You guys forget , this is an old design (the 80's) . It was way ahead of its time when it first came out , full flat grind , 5/16's thick , awsome distall taper , craton handle, you just didn't see that back then. This knife paved the way for alot of modern design survival knives today ,all your esee's , okc rat's , and so on . It was truly one of the first 1 tool option survival knives made. It's a Classic in my opinion , I love my trail master. Arron , you must have caught a bad one , my sheath fits fine , slices great , I absolutely love the O1 steel, takes a wicked edge and after use I just strop it and brings the razors edge right back. As far as batoning , you just have to give it a good strong whack and it flies through the wood. And baton's are free , if it gets chewed up just grab another one or you can grind down the false edge and be done with it. . And don't forget about the Recon Scout , one of the Best 7in. chopper's you can get (imo) . I love this one too.
I have my trailmaster now for a long time, maybe 20 - 25 years, when it had the sheat made of nylon. I used it in hundreds of fishing trips and all the weekends we spent in the cabin in the woods at our fishing pond. Sure, we had all tools there you need, from a hatchet, an axe, files, hammers and two chainsaws, but I loved to use my knife exclusively. The Trail Master never was the only knife I had with me, I believe in the right tool for the job, but all the heavy work was done with the Trail master. From battoning fur tree branches with lots of knots and full of hard resin, preparing fish like 2 feet trouts, preparing chicken because somebody had the idea to bring 2 complete fresh hens, saying "we put them on a stick and cook 'em slow besides the fire", yes, I found all kinds of jobs for the knife. I never had the edge chipping, or the tip bending, and my huge hands are just fine with the grip. I am able to do a fair ammount of work with the Trail Master before my hands get tired. I never had to put on a new edge. Just cleaning it, using the sharping iron for 20 strokes, oiling it with Balistol and it was ready to go. I have some minor stains on the blade, not real rust but decolorstions. I sure could fix it with some sandpaper and maybe will do this during Corona virus lockdown. This was my first knife from Cold Steel, and I bought a fair ammount of other knifes from them, some folders like the Vaquero Grande, some fixed blades like an early San Mai Recon Tanto, and some big knifes like a gigant Kukri. I think that there are not much knifes that are able to beat a good Cold Steel knife, although I own some great knifes from other brands. Ymmv.
I had the original Cold Steel Trailmaster in Carbon V. It was stolen from me... while I was saving someone from a fire of all things. Goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. Would cost me like $300+ to replace.. I am sad.
Luckily I still have my original Trailmaster. Never used it, stupid I know cause I would take it with me but I used others to bash on to make camp. If true survival living times were upon us it would be the best all of everything knife to carry. Camping, killing, cleaning, chores for a long time. It would cost someone a lot more than $300 to get their hands on mine. But for the money I would get a bunch of BK-9's, 2's and Mora's instead.
8:00 For foreign buyers (I'm in UK) the San Mai III version is a little more expensive, probably over $300! Also, the new sheaths they come with are real $hi!!Y, so one might look to having a better one made, adding to overall cost. {Note: Rob Evans from Wales did me a superb leather sheath for me). I was quite happy to pay, especially once I had it in my hand! What a joy! It just feels right. So I went outside and found a thickish dry oak branch to try it on. Wow! It cut like nothing I've ever tried before! I can see why this design has stood the test of time and is STILL the benchmark for this type of knife.
I've owned every brand bowie available and two come to mind: for best value, get a vintage W49 Western Bowie - which is not as thick, but it's thick enough, strong enough, and easier to handle, and also holds a better edge. If price is not an issue: the beautifully crafted Puma 8" Bowie. Forged blade and also hold a better edge (they don't chip either), and even though they are "tool" steel, they are chrome plated and hardly rust at all. That's the all around best production Bowie ever produced, IMO.
you know, about the plastic sheath retention problem, I had the same with a Gerber Strong Arm, and all I had to do was to carefully heat a limited section of that retention area, keep it pressed until it cooled, and then, Presto! the knife won't fall again :) Hope it helps.
Excellent review! I purchased a Trailmaster the first year they came out...later acquired one in San Mai. I would never feel under equipped with them. Still use them rather often.
150 years ago a Cold Steel TM size Bowie was a necessity and standard equipment for many frontiersman. Today, it's still the perfect tool for cutting trails and trimming up around deer blinds. I never got into the batoning thing or chopping green saplings into stove wood size pieces though. I still think it's one of the most beautiful knife made along with Randall fighting knives and Blackjack Halo.
