Cold Steel Trail Master which one?

philwar said:
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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The SM III TM is a better chopper than the New Sk-5 because of the way they changed the balance.

The TM weighs 17oz and the BWM weighs 23oz with a better balance for chopping.

The BWM will out chop the TM with little problem from what I have seen and done with both blades, but the TM is still an excellent knife.
 
I would love to see that put to the test Ankerson. I feel as Philwar does.

I haven't hit anything with the BWM yet but my money is on the Trail Master(9.5") pound for pound chopping, and definitely splitting. Even the CGFBM(10.5") with extra inch of blade marginally out chops the TM considering the extra 10 oz worth of weight.

KRU03 said:
Does anybody know if the Japanese-made Trailmaster was ALWAYS made using San Mai?
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The Japanese stainless Trail Master was made in AUS 8, the original SM III (Aus 8 clad with 420J) and newer VG-1 SMIII (VG-1 clad in 420J). If there are others that someone knows of please fill me in.
 
Kru03 said:
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.
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The older Japan Trailmasters were a solid stainless blade not a laminate.

The 2 on the right are solid the 2 on the left are San Mai III.

100_1293.jpg
 
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GrinderMcgee said:
I would love to see that put to the test Ankerson. I feel as Philwar does.

I haven't hit anything with the BWM yet but my money is on the Trail Master(9.5") pound for pound chopping, and definitely splitting. Even the CGFBM(10.5") with extra inch of blade marginally out chops the TM considering the extra 10 oz worth of weight.



The Japanese stainless Trail Master was made in AUS 8, the original SM III (Aus 8 clad with 420J) and newer VG-1 SMIII (VG-1 clad in 420J). If there are others that someone knows of please fill me in.
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I have tested it myself, head to head against the CGFBM and the TM before I sent the Busse to the SPA and believe me it wasn't even close, and I did a lot of chopping with both blades.

I will do one comparing the BWM and the TM and I will do it on Video. ;)
 
Ankerson said:
I have tested it myself, head to head against the CGFBM and the TM before I sent the Busse to the SPA and believe me it wasn't even close, and I did a lot of chopping with both blades.

I will do one comparing the BWM and the TM and I will do it on Video. ;)
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are you saying the cold steel trail master beat the busse?
 
THE PUNISHER said:
are you saying the cold steel trail master beat the busse?
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No, I am not, the Busse killed it chopping very easy. ;)

Here is a photo of the CGFBM and the TM before I sent the Busse to the SPA, notice the size difference between these two knives.

 
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No punisher, the other one.

Ok, but you know if you use the wimpy SK-5 Taiwan beater I will say boo. Or maybe I will be out chopping too. If I can find anything to chop under the 12" of snow here.:grumpy:
 
GrinderMcgee said:
No punisher, the other one.

Ok, but you know if you use the wimpy SK-5 Taiwan beater I will say boo. Or maybe I will be out chopping too. If I can find anything to chop under the 12" of snow here.:grumpy:
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My SM III is very old and is a safe queen, never used it and it still has the factory edge on it. :)

But yeah it's better balanced than the new SK-5's are for chopping.
 
Ankerson said:
No, I am not, the Busse killed it chopping very easy. ;)

Here is a photo of the CGFBM and the TM before I sent the Busse to the SPA, notice the size difference between these two knives.

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This was always gonna be the outcome against the CG. But the BWM is 40% thinner than the TM...
 
philwar said:
This was always gonna be the outcome against the CG. But the BWM is 40% thinner than the TM...
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Yeah I know, not going to even get into the FFBM here. :D

The BWM is just a lot better balanced than the TM is so it does out chop it. :)
 
Here is another one, CGFBM between the Nachez (on top) and Laredo on the bottom.

 
GrinderMcgee said:
So it is...

HPIM2928.jpg
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Yep, it is, but the TM thins out a lot towards the tip while the Busses don't. ;)

I never will understand why LCT did this on a field blade, it just kills the balance for a chopper, if they would have left the TM thicker towards the tip it would be a much better chopper than it is. It's still a good chopper, but it could be better.

Personally I think it's that warrior lifestyle BS, every knife has to be a fighter nonsense, if I ever get to see him in person I will tell him that too. ;)
 
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