Cold Steel Trail Master which one?

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bfbisa

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Jan 15, 2007
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Which trail master is better? The San Mai III or the carbon V? Also where are these made, Japan?
 
bfbisa said:
Which trail master is better? The San Mai III or the carbon V? Also where are these made, Japan?
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Carbon V is discontinued, the SK-5 model took it's place.

The SM III model is made in Japan.

The SK-5 is made in Taiwan.
 
Well, the San Mai III is a laminated steel, kinda like Fallkniven's. It's better, but also much more expensive.
 
I'm sure the SMIII is great, but the sk5 version is a hell of a lot of knife for the money.

Also, I've heard that the SMIII version would be more likely to chip? Can anyone more knowledge confirm/deny?
 
Dagw00d said:
I'm sure the SMIII is great, but the sk5 version is a hell of a lot of knife for the money.

Also, I've heard that the SMIII version would be more likely to chip? Can anyone more knowledge confirm/deny?
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Don't think you will have to worry about it chipping out.
 
I've got an SK-5 Laredo. Might upgrade to the SMIII Natchez at some point.
The Laredo is a hell of a knife for what I paid. Tough, easy to sharp in the field, and I've yet to see the edge roll.

SK-5 is a Chinese imitation of a Western steel, namely 1050, just like 8cr13mov is more or less a knockoff of AUS8. Coupled with Cold Steel's heat treat, which is typically impeccable, you get a great value. SMIII is definitely better, but is it worth all that extra money? Hard to say.
 
bfbisa said:
Which trail master is better? The San Mai III or the carbon V? Also where are these made, Japan?
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The SanmaiIII is a lot more expensive. I had one that was my big user for about 8 years or so.

The edge retention was great. It is a thick beast. The only down side, really, was that the krayton handle did become a bit irritating on the hand after extended use. A quick wrap with sport tape would likely solve that.

The edge on the Sanmai III blade is a full convex to zero edge. Which makes a great chopper. They are super easy to sharpen, once you learn to sharpen a convex edge. No real special equipment necessary. A loaded strop for touching up the edge, and then sandpaper over a mousepad for fixing edge damage.

You might want to take a look at Falkniven Thor bowie as well. Similar price range, but you can get the handle in stacked leather.

If stacked leather handle was an option on the Cold Steel, it would be even better.

The carbon steel version will be much much cheaper. You will still get a lot of great use out of it.

If you are looking in that price range, and going carbon steel, try to find a ScrapYard Dogfather. They are a bit more, but have a much better warranty, and have a better handle material, and design. They don't suffer from the same weakness in the tang shoulder transition. The cold steel bowies have a square transition which can lead to heat risers and create a weak spot.

The SCrapYard does not have this. The handle material is resiprine C which is much much much tougher. Only rubber type material handle that I know of that has a lifetime handle warranty as well.

If I was buying a carbon steel right now, it would also be hard to beat Rat Cutlery (now ESEE knives on here, due to name change). They use well heat treated 1095, and have a lifetime no hassle replacement warranty. The best in the business.


That all said, however, if you are looking for a chopper in the same price range as the Cold Steel San Mai III, Take a long hard look at Bussecombat.com They have a 10 inch Chopper right now for about the same price as the Cold Steel, with a much tougher steel, and a lifetime no hassle warranty.

I sold my San Mai III Trailmaster after getting one of their choppers.



Good luck.

As to the chipping issues with the Laminated steel San Mai III blade, I never had any issues, and I have not heard any. I have seen some broken carbon steel Recon Scouts, which have the same blade tang transition.
 
I have had 4 Trail Masters over the years, only have 2 now though.

I have a very Old San Mai III.

2 New SK-5 Martemp's, have 1 now.

A Coated Carbon V, gave it away to someone who needed it more than I did.


They are very tough knives, there is no doubt the TM is one of the best, toughest field blades out there on the market. One would have to look long and hard to find a better blade for the same price as the SK-5 goes for now.

They are light for a knife with a 9 1/2" long 5/16" thick blade too.
 
I used a Carbon V as my main knife until I switched to Busse. The handle is a problem and I did go to sportswrap, but that's not the best solution for a knife that shouldn't need it. And Carbon V will rust very badly if you are not very careful. I had a San Mai that was prone to chipping but it could have been the heat treat on that particular run.
 
I have the old Carbon V version. I like the knife but I have to agree that the kraton is too grippy and quickly becomes uncomfortable unless you're wearing gloves. I wrapped the handle of mine with grip tape.
 
Tough one, it is really more a question of steel choice, whichever you like best. I prefer the finish on the Japanese stainless knives, but the carbon steels(USA Carbon V, China SK-5, Taiwan Mar temp SK-5) are no slouch in performance and there are a lot of folks who prefer high carbon steels for large outdoor knives.
 
Does anybody know if the Japanese-made Trailmaster was ALWAYS made using San Mai? Or did they sometimes use other steels. I've got a lightly used one I could purchase for $145, and all I know is that it was made in Japan and is about 10 years old.
 
Bigfattyt said:
That all said, however, if you are looking for a chopper in the same price range as the Cold Steel San Mai III, Take a long hard look at Bussecombat.com They have a 10 inch Chopper right now for about the same price as the Cold Steel
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You can get a brand new TM SM3 for around $250. The BWM in its plainest shape is a hundred bucks more. Hardly the same price.

I own them both, but have not yet had the opportunity to use the BWM for real. I do know that the TM is an amazing chopper, hardly less effective than the FBMLE I also own (which is a lot heavier). The TM's length, weight, grind and factory edge make it an awesome knife.
I'm sure Ankerson could tell you more, but I would not be surprised if the TM outchops the BWM.
 
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