That false edge is there for a reason. When stabbing, it helps greatly to go through meat and/or between ribs. Trail Master is first and foremost a combat knife and not simply a camping knife. Yes, you can chop with it but it's main purpose is stabbing and overall military use. The design is perfected through 30 years and is still in production, just like I said, for a reason...
No you are absolutely wrong. CS Trailmaster was designed to be outdoor/utility/survival knife - not a military fighting knife or dagger. The knife is too large,too heavy and too slow to be used as military/fighting or dagger... Yes , false edge they put on it , helps in thrusting, but preventing it at the same time to be used as intended- outdoor survival knife ....
Lynn Thompson designed it to be first a fighting Bowie. He upgraded to the Laredo bowie and carries the Laredo as a defensive knife. Bill Bagwell’s school of thought that a fighting knife is best when at least 9 inches long and the sharpened clip is for the back cut. Bill Bagwell demonstrated that numerous times as does Lynn Thompson. The design was a weapon for when your gun failed or out (Black powder).
Leather sheathes can be custom made or are readily available as well. Once you beat and bang the coating off your knife, and you will, you're going to be fighting rust anyway even on stainless, or in a saltwater environment. The CSTM is a great knife, and with proper care and forethought works just as good as any of the others you named. Personal preferences for grinds and thickness aside, the problems you have are easily addressed. Most people adjust, build, modify sheathes to match heavy outdoor use regardless. A properly treated and made leather scabbard will probably cost you as much as a big survival knife now. I have 4 TMs and none of these issues, but hey, I've been a CS customer since 1988, what do I know. It's all up to the user, what you can spend, how dedicated to tool maintaining you are, and how easy you want field sharpening and care to be.
SK5, which was released on the second run of these takes an amazing patina with just a little mustard and time....no more issues in regards to rust. This knife can do it all - cook, skin, defend. It's amazing. Combine this with a red hill sheath and it's beyond it's already amazing capabilities. Has served me well for years and years.
most of the trail guys and girls upgrade the sheath, so the sheath is a small complaint and all carbon steel will rust most of the coatings are removed or come off over time. That is a good steel and knife that can do it all.
This is one of those knives that I absolutely had to have just because it's a big flippin knife. I resides under my pillow next to a 9mm and a flashlight as part of my home protection. That's really it's most practical purpose to me. It's like a mini Claymore Sword..
Thanks for the video. I'm not healthy enough to be outside much anymore, so I don't have a system for a knife to fit. This sounds like the kind of thing that would be cool to have no matter what and might be good to have if I'm going to get into a fight. In some ways, this one might fit the Crocodile Dundee quote, "Now this is a knife."
Arron, do NOT like the 01 rusting issue. Will ruin the edge if it rusts there. Sold my O1 years ago. Now I own both the San Mai and the newly acquired CPM 3V. And happy now.
I bought a couple of these guys when they first came out. Made in USA. Carbon V. One of them was a factory second (and cheaper) but for the life of me I can't see any difference between the two. Is there a premium on the early US made knives?
I am glad that you mentioned the lack of retention with the sheath. I sent an email to Cold Steel about this with the one I purchased last year and did not get a response. Overall this is a cool knife (if you get it for a deal).
I have one I purchased right when they came out. Good knife for sure. Has it pros with only one con that is associated with a large blade for fine work. My has the original leather sheath. Well made sheath for sure.
A lot of folks don't know the original BOWIE knife was meant to be used blade edge up . The spine was used to parry your opponent. This is why some have a brass strip along the spine so to catch a blade edge.
Hey Buddy, you did a great Review,thank you for your opinion about the pro's and con's.. I have 2 Trailmasters, and I alo got a Becker BK9 and a Busse Bushwacker ... and to me, the Trailmaster is just a very classic blade. I think the Trailmasteris the benchmarkfor any large fixed blade. And do not forget, like some other fellows already said, that the Trailmaster is mostly a fighting knife, more for combat than for bushcraft. James A.Keating recommends the Trailmaster in his Bowie DVD ...
Say Heah Aaron, I have the original C. S. TrailMaster, the ricaso's we're different, mine is also in the San Mai 3 and the line of demarcation is alot closer to the edge like the Fallkniven's, They just don't make them like they use to, But I do have a Kukuri Plus in O1. ,, .
Under what circumstances do you believe you would lose the knife by having it drop out of the scabbard? How much time do you spend upside down? I’ve owned several Trail Masters. There is no large knife I trust more.
