Bustin Knots with a Trailmaster

[sharpshooter996]

A look at the excellent Trailmaster doing what it does best. (Bustin Knots) Actually it does a lot of things very well. Batoning with this knife is where it really shines. It makes jobs where other knifes struggle look easy. And it does it all with a smile thanks to its 5/15 thick full flat grind. Just lube and pound. Lol. Its really just that easy :D

This knife was reprofiled on my Edge Pro. Its cuts like the Devil.



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[Noss]

Awesome bro. Looks like a tough work blade. I really need to test one. Awesome looking edge also. :thumb::rockon:

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks Noss. I do love this blade, especially for the price. I think Cold Steel did this one right. I do have some dislikes, one being the crappy handle. When batoning you know it is inevitable that you will get your blade stuck. The handle just will not take much of this. I have lightly struck the butt of this knife and broke open the kraton handle. Not sure why but the handle material on this one is much softer than the ones on my SRK and Recon Tanto. This one has a much more rubbery feeling and give to it. Where the other two have basically no give at all and will not squish like jelly. Really its that much different.

Other than that the only hit i will give it is its false edge. It is almost sharpened and this has a tendency to stick it your baton and chew it up. Just the design, i can live with it, just gets irritating at times but still works very well indeed for this task.

Beyond these two point the knife is top notch. If I was redesign this knife i would greatly dull out the false edge, much like the Fallkniven A2. And use a much harder and wear resistant handle materal, like found on Sog knives. Then this knife would easily get a 9 out of 10. As is I will give it an 8. Hope you found this helpful.

[kiah]

Nice. Is that the new SK-5 or the old Carbon V?

On the handles. Kraton varies so much that the description of "Kraton" really gives you no idea on what you're actually getting. A lot of Kraton is super soft like you're Trailmaster and a lot is hard like plastic. I guess the formula varies from one factory to the next.

[eatingmuchface]

def. looks like a good blade for the money.
I really don't get the false edge at all, I guess for a better penetrating tip?
or maybe to reduce weight?
idk.

seems like a good blade for the money.
when batoning small pieces of wood, I think thick blades wedge too much... but when it comes to the big stuff ohhhh boy!
:D
looks fun.
thanks for the pics.

[sharpshooter996]

Nice. Is that the new SK-5 or the old Carbon V?

On the handles. Kraton varies so much that the description of "Kraton" really gives you no idea on what you're actually getting. A lot of Kraton is super soft like you're Trailmaster and a lot is hard like plastic. I guess the formula varies from one factory to the next.

This is the newer version in SK-5. I also have a Gurkha Kukri in this steel and I have been very happy with its performance. It holds an edge very good and is proving so far to be tough.

I am comparing this Cold Steel Kraton to my SRK and Recon Tanto handles. Those are much harder and as a result tougher. I have hit those with wood batons and had no cutting, ripping or scrapping. I have however done damage to the Trail Masters handle. With soft hits from a baton. A bit disappointing :thumbdwn:

[sharpshooter996]

def. looks like a good blade for the money.
I really don't get the false edge at all, I guess for a better penetrating tip?
or maybe to reduce weight?
idk.

seems like a good blade for the money.
when batoning small pieces of wood, I think thick blades wedge too much... but when it comes to the big stuff ohhhh boy!
:D
looks fun.
thanks for the pics.


The Trail Master shares design with the traditional Bowie knife. With a long False edge and Guard. Neither are a real plus on a woods knife but it does give the knife greater use as a self defense weapon, something Cold Steel is famous for. The Blade is more than long enough so the Guard does not get in the way while batoning, neither does it get in the way while performing more delicate work like making fuzzies or whittling. Something at which this knife does quite well.

It is a very good blade for the money. One can be had for $75 any day of the week. You will be very hard pressed to find a better woods knife for the money.

For cutting kindlin and smaller pieces of wood, I prefer a folding knife. The combination of shorter, and thiner blade makes this work much easier. I always recommend a blade of 3.5" or greater. I usually carry My Recon 1, Rat 1, or new addition Lone Wolf T2. All are very good choices and are strong enough for this task.

[Gman1128]

Cool pics! The trailmaster is certainly an awesome knife I love mine. Its definitely great when it comes to being a woods knife and always comes camping with me.

Too bad the handle sucks on yours, I've beaten on the back of mine some and never had that problem.

[lsutigers1010]

sharpshooter996 AWSOME PICS quick question can you take some more pics with your Gurkha Kukri
thanks again for the pics

[sharpshooter996]

Cool pics! The trailmaster is certainly an awesome knife I love mine. Its definitely great when it comes to being a woods knife and always comes camping with me.

Too bad the handle sucks on yours, I've beaten on the back of mine some and never had that problem.

Ya I got a gummy bear grip on mine.

[sharpshooter996]

sharpshooter996 AWSOME PICS quick question can you take some more pics with your Gurkha Kukri
thanks again for the pics

Ya bro, im working on a review between the two. Been busy with a lot of stuff but ill get it together soon. You will dig it im sure.

[lsutigers1010]

Ya bro, im working on a review between the two. Been busy with a lot of stuff but ill get it together soon. You will dig it im sure.

thanks man got another question what angle did you re profile it at

[G. Scott H.]

Just lube and pound. Lol. D

I hope to be doing some of that this weekend! :D:eek::thumb:

[sharpshooter996]

thanks man got another question what angle did you re profile it at

Its running a 19 each side with my Edge Pro. Think I went a little too far for this knife/Steel and use. I will change it a degree or two when need be. But it is a huge cutter. Use a little extra care and you will be fine. I like to really pound on my blades so go back a tad wider will prob be in my best interest.

[sharpshooter996]

I hope to be doing some of that this weekend! :D:eek::thumb:

Enjoy my friend. Dont forget to take pictures to share. :thumb:

[eatingmuchface]

wow!
75$?!
didn't know they were that inexpensive.
very cool.
A lot of knives actually have the false edge... sadly. :(

[sharpshooter996]

Ya, its a real bargain. If you can handle the Kraton handle with no exposed tang and gummy grip (at least on mine), and the almost sharp false edge, then you are ready to rock and roll at an affordable price.

[338 Stalker]

Great write up SS996. Might look into one at a later stage :thumb:

[sharpshooter996]

338. I think you would be well served by this affordable knife.

I was backpacking in coyote country last week and did not bring any pistol armament with me so at night i fashioned my Trail Master to a shaft creating a nice spear, should I need to defend off and ill tempered dog. They have been know in my area to confront humans and in one encounter last year 2 had a teenage girl cornered in a barn just a short drive from home.

She had a cell phone on her which she called 911 from and a deputy sherif arrive to drive off the dog. He did not put down the animal so i doubt it was rabid. just not a scenario I would like to find myself in.