Mike Turber...Trailmaster and Battle Mistress Challenge?

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Oct 26, 1999
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Mike,

I was searching the Forums for reviews on the Trailmaster and the Battle Mistress. I found that about two years ago you said you were going to brutally challenge these two knives, but I am unable to find a thread where you post any results of such a test. Can you help me out?

If anyone else out there has seen it I could also use your help!!

I'd REALLY appreciate it!
 
I believe that forum member Cliff Stamp has done so. The search function might pull it up but you may have to look up his e-mail address and contact him to get the location of his results. He has many thousands of posts.

Short summary: Busse prevails in most areas.
 
I remember the review you are talking about but have no idea where to find it. It wasn't a thread, but more like one of the articles in the FAQ section-- couldn't find it there though. Good luck. Let us know if you find it.
--Josh
 
The review was featured in Bladeforums very own online magazine. Unfortunately, we had to give up on the magazine after the first two issues. There may be a link from the Home Page to the magazines.

n2s
 
Oh I forgot...

I did offer the opportunity for both Jerry Busse and Lynn Thompson to show up during hemp rope cutting test done LIVE at the Blade Show a few years ago. For the record, only Jerry showed up and we cut 2,771 pieces of 1" hemp rope before we simply ran out of rope.

The Trailmaster is a GREAT knife, but it AIN'T NO BUSSE!
 
Originally posted by Mike Turber

The Trailmaster is a GREAT knife, but it AIN'T NO BUSSE!
Click to expand...

I'm finding out how true this is. Additionally, I would like to add that CS doesn't touch Busse in Customer Service. I have not had any problems per se with CS, but talking to them is very impersonal - different person every time. They were also unable to give me shipping info on a knife a week later when it hadn't arrived yet.

When Busse knives heard that I might have a problem with a new Steelheart that I ordered, I got both a phone call and an email from Jerry himself - "Send it back, I'll fix it or replace it!"

No BS, no trying to accuse me of doing something wrong, just a great old fashioned, take care of the customer attitude. You don't see loyalty like that anymore these days, and I won't forget it, either.

PS - After doing more testing, I found out that the problem was with how I sharpened the knife, not with the knife.
 
Josh, Andrew, and Mike.

Those are the reviews I was looking for! Thank you soo much for your help! What would I do without you guys?!!!

Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to perform such tests and to write a comprehensive review. Your input is extremely helpful.
 
A few years ago, the contest between the CS trailmaster and the Busse BM was hot news. The Trailmaster in Carbon V was my main knife, and I loved it. I still do, despite its flaws. But I wanted something a little better, without the grip problems, the rusting problem and the sometimes problematic geometry. Busse in Infi came along about that time and, with all due respect to CS, blew it away in just about every respect except price and balance. The Trailmaster is still a very well balanced and quick knife. The real comparison probably isn't to the BM but rather to the SH II, which replaced my trusty Trailmaster as my main take-abuse knife. But that's just my unscientific and personal assessment.
 
I just read the comparison test and I am glad I bought the Trailmaster. The Busse Basic may be a better knife for utility, but the Trailmaster is good dual purpose knife, suitable for both utility and self-defense. For me this wider range of uses out-weighs the superior performance of the Busse knife in the utility role.
 
I don't disagree that the TM is faster and better balanced for fighting.
 
I don't fight much with my knife so when I go out hunting or fishing I take my #9 :)

For fighting I would say the the Trailmaster should do a better just for forward thrusts and slashes. As far as balance you may be correct there as well. I find the choping value a higher priority for me than the balance it would have for a fighting knife.

Also I rate the value of fighting knives more on ease of carry and quickness of draw. In that regard my Rob Simonich neck knife or Emerson Commander beats 'em both :)
 
I've got a CS Traimaster that lives in my truck precisely because it is very suitable for double duty. While it's main purpose is clearing "put-in" and "take-out" trails at local kayaing spots, it wil work very well as a fighter if needed, combined with JAK's Bowie techniques. As far as ease of carry and speed of draw - try a little Southern Comfort; you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
I think that you get an honest value and an excellent knife whether you go with the Trailmaster or the Busse. That's what I like about knives, I can like them both for different reasons.

Kind of like girlfriends or mistresses... :eek: :eek:
 
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