Trailmaster question

Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
331
Can anyone tell me what the benefits of the San Mai may be over a Carbon V blade on the trailmaster?
 
San Mai, being laminated layers of steel, it's supposed to be stronger. And Cold Steel calls the edge "rolled". It's not just a V shaped edge. They also say it's sharper because of it.

I've got a std Trailmaster and a 3mai for my wife. I gotta say, hers is VERY sharp! Mine is too, but it seems to be more of a working edge. We use ours for camping/hiking/survival trips.
 
Cold steel has never claimed their San Mai was stronger than the Carbon V option in the trailmaster, only that it was their strongest stainless.
 
San Mai theoretically should be able to take more bending stress.

I've read conflicting reports as to its actual make-up (as to steels used).

In comparing the two (standard vs San) in a short use (clearing a small plot of overgrown land), I found the most significant difference for me was that the San Mai didn't seem to vibrate as much, therefore less fatigue. This knife needs a longer handle of a different material, IMO.

It was a short use (a morning, including debrie removal), so I didn't really consider sharpness. Just swung away to see how they did.
 
I can't speak for the San Mai but I've got several in the Carbon V and they work great. Though all the carbon V ones I see today have the black blade and I don't really like that so I if I bought another one it would probably be the San Mai.
 
Back
Top