Tang question

[BlackKnight86]

Hi, guys!

Had a question about the newer Trail Masters, Laredos, and Natchezes in O1. As a part of the design, does anyone know if Cold Steel is radiusing the tang on their newer models? I ask because of the old thread that talked about the breakage at the tang of, I think it was a Recon Tanto or Trailmaster. The thread showed a pic of the tang; and where the tang met the blade the angle looked like it was 90 degrees. Some of the posters in the thread spoke of how that creates stress risers, and can be a weak spot.

Did Cold Steel curve those spots a bit on the newer models?

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

Hi
Thanks for getting in touch.
There has been no design change to the 0-1 series (other than the change of steel).
Our Trail Masters feature a hand guard and a Kray-Ex Handle that both require that steep angle in order to fit together properly.
I think I know the thread in question and it referred to the knife as having a "potential weak spot" when batoning. I don't agree with that.
I can only speak from my personal experience with that knife. It's one that I own and use (and have done for quite a few years) and it's one that I have seen tested in two different PROOF videos as well as our daily QC. It's probably one of the toughest knives that we make and I've seen it subjected to ungodly abuse. I have no doubt in my mind of it's strength and durability.
Of course, this is only my opinion, but having seen these tests firsthand. I trust that knife and I carry it myself.

As you probably know, here at Cold Steel we do not encourage batoning. We see it as needlessly abusive to the knife.
Therefore, when we torture test those knives we do indeed baton with them - it's a torture test after all!
The Trail Master has always held up great to that (and other) abuse tests - but the danger with batoning is that it may cause unseen damage to your precious survival knife that may come back to haunt you in a true life or death situation.
I never recommend it

I hope that helps
Thanks and have a great day

 

[BlackKnight86]

Thanks!

I agree with your view; and won't generally baton. If I absolutely have to in a survival situation, I'd do it; but I don't do it otherwise. My preferred method of wood prep is sawing, with an ax as backup only if absolutely necessary. The Bark River folks did a great paper on the mechanics of batoning, I think after a similar break to a Rogue Bowie. It seems to me that there is always more to it than a post from a disgruntled knife owner; so I took the thread in question with a grain of salt. The radius discussion was interesting, though....seemed like decent science/engineering, although I'd expect it wouldn't be anywhere near the issue some folks think, unless one really pushed the knife past a certain point (taking into account temperature, as well, from what I hear).

I was just curious...I saw a thread on how to rehandle a Laredo on another forum; and the Laredo looked like it had some slight curvature where its tang met the blade....not sure which model or what time frame. I was wondering if Cold Steel had consciously made a change. It would certainly never prevent me from my intent to pick up the O-1 series...I have the Laredo and Trailmaster in Carbon V; and I love them! But they need some new friends!

Thanks!

BK86