SK-5 Trailmaster vs. old Carbon V

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

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Feb 1, 2001
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How are the newer Cold Steel knives made in SK-5 like the Trailmaster compaired to the older ones made of Carbon V. I saw the new Proof video where they flex the knife in a vice like they did years ago but this time they did not show it flex back to true like in the old video. Wonder if it is because the newer knives did not return to true like the old knives did? Thanks for any thoughts!
 
I could be wrong, but I don't think any of their newer (2010~) videos show their knives flexing back to the original shape-- they just cut before the knife breaks. Whether this is an indication that the newer version will or won't do it, I have no idea.

Edit:

If you are really interested in finding out, their Facebook community manager is very attentive and forthright. He would probably tell you. I haven't seen anyone stump him yet.
 
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Appletz said:
I could be wrong, but I don't think any of their newer (2010~) videos show their knives flexing back to the original shape-- they just cut before the knife breaks. Whether this is an indication that the newer version will or won't do it, I have no idea.

Edit:

If you are really interested in finding out, their Facebook community manager is very attentive and forthright. He would probably tell you. I haven't seen anyone stump him yet.
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I'm not on facebook. Would you ask him and let me know if it is not to much trouble? Many thanks!
 
Don't have any expirence with Carbon V but I do have and SK5 TM. Haven't had a chance to use it other than chop up a few vegetables though but I did do a little research on Carb V vs SK5 before I made my purchase and the general opinion was Carb V held a slightly better edge than SK5 and a few said Carb V might be a tad tougher. I'd honestly be more worried about heat treat though an maybe the stress risers on the tang (not sure if the newer TM's have this prob or not). I can say though just by holding my SK5 TM, it feels like a tank in hand and hopefully it will perform like one once I put it through more use.
 
Sharp Knives 86 said:
Don't have any expirence with Carbon V but I do have and SK5 TM. Haven't had a chance to use it other than chop up a few vegetables though but I did do a little research on Carb V vs SK5 before I made my purchase and the general opinion was Carb V held a slightly better edge than SK5 and a few said Carb V might be a tad tougher. I'd honestly be more worried about heat treat though an maybe the stress risers on the tang (not sure if the newer TM's have this prob or not). I can say though just by holding my SK5 TM, it feels like a tank in hand and hopefully it will perform like one once I put it through more use.
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it's basically 1080 vs 1095CV, both should give similar performance (i believe both steels are being hardened to around 58HRC by the manufacture). because both are pretty basic high carbon steels, neither one is going to out shine the other based on composition alone.

personally, i wouldn't have a problem with a manufacturer switching from 1095CV to SK5 (1080). matter of fact, 1080 steel is easier to heat treat, so there's less chance of getting a blade with a bad heat treat while using 1080 (SK5).
 
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Carbon V > SK-5

The old US made Carbon V is superior to the current SK-5 offering from Cold Steel.
 
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It depends which model of Carbon V Trailmaster you are talking about. One of them had a rolled edge. It's also worth mentioning the newest SK-5 version has a longer clip than any previous model and it has a sharpened false edge.
 
carbon V is 1095CV.
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That's why the old Beckers from Camillus and the new Beckers from KaBar are so similar in performance. Camillus 0170-6C (Carbon V) and KaBar 1095 Cro Van are almost identical in composition.

SK-5 is quite a bit different, being a simple carbon steel and containing quite a bit less carbon than Carbon V.
 
Thanks guys! So it sounds like the new Trailmaster is not as good as the old Trailmaster but pretty close?
 
"for my understanding SK5 is basically 1080 and carbon V is 1095CV." - jimnolimit






Well...I'll just shut my damn mouth:foot:
 
I have an older chinese TM in sk-5 and it has not disappointed me at all in 4 or 5 yrs of hard use. Holds a good edge and sharpens easily.

The actual using/working difference between the same knife in the 2 steels properly heat treated is going to be slim to nitpicky.

If your buying one to use and not collect just grab the sk-5.
 
I wasn't buying knives back when Cold Steel made Carbon V. However, I think the 1080 (SK-5) to 1095CV (Carbon V) comparison is correct, based on the published percentages of the alloy elements. It really depends what you value more, toughness or edge retention. Ontario switched all their 1095 carbon steel knives, including the entire Spec Plus series, to 1075 about 2-3 years ago. To me, this was a welcome change, as the 1095 versions were prone to chipping. 1075 is much tougher, and it's nearly possible to break their 1075 Spec Plus knives. They won't retain and edge as long, though, and they're more difficult to sharpen.
 
The CV in 1095CV is for Chromium/Vanadium. Same as CroVan. Not Carbon V.

Just sayin...

Edit, it's also my understanding that the Carbon V moniker was applied to whatever steel they could get for a good price at any given time.
 
The actual performance of the Trailmaster in either/any alloy will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of users, most of whom would notice no difference at all. I don't own a TM, never have, so I have no objective experience. But I've been slamming carbon steels around for 40+ years. Unless you're just trying to break it, it should handle about any chore you throw at it at least decently, and most quite respectably. It's still a good knife, you simply have to adjust to it. Maybe sharpen it a little more often.
It's a carbon steel. You have to do that sometimes.
 
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