- Joined
- Oct 19, 2012
- Messages
- 112
I am curious about this knife's value.
This is one of the first Cold Steel Trail Masters produced. I acquired it sometime in the very early 80's when they first came on the market. This knife has the original high carbon steel which I think was Carbon V. I can make out ricasso in the right light it says Carbon 'something'; the word Carbon is visible but the V is obscured. On the ricasso is also says 'Cold Steel' and 'Trail Master'. Also, a bit difficult to see under the bluing it also says 'Ventura Ca'. The finish was originally a black coating. After years of use, I finally removed what was left of the original finish and began periodically bluing the blade when I thought it needed it. The blade is 9.4", the Handle is 5", brass cross guard and is 14.5" overall. The blade width at the ricasso is 9/16".
This knife has been through it all. Since I acquired it, it's been used for back packing, hunting and just about every, heavy work, chopping wood, building shelters, brush clearing, game quartering and skinning, and almost any other both light and heavy duty task you can think of. It's traveled to Denali in Alaska, been to the top of Mt. Rainier, been in the jungles of Guatemala and Honduras, on the sea in the Caribbean, deserts of the southwest, through the Grand Canyon, in the primitive areas of Canada, high parks of Colorado, Yellow Stone, Glacier Park and too many other places to recall. I have always been one for the primitive, trail blazing type of back packing experience and of most of what I carried in these areas, this knife was a constant multi-use tool that always accompanied me and never failed. It might have been a little heavy for what some backpackers would like, but then, when you want a do it everything tool that you can count on, a few extra ounces is worth sacrifice elsewhere.
The blade shows some evidence of the jungle and salt water use in remnants of some pitting which has been re-polished and blued. It does not take away much from the knife in my opinion, and certainly does not affect its capability. I periodically have cleaned the blade and blued it; because of the Carbon steel, it takes a very deep bluing and this minimized, as I found, rust in adverse environments. The blade has never failed and is good to go for another lifetime. If you haven't figured yet, I have utmost respect for this knife and whether you have interest in this one or not, consider it a testimonial on this knife as one of the great survival knifes.
I have the two original sheaths that were included when I made the purchase, one leather and the other nylon. Both are in great shape. I made a leather one I used to use, but that is pretty beat up and tossed. The knife still has the original lanyard (I generally used a leathers ones that are long gone). The krayton handle is still in good shape as can be seen in the photos.
So, given all of that, does anyone have any idea of the knife's value? I have seen so many fakes, and later models that I don't know if they measure to this one. I am interested in anyone else's experience as well.
This is one of the first Cold Steel Trail Masters produced. I acquired it sometime in the very early 80's when they first came on the market. This knife has the original high carbon steel which I think was Carbon V. I can make out ricasso in the right light it says Carbon 'something'; the word Carbon is visible but the V is obscured. On the ricasso is also says 'Cold Steel' and 'Trail Master'. Also, a bit difficult to see under the bluing it also says 'Ventura Ca'. The finish was originally a black coating. After years of use, I finally removed what was left of the original finish and began periodically bluing the blade when I thought it needed it. The blade is 9.4", the Handle is 5", brass cross guard and is 14.5" overall. The blade width at the ricasso is 9/16".
This knife has been through it all. Since I acquired it, it's been used for back packing, hunting and just about every, heavy work, chopping wood, building shelters, brush clearing, game quartering and skinning, and almost any other both light and heavy duty task you can think of. It's traveled to Denali in Alaska, been to the top of Mt. Rainier, been in the jungles of Guatemala and Honduras, on the sea in the Caribbean, deserts of the southwest, through the Grand Canyon, in the primitive areas of Canada, high parks of Colorado, Yellow Stone, Glacier Park and too many other places to recall. I have always been one for the primitive, trail blazing type of back packing experience and of most of what I carried in these areas, this knife was a constant multi-use tool that always accompanied me and never failed. It might have been a little heavy for what some backpackers would like, but then, when you want a do it everything tool that you can count on, a few extra ounces is worth sacrifice elsewhere.
The blade shows some evidence of the jungle and salt water use in remnants of some pitting which has been re-polished and blued. It does not take away much from the knife in my opinion, and certainly does not affect its capability. I periodically have cleaned the blade and blued it; because of the Carbon steel, it takes a very deep bluing and this minimized, as I found, rust in adverse environments. The blade has never failed and is good to go for another lifetime. If you haven't figured yet, I have utmost respect for this knife and whether you have interest in this one or not, consider it a testimonial on this knife as one of the great survival knifes.
I have the two original sheaths that were included when I made the purchase, one leather and the other nylon. Both are in great shape. I made a leather one I used to use, but that is pretty beat up and tossed. The knife still has the original lanyard (I generally used a leathers ones that are long gone). The krayton handle is still in good shape as can be seen in the photos.
So, given all of that, does anyone have any idea of the knife's value? I have seen so many fakes, and later models that I don't know if they measure to this one. I am interested in anyone else's experience as well.
