Hoodlum or Trailmaster? I want your input...

I actually just received a Scrap Yard Dumpster Mutt DC and its one hell of a knife. I would love to one day own a Busse Battle Mistress but in the near future I will be focused on obtaining a Dogfather as its very similar in size and a third the price. Busse stuff seem so sought after that you could buy one at retail from him and then resell it for significant profit the next day...I would never pay a grand for a production knife and even if I went to the $400 dollar area, I think I'd buy a Winkler Camp knife or field knife first. Unlike most of you out there, I don't have many..or really any knife user/collector friends and I'm in an urban setting(the ghetto-lol) 95% of the time so I can only get a way here and there for camping/survival trips, so my knives don't see constant hard use. Basically I would be fine with something only half bomb proof for my needs. I see the RTAK on sale for as low as $92 and the ESEE is always about $150and higher and for needs and my very limited budget at the moment a $60+ gap is a huge difference, and if I do drop $150, I'm almost certain it won't be on the Trailmaster. I agree the Hoodlum needs a wider blade for sure and the sub hilt is very pointless, but maybe since it originally was released by TOPS, they wanted it to have 'combat appeal' as well as survival, who knows...I may just say screw it and go with another custom that I can make payments on. Its easier for me that way and I'll get an awesome product. I love the input though so keep it coming. Lets here your opinions on the Anaconda tanto for this kind of use...
 
I don't have a hoodlum, but the old Carbon V Trailmaster is one of my favorite large choppers, tough as nails, easy to sharpen. I have medium hands, and love the handles, they are perfectly sized for me, and the Kraton has been very grippy and durable, mine is about 10 years old. Here is mine alongside my Recon Scout.

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Hey Mike, if you want to check out a trailmaster I'm just south of you. Probably a few parks nearby to do a little choppin!
 
brewcitymike said:
I see the RTAK on sale for as low as $92 and the ESEE is always about $150and higher and for needs and my very limited budget at the moment a $60+ gap is a huge difference, and if I do drop $150, I'm almost certain it won't be on the Trailmaster.
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$150 is like the buy it now on ebay price. They pass through the BST forum around here at $100 on a regular basis.
 
I also have a Carbon V Trail Master. I've had it for about 18 years. I've put it through some hard use, used it as a throwing knife and nothing phases it. I hardly use it anymore these days because it has some sentimental value to me.
 
I used a trailmaster in sanmai III from Cold Steel for about a decade. It was a full convex zero grind (just about the best for chopping), and the steel was fantastic for edge holding. I can't say for the high carbon steel, but it should treat you right (I would expect it to be somewhere in the performance range of 1095... CS normally has pretty decent heat treat on their steels....or whom ever does their heat treat).

The weak spot, as has been mentioned, will be the Krayton handle. I did not like it for extended chopping with a bare hand. Tended to make for hot spots and rub marks. Easy to fix with a bit of wrap tape, but a different handle material would alleviate that (Resiprine C is my favorite in for a "rubber" handle. Super tough stuff!).

I sold my tralimaster after 10 years use for exactly what I paid for it (I got a steal on it......lets just say the dealer let me have the display model for less than 1/2 the going price!).

The trailmaster will be a decent chopper in that size range. Not end heavy, but it makes a decent all arounder.

In that price range, I would suggest you look at an ESSE junglas as well. You cannot, I repeat, cannot beat their warranty and customer service.

I buy Busse, but the price point is so much higher. Also a great warranty and customer service, but priced out of reach for what you are looking to spend.

I would suggest taking a look at Swamprat and Scrap yard (two sister companies or "family" companies to Busse). They are a better price point, and stellar performance and warranty for the price point. THey are limited production, so you might have to lurk in the exchange, or post a wanted to buy thread, but you won't be dissapointed. The price to performance is unmatched. The Dogfather, or Battlerat in any configuration will me a much, much tougher, better chopper than the Trailmaster if you can find one on the secondary market!
 
goobie said:
Hey Mike, if you want to check out a trailmaster I'm just south of you. Probably a few parks nearby to do a little choppin!
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Where u @ Goobie, I may take you up on that if you know some places to chop cuz I just got another big chopper to test too.:thumbup:
 
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