Good review. I own a Tail Master in 01 steel. And you are absolutely correct about the rusting issue. I remember when I first received my new Trail Master. Absolutely beautiful knife design. So, I wiped off the thick coat of monkey grease that it came shipped with. I played with it for a bit, put it back in the sheath, and put it away. A few days later I took it out, and guess what? Yep, rust spots. I'm like WOW. So, in talking with Cold Steel, they recommend that it you are not using your Trail Master, and have stored away for any length of time. You should put a light coat of Vaseline on it to help prevent rust. Another issue with the Trail Master, is the handle. It you remove the vulcanized rubber handle..guess what? rust there too. The brass/ and or stainless steel finger guard is only spot welded at the base of the blade. I will never understand why after all the years that this knife has been around that Cold Steel have not made the Trail Master "full tag". And either heliared the finger guard to the blade or redesign the handle with a full tag. I guess that Cold Steel just doesn't care about listening to the public that buy their products.
I've had an 01for a while.. I take a smaller blade and an axe in the woods but this knife is awesome! I keep it under my pillow with my pistol and light for home defense.
Did I miss the video where you discuss the lanyard system you use when chopping? I'm really interested in it after you mentioned it but I'm not sure which video you go over it in. Thanks again for the awesome videos!
if you don’t mind me asking, what are some uses for a Bowie knife. Doesn’t the big size become a problem for some activities? And isn’t a machete or an axe much better for chopping? Thanks
My assessment of my Trail Master is about the same as yours Arron. My sheath in more tight than yours. I can shake the heck out of mine. I would take my BK9 or maybe my BK7 in a forced situation over the Cold Steel. They made a VG1 (I think) with a powder coating that I think would be better than the A1. I have trouble with the edge chipping on mine. Thanks for the review, Aaron.
I was running one of the lathes at school with a hand ground 01 tool steel cutter. I could chuck up a piece of stainless and turn the chuck by hand and cut it.
Thank you very much for all your informative vids. Made many purchases based on your analysis. Question...why don't you use a field ax when heavier chopping is needed? Thank you and always watch your informative reviews. You definitely know your stuff!
I got a Trailmaster back in the late 1980’s. And a year later I got a Gerber Bowie which was practically the same knife. I still have the Gerber. And to be honest, I can’t remember what happened to the Trailmaster.
Gave your video (and the realities of it content-wise) my thumbs-up. This is a modernized nostalgia knife! Romantics of the westward conquests... many of us grew up with Movie Westerns and Cold Steel's often usage regarding overly dynamic names with shared tech from other knives to shave more margin vs. dissimilarities with every individual model. The O1 'flare' is quite irrelevant on the design plus geometry and likely primary functions/uses on this knife. Now, please nobody misinterpret... Cold Steel makes some truly awesome stuff, I use the reputable quality product nearly daily, and I have nothing but good to say on what is obvious to most often acceptable goodness and some even greatness. Big Fan of Cold Steel for many reasons. This is a fun knife at best... not all that multi-purpose to frankly said not a glimpse of greatness in any one sense. Good job on the presentation... you could hear the disappointment tone in your voice thru the whole video that I feel reflects the honesty beginning to ending. Never saying it's a bad knife 'cause it is not - it is well made of good materials... just simply one of those knives that makes ya go hmmmmm? when driven to task in the outdoors.
Nice! Voiced with knowledge and interpreted experience,yet after reading others comments I exaggerate the minimal amount of viewers literary willingness to complete your advice. But I dug it!
full flat grind is superior to Saber grind .but you can have your opinion even if it's wrong . when your going to cut down brush or limbs try pushing onto the brush .if you put a little pressure binding it over it will take like one or two wacks to cut it all the way off .
I hope to buy one these in 3v in the near future, maybe the next time Midway does one their 25% off deals. I wonder if you feel the same way about the Recon Scout since it’s basically a smaller version of the Trailmaster. Always wished you had done a review of it, since, you know… I have one lol. Thankyou seven years after the fact for this review.
If one is handy and inclined to mod that sheath can be tightened up with some CAREFUL light application of a heat from a heatgun and while hot SLIGHTLY pinch/flatten the end of the sheath where the guard clicks in. 5 minutes with a file will dull that unnecessary false edge. The secure ex sheath on my recon scout is similar but is actually good and tight. My Trailmaster is SK5 with the black coating and has the old leather type sheath which has good retention. My only 01 steel knife is an Enzo (awesome knife!) and it stains/rusts no faster than any of my 1095 knives, perhaps Cold Steels 01 is a different variant of 01?
