Cold Steel TrailMaster vs Becker BK9 info

UCPOPO

UCPOPO

Joined
Dec 2, 2010
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Ok this isnt my review and I know its old but I found it on another forum and thought it might be interesting for those that havent seen it. I had a friend asking for opinions comparing the Cold Steel Trail Master and the BK9 and I shared this link with him. Of course I advised him you can buy a BK9 and a BK2 for the price of one Cold Steel Trail Master. Looks like the BK9 wins even on the Cold Steel Forum ;)

Mods if this is inappropriate to post from another forum feel free to delete and my appoligies.

http://coldsteelforums.com/tm.aspx?m=61182
 
I also own them both. Both are hair shaving/paper shaving sharp. My unofficial testing had identical outcome. BK9 for the win---every time.
 
UCPOPO said:
Ok this isnt my review and I know its old but I found it on another forum and thought it might be interesting for those that havent seen it. I had a friend asking for opinions comparing the Cold Steel Trail Master and the BK9 and I shared this link with him. Of course I advised him you can buy a BK9 and a BK2 for the price of one Cold Steel Trail Master. Looks like the BK9 wins even on the Cold Steel Forum ;)

Mods if this is inappropriate to post from another forum feel free to delete and my appoligies.

http://coldsteelforums.com/tm.aspx?m=61182
Click to expand...
I remember that thread and took part in it, this was years ago. Mostly we came to the conclusion that the knives have somewhat different purposes. I think the members of the forum (of which I was one) showed sportsmanship and objectivity in that discussion. Most appreciated the Becker and showed interest in the knife. A good example of how fans of one brand should behave towards fans and products of another brand. :thumbup:
 
My friend uses a CS TrailMaster & I use a KaBar/BK9. I've playedwith them bot &the CS is nice but I like the BK9 alot better !
 
The only issue I have with the Trailmaster, is the handle. It feels like it would come out of my hands, if they were sweaty. I like having a knob or hook on the end.

Moose
 
I read this thread through, interesting bit, it's funny how the Becker got such a tremendous amount of respect at a Cold Steel forum...that is a good group over there. On to the subject at hand though. I still have my Camillus made 9 and its a workhorse, better than the Trailmaster for alot of tasks, hell better than alot of knives for most of the work. But with that said the Trailmaster has an aura of intimidation around it, for taking to a bar, or SHTF situation, I would grab the Trailmaster, for real life the BK9 is fine, albeit in honesty it has been replaced by the Buck Hoodlum in my camp carry kit. But that is a whole 'nother story...

Keep em sharp!
 
I've handled a Trail Master.....with a big block of linen Micarta. It came to me with the Kraton gone. I've since, ah...held one with the original handle. I like my interpretation WAY more. Someone here can chime in on this *cough, cough* beachmaster *cough* if they are of a mind to. I don't really think the original handle is a good fit for that size blade....but then again, I wouldn't ever intend to use it for defense, or I might change the double guard as well.

This is what I came up with:

16848672602_e66c232073_b.jpg
 
dogbertius said:
That being said, I'd go with a CS Trailmaster or even a folding 62nx massive Espada over the USMC kabar any day.
Click to expand...
But the USMC KaBar was not intended for such usage.

It's an instrument of war with a primary function to kill.

General cutting and 'bushcraft' was a secondary function. The ability to 'baton' probably wasn't even a consideration.
 
Thread necromancy! Well, I will add this plea to Moose.
Moose, if you give me your Carbon V Trailmaster, I will love you again.
 
I love comparisons and will have to watch this.
My dad has a trailmaster, and I have a Bk9.
I think that the Bk9 wins in every way.
Especially with handle geometry.
But gsom did some insane mods to that handle, and it is WAY better.
:-)
 
TravisH said:
But the USMC KaBar was not intended for such usage.

It's an instrument of war with a primary function to kill.

