Should the Kraton handle of a Trailmaster be replaced preventively?

R

ragnar02

Joined
Nov 12, 2006
Messages
6
I’ll take this opportunity to say Hi!, since I’m a new member.

Here is a problem:

Having read on http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/trailmaster_recon_scout.html that “A critical problem seen with the Trailmaster as after just a couple of weeks of use the handle bond started to fail and the grip could be rotated around the tang. As use continued the Kraton continued to wear at a fairly rapid pace and became slick quickly.”.

Question:

should I prevent this problem from happening in the field by taking out the Kraton handle on my Trailmaster and replacing it with something else? Has anyone done this and could please advice me?

Thanks a lot, in advance.

Ragnar
 
Hi Ragnar and welcome to BF,

There have been reports of problems with Kraton handles,
but there have also been many many posts by people who
have had absolutely no problems with them.

I personally never had a problem with a Kraton handle.
and have owned (and own) about 20 knives with that material.

So I'd recommend that there's no need to replace the Kraton
handle on your Trailmaster UNLESS you're going to be using it
with some materials/substances that could bug it out.
 
rifon2, Mtn Hawk,

Thanks a lot for your answers.

The link has taken me to a lot of useful info. Thanks a lot. I learned a lot.

After seeing the naked tang of a Trailmaster I understand how the Kraton handle could become a problem, but probably only after heavy use. Trouble is that if that heavy use ever comes it will be in a situation were and when 1) I won’t be able to say “wait a little, I’m gonna find someone to replace the handle and 2) when I need it most. A piece of rubber against the steel tang doesn’t stand a chance. Although I agree that under most “normal” use, this might not be a problem. I guess most users don’t experience any rotation and/or separation of handle and tang.

But I am not comfortable with the thought that it might happen to me so I’ll have it replaced. I’ll also use the opportunity to get a larger handle, thicker and longer. The original one is too small for me.

Thanks a lot, guys. The pictures really helped me understand what’s going on inside my knife’s handle. I don’t know why I had this idea that the innards would be somewhat more complex and secure. Kind of reminds me of a bicycle’s handlebar, not nearly enough for this kind of knife.

Thanks a lot, guys.

Ragnar.
 
I have owned a CS SRK and Master Hunter for many years, and use them regularly, and I've never had a problem with the kraton handles.

In fact, I kinda wish that I had kraton on my other hunting knife.

Ben
 
It probably depends on 1) the attachment of the handle to the knife (tang) and 2) what kind of tests the tool is put to. After seeing the pics of the Trailmaster tang, I get the feeling of a bicycle handlebar or somewhat close to that. I can see how the rubber handle would become separated, rotate against those sharp edges and get to be a problem in the worst moment and far from the possibility of a quick and efficient fix.

Thanks again for the welcome and for taking the time, guys.

Ragnar
 
I used to have one, if all of them are like that one then yeah, I'd replace it before it saw real heavy use. Mine came loose just from some light yardwork, not to mention it always caused blisters (grip was too small and rolled around/slipped in my hand)
 
Um........the test that you read......um.......
well.....I'll just say that the bad reports seem to get more attention than all of the good experiences that are taken for granted and therefore go unreported.
If the handles suck that badly I doubt that CS would continue to make them after all these years.
Why don't you just use the knife for a while and see how it holds up.
It's not like it'll just start spinning around one day.

Or...how about a DIY new handle project?
You could search for "mortised hidden tang handle"

Either way good luck.
 
Ebbtide said:
Um........
Why don't you just use the knife for a while and see how it holds up.
It's not like it'll just start spinning around one day.

.
Click to expand...

Now there's the best advice I've seen on any thread for quite a while!:)
 
Kraton is an excellent handle material -- it is durable and absorbs shock. It usually takes years before it gets "slick" or begins to crack.

Cliff Stamp (the forumite whose site you referred to) abuses and "torture tests" knives, then reports the results. That is atypical of normal wear and tear.
 
I've read plenty of complaints on the CS handles. Not just the grip coming loose, but also allowing moisture to creep in and rust the tang. You might also want to radius any sharp angles at the blade/handle juncture if yours features any, as there were also some reported breaks of Recon Scouts at this point.
 
I could wait and see, but it sounds reasonable that against that tang and with such a simple handlebar setup, a rubber handle will eventually give and again, IT IS too small for my hands. A thicker and 1.5 longer handle will make me much more comfortable. I like big handles. Things are adding up to a replacement and one less thing to worry about. There are too many examples like yoda4561’s that point to a real problem.

The DIY project is a possibility. I’ve done it before. But others are so much better than me that I often leave it to an expert.

I will pay attention to the blade/handle juncture, thanks hardheart.

greens, I’ve been admiring Sunrise River Custom Knives. Nice work they do.

Guys, thanks a lot, again, for taking the time to help me. This seems like a nice place to be when you like blades as I modestly do.

Best regards.

Ragnar
 
The tang is a rectangle in cross section so I really don't get the spinning bicycle grip worries.
But if it makes you feel better and gives you peace of mind to have a new handle, go for it.
Or.......
You could always buy another knife ;)
 
[Trailmaster handle failure]

tyr_shadowblade said:
That is atypical of normal wear and tear.
Click to expand...

The Trailmaster was just used for a lot of wood chopping, my brother did most of it. Heavy chopping will put strains on the grip far above cutting and the Trailmaster is a fairly large knife so you would not expect similar behavior with a smaller knife or one not used for significant chopping. Before it was returned to Cold Steel the grip could be rotated freely around the tang as there was no bond at all to the handle, this of course had significant effects in use.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for the input, Ebbtide, but as Cliff Stamp mentions and I've seen before in other circumstances, rubber just gives, it cant hold its shape, it is flexible and gives way. Of course this depends a lot on size and configuration and eventually a bonding agent but the handle on a factory Trailmaster is rather small, so it is easy for me to imagine that it would fail rather quickly. Maybe, just before taking it to be re handled I’ll put it on a vise and see if I can rotate the handle. I have the suspicion that I'll be able to, rather easily.

I'll go for the peace of mind and get myself a nice big handle along the way.

As for buying another knife . . . well . . . isn't that what any normal human being would do with his life . . . ? Just moving along, buying more knives, more flashlights and so on and so forth? Isn't that what life is about? <GGG>

Thanks a lot, guys.

Ragnar
 
My name and cliffs in the same sentence...
You must be new.



(Kidding :D )
 
ragnar02 said:
... rubber just gives, it cant hold its shape, it is flexible and gives way.
Click to expand...

The shape is actually more of a concern to me than the actual bond. There is little retention on the grip, especially if you wear the kraton fairly smooth. I was out doing some brush work with my brother while he was using the Trailmaster and it came out of his hand like a dart and sailed into the woods. Being in front of that would not have been pleasant.

-Cliff
 
You know, Ebbtide, in another environment, I would have just looked around to check were to move, in case I needed to . . . <GGG>. Actually, I AM new.

Cliff, that’s scary. I’ll endeavor not to let that happen to my knife.

Ragnar
 
ragnar02 said:
...that’s scary.
Click to expand...

In retrospect, my brother's only comment was "Heh, throws well." Of course I assumed it slipped. He really liked that knife, still talks about it fondly even with all the other knives he has seen through what I have used.

-Cliff
 
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