Cold Steel Trailmaster steel now O1 instead of SK5?

Thanks for that information, James. Directly from someone who works the stuff. Just what I need, as someone just using the stuff (and getting a high from it...).
 
Actually I haven't worked with O1 in a while... more into 52100 for my carbon stuff now... (just to throw a wrench in the proceedings :D)
 
So.... how would you rank O1 compared to 52100 ? (throwing in my own wrench maybe, here...)
 
52100 has a little more edge-retention. It also has more "panache" in the marketplace.

They're both very good steels; if a knife you like is offered in either one, don't pass it up because it's one or the other.
 
I sure won't ! I passed on an incredible set of Ted Frizzell two Bowies some years ago... That was what I should have buyed... Aaargh. Too late. I'll stay connected on your production, love many things. Keep on the good stuff !
 
If you can, skip the TM in 01 and save to get it or a recon scout in San Mai 3. Both the San mai blades with out chop that tm in 01. You won't look back!!
 
The Lone Gunmen said:
If you can, skip the TM in 01 and save to get it or a recon scout in San Mai 3. Both the San mai blades with out chop that tm in 01. You won't look back!!
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Listen to the Lone Gunman-He isn't lying here. There is a HUGE difference in both performance, and fit and finish, between the Taiwan and Japan made Trailmasters.
 
james terrio said:
It definitely requires a fair amount of attention to keep it from rusting, and it's going to stain pretty much no matter what you do short of powdercoating it... but many, many users simply don't care about that.
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That's the one thing that really jumped out at me: My Randall Model 18 took permanent water stains from my washing fingerprints off of it... I mean not washing from use, I mean fingerprints from holding the blade sharpening it from new (it came very nicely thin-edged, if not that sharp, but quite blunt-pointed): Noticeable pupil-sized stains from trying to keep it stain free... I had it Cerakoated, then sharpened, as otherwise it is hopeless to keep it neat-looking: I think impurities in my WD-40 caused it to stain as well: It seemingly took stains from the oil I put on it... I have never had this happen with any other of my knives...

Otherwise I found as hard to sharpen as any stainless: It seems like it is very hard, despite Randall supposedly running them at around 55-56 Rc...

Gaston
 
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In my experience, O1 just plain wants to stain and grow "orange blossoms" (literally overnight, if it's humid). Much moreso than other simple carbon steels like 1084 and 1095 and 52100. I cannot explain why. :confused:

That doesn't really matter, since the staining/surface rust doesn't make it any less tough/durable or harm the cutting performance as long as you keep the edge clean and waxed or oiled, and honed. It just looks bad to many folks.

If anyone wants a pristine safe-queen, O1 is definitely not the steel for them.
 
The Lone Gunmen said:
If you can, skip the TM in 01 and save to get it or a recon scout in San Mai 3. Both the San mai blades with out chop that tm in 01. You won't look back!!
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The Recon Scout in Sanmai 3 was discontinued last year. They are now very hard to find.
 
That's too bad to hear that they cut the Recon Scout from the line up, It was a great mid sized blade. Good thing I snagged one two years ago...
 
Yup. I picked one up too just in time. Anyone thinking of picking up a larger SM knife including the TM SM shouldn't wait too long
as all production of the larger SM knives will be in limited numbers from now on.
 
Yeah, I also got the r1 Millitary Classic in SM, she's a hard one to find, and I bought up an OSI in SM. My Grail knife was the Laredo Bowie in SM, I finally got that too, she's a real handful, I don't think people know how big the Laredo is, and the fit and finish was just spot on.
 
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