Gideon...Awesome! Didn't know you did many Cold Steel products. Can you please do a review of the Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto? Seems indestructible on the Cold Steel company video, but cant find outdoor gear reviews from expert reviewers like you.
Great review as always. I agree the sheath is lacking in the trailmaster. It's close to being really good but not quite. I see the trailmaster as an outdoors/combat type knife where the bk9, rtak, and Junglas as more of an outdoors/survival knife. For a knife as thick as it is it feels quite light in the hand and I feel that would make it more effective as a fighting knife along with the double guard, sharp false edge and symmetrical handle. I also agree wholeheartedly that it needs a good coating. Thanks for the work you do. I think your knife reviews are the best I've seen on you tube.
I have an MTECH copy of that Trail Master. It holds a good edge but only costs $20+. Any chance you would Do a video on the MTECH? I'd like to see you put it through the paces! ok Thanks
Thinking about getting the 3v or the San mai version..Absolutely love the recon scout in 3v and want the bigger versions of it..how's it holding up @gideonstactical ?
If you count self defense when it comes to survival, this knife may actually be a better deal then the "competition". Then again, I always carry a large can of pepper-spray for said purpose.
gideonstactical I wanted something a bit tougher than 440. What do you think about the Bradford Guardian series? Did you ever get you hands on one? The forum reviews arent really trustworthy without a visual to go along with it lol
People have been using carbon steel knives in New York for hundreds of years without any problems. As long as you don't store it wet and wipe it down with an oily cloth twice a month your blades will not rust.
Eurotrash4367 thank you. I did like all the Esee 6 reviews I watch. I am gonna study up on knife maintenance before I make my choice. I am generally a folder kind of nut lol
I notice you often wear the Outdoor Research freossi softshell - is that a great jacket or what? Also, i'm kind of surprised how aggressively it rusted. Most of my O1 knives that have seen exposure seem to take a gray sort of patina, or a surfical oxide which is easily rubbed off, with the gray patina underneath, but no pitting. Is that surface-rust or actual pitting?
I understand that he let it rust on purpose to test it. However, I love carbon steel blades. I’ve never had one rust with just a minimum amount of oil on the blade. And I’ve used all of my knives extensively and over many years. My oldest carbon steel knife is my great grandfathers knife. He got it in 1945. It has no rust. My great grandfather taught me to oil it well. As a young boy, I sharpened it for him and kept it clean. He used it to clean small animals. He was an avid hunter. I got it and others after his death. I also have one I got in 1972 for my birthday. It is a Kabar. It has no finish left, but has never rusted. I keep it well oiled. It’s also razor sharp. And it holds an edge very well and has seen a lot of use.
It would almost certainly be a good option for that. O-1 is not a complex alloy and it has plenty of carbon, it should work just fine. I’ve done the same thing, using a kit that’s made for guns, to a number of carbon steel knives and it works very well at preventing surface rust.
To me, the ultimate lie about the Trail Master is the name itself. It’s just not a chopper in the way the name implies. It’s a large, extremely tough, and totally effective combat knife, that can also do a lot of general outdoor utility work.
As do I. Batoning and chopping 3" trees is what an ax or hatchet is for. The amount of energy one would spend chopping a dead sapling into 18" pieces would burn valuable calories needed in a survival situation.
I want this knife and the Ontario bushcraft woodsman. Im gonna take a break from buying high end expensive knives and go back to the roots and grab these and tops again. There great knives and its what started me and I love em. Lol. Great review Aaron. Love your work bud.
This knife is fucking beautiful! If you love big badass knives you can't leave this beauty out of you're collection, like Aron said there are better survival knives out there.if you have had your eye on this knife don't be put off by this review just buy the darn thing already.the one I got snaps shut with aththority.after years of use the handle did get loose but cold steel sent me a new one in o1steel the I sent in was sk5.
Dude .....don't you know Rut-or-Antsy says FFG is the only way to go and this is a epic blade that is on his wall of acknowledgement! 🙄 Thanks for an honest review and yeah 15-20 years ago the TrailMaster was one of those have to have blades. I had one in Carbon V. I think for the price range Esee and others have well surpassed it as a wilderness blade.
bigchunk1 SC Hungelous, that is awesome lol! I died when I read that. The ESEE Junglas is badass! I have it and the Trailmaster and for camping and and bushcraft work the ESEE kicks the Trailmasters ass.. The Junglas chops circles around the Trailmaster.. It's probably the perfect large chopper..
