CS - Carbon V Trailmaster or Recon Scout?

J

Jeff/1911

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
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Hi. I know, there are a lot of threads like this. Sorry.

Anyway, I am trying to decide between these two, for a fun knife and for general all-around use outdoors. I'll certainly want to do a little "demonstration chopping" now and then. A big knife to go along with my newly purchased CS Recon Tanto. I really like the looks and style of these two models particularly Recon Scout and Trailmaster; hence the choice between just these two.

I like the idea of the black blade...it's kind of growing on me. I also think that it would be neat to have a silver bladed Trailmaster to go with my black tanto. Anyway, the reason I am writing this is to hopefully hear some opinion about the performance of these two big ole' knives...ideally in comparison to each other.

Thanks for anything you may wish to contribute, Jeff/1911.
 
I haven't used the Recon but I have used the Carbon V Trailmaster alot. It's a great knife. Some have problems with the handle for heavy chopping. My main problem is the tendency of Carbon V to rust.
Nonetheless, the TM is a great knife. But Busses are better in most respects.
 
I have two Recon Scouts and a Trailmaster. One of the Scouts has seen alot of very hard use, as has the TM. Both are still in great working order, although they certainly don't look new anymore, and will remain my favorite heavy work knives for many years to come. If I had to choose between the two, it would be a flip of a coin. The TM is BIG, shiny, and impressive. The RS is easier to carry, all black, and nearly as capable as the TM for chopping.
Come to think about it, you need both!!;)
BTW, I have had zero rust problems. Cleaning and a light coat of oil keeps things rust free.

My other Recon Scout is still new, no box, and for sale or trade. I see no need for duplication since the used one has been through many adventures and is nowhere near retirement. E-mail me if you are interested.

P.S. The sheaths supplied by CS for both knives suck hard.

Jet
 
In the last catalog I had from Cold Steel the Trailmaster Factoru Seconds were coated. You can pick up a coated trailmaster, all black for cheaper than the polished ones if you want. You'd have a black bowie to go with your black tanto.

If I were you' I'd forget the Scout. You have a 7" blade, go for the big bowie for your demonstration chopping! Oh, if it were me I'd get the polished version, but since you like black check out the Seconds.
 
Amazing. All three of you are from Canada; like me. Thank you all for your input, it is most helpful. I think that is a startling co-incidence that you three all replied to my post this evening.

Generally, I prefer shiny blades so I think that unless I find myself unable to resist the tempatation for a Scout (which I think is a great looking knife) then the Trailmaster it'll likely be. It would be more noticeably larger than my Tanto for interests sake, I suppose.

I oil all of my blades regularly so I'm not too concerned w/ rust worries. Either would be a lot of fun to own, I think.

I'll have to think this over awhile. Thanks again.

Jeff/1911.
 
Jeff,

Excuse a Californian for butting in on your little Canadian Group Hug fest, but being that I married a Canadian woman that I spirited outta your country a few years back, I guess I have a right... :p

I've had and used the CS RS as my camp knife for around 5 years now, maybe 3 times a year, mostly light chopping.

I love it, it's my knife of choice (of 100 some odd knives, mostly fixed blades) for a solid camp knife.

Carbon V is easy to sharpen, holds an edge, cuts like a banshee, and doesn't rust if you wipe it down with an oily rag, silicone cloth, or even bacon grease after use....I love it.

Highly recommended! Also, CS was selling seconds at the last local gunshow for cheap, cheap, cheap! I was outta cash, and their card reader was down...but damn, they were mostly really tiny flaws like uneven grind lines and such...for like $40 each.

Those Dipsmacks are gonna put their dealer network outta business! Dumb, dumb, dumb business practice, unless their screwups are a greater percentage of product then the flawless models....and that would still qualify as dumb if they can't get their QC under control..

Anyhoo, that's my two cents worth...eh. ;)
 
For what its worth, I have owned both and loved both. However, the Recon Scout is not nearly as good of a chopper as the Trailmaster. I chopped down a small tree with my Recon Scout and it took a long time and hurt my arm. The Trailmaster is what I would go for. Just make sure you thin down that thick edge a little.
 
