Cold steel Trailmaster Problems

K

kaighon

Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Messages
7
Hello, i recently got my cold steel trail Master in O1 steel , took it to the wood and its a great knife, good chopper and awesome splitter , but i have 2 little problems and i though that it would be nice to tell other peoples before they buy it.

1) the handle just destroy your hand, i had blister in 20 minutes of " normal " use. I am planning on buying gloves and test it out, but i prefer not using gloves

2) the Secure-Ex sheath dull the blade like crazy !!! draw the knife a 10-15 times and the blade is dull !!! From shaving sharp to useless !! I try to push on the spine, but its just impossible to avoid. :(

Also, does anyone know a good place to get custom trailmaster sheat ? Leather would be nice ! :D

Have a nice day !
 
Sorry to hear that about the handle. My fake TM copy turned out to be awesome. I put a loop lanyard on it and stick my little finger through it which hangs off the end when chopping and it's comfortable and wicked efficient. The ergonomics and Kraton are very comfortable. Wrap it with paracord or a bootlace and see how it deadens the handling characteristics of the Trail Master.

I've had zero luck myself finding an aftermarket brown leather sheath for the TM other than some custom made one's on ebay which are always sold. I am getting ready to have a local sheath maker here in Texas I met on BF make one for it.

ETA, his email is chicoscondos@yahoo.com
 
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The handle is kraton. It should not be chewing up your hand and giving you blisters. I can tell you this much - it is a lot more comfy and forgiving than G10 or micarta. I'd say look on ebay for the sheath or maybe have one of the guys in the custom section on here make you one.
 
I hate to say this, and mean no disrespect, but unless the handle has changed dramatically over the years it is VERY forgiving. Perhaps toughening your hands would help. Mine of 30 or so yrs (carbon V) has never been the least of a problem. My sheath, however, is codura so I cannot comment on the newer ones.
 
I checked the old versions of the knife and has i said, mine is the new production in O1 , check this picture and you can see the very agressive pattern of the handle and thanks for the sheath link and i dont have small or soft hand, they are pretty strong but this is just too much :P !
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Abrasiveness has been a complaint about some of CS's kraton handles, as has long term durability. Ironically, the copies suffer the same problems.
 
I've used the CS Kraton handles on their khukuri for about 20 years and never had this blister issue which seems so rampant with some users. I've also never noticed any fragility with the handles. I would prefer CS offer some Micarta or G10 on their standard models, but can't really complain about the rubber. The Kraton is soft enough that the checkering wears down with use. You could probably speed things along with some very fine sandpaper. I'll second the recommendation for Armoralleather. Dwayne and his wife are great people and his work is top notch. Take care.
 
now each time that i swing the knife, there is a "click" "metalic" sound in the handle... i think its the brass lanyard hole that hit the tang ...
 
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