CPM3V or San Mai Trailmaster

J

JohnSmithy

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Aside from superior sheath of the San Mai Trailmaster, which is better blade?

Talking about current production.

And, is is just me, or are the new ones pointier than they used to be? Seems to be a bit less belly behind the point.
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JohnSmithy said:
Aside from superior sheath of the San Mai Trailmaster, which is better blade?

Talking about current production.

And, is is just me, or are the new ones pointier than they used to be? Seems to be a bit less belly behind the point.
41M0A87O8sL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


41PhmL-srpL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
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My San Mai (Made in Japan) Trailmaster has one of the best main grind/edges of any production knife I’ve purchased. Since they’re made in a different factory now I’m not sure of the quality, But other products coming out of Taiwan are good. I’d say the best way for you to answer your own question is …
1. Stainless or non stainless and do you need to extra toughness of 3V!
 
A quick search shows similar pricing between the 2. Regarding the sheath, the SanMai comes with a full nylon sheath and the 3V with some grade of plastic sheath with a nylon loop (according to the pictures on knifecenter, at least). I don't know why the nylon one is superior, as you wrote, but i would prefer the sheath of the 3V version. If you take care of your knives after use i would suggest 3V for this size of knife
 
Not the Trailmaster but the Master Hunter, I went with 3V. I hope I'm not wrong in this but I feel like the 3V will keep an edge longer and have superior toughness. And while the VG1 should be more rust resistant that still doesn't mean 3V is a rust magnet. Unless you demand stainless as number one then I don't know why else to not choose 3V.
 
I went San Mai as they are still Japan made by the same source, at least a few years ago. To me it’s closer to the original trusted recipe I know and love. I don’t have experience with CS from Taiwan or China
 
Just found this and this guy seems to have all the inside info:

K

Post in thread 'Cold Steel Japanese and Taiwanese Made Knives'

jc862 said:
I'm doing market research for a Business Strategy assignment on Cold Steel (of which I'm a big fan). I've read that their AUS-8A, and 10A and S35VN blades are made in Taiwan, VG-10 blades- Japan, and SRK 3V in Italy.
Does anyone know which companies they use in those countries? I can understand this may well be a trade secret, but it would help in my assignment.
Many thanks.
JC.
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Cold Steel knives that were made in Japan used VG1 not VG10.
Aus8 and Aus8 are Japanese steels made by Aichi Steel. VG1 and VG10 are also Japanese steels made by Takefu Specialty Steels.
3V is an American...
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XJ-linux said:
I went San Mai as they are still Japan made by the same source, at least a few years ago. To me it’s closer to the original trusted recipe I know and love. I don’t have experience with CS from Taiwan or China
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not anymore. all Taiwan now. they arent bad. but the Japanese ones were just better overall.
 
Ive got them both thats the ultimate way to go: Japanese ones made by Hattori who also made the seki SOGs and a bunch of othernice stuff…
 
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Chris*33 said:
A quick search shows similar pricing between the 2. Regarding the sheath, the SanMai comes with a full nylon sheath and the 3V with some grade of plastic sheath with a nylon loop (according to the pictures on knifecenter, at least). I don't know why the nylon one is superior, as you wrote, but i would prefer the sheath of the 3V version. If you take care of your knives after use i would suggest 3V for this size of knife
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b/c those fiberized plastic sheaths dull edges.
 
I literally just received my brand new Trailmaster in 3V. I’m happy to report that the grinds are even - which is what I was concerned about from the various reports I’d heard - however what I’m not too pleased with is the tip. The way they’re grinding the blades does not seem very conducive to a hard use trail knife to me. The tip is actually finer than the one on my ZT 0551, which I just happened to have in my pocket at the time. I can’t see the tip on this thing lasting very long unless I’m extremely careful with it.
 

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BP Green said:
I literally just received my brand new Trailmaster in 3V. I’m happy to report that the grinds are even - which is what I was concerned about from the various reports I’d heard - however what I’m not too pleased with is the tip. The way they’re grinding the blades does not seem very conducive to a hard use trail knife to me. The tip is actually finer than the one on my ZT 0551, which I just happened to have in my pocket at the time. I can’t see the tip on this thing lasting very long unless I’m extremely careful with it.
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I'd like to see a good close-up showing the area of concern , regarding the tip .

Please ! :)
 
I am a fan of the big bowies and older sanmai convex grind that were hand finished by Ichiro Hattori however I like the full flat grind of the 3v and have the Natchez, Laredo, and recon scout in 3v still looking to get the TM soon. The new CS models in 52100 are proving to be contenders as well, my brother has been testing a 52100 TM with great results.
 
Hello guys sorry ive not been back on for a bit ive been working round the clock I just wanted to ask because ive had a few more cold steel blades arrive very happy with them especially the 3v Trailmaster but I’m a little confused dose anyone have the new Taiwanese VG10 Trailmaster and dose it come with a nylon sheath I thought they came with the secure ex like the 3v Trailmaster ..
 
Just my new vg10 came with a nylon sheath like the old versions it dose have cold steel stamped on the little retention strap button
 
Crisis everted lol ive checked multiple sources they all say core ex sheath phewww lol even the box on the back states core ex ive been working to hard not enough sleep im all over the shop haha
 
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