I like the RS better because it is better balanced. It just feels better in my hand.
 
Fudo, Danbo; thank you for your comments and the benefit of your experience.

Ripper, thanks for the link. A fantastic reference!

Melvin-Purvis - I haven't hugged anyone yet:) I really like the Recon Scout as well, both in appearance and the feel of it in my hand. As I implied before, I will have trouble "getting past" the Trailmaster with it's big, shiny blade...better chopping ability, etc. But I may still choose the Recon Scout. Certainly if I can find one for a good price as you've suggested I would jump at it!

Jeff/1911.
 
Originally posted by Jeff/1911
Hi. I know, there are a lot of threads like this. Sorry.
Click to expand...

Don't apologize! Threads like this are really the main reason a lot of us come here, we were wondering the same thing ourselves. I also think some topics are none the worse for being revisited, otherwise Spark could just archive everything and call it quits.
 
Originally posted by fudo
I like the RS better because it is better balanced. It just feels better in my hand.
Click to expand...

Heh, I'm just the opposite. The RS feels terrible in my hand, like a chunk of metal. The Trailmaster feels great, like it's physically going to drag me into the woods and start chopping and cutting things on its own. Another good reason to try them out yourself before you buy!

Joe
 
Hi Joe,

Yes, they certainly must balance quite differently alright as the Trailmaster's blade is a full two inches longer while the handle appears to be the same. My decision may become a whole lot simpler once I compare the two side by side. Very good point.

What do you personally think of the quality of edge capable with the Trailmaster blade? I realize they usually come quite sharp from the factory, but is the edge as delivered thin enough to perform some reasonable slicing? Obviously it will not compete with a truly thin edge, but is it OK? Can it be sharpened up fairly well without any "thinning". I greatly respect your opinion about such things.

Thanks, Jeff/1911.
 
Raver,

I appreciate your saying that. You're right of course, that's what the forum is for isn't it?

Jeff/1911.
 
I was able to have a quick look at, and heft both models yesterday. The Trailmaster was the stainless variety i think, as it didn't say "Carbon V" on the blade and the handguard was silver, not brass. It also had the rounded looking edge on it's blade. To clarify; the Carbon V version DOES have a "normally" ground edge doesn't it?

The Recon scout felt like quite well balanced in my hand, while the Trailmaster seemed substantially muzzle (whoops), er...blade heavy. I'm not sure yet which I prefer, as I only had a chance to look at these knives briefly. I'll go back to the shop in the next day or two for a better look.

I'd sure enjoy a chance to try them both out. Perhaps I will form some more substantial opinion on my next visit. The Sports store I visited will be getting in a Carbon V Trailmaster soon, apparently.

Jeff/1911.
 
Jeff, in my experience with Cold Steel fixed blades, which is by no means exhaustive, I find that Cold steel puts a very very sharp edge on their blades, but the edges are a bit thick. I thinned down the edge on my SRK after I got it, for example.

Joe
 
I have both a stainless trailmaster and a R/S. Carbon five is great steel but it rusts very easily. That is why I went with the stainless trailmaster, plus the stainless hand guard looks better than the brass;) and it has a great rounded edge which is hard to discribe but it looks cool.

If you decide to get a trailmaster and you want carbon V, I would look at getting the factory second with the black blade, it will protect it against rust. My C/S Carbon V Kukuri is an awsome cutting machine but I always have to wipe it down after use to prevent rust. Both the stainless Trailmaster and the Recon Scout are maintainance free.
 
I thin the edge by cheating, using an Edgepro. Someday I hope to be able to do it by hand, but until then, it's the Edgepro. Great instrument!

I have thinned (down to 25 deg) both an SRK and Master Hunter, and oh boy! Talk about sharp!

I am leaving the edge on my Recon Scout the way it is because I do a lot of abusive things with it. Maybe in the future I'll take it down, but it's a lot of work, and for delicate cutting, out comes the Master Hunter.
 
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