Fallkniven Thor vs Cold Steel TrailMaster San Mai III

The CS Trailmaster in Carbon V is getting very hard to find; I finally got mine from a private party on these forums. The steel is well worth it if you can find one. Please be advised, many people despise the handle and have it replaced.

I haven't used any of the CS "San Mai" stuff, but its reputation is that it's overpriced and overhyped for the quality of steel you get, at best.

I don't own a Fallkniven either; however their reputation is much much better among people who seem to know what they're talking about.

Don't overlook tomb_lin suggestion about looking for a custom maker here or elsewhere!
 
I am not sure just how many Fallkniven knives I have(13+ I think) but I also have the CS Carbon V Trailmaster. If I had the chace, I would trade my CS TM in a heart beat for a Fallkniven Thor and never look back. I just got a TK1 Fallkniven and a TK6 and that 3G steel is just awsome sharp and it stays that way even after cutting up a BUNCH of cardboard boxes.

Do the Thor and you will be a happy camper with it.


Ciao 4now
Ron
:thumbup:
 
I think I´m going to get thor, it´s really a beaty! And I know that the VG-10 steel is very good. I read some tests that where linked here, and some of fallkniven knives did rather good I think. I also read in the Trail Master test: "A critical problem seen with the Trailmaster as after just a couple of weeks of use the handle bond started to fail and the grip could be rotated around the tang". I´m probably not going to abuse my knife to that limit, but I want to know that I could, and that the knife will hold. What if I got stranded on a deserter island... :D
but I will defenetly get a cold steel of some kind, got to try out a new brand!
 
I think I´m going to get thor, it´s really a beaty! And I know that the VG-10 steel is very good. I read some tests that where linked here, and some of fallkniven knives did rather good I think. I also read in the Trail Master test: "A critical problem seen with the Trailmaster as after just a couple of weeks of use the handle bond started to fail and the grip could be rotated around the tang". I´m probably not going to abuse my knife to that limit, but I want to know that I could, and that the knife will hold. What if I got stranded on a deserter island... :D
but I will defenetly get a cold steel of some kind, got to try out a new brand!
 
muzzleup said:
If I had the chace, I would trade my CS TM in a heart beat for a Fallkniven Thor and never look back.:thumbup:
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Can you explain why, please? I like my TM a whole lot and I'm very interested in something that's even better. The Fallknivens are certainly better looking. How does the buttcap and leather handle material affect the balance?
 
I had a Thor and still have a Trailmaster. This is not because the Trailmaster is better, but due to needing money.

The Thor was a better cutter and was very well made. The edge is a bit thin for chopping, but I did cut a small tree down (approx. 4-5 inch diameter) without too much effort.

The Thor's handle was better, also, as was the sheathe.

Yes, I regret selling the Thor.

Got the cash, get the Thor.
 
GibsonFan said:
Can you explain why, please? I like my TM a whole lot and I'm very interested in something that's even better. The Fallknivens are certainly better looking. How does the buttcap and leather handle material affect the balance?
Click to expand...

GibsonFan (I like Martins),
Because I don't like the handle on the CS TM as well as on the Thor. I do not have a thor but I have an A2, & an A1 as well as many other Fallkniven models. I think the steel in the Thor will outlast the CS TM. It's hard to beat laminated VG-10 steel and I love the leather washer handles...kind of an old Ka-Bar thing I guess. I just think that the Thor is a much better made knife and have learned to expect that from Fallkniven. Some of the CS knives I have are okay but a few of them are crap in comparrison.

FWIW
Ciao 4now
Ron
;) :thumbup:
 
muzzleup said:
GibsonFan (I like Martins),
Because I don't like the handle on the CS TM as well as on the Thor.
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I can't argue with that, my TM is in the process of getting that kraton monstrosity replaced. In the meantime you guys sure got me thinkin about a Thor...

BTW I can't argue about Martins, either... :)
 
This all depends on where you live ie: climate. I live in a hot humid area near the sea. I have a Carbon V SRK, good tough knife. Useless near the sea and in the humidity. It just rusts and rusts and rusts. I have a San Mai Trailmaster and it's fine for this environment. I haven't used a Thor before, but have a stacked leather pilots knife (ontario?) and once again, in this climate, the leather handles get mouldy and rot. Even after oiling them. I've had the trailmaster for about a year, it seems to stand up to pretty hard abuse, holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen with some 1200 paper and a leather strop. No complaints here.
 
I think if core steel in CS Trailmaster is VG1 it may be even better then VG10 for bug knives, which mostly will be used for chopping.

As well as CS being evel - they do not make knives theself but order this in same Seki Japan as Fallkniven does, so I do not see too much difference in terms of production quality.

Laminated SGPS was Fallkniven superiority over everybody else, until ZDP189 make their way to US market.

However I would suggest everyody G-Sakai Samurai Bowie - similar to Trailmaster but with SRS-15 super steel - HSSS (high speed stainless steel). Wich is way better then both mentioned and probably even cheaper then Fallkniven Thor and similar to CS.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I own both the Fallkniven Thor and the Cold Steel Trailmaster (San Mai III). I like 'em both, with a slight preference for the Thor. The handle feels better and I like the looks of it better than de CS TM. On the other hand I prefer the sheath of the CS.
I haven't used the knives enough yet to see which is the better "performer".
 
Jos said:
I own both the Fallkniven Thor and the Cold Steel Trailmaster (San Mai III). I like 'em both, with a slight preference for the Thor. The handle feels better and I like the looks of it better than de CS TM. On the other hand I prefer the sheath of the CS.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... does the Fallkniven fit in the Cold Steel sheath? :)

You guys may be interested in this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=448522&highlight=trailmaster ...thread about the "new" SK-5 carbon steel Cold Steel is offering for the TrailMaster and some other knives now, which were previously offered in CarbonV. I'm looking forward to reading some reviews when they get out in the market, before I plunk down any $...
 
GibsonFan said:
Hmmm... does the Fallkniven fit in the Cold Steel sheath? :)
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Never tried that actually. (and seeing that I'm a couple of thousand kilometer seperated from my knives it will take a while before I can try, so maybe somebody else can try)
 
I have never owned a Fallkniven. I have owned two Trailmasters, one in Carbon V and one in AUS-6 (a Japanese model). Both were good knives. I have been admiring the Thor online for some time, but never held one or knew anyone who owned one. After reading all the above, I feel safe ordering one. Thanks guys.
 
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