- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,184
Its hard to write objectively about Cold Steel these days. No other knife company polarises people quite as much. My interest in their stuff goes way back, prior to all the recent brou-ha about Lynn Thompson and his policies. I liked Cold Steel knives from the get-go cos they were big, bold, sharp and shiny. They also seemed to offer good value for money.
Two of their knives really grabbed my attention: the Tanto, and the Trail Master (the Tai-Pan was in there as well). I had to wait many years before I could afford a Trail Master, but thanks to the internet and forums like this one, I finally got mine yesterday.
They say first impressions count. Well, these are mine of the Trail Master in San Mai III, which was for a time their top of the range fixed blade.
The TM comes in a standard Cold Steel box, except it has an inner box as well. So nothing out of the ordinary there.
When you open the box and get it out of the sheath for the first time, its hard not to be impressed. There is a LOT of lovely shiny steel here. I'm a total sucker for a nice satin finish, and you've got acres of it on the TM. So what, you say? Well, think of how many other production companies, considered to be high end, are coating their knives.
Sure, its 'tactical' and all, but how many people actually need a tactical knife? I suspect its just an excuse for companies to avoid the time-consuming and costly process of finishing a blade properly. Me, I love polished steel. I think its cool, its also easier to maintain than a coated finish. I've polished out many a scratch from a satin finish. Try that with a coated one.
Secondly, this blade is THICK. The spine is almost 10 mms across. Hell yeah, it impressed me (BTW the blade is 9,5 inches in length). Oddly enough, despite its substantial size, it doesn't feel that heavy in the hand. It is obviously weighted near the tip to facilitate chopping, but it's nicely balanced overall. I'm no knife-fighter, but it doesn't feel like you're holding a prybar.
The blade is a conventional bowie profile, with a clip point swedge thats a couple of inches long. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Overall, the lines are pleasing to the eye, with the handle nicely proportioned in relation to the blade.
The oval-shaped, full guard is of stainless steel and also fairly conventional. A niggle for me is that the blade is not totally flush with the guard. Its not enough of a gap that light comes through or anything, but still its noticeable.
I guess this is where production and custom part company. I would not expect to see that on a custom knife. My concern is that this is a good place for rust to start up, and its annoying as I will have to keep an eye on it. Plus if rust does start up in there, it will be a job to get rid of it.
The handle is definitely the weakest part of the design. Not the shape so much which is handy enough (although I would have preferred it slightly thicker myself) but the kraton material used. Kraton is practical enough, but next to the magnificent blade, it just looks cheap. A black linen micarta handle would put this knife into another league altogether.
If you do want a bowie with a micarta handle, you can get CS's Laredo model, but I prefer the blade profile of the TM myself.
Of course, it is an option to find a capable modder and get the handle changed out. Many have done just that, and the results are awe-inspiring. Given what I paid for the knife (I bought it used), it would be worth my while to pursue this option.
The sheath is a bog standard cordura number, with a retaining strap and a perfunctory lanyard for tying it down. Disappointing, given that the magnum Tanto (also in San Mai), which is sold at a lower price point, comes with a very decent leather sheath.
Finally, the blade itself. The San Mai III line is in plain evidence, as is the convex edge. Its going to be interesting to see what this knife can do. It came to me plenty sharp enough for anything, and I'm going to be very interested to see just how good this steel really is. I haven't really hammered my tanto much, but I plan to do more with the TrailMaster. Its a knife that begs to be used, and I am anticipating a fair bit of satisfaction in the wielding of it.
Mark
Two of their knives really grabbed my attention: the Tanto, and the Trail Master (the Tai-Pan was in there as well). I had to wait many years before I could afford a Trail Master, but thanks to the internet and forums like this one, I finally got mine yesterday.
They say first impressions count. Well, these are mine of the Trail Master in San Mai III, which was for a time their top of the range fixed blade.
The TM comes in a standard Cold Steel box, except it has an inner box as well. So nothing out of the ordinary there.
When you open the box and get it out of the sheath for the first time, its hard not to be impressed. There is a LOT of lovely shiny steel here. I'm a total sucker for a nice satin finish, and you've got acres of it on the TM. So what, you say? Well, think of how many other production companies, considered to be high end, are coating their knives.
Sure, its 'tactical' and all, but how many people actually need a tactical knife? I suspect its just an excuse for companies to avoid the time-consuming and costly process of finishing a blade properly. Me, I love polished steel. I think its cool, its also easier to maintain than a coated finish. I've polished out many a scratch from a satin finish. Try that with a coated one.
Secondly, this blade is THICK. The spine is almost 10 mms across. Hell yeah, it impressed me (BTW the blade is 9,5 inches in length). Oddly enough, despite its substantial size, it doesn't feel that heavy in the hand. It is obviously weighted near the tip to facilitate chopping, but it's nicely balanced overall. I'm no knife-fighter, but it doesn't feel like you're holding a prybar.
The blade is a conventional bowie profile, with a clip point swedge thats a couple of inches long. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Overall, the lines are pleasing to the eye, with the handle nicely proportioned in relation to the blade.
The oval-shaped, full guard is of stainless steel and also fairly conventional. A niggle for me is that the blade is not totally flush with the guard. Its not enough of a gap that light comes through or anything, but still its noticeable.
I guess this is where production and custom part company. I would not expect to see that on a custom knife. My concern is that this is a good place for rust to start up, and its annoying as I will have to keep an eye on it. Plus if rust does start up in there, it will be a job to get rid of it.
The handle is definitely the weakest part of the design. Not the shape so much which is handy enough (although I would have preferred it slightly thicker myself) but the kraton material used. Kraton is practical enough, but next to the magnificent blade, it just looks cheap. A black linen micarta handle would put this knife into another league altogether.
If you do want a bowie with a micarta handle, you can get CS's Laredo model, but I prefer the blade profile of the TM myself.
Of course, it is an option to find a capable modder and get the handle changed out. Many have done just that, and the results are awe-inspiring. Given what I paid for the knife (I bought it used), it would be worth my while to pursue this option.
The sheath is a bog standard cordura number, with a retaining strap and a perfunctory lanyard for tying it down. Disappointing, given that the magnum Tanto (also in San Mai), which is sold at a lower price point, comes with a very decent leather sheath.
Finally, the blade itself. The San Mai III line is in plain evidence, as is the convex edge. Its going to be interesting to see what this knife can do. It came to me plenty sharp enough for anything, and I'm going to be very interested to see just how good this steel really is. I haven't really hammered my tanto much, but I plan to do more with the TrailMaster. Its a knife that begs to be used, and I am anticipating a fair bit of satisfaction in the wielding of it.
Mark
