cold steel trailmaster problem.

ManRay

ManRay

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2014
Messages
709
I recently purchased a cold steel trailmaster for my birthday, I love everything about it. The only problem is that I tried to strike a firesteel and it just would not spark! I tried several different ways and angles. I then noticed that instead of taking the ferrocium off the rod it was taking steel off the spine of the knife! Anyone else had this problem? Thanks.
 
That is not supposed to be. The steel should be harder so there is no way that you can be loosing steel. Do you have pics? I assume your TM is carbon steel and uncoated?
 
I will try to get some pics, it's a newer o1 version , uncoated.
 
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To my knowledge the TM is thru hardened so the spine is as hard as the edge. post some pics of the spine and the ferro rod.

You sure it's a ferro rod and not a tungsten rod ? just kidding ;)
 
Pics: knife and fire steel.
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Knife spine
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It's hard to capture on camera but when you rub your finger along the spine you can definantly feel it. It wouldn't bother me if it would throw a spark but I just can't get it to.
 
I think that what is happening there is molten shards of the ferro rod, which has magnesium in it, are causing pitting on the polished surface of the steel when they land on it. The rod is certainly not cutting into the spine which is perfect. Polished surfaces show any and all imperfections and it looks you are getting corrosion there and some pitting. Sand it and get rid of the corrosion, you should be fine.
 
No, I'm not talking about the rust spots I'm talking about directly on the spine where I sparked the ferro rod. ( I live a mile or so from the ocean and rust is a real problem, I'm waiting for it to patina a bit to maybe slow the rust down.) Thanks.
 
ManRay said:
No, I'm not talking about the rust spots I'm talking about directly on the spine where I sparked the ferro rod. ( I live a mile or so from the ocean and rust is a real problem, I'm waiting for it to patina a bit to maybe slow the rust down.) Thanks.
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It is likely that it is more the ocean than the ferro rod. I honestly do not see any serious damage
 
What you are feeling is gunk from the ferro rod. Stuff will be stubborn to come off sometimes but it is completely normal. The knife won't spark the steel without the spine being sharp and square, but you can still get build up like what you have on the edge of the spine. If you want to spark the rod, you'll have to sharpen up the spine.
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
What you are feeling is gunk from the ferro rod. Stuff will be stubborn to come off sometimes but it is completely normal. The knife won't spark the steel without the spine being sharp and square, but you can still get build up like what you have on the edge of the spine. If you want to spark the rod, you'll have to sharpen up the spine.
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Any tips for sharpening the spine? Only thing that really concerned me is that it would not throw a spark.
 
ManRay said:
Any tips for sharpening the spine? Only thing that really concerned me is that it would not throw a spark.
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Yah if it's not sharp enough it definitely won't throw sparks but it can still pick up stuff from the rod. Typically you can square up the spine by draw filing with a file. Otherwise you can use a flat/hard sanding blocking and sand paper, the flat of a sharpening stone etc. Just have to take your time and make sure it's flat and square. You want it sharp enough to easily grab and scrape stuff off your thumb nail.
 
my SK-5 model as no issue with getting sparks, but it is normal that it'll chew up the blade of the spine and affect the finish...but that only shows normal wear.
 
Is that a Bear Grylls firesteel? Bear Grylls > Trail Master???? This must be snuffed out immediately!
 
The great amount of oil on the blade may be the culprit as to why it does not spark.
 
DocT said:
The great amount of oil on the blade may be the culprit as to why it does not spark.
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Knife was dry when I tried. I oiled immediately after coming home due to living so close to the ocean.
 
You could always put a small striker under the laces you added to the sheath, then strike the ferro rod with it instead of the knife. A little piece of hacksaw blade works wonders for this.
 
Since you live so close to the ocean try Corrosion X OR EEZOX on that TM. Personally don't use my cold steels to spark any ferro, because that oxidation caused by burning ferro rod particles will cause pitting like a ninth graders acne on 01 steel. 01 carbon steel is prone to rust. Pitting is destructive and hard to remove. That ferro will breed pitting on your knife faster than a rabbit farm, especially in your neck o' the woods!! Get a striker, make a striker or two, but what ever you protect your TM. You paid too much for it.
 
For us not so manly/bushcrafty men...All of these issues disappear instantly (in a puff of smoke?) with $1.50 Bic lighter. ;)
 
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