I love cold steel folding knives. Their fixed blades I've not really enjoyed so much. The exception is their value blades. The Finn bear is wonderful. Not sure if it's being replaced/ discontinued by the mora clone they got now. But it was a hell of a $13 knife. And the gi tanto. Awesome. $25 and super customizable
fun fact: here it cost about 220 Euros, bit more in Dollars. For that much money I'd prefer D2 steel and a real handle. And maybe a nice Kydex sheath. But it's such a beauty... one day I'll afford one. and a new handle. and a new sheath... lol
Thanks for the review of the CS Trail Master. It seems you had a similar problem way back when you reviewed the CS Gurkha Kukri plus, The handle got a bit loose on that one too.
You guys forget , this is an old design (the 80's) . It was way ahead of its time when it first came out , full flat grind , 5/16's thick , awsome distall taper , craton handle, you just didn't see that back then. This knife paved the way for alot of modern design survival knives today ,all your esee's , okc rat's , and so on . It was truly one of the first 1 tool option survival knives made. It's a Classic in my opinion , I love my trail master. Arron , you must have caught a bad one , my sheath fits fine , slices great , I absolutely love the O1 steel, takes a wicked edge and after use I just strop it and brings the razors edge right back. As far as batoning , you just have to give it a good strong whack and it flies through the wood. And baton's are free , if it gets chewed up just grab another one or you can grind down the false edge and be done with it. . And don't forget about the Recon Scout , one of the Best 7in. chopper's you can get (imo) . I love this one too.
Many soldiers and Special Forces still carry these knives and swear by them. Still popular today and for good reason.
👍 you're absolutely right , mine also !
@@bluegrasssurvival9423 prove it
@@markhamilton3215hahaha you’re so bummed
I have my trailmaster now for a long time, maybe 20 - 25 years, when it had the sheat made of nylon. I used it in hundreds of fishing trips and all the weekends we spent in the cabin in the woods at our fishing pond.
Sure, we had all tools there you need, from a hatchet, an axe, files, hammers and two chainsaws, but I loved to use my knife exclusively.
The Trail Master never was the only knife I had with me, I believe in the right tool for the job, but all the heavy work was done with the Trail master. From battoning fur tree branches with lots of knots and full of hard resin, preparing fish like 2 feet trouts, preparing chicken because somebody had the idea to bring 2 complete fresh hens, saying "we put them on a stick and cook 'em slow besides the fire", yes, I found all kinds of jobs for the knife.
I never had the edge chipping, or the tip bending, and my huge hands are just fine with the grip. I am able to do a fair ammount of work with the Trail Master before my hands get tired.
I never had to put on a new edge. Just cleaning it, using the sharping iron for 20 strokes, oiling it with Balistol and it was ready to go.
I have some minor stains on the blade, not real rust but decolorstions. I sure could fix it with some sandpaper and maybe will do this during Corona virus lockdown.
This was my first knife from Cold Steel, and I bought a fair ammount of other knifes from them, some folders like the Vaquero Grande, some fixed blades like an early San Mai Recon Tanto, and some big knifes like a gigant Kukri.
I think that there are not much knifes that are able to beat a good Cold Steel knife, although I own some great knifes from other brands. Ymmv.
Love CS I have the Ti-lite,OSS,Recon Tanto,Kubun,SRK, and a couple more folders their names escape me know!
I had the original Cold Steel Trailmaster in Carbon V. It was stolen from me... while I was saving someone from a fire of all things. Goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. Would cost me like $300+ to replace.. I am sad.
sorry to hear that my friend.
Roy Fernbach who stole it that’s awful
Luckily I still have my original Trailmaster. Never used it, stupid I know cause I would take it with me but I used others to bash on to make camp. If true survival living times were upon us it would be the best all of everything knife to carry. Camping, killing, cleaning, chores for a long time. It would cost someone a lot more than $300 to get their hands on mine. But for the money I would get a bunch of BK-9's, 2's and Mora's instead.
Buy a new one and don't be sad fren.
You were a hero that day.
