Old CS Trail Master?

K

Knifeclerk

Joined
Jul 16, 2004
Messages
1,083
In my shop, I have a Cold Steel Trail Master. It's not Carbon V, thusly I would assume it to be their San Mai. But there is one noticeable distinction: It is only marked at $284.95. This piece has been there longer than I have. Is it possible that this is some ancient 420 or AUS something piece? It looks just like the San Mai Stainless on their website, just a couple hundred dollars less. I can't find the price book, so I can't even check it to be sure.
Any Info?
-KC
 
I have some catalogues dating back several years. From what I can remember, roundabout in 2000, CS offered a Trail Master in AUS-6. It was priced much better than the other models.
 
If I remember correctly, they used to offer a Trail Master in AUS-8. I have a catalog from a couple years ago, I can check it out for verification.
 
As far as I know, all stainless San Mai Trailmasters are marked on the blade (near the guard) as "San Mai". I have a satin stainless (AUS-6A) Trailmaster without any steel markings (and a stainless guard), so I assume that it the same one that you have. Is the profile of the blade near the sharpened edge slightly rounded, rather than flat or hollow-ground? That rounded proflile was one of the trademarks of a Trailmaster with the AUS-6A stainless blade.
 
Look for the lamination line near the edge, if it's there it should be fairly easy to spot.
 
Thanks all. I had a feeling there was something fishy about this piece. I'm pretty sure it is the 6 model. I've messed around with it a lot and recall never seeing the laminated edge as on the tanto series. And I KNEW that we didn't just have extra reasonable prices.
-KC
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top