General cutting and 'bushcraft' was a secondary function. The ability to 'baton' probably wasn't even a consideration.
Click to expand...

I agree with the last statement here but its "fighter/utility" and I'd guess a vast majority saw mostly utility.
Here I am chiming in and I don't even own one but having handled one, its a hell of a sturdy design and great for almost anything you throw at it... But yeah, I'd never baton with a rattail. If I had to...just keep to the edges, why to ppl always want to go busting through the center!?
 
I have a first gen cs trail master and it is a great blade but imho the bk9 does everything the cs does only better. I enjoy using the carbon v trail master but it ain't coming camping with me... I have seen too many tang failures on blades with the rat tail tang... And yes I use my blades hard so that is why I stick with full tang blades that can take a beating. Now I am not craping on rat tail tangs as they are still good... The Karbar usmc is a fine example and I have used mine a lot but I know the limitations of my skill versus my enthusiasm while processing wood and well to be honest sometimes I over achieve so I need a knife that can take what I give it and then wink and move on....
 
Moosez45 said:
The only issue I have with the Trailmaster, is the handle. It feels like it would come out of my hands, if they were sweaty. I like having a knob or hook on the end.
Click to expand...

TM = best production "survival/combat" blade in the last 30+ years... maybe ever. TM = WORST handle I've ever had to try to hold onto. It's everything you don't want a large-knife handle to be :mad:

Cut that molded Kraton monstrosity off and put something around the tang you can actually hold onto without feeling like you're failing to grasp unicorn tears that desperately want to be somewhere else. GSOM did it right,,, but the fact is, most people neither want to, nor are they equipped to make that happen.

BK-9 blade = one heckuva piece of cutting/chopping steel. Very near the top, among a lot of tough competition in its class, and well past its price-point. BK-9 handle = super secure and super comfortable, all day long. Unless you have hands like a giant gorilla, it fits almost everyone and it's really easy to hold onto and control.

Overall winner, right out of the box? BK-9, no question about it. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Moosez45 said:
The only issue I have with the Trailmaster, is the handle. It feels like it would come out of my hands, if they were sweaty. I like having a knob or hook on the end.

Moose
Click to expand...

james terrio said:
TM = best production "survival/combat" blade in the last 30+ years... maybe ever. TM = WORST handle I've ever had to try to hold onto. It's everything you don't want a large-knife handle to be :mad:

Cut that molded Kraton monstrosity off and put something around the tang you can actually hold onto without feeling like you're failing to grasp unicorn tears that desperately want to be somewhere else. GSOM did it right,,, but the fact is, most people neither want to, nor are they equipped to make that happen.

BK-9 blade = one heckuva piece of cutting/chopping steel. Very near the top, among a lot of tough competition in its class, and well past its price-point. BK-9 handle = super secure and super comfortable, all day long. Unless you have hands like a giant gorilla, it fits almost everyone and it's really easy to hold onto and control.

Overall winner, right out of the box? BK-9, no question about it. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Why....thank you, JT. That means a world to me.
 
I have a TM, but haven't tried a BK9 yet. I'm desperately trying to avoid opening my wallet and ordering a BK9. I feel myself losing the struggle, but I will persist. Why? I have a TM and don't need a BK9. The handle on the TM is pretty lame, but I cord wrapped mine and that seemed to help...a bit. I love the tip/point on the TM--very pointy. And the TM is more knife than I normally carry anyway......
 
granitestateofmind said:
I've handled a Trail Master.....with a big block of linen Micarta. It came to me with the Kraton gone. I've since, ah...held one with the original handle. I like my interpretation WAY more. Someone here can chime in on this *cough, cough* beachmaster *cough* if they are of a mind to. I don't really think the original handle is a good fit for that size blade....but then again, I wouldn't ever intend to use it for defense, or I might change the double guard as well.

This is what I came up with:

16848672602_e66c232073_b.jpg
Click to expand...

really nice mod .
 
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