8:00 For foreign buyers (I'm in UK) the San Mai III version is a little more expensive, probably over $300! Also, the new sheaths they come with are real $hi!!Y, so one might look to having a better one made, adding to overall cost. {Note: Rob Evans from Wales did me a superb leather sheath for me). I was quite happy to pay, especially once I had it in my hand! What a joy! It just feels right. So I went outside and found a thickish dry oak branch to try it on. Wow! It cut like nothing I've ever tried before! I can see why this design has stood the test of time and is STILL the benchmark for this type of knife.
Too bad the Labour govt is making your knife illegal😱... won't be able to use it outside of your home... 😢
@@ronalddunne3413 Actually that has been the situation for some years already!
the only problem i have with mine is i cant find anything better.
Untrue
@@junmcl epic
@@eipi5173 LMAOOOO this guy aye
I've owned every brand bowie available and two come to mind: for best value, get a vintage W49 Western Bowie - which is not as thick, but it's thick enough, strong enough, and easier to handle, and also holds a better edge. If price is not an issue: the beautifully crafted Puma 8" Bowie. Forged blade and also hold a better edge (they don't chip either), and even though they are "tool" steel, they are chrome plated and hardly rust at all. That's the all around best production Bowie ever produced, IMO.
you know, about the plastic sheath retention problem, I had the same with a Gerber Strong Arm, and all I had to do was to carefully heat a limited section of that retention area, keep it pressed until it cooled, and then, Presto! the knife won't fall again :)
Hope it helps.
Excellent review! I purchased a Trailmaster the first year they came out...later acquired one in San Mai. I would never feel under equipped with them. Still use them rather often.
150 years ago a Cold Steel TM size Bowie was a necessity and standard equipment for many frontiersman. Today, it's still the perfect tool for cutting trails and trimming up around deer blinds. I never got into the batoning thing or chopping green saplings into stove wood size pieces though. I still think it's one of the most beautiful knife made along with Randall fighting knives and
Blackjack Halo.
That false edge is there for a reason. When stabbing, it helps greatly to go through meat and/or between ribs. Trail Master is first and foremost a combat knife and not simply a camping knife. Yes, you can chop with it but it's main purpose is stabbing and overall military use. The design is perfected through 30 years and is still in production, just like I said, for a reason...
No you are absolutely wrong. CS Trailmaster was designed to be outdoor/utility/survival knife - not a military fighting knife or dagger. The knife is too large,too heavy and too slow to be used as military/fighting or dagger... Yes , false edge they put on it , helps in thrusting, but preventing it at the same time to be used as intended- outdoor survival knife ....
Spot on! If fighting It's my Gerber BMF or Buckmaster 184 when its a bear I'm fighting. Neither of those are anywhere close to being a survival knife.
Lynn Thompson designed it to be first a fighting Bowie. He upgraded to the Laredo bowie and carries the Laredo as a defensive knife. Bill Bagwell’s school of thought that a fighting knife is best when at least 9 inches long and the sharpened clip is for the back cut. Bill Bagwell demonstrated that numerous times as does Lynn Thompson. The design was a weapon for when your gun failed or out (Black powder).
Leather sheathes can be custom made or are readily available as well. Once you beat and bang the coating off your knife, and you will, you're going to be fighting rust anyway even on stainless, or in a saltwater environment. The CSTM is a great knife, and with proper care and forethought works just as good as any of the others you named. Personal preferences for grinds and thickness aside, the problems you have are easily addressed. Most people adjust, build, modify sheathes to match heavy outdoor use regardless. A properly treated and made leather scabbard will probably cost you as much as a big survival knife now. I have 4 TMs and none of these issues, but hey, I've been a CS customer since 1988, what do I know.
It's all up to the user, what you can spend, how dedicated to tool maintaining you are, and how easy you want field sharpening and care to be.
Love my trailmaster. Suits me in every way, but no, it's not for everyone.
SK5, which was released on the second run of these takes an amazing patina with just a little mustard and time....no more issues in regards to rust. This knife can do it all - cook, skin, defend. It's amazing. Combine this with a red hill sheath and it's beyond it's already amazing capabilities. Has served me well for years and years.
you gotta love bowie knives
most of the trail guys and girls upgrade the sheath, so the sheath is a small complaint and all carbon steel will rust most of the coatings are removed or come off over time. That is a good steel and knife that can do it all.
This is one of those knives that I absolutely had to have just because it's a big flippin knife. I resides under my pillow next to a 9mm and a flashlight as part of my home protection. That's really it's most practical purpose to me. It's like a mini Claymore Sword..
