Trailmaster real of fake?

[Ottawafireguy]

Anyone able to provide insight as to wether this trailmaster is real or fake
thanks

https://imgur.com/a/jxp4iVn

 

[jlauffer]

Anyone able to provide insight as to wether this trailmaster is real or fake
thanks

https://imgur.com/a/jxp4iVn

Fake. If it was USA made, it would be Carbon V, and the markings would be stamped, not inked.

 

[not2sharp]

It's a fake. Sheath, finish and markings are wrong.

n2s

 

[jux t]

Fake, based on the stamping font along with what has been previously mentioned. I’ve never seen this version of a fake TM. Has anyone else?

 

[jlauffer]

Fake, based on the stamping font along with what has been previously mentioned. I’ve never seen this version of a fake TM. Has anyone else?

Been a while, but yes.

 

[KenHash]

I think this knife is a fake too. Wrong font.
Photo used by Knifecenter below shows a black (powdercoated) SK5 steel blade and lettering stamped. No white lettering.

H

However a "China Doll TM" was sold here on BF 3 years ago with White lettering.


Made in USA carbon V Black Epoxy coated blade TM:

Here are some suspected fakes with white lettering.

This last one actually says "China" under the "Cold Steel".
But it should be noted that there are non-black coated blade counterfeits from China as well.

 

[nephron]

The gap between the ricasso and guard are a dead give away on so many fakes. Is it really that hard to do? Bless them for it though, it is the first thing I look for.

 

[The Whip]

O Ottawafireguy , please consider adding your photos to the Counterfeit, anyone? thread. They might help others in recognizing a counterfeit Trail Master.

K KenHash , some of your photos of fakes are new to me, too. I don't recall seeing that "COLD STEEL(R) USA" tang stamp before. Are you sure that's on a legitimate knife? The finish looks genuine, so I could be mistaken about its authenticity.


-Steve

 

[jlauffer]

The first pic in Ken's post is a Carbon V model...the black-coated CV's were the only ones with stamped markings. 2nd pic shows the white lettering when they switched to SK5. 4th pic is definitely fake. Not sure about the China one in the 5th/6th pic...would need to do more research on that. Last 2 pics with uncoated blade definitely fake.

 

[The Whip]

The first pic in Ken's post is a Carbon V model...the black-coated CV's were the only ones with stamped markings. 2nd pic shows the white lettering when they switched to SK5. 4th pic is definitely fake. Not sure about the China one in the 5th/6th pic...would need to do more research on that. Last 2 pics with uncoated blade definitely fake.

Great to know about the stamped Carbon V models. I just found a good picture of one that showed the stamped "Trail Master" logo on the other side. Thanks!


-Steve