Cold Steel Trailmaster

C

Chris Keller

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Jan 10, 1999
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Hi folks:

I have 5 Trailmasters I really like. 1. A Recon Scout. 2. An "original" USA model, that Alex Collins polished up. for me. 3. A stainless one, made in Japan (incredible fit and finish) and 4. A San Mail stainless one. On top of these, but very rarely used is a Stag handled one.

I like all, but I always wonder how the Trailmaster stacks up to other Bowies. Cold Steel has cheapened the finish and I think wants their Laredo Bowie to replace the Trailmaster, just as our strain replaced the Neanderthalers.

Can you guys tell me straight what is good, and what is bad, about this knife? I have my own opinions but want to hear yours.

Chris
 
By all accounts the Trailmaster seems to be a great knife. A few issues off the top of my head... I've heard the handle tends to tear up your hand after long hours of clearing. The knife is said to be "overbuilt", which I feel comes from it's "Shapened Crowbar" thickness. For $120 I think it's a great knife. I'm actually planning on picking one up this winter should my budget allow.

Anyways, others will be able to give a better account of the Trailmasters strengths and weaknesses.
 
The Trailmaster in carbon V was my main hard use knife until I replaced it with the Busse SH II. The TM is really an outstanding knife. It's a bargain too. It is extremely strong and it is very well balanced and quick. Much more so than the Busse. Like the Busse, it isn't great at kitchen chores and some people like to change the grind. The main drawback for me was the tendency of the carbon V to rust - very badly- in the field. many owners have problems with the kraton handle: they report it wears very badly. That's not my experience, but micarta would be better and some customizers and even original stag are out there. i did find that the handle wasn't good for heavy chopping, partly because it is too thin for my hand. A glove helps.
 
Great knife, Love mine. So far, I haven't had any problems with handle wearing bad on a cold steel. I've still got a Recon Tanto that I've had for about six years, and you can hardly notice any wear on the handle. The Trailmaster's handle fits me perfectly, but I don't have big hands by any means. My buddy also doesn't mind the handle, and he's 6'7". As far as durability, they'll give you years of chopping services. I bought an Eagle Industries sheath for mine, because mine came in a leather sheath. I never understood why the coated Carbon V versions came with a leather sheath, and the "prettier" versions came with cordura.
 
I discarded my cordura sheath early on because it was lousy. I use it now to carry the blade and fishing spear for my Crawford Staff. I had a thick leather sheath made for my Trailmaster as befits a knife of quality :). I bet Normark could make a great sheath out of that plastic stuff everybody seems to like :D
 
I really like my Recon Scout and I don't see how you could ask for more for $75.

John in Boise
 
I have a satin Carbon V Trailmaster "on the way" from a trade. (hopefully it'll be here tomorrow). This will be my 5th Trailmaster. Maybe I'll keep this one.:).
 
The main drawback for me was the tendency of the carbon V to rust - very badly- in the field.
Click to expand...

I had problems with my "twistlock" rusting when I brought it camping. I cleaned it up and blued it. I used the Birchwood Casy cold blu and it looks great.
I havent had any problems with rust since.
I imagine that you could do the same with any other carbon V blade.
 
Can't have your cake and eat it too. We're all so spoilt by nice high-chrome steel ... I make mainly carbon steel working knives, and I too am guilty of occassionally neglecting my own knife and pulling out a load of rust from time to time.

Needless to say, a thick, heavy blade woun't slice as well, but a slicing knife wouldn't chop either. The Trailmaster really IS a Bowie. Full-height flat grind with a clipped point. The comments about the quickness of the TM are true. I haven't used a TM in the field, but I have handled one. Basically, I think that the TM was made the way Bowies should be made, in the blade at least. The comments about the handle, I support. Thin handles are better for shorter blades and slicing action, not whacking, swinging and chopping.

Overall, an excellent value as a big knife. The other one I like as an alternative is the Ontario Survival Bowie - its also good old 1095 carbon steel but is black epoxy coated to deal with that rust issue, costs 2/3 the price and has many good Bowie characteristics. There is that requisite Kraton handle but I reckon its a little more comfortable than the TM's.

Cheers.
 
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