Thanks for the video. I'm not healthy enough to be outside much anymore, so I don't have a system for a knife to fit. This sounds like the kind of thing that would be cool to have no matter what and might be good to have if I'm going to get into a fight. In some ways, this one might fit the Crocodile Dundee quote, "Now this is a knife."
Arron, do NOT like the 01 rusting issue. Will ruin the edge if it rusts there. Sold my O1 years ago. Now I own both the San Mai and the newly acquired CPM 3V. And happy now.
I just love the cowboy look this knife has, It's one of those knife I must have!
I bought a couple of these guys when they first came out. Made in USA. Carbon V. One of them was a factory second (and cheaper) but for the life of me I can't see any difference between the two. Is there a premium on the early US made knives?
YES! Collectible
Trail master? Uh, no. Cool, totally badass knife that I really want? Hell yes.
A very good, balanced review showing the pros and cons of one of the most hyped outdoor blades ever. Thank you!
Andreas Karsten thanks for watching
I am glad that you mentioned the lack of retention with the sheath. I sent an email to Cold Steel about this with the one I purchased last year and did not get a response. Overall this is a cool knife (if you get it for a deal).
I have one I purchased right when they came out. Good knife for sure. Has it pros with only one con that is associated with a large blade for fine work. My has the original leather sheath. Well made sheath for sure.
A lot of folks don't know the original BOWIE knife was meant to be used blade edge up . The spine was used to parry your opponent. This is why some have a brass strip along the spine so to catch a blade edge.
Move the strap retention screws to the top two grommet holes and tighten. You should find the sheath holds better.
Hey Buddy, you did a great Review,thank you for your opinion about the pro's and con's.. I have 2 Trailmasters, and I alo got a Becker BK9 and a Busse Bushwacker ... and to me, the Trailmaster is just a very classic blade. I think the Trailmasteris the benchmarkfor any large fixed blade. And do not forget, like some other fellows already said, that the Trailmaster is mostly a fighting knife, more for combat than for bushcraft. James A.Keating recommends the Trailmaster in his Bowie DVD ...
Say Heah Aaron, I have the original C. S. TrailMaster, the ricaso's we're different, mine is also in the San Mai 3 and the line of demarcation is alot closer to the edge like the Fallkniven's, They just don't make them like they use to, But I do have a Kukuri Plus in O1. ,, .
Under what circumstances do you believe you would lose the knife by having it drop out of the scabbard? How much time do you spend upside down? I’ve owned several Trail Masters. There is no large knife I trust more.
No moor rust brother “Ohhhhhh” that just breaks my hart to see that. I love my CS Trailmaster I have one in SK5 it’s my go to outdoor blade.
It's an awesome blade!
I like the honesty of your reviews, it what keeps me coming back.
Josh Ellington glad to hear it always want to be honest with you and the other viewers
Good review. I own a Tail Master in 01 steel. And you are absolutely correct about the rusting issue. I remember when I first received my new Trail Master. Absolutely beautiful knife design. So, I wiped off the thick coat of monkey grease that it came shipped with. I played with it for a bit, put it back in the sheath, and put it away. A few days later I took it out, and guess what? Yep, rust spots. I'm like WOW. So, in talking with Cold Steel, they recommend that it you are not using your Trail Master, and have stored away for any length of time. You should put a light coat of Vaseline on it to help prevent rust. Another issue with the Trail Master, is the handle. It you remove the vulcanized rubber handle..guess what? rust there too. The brass/ and or stainless steel finger guard is only spot welded at the base of the blade. I will never understand why after all the years that this knife has been around that Cold Steel have not made the Trail Master "full tag". And either heliared the finger guard to the blade or redesign the handle with a full tag. I guess that Cold Steel just doesn't care about listening to the public that buy their products.
Rick Williams good feedback!
Don't be an idiot and buy knives you're not prepared to properly care for. Then you won't be disappointed.
@@jorjaygonzalez how is he suppose to take care of the rust if it;s under the vulcanized rubber handle?
I've had an 01for a while.. I take a smaller blade and an axe in the woods but this knife is awesome! I keep it under my pillow with my pistol and light for home defense.
I have a coated version and really like it!
What is the name or reference of the coated version please ?
Did I miss the video where you discuss the lanyard system you use when chopping? I'm really interested in it after you mentioned it but I'm not sure which video you go over it in. Thanks again for the awesome videos!
if you don’t mind me asking, what are some uses for a Bowie knife. Doesn’t the big size become a problem for some activities? And isn’t a machete or an axe much better for chopping? Thanks
Fighting, and.....fighting!.
