Laminated blades

powercut

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Who could comment on these two laminated blades, how do they differ or compare to eachother?
Fallkniven Thor or Coldsteel Trailmaster.
which one could you reccomend?

For example CS trailmaster has VG-1 core and Fallkniven has a VG-10 core.
 
There's been a lot of talk lately of the VG-1 and VG-10 steels here on the forum, and it's been pretty much personal preference and a toss up as far as I can tell. I have a VG-10 core, and am quite happy with it....but then I don't cut firewood with it either. IMHO, stay with the Fallkniven, they've laminated steels since Moby Dick was a minnow, they should know what is and what isn't! Technology has prempted much of the "old school" thinking on steels, but I still go with "tried and proven".
 
My vote would always be for Fallkniven, however they're probably at very different price points. I think with most knives you get what you pay for. You may not need anything more capable than the Trailmaster, I'm sure its pretty tough.
 
I don't own the Cold Steel--but the Fallknivens are TOP notch knives. I have sayed clear of CS because of their reputation.
 
Fallknivens ARE excellent knives.

I personally will NOT buy CS under any circumstances.
 
Go with the Fallkniven; a sure winner everytime!:thumbup: There is just no comparison between the quality of the two.
 
Both knives most likely made by same manufacturer. For sure both made in Japan. In this terms it should not be to much difference in blade quality, Northern Lights has stacked leather handle and this is only difference.

Here wher steel came from - http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_original_list.htm
so I do not expect any big difference here.

If you like really good Trailmaster like knife - try SamuraiBowie with SRS15 - high speed, stainless steel.

http://www.gsakai.co.jp/jp/english/shop/hsek.html

Thanks, Vassili.
 
The Fallkniven contains a core of VG-10 with 420J2 protective steels that boost strength by an alleged
35 percent. The Rockwell is about 59, from what I understand.

Laminated steels are expensive, and Cold Steel's San Mai III uses a core of VG-1. My own preference
would be an entire blade made from VG-1, as Cold Steel already uses VG-1 in its massive 6-inch folders.
The whole idea is to strengthen a knife's ability to bend and torque by protecting the inner layer, which
is higher carbon and might be more apt to snap or break. Just a few years ago, CS was laminating AUS8
stainless, which already is a rugged stainless without the protection of cheaper steels.

I don't know a lot about VG-10, but I understand it's a good steel and holds an edge quite well. I don't
know how far it will bend if you put it in a vice like Lynn Thompson does with some of his knives, but if
his videos are of any indication, VG-1 can be torqued a lot! Thus it depends on how close the two steels
are to each other.

San Mai III is certainly a gimmick. I don't know about the Thor, but I'd go with it any day over the Cold
Steel, even though I think it's hyped as well. Fallkniven literature states: "A 7 mm (0.28") thick blade in
itself would be strong enough for most tasks — with laminate technology one can expect an additional
35% strength in the form of resistance to bending, as compared to an ordinary VG10 blade." The truth is,
most people can't bend this type of steel far enough to make this an issue. If VG-10 is apt to snap in two
under stress, I'd say a good laminate steel would be great.

Fallkniven-Thor.gif
 
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