CS trail master , carbon , or stainless ?

[hyetactical]

Hello all ! Was wondering if the large price differance in the carbon, and japanese steal trail masters reflects in performance ??? Is the san mai worth the larger price ? Thanks ! moses in maine aka hye tactical

 

[Iboschi]

I like the carbon version better myself. I'm not a fan of the San Mai.

 

[Treg]

Carbon +1

 

[hyetactical]

but is san mai a better ( sharper ) and more durable steel ? Sorry for the noob ? Thanks guys , great forum here ! :thumbup:

 

[ElectrikHellfire]

IMO if I was gonna pay that much for a big bowie, I'd get one in SR77, SW101 or INFI from the Busse-kins. Otherwise IMO carbon is fine.

Welcome to Bladeforums!

 

[zignal_zero]

this is one of the questions i asked in a post about two slots away from this one

i'm looking at the trailmaster's little brother and not sure whether the SM3 is worth the price difference over the carbon steel.

i've pretty much decided i'm going with the SM3. because, as long as it doesn't perform WORSE, it's worth the extra bill on looks alone.

 

[rifon2]

but is san mai a better ( sharper ) and more durable steel ? Sorry for the noob ? Thanks guys , great forum here ! :thumbup:

I also recommend that you go with the carbon steel version.


The Cold Steel san mai (aka "laminated") steel is effectively a "sandwich" of VG-1 stainless clad in 420J2 stainless.
Thus, the cutting edge of the blade is VG-1.

VG-1 is a good quality steel made by Takefu of Japan, which also makes the much more popular (and generally more highly regarded VG-10).

The san mai blade is tough and resilient.
The VG-1 core holds an edge reasonably well. It is not a "super steel" by any means.

_________

The carbon steel version is made of SK5.

It's a quality "low alloy" steel with approximately .80 to .90 carbon content.

It will hold its edge well and be relatively easy to sharpen.
Easier than the san mai.

Of course, it's not stainless. It therefore will require more maintenance than the san mai, but not a whole lot more.
Just wiping it after use and keeping it oiled with mineral oil is enough to maintain it for a good long time.

One other thing - Cold Steel was producing the Trail Master SK5 in mainland China, but has switched production in the past year or so to Taiwan.
I'd be sure to buy the current Taiwan version over the discontinued mainland China version.

Hope this information is useful and helpful.

 

[wildmike]

I have one of the old Trailmasters in Carbo V.

If I were going to spend as much as the SM3 version I would go with a custom forged from 5160.

The SM3 would offer a considerable advantage around saltwater but that is about it.

While a very good knife my trailmaster sits in a drawer for I've gone to using my other customs exclusively. Especialy my less than ugly bowie by G.L. Drerw. I'm just not that fond of the handle on the trailmaster.

 

[Ankerson]

The SM III vers will out perform the Carbon vers due to the Full Convex grind instead of the flat grind of the Carbon vers.

Plus the SM III vers is slightly heavier and thicker towards the tip.

 

[knarfeng]

but is san mai a better ( sharper ) and more durable steel ? Sorry for the noob ? Thanks guys , great forum here ! :thumbup:

I have not tested, but the VG1 San Mai should hold an edge better than SK5.

Reports from owners of the VG1 San Mai say that it is plenty tough.

So, Yes, the VG1 San Mai should perform better. Whether it performs enough better to be worth the price differential is a judgment call.