get in on this awesome thread:

I intend to get the SM III Trail Master with the normal handle, too. I really love the TM.

 

[seth2915]

Had an old Carbon V trailmaster; one of the black ones. I put a convex edge on it the hard way, with a whetstone, and it cut, chopped and sliced amazingly. Then I gave it to my cousin after he went into the Marine Corps. I miss that knife. But he loves it; he carries it everywhere, even in the car when he is in the states. It has a good home now.

 

[fmajor007]

Anyone have some time to measure how wide the Trail Master blade is?

I have the blade and handle length as well as thickness and weight, but i really need the width to begin prototyping a sheath (until MY Trail Master comes to me in about 3 weeks).

 

[Ankerson]

Anyone have some time to measure how wide the Trail Master blade is?

I have the blade and handle length as well as thickness and weight, but i really need the width to begin prototyping a sheath (until MY Trail Master comes to me in about 3 weeks).

My SK-5 is 1 7/16" wide.

Not sure about my old SM III as I haven't measured it.

 

[fmajor007]

Thanks Ankerson!!! I'll be working at drawings sooner than soon!

 

[GRIM 62]

I have an old Carbon V T.M. and it is a keeper.Cold Steel made the best production bowie back in the day,in my opinion.

 

[fmajor007]

Oh Baby!!!!! I got my Trailmaster today - WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!

This is a big @ss knife, but feels better in-hand than i thought it would.

Since i've only had it about an hour and no opportunity to do and cutting, i'll qualify my comments to "initial impressions".

It's stated weight would lead you to think it may feel cumbersome, but i'm confident it'll handle quite nicely.

My TM is a coated-blade in SK5 i picked up awhile ago for $115. Out of the box it's shaving sharp and obviously has never been carried or used.

The handle is a nice size for me, maybe the tiniest bit small, but w/a lanyard it should work quite well. However, i can see where a nice linen-micarta handle would add to the knife, but i really do like the Kraton - it's got alotta "gription" and is pretty "griptastic"

Performance and use pics i'll have to post later when i've some experience with it, but for now i'm pretty happy!

 

[sinjans]

I am madly in hate with the San Mai III sheath. I Live in Canada and want to upgrade to a custom made. Any recommendation? Kydex or leather. I have always loved the leather.