Re-grip Trailmaster Bowie

V

valentin_84

Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
57
Hey guys, I'm thinkin about picking up a Coldsteel Trailmaster bowie because you can find them at a pretty low cost, but I really hate their cheap handles! Do any knife makers on the forum make stacked leather handles? I think a nice stacked leather handle would make all the difference on that knife. And suggestions, anyone re-gripped one yet?

I appreciate all your answers guys!
 
Looking at the knife SK-5 Trail Master, it would probably be difficult to do a stacked leather, The tang needs to extend past the end on the handle and also be of a shape to support the washers, could be done but difficult. By the time you purchase the knife and redo the handle you may have been able to get a custom made.
 
I redid one for a guy. It turned out fairly well I think...

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Wow Eric, that looks freakin beautiful bro! In you oppinion do you think the re-gripping is worth it on that knife?
 
Well, not sure how much he paid for the knife, I traded in goods for my work (a Surefire A2 flashlight), and honestly I made out on the deal. I even made a new sheath for it because I felt I had overcharged him. The hardest part for me was redoing the guard, the factory one was crap. I would say I invested about $80 to $100 in parts and labor (more on the labor side) for the whole project. If you did it yourself, you could do it for about $30 to $50 in supplies / tools, the rest is just sweat. Sorry for the rant, but it was a sweet looking blade and in my opinion, yes, well worth the trouble to replace the factory crap.
 
this guy has tons of handle mods on Cold Steel knives, as well as many other models.
http://www.sunrisecustomknives.com/repairs/repairs.php

I was seriously considering doing a handle mod on my old SanMaiIII Trailmaster.
The knife had seen about 8 years of use and I wanted a new handle.

But I decided to send it on to a new home.

For the price of a decent used CS trailmaster, and paying a pro to do a re handle, you should just lurk on the custom fixed blade exchange here and snatch up a great custom. Doing the re handle on a knife you have used for years and love might make more sense.

If you are doing the rehandle your self it would not be bad at all.
 
I agree the trailmaster handle sucks. I'm in the process of putting and elk handle on one. Well, the elk is on there and has been for about 4 years. I just haven't put the but cap on yet. I did staked leather spacers between the guard and the elk and the will do the same between the elk and the butt cap. I'd post a pic if I knew how.
 
TekSec,your handle came out flawless!I have an old carbon V Trailmaster and a Recon Scout your handle treatment would look sweet on.
 
Thanks all for the words about the re-handle job I did. I hope the customer is still just as pleased with it :)
 
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