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Trailmaster
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Cold Steel Trail Master 9-1/2" SK-5 High Carbon Fixed Blade
Customer Reviews
Read 21 reviewsWrite a Review
Read 21 reviewsWrite a Review
| Part Number: | CS39L16CT |
| Manufacturer: | Cold Steel Knives |
| Retail Price: | $249.99 |
| Our Price: | $149.95 |
| You Save: | $100.04 (40%) |
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CS39L16CT: Trail Master (SK-5 High Carbon)
Cold Steel
Why buy a Trail Master? That's simple. Because it is, in the opinion of Cold Steel, the most knife for the money ever commercially built! In terms of sharpness, edge holding and strength, it will out perform most knives of its size. So before you spend your hard earned bucks on one of our competitor's knives, take a moment to review all the advantages offered by the Cold Steel Trail Master.
Style and Construction
The broad clip point of the blade is extremely resistant to bending or breaking. This is largely due to the fact that the tip is actually thicker near the point than what is seen on our competitor's knives. This, however, does not mean that the point is dull or blunt. On the contrary, the point is almost needle sharp and offers tremendous penetration. Plus, the back is equipped with a slightly concave false edge that measures approximately three and a half inches long. Every Trail Master's edge has been honed by hand, then given a high speed buff until it is truly razor sharp and capable of easily shaving the hair off one's arm. This knife is so sharp it will cut at the slightest touch. The Trail Master balances approximately 3/4" in front of the guard for a slightly blade-heavy feel that is ideal for delivering heavy chopping and slashing strokes. The Trail Master's Kraton handle is 5" long and deeply checkered for a non-slip, shock absorbing grip. What's more, its contoured cross section helps prevent the knife from shifting or turning in the hand when striking full power blows. The double guard is very study and rigidly fixed into place. It is long enough to keep fingers off the blade, yet short enough to avoid being tangled in clothing or equipment when the Trail Master is drawn.
Made with SK-5 High carbon steel. SK-5 is the Japanese equivalent of American 1080, a high carbon steel with carbon between 0.75%-0.85% and 0.60%-0.90% manganese. As quenched, it has a hardness near Rc 65 and produces a mixture of carbon rich martensite with some small un-dissolved carbides. The excess carbide increases abrasion resistance and allows the steel to achieve an ideal balance of very good blade toughness with superior edge holding ability. Due to these characteristics, this grade of steel has been used traditionally for making a variety of hand tools, including chisels and woodcutting saws, and has stood the test of time and use over many years in many countries.
Specifications
Cold Steel
Why buy a Trail Master? That's simple. Because it is, in the opinion of Cold Steel, the most knife for the money ever commercially built! In terms of sharpness, edge holding and strength, it will out perform most knives of its size. So before you spend your hard earned bucks on one of our competitor's knives, take a moment to review all the advantages offered by the Cold Steel Trail Master.
Style and Construction
The broad clip point of the blade is extremely resistant to bending or breaking. This is largely due to the fact that the tip is actually thicker near the point than what is seen on our competitor's knives. This, however, does not mean that the point is dull or blunt. On the contrary, the point is almost needle sharp and offers tremendous penetration. Plus, the back is equipped with a slightly concave false edge that measures approximately three and a half inches long. Every Trail Master's edge has been honed by hand, then given a high speed buff until it is truly razor sharp and capable of easily shaving the hair off one's arm. This knife is so sharp it will cut at the slightest touch. The Trail Master balances approximately 3/4" in front of the guard for a slightly blade-heavy feel that is ideal for delivering heavy chopping and slashing strokes. The Trail Master's Kraton handle is 5" long and deeply checkered for a non-slip, shock absorbing grip. What's more, its contoured cross section helps prevent the knife from shifting or turning in the hand when striking full power blows. The double guard is very study and rigidly fixed into place. It is long enough to keep fingers off the blade, yet short enough to avoid being tangled in clothing or equipment when the Trail Master is drawn.
Made with SK-5 High carbon steel. SK-5 is the Japanese equivalent of American 1080, a high carbon steel with carbon between 0.75%-0.85% and 0.60%-0.90% manganese. As quenched, it has a hardness near Rc 65 and produces a mixture of carbon rich martensite with some small un-dissolved carbides. The excess carbide increases abrasion resistance and allows the steel to achieve an ideal balance of very good blade toughness with superior edge holding ability. Due to these characteristics, this grade of steel has been used traditionally for making a variety of hand tools, including chisels and woodcutting saws, and has stood the test of time and use over many years in many countries.
Specifications
- Weight: 16.7 oz.
- Blade: 9 1/2"
- Thick: 5/16"
- Overall: 14 1/2"
- Handle: Kraton
- Sheath: Kydex
- Steel: SK-5 High Carbon
- Made in Taiwan
Badges
Kydex Sheath
Waterproof, scratch resistant, and low friction. It will hold its shape and makes a great alternative to leather.
Waterproof, scratch resistant, and low friction. It will hold its shape and makes a great alternative to leather.
Zytel Handles
A nylon polymer that is lightweight and extremely durable, Zytel can be shaped and textured to provide excellent grip.
A nylon polymer that is lightweight and extremely durable, Zytel can be shaped and textured to provide excellent grip.
Customer Reviews
Jozef
slovakia Feb 27, 2013
Barnabe
Pacific Rim Feb 08, 2013
Pros: Blade Sharpness, Blade Material, None
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard, Finish, Overall Quality
Not terrible, not fantastic
The good news is that, if you've chosen the high-carbon steel version of CS's Trail Master (i.e. NOT the San Mai version), you've managed to avoid an expensive mistake. The SK-5 (or whatever name CS picks next) is durable enough to handle the kind of chores this knife begs for: chopping, baton-ing, heavy-duty work. TM is a big, heavy, sturdy knife, but nothing really sets it apart from other big, heavy, sturdy knives of comparable price, quality, size. It's not especially refined, not fantastically comfortable, certainly not supplied with an outstanding sheath; it's appeal seems to be primarily size and weight. CS is famous (infamous?) for their hype-based marketing, over-the-top product descriptions, and ludicrous "proof" videos, which are intelligence-dampening yet pretty effective in getting fans riled up and defensive (witness comments on various CS products) about CS's product line-up. There are some good CS products, yes, but most CS stuff gets shamelessly overrated. Don't let yourself get sucked in too easily. If shopping for a knife of this type, look carefully at all your other options from other manufacturers. Let knifecenter help you find some to compare, and ignore the CS hype. The TM is not a bad knife, nor is it the stroke of genius it is often made out to be.
John
Hong Kong Nov 13, 2012
Pros: Blade Sharpness, Sheath/Scabbard, Handle Material, Blade Material, Materials, Weight, Overall Quality, Finish
Cons: None
Great bowie
Mine is Carbon V blade, razor sharp and tough. Never regret to have it. Trail master is one of the best in my knife collection.
