Cold Steel Trailmaster Vs. Strider MTL Combat Vs. Tops Joint Spec Ops

gamma_nyc

gamma_nyc

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Dec 1, 2007
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This will be mostly a show/collection piece, but want something that is legitimate as a field/combat knife.

What wins? Any reasons considered.

I want the following features:

Blade > 7"
high carbon steel
ergonomic handle
prefer a blade that can thrust (prefer) and slash
Good Quality Control, materials, and customer service
Prefer to have 'made in USA'
 
Close this thread IMO nothing good will come of this, placing Cold Steel up vs Strider will end in nothing but a flame war.


You stated you wanted Carbon Steel anyway, that removes Strider from you list (being they use S30V stainless steel)... Made in the USA takes out Cold Steel (well 95% of their line anyway)



EDIT: hell its seems your want list was made to be used by each side as ammo vs the other
 
You will hear CS from the Cold Steel fans and Strider from their fans. You will not get one honest opinion here.

Hell I am not gonna give you my thoughts due to the fact I am a huge Strider fan
 
They both have there goods and bads but I think that that the CS Trailmaster is tougher. Maybe noss4 needs to do some more testing.
 
If you let Strider back in by allowing stainless, you might add the Strider Mark 1A and D9 to your list.
 
Not a big fan of the Cold Steel hype -but in terms of performance, definitely the Trailmaster.
 
Also, since I am more a fan of "thrust" versus "slash" type blades....

How does the Black Bear Classic (BBC) compare to the trailmaster? Where is the BBC made? Does it say so on the right side of the blade?

http://www.coldsteel.com/14bbcj.html


I imagine that the BBC is a step up in handle, neutral on the blade (visually), and a step down on the sheath imho.
 
The BBC is made in Japan. I have a few Trailmasters that are over 20 years old and the handles are as good as my new Trailmasters.
 
the Striders knives are just as tough as the Cold Steel knives, there have been alot of abuse test in the field with the Strider knives being hammered into frozen logs and they held up, i would recommend the D-9, not to mention that the founders of Strider are former military personnel
 
Bkultra said:
Close this thread IMO nothing good will come of this, placing Cold Steel up vs Strider will end in nothing but a flame war.


You stated you wanted Carbon Steel anyway, that removes Strider from you list (being they use S30V stainless steel)... Made in the USA takes out Cold Steel (well 95% of their line anyway)



EDIT: hell its seems your want list was made to be used by each side as ammo vs the other
Click to expand...

I'm with Bkultra. Please make it stop. I'm begging you.
 
Rangers are proven designs and hold up well in most conditions. Older TM knives are harder that a harlot's heart and would make a swell survival knife for most of us mere mortals, but if you can find one, get your mits on a Basic 9.

Strider products are top shelf. Another decent choice would be a DF, but it might be a tad long and heavy for you. Best selection here would be a Camp Tramp with a sweet, polished edge.
 
gamma_nyc said:
This will be mostly a show/collection piece, but want something that is legitimate as a field/combat knife.
Click to expand...

Let's introduce a note of reality here - you will definitely achieve the first goal.

The second will only be accomplished when you bring it back from your deployment.

All three are used in the military - by a select few. Most soldiers do not carry large fixed blades. A legitimate field/combat knife will be purchased from the PX, will be a folder, and will also include Buck, CRKT, and others. It will be used for opening mail, MRE'S, cutting paracord, and maybe a seatbelt if an IED goes off.

Which one of the three you chose to be a legitimate field/combat knife really depends on your experience in theatre. There, you get to test them all you want, discover what meets your needs, then say which is a field/combat knife to you. And you will have a legitimate opinion. Those would be the only guys I would listen to in this thread.

For sure, you'll use a folder, mulitpliers, and SAK with scissors ten times more. Those are legitimate field/combat knives, because those are what soldiers use.
 
I like about a 5 inch blade if I am going to actually wear it and get in and out of a vehicle.

The CS trailmaster is a bit big. I have one of their CarbonV pro throw knives I fixed the edge on and rewrapped with some good 550 cord and had a decent Rainwalker sheath made and it is one heck of a heavy user. Even with the custom sheath it was still about half the price of all the competitors. It took a lot of time with the Lansky to fix the edge though and they don't make them in CarbonV anymore. If you can find one in CarbonV in
a knife store snap it up.

I like the latest Scrapyard MuttLE as well.

A Fallkniven A2

Ideally you want an excellent tool that can be used as a weapon. It is not worth carrying a knife that big and heavy if all it is good for is fighting. The MuttLE can fight
pry open windows and doors and slice well because it has a good full flat grind.It will fit in a small specops sheath that matches your uniform and won't make you look like a Rambo wannabee or get in the way. Getting in and out of cramped vehicles with a huge knife and a rifle is an enormous pain
 
gamma_nyc said:
Also, since I am more a fan of "thrust" versus "slash" type blades....
-snip
.
Click to expand...

The grip shape plus the design of the hilt on the Strider Mark-1A feels good and secure for thrusting. That is one of the things I really like about the Mark-1 and Mark-1A.
Although, I've not stuck anyone with it, yet. :)

Strider Mark-1A
 
sirahren said:
uh I think we all know the answer here is that you should get a Busse...
Click to expand...

The guy is interested in the knife for fighting.. thrusting and slashing. Which Busse would you recommend?

The grip on my SJ TAC in nice for general use but it doesn't feel as secure in a thrusting move as either the Strider Mark-1 or Mark-1A.

My BMs are long but pretty blade heavy.
 
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