History of Cold Steel Trail Masters (and Recon Scout)

[KIRKHILLS86]

Sorry mate if I’m not listening to you correctly just it looks by the way you’ve said you know of 2 versions of the 16jsm model which is identical to to mine i just thought mine was vg1 again i apologise for the misunderstanding

 

[DunRanull]

Carbon V Trail Master with black epoxy-coated blade/guard - #16CB

Period: 2002 - 2006

Blade Steel: Carbon V

Blade Markings (stamped):

Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL USA

Sheath: Black leather, with strap that goes over guard

==================================================================================

San Mai III Trail Master - #16JSM

Period: 1998 - 2005 (San Mai III); 2006 – 2017 (VG-1 San Mai III)

Blade Steel: San Mai III and VG-1 San Mai III; convex edge

Blade Markings: There are 2 versions that I know of:

1) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
SAN MAi III logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN

2) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
VG-1 SAN MAi III logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

==================================================================================

Carbon V Recon Scout

Since the Recon Scout is basically just a shortened TM, I figured I would include it as well. I believe there are 3 versions of the CV Recon Scout:

1. First pre-production batch that was only available to the military for Desert Storm. Has the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and a slight recurve blade. Wasn’t even called the Recon Scout yet, and there were no markings on the knife (sterile). The blade had more of a parkerized finish than the later epoxy coating.

Period: 1990 – 1991

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

Blade Markings: None


2. First production version offered to the public. Was still Gen 1, and was now called the Recon Scout, but they were still sterile, and the recurve was gone. Blade was epoxy-coated. The 1992 catalog says that they were a Special Projects exclusive. I don’t believe they even came in a box, just a bag, and included a little blue info card. Most of the ones I have seen for sale are missing the card.

Comparison of recurve version (top) and regular version (bottom):

Period: 1992 – 1994. It is shown in the 1992 Special Projects catalog and the 93/94 catalog.

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

Blade Markings: None


3. Final CV version, with Gen 2 ricasso/choil, epoxy coating, and markings.

Period: 1995 – 2006

Blade Markings (stamped):

1) Side 1:
COLD STEEL

Side 2:
USA CARBON V

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon (1990 – 1997); Black leather (1998 – 2003); Secure-Ex (2004 – 2006)


Misc: I acquired a very unusual Recon Scout off eBay a while back. It had the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and was parkerized like the recurved version, but didn’t have the recurve, and it had large “billboard” markings on both sides of the blade. Only one I’ve ever seen, so thinking it may be some sort of prototype or promotional piece.

On the one side it is pretty easy to read COLD STEEL with VENTURA CA underneath. On the other side, can see RECON SCOUT easily enough, but underneath is not complete. Can make out what looks like ARBON and TEEL, so pretty sure it said CARBON V STEEL.

EXCELLENT post, thanks so much for sharing! Can never have too many CS blades...

 

[torinroberts]

Carbon V Trail Master with black epoxy-coated blade/guard - #16CB

Period: 2002 - 2006

Blade Steel: Carbon V

Blade Markings (stamped):

Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL USA

Sheath: Black leather, with strap that goes over guard

==================================================================================

San Mai III Trail Master - #16JSM

Period: 1998 - 2005 (San Mai III); 2006 – 2017 (VG-1 San Mai III)

Blade Steel: San Mai III and VG-1 San Mai III; convex edge

Blade Markings: There are 2 versions that I know of:

1) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
SAN MAi III logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN

2) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
VG-1 SAN MAi III logo

Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

==================================================================================

Carbon V Recon Scout

Since the Recon Scout is basically just a shortened TM, I figured I would include it as well. I believe there are 3 versions of the CV Recon Scout:

1. First pre-production batch that was only available to the military for Desert Storm. Has the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and a slight recurve blade. Wasn’t even called the Recon Scout yet, and there were no markings on the knife (sterile). The blade had more of a parkerized finish than the later epoxy coating.

Period: 1990 – 1991

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

Blade Markings: None


2. First production version offered to the public. Was still Gen 1, and was now called the Recon Scout, but they were still sterile, and the recurve was gone. Blade was epoxy-coated. The 1992 catalog says that they were a Special Projects exclusive. I don’t believe they even came in a box, just a bag, and included a little blue info card. Most of the ones I have seen for sale are missing the card.

Comparison of recurve version (top) and regular version (bottom):

Period: 1992 – 1994. It is shown in the 1992 Special Projects catalog and the 93/94 catalog.

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon

Blade Markings: None


3. Final CV version, with Gen 2 ricasso/choil, epoxy coating, and markings.

Period: 1995 – 2006

Blade Markings (stamped):

1) Side 1:
COLD STEEL

Side 2:
USA CARBON V

Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon (1990 – 1997); Black leather (1998 – 2003); Secure-Ex (2004 – 2006)


Misc: I acquired a very unusual Recon Scout off eBay a while back. It had the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and was parkerized like the recurved version, but didn’t have the recurve, and it had large “billboard” markings on both sides of the blade. Only one I’ve ever seen, so thinking it may be some sort of prototype or promotional piece.

On the one side it is pretty easy to read COLD STEEL with VENTURA CA underneath. On the other side, can see RECON SCOUT easily enough, but underneath is not complete. Can make out what looks like ARBON and TEEL, so pretty sure it said CARBON V STEEL.

Thanks for all the info on the Recon Scouts! I inherited a sterile gen 1 with an aftermarket kydex sheath from my father. I have questions on the handle though. The butt of my handle is stamped with a 2. Was this a 2nd or was that the way they were sold out of the Special Projects catalog? Any info is much appreciated!

 

[jlauffer]

Thanks for all the info on the Recon Scouts! I inherited a sterile gen 1 with an aftermarket kydex sheath from my father. I have questions on the handle though. The butt of my handle is stamped with a 2. Was this a 2nd or was that the way they were sold out of the Special Projects catalog? Any info is much appreciated!

Yes, the 2 stamp means it is a factory second.

ETA: Some TMs and Recon Scouts were marked as 2nds on the guard instead.