Thanks for the mention of the Junglas and BK-9 for perspective. Honest review. Thanks for posting
jassenswisher1974 always try to show perspective! Thanks and glad it helps!
That blade is a beast. Too bad on the rust issue. Great review of the pros and cons.
Cr0cket20 It is a monster for sure. Ya I don't know why they didn't coat this one. Thanks for watching brother, have a Merry Christmas!
gideonstactical Maybe their target buyer is someone who knows to oil it and knows better than to leave it in the snow for a few days.
+Andrew Greanya. Took the words right out of my mouth.
My assessment of my Trail Master is about the same as yours Arron. My sheath in more tight than yours. I can shake the heck out of mine. I would take my BK9 or maybe my BK7 in a forced situation over the Cold Steel. They made a VG1 (I think) with a powder coating that I think would be better than the A1. I have trouble with the edge chipping on mine. Thanks for the review, Aaron.
RDLaw88 ya!
I was running one of the lathes at school with a hand ground 01 tool steel cutter. I could chuck up a piece of stainless and turn the chuck by hand and cut it.
Thank you very much for all your informative vids. Made many purchases based on your analysis. Question...why don't you use a field ax when heavier chopping is needed? Thank you and always watch your informative reviews. You definitely know your stuff!
I have started using an axe more but there is a benefit to a large chopping knife
I got a Trailmaster back in the late 1980’s. And a year later I got a Gerber Bowie which was practically the same knife. I still have the Gerber. And to be honest, I can’t remember what happened to the Trailmaster.
At least you managed to keep the more rare one.
Love mine filed sharpness of back clip down and bought a custom kydex sheath for mine.
Gave your video (and the realities of it content-wise) my thumbs-up. This is a modernized nostalgia knife! Romantics of the westward conquests... many of us grew up with Movie Westerns and Cold Steel's often usage regarding overly dynamic names with shared tech from other knives to shave more margin vs. dissimilarities with every individual model. The O1 'flare' is quite irrelevant on the design plus geometry and likely primary functions/uses on this knife. Now, please nobody misinterpret... Cold Steel makes some truly awesome stuff, I use the reputable quality product nearly daily, and I have nothing but good to say on what is obvious to most often acceptable goodness and some even greatness. Big Fan of Cold Steel for many reasons. This is a fun knife at best... not all that multi-purpose to frankly said not a glimpse of greatness in any one sense. Good job on the presentation... you could hear the disappointment tone in your voice thru the whole video that I feel reflects the honesty beginning to ending. Never saying it's a bad knife 'cause it is not - it is well made of good materials... just simply one of those knives that makes ya go hmmmmm? when driven to task in the outdoors.
Alaska Raft Connection - Alaska-BushRafter excellent way to express ur opinion .. agree completly .. honest and fair.
Nice! Voiced with knowledge and interpreted experience,yet after reading others comments I exaggerate the minimal amount of viewers literary willingness to complete your advice. But I dug it!
full flat grind is superior to Saber grind .but you can have your opinion even if it's wrong .
when your going to cut down brush or limbs try pushing onto the brush .if you put a little pressure binding it over it will take like one or two wacks to cut it all the way off .
eat your weaties grow some hiar the then the ffg will split better then your bk9.
I used to have an old one with the Stag handle came with a leather sheath
What's better, carrying this, or a good hatchet combined with a 3.5-4" bladed knife?
I hope to buy one these in 3v in the near future, maybe the next time Midway does one their 25% off deals. I wonder if you feel the same way about the Recon Scout since it’s basically a smaller version of the Trailmaster. Always wished you had done a review of it, since, you know… I have one lol. Thankyou seven years after the fact for this review.
Try 0000 steel wool for the rust and then EEZOX for prevention. Maybe Marine Tuf Glide. The Sheath can be carefully adjusted with a heat gun.
If one is handy and inclined to mod that sheath can be tightened up with some CAREFUL light application of a heat from a heatgun and while hot SLIGHTLY pinch/flatten the end of the sheath where the guard clicks in. 5 minutes with a file will dull that unnecessary false edge. The secure ex sheath on my recon scout is similar but is actually good and tight. My Trailmaster is SK5 with the black coating and has the old leather type sheath which has good retention. My only 01 steel knife is an Enzo (awesome knife!) and it stains/rusts no faster than any of my 1095 knives, perhaps Cold Steels 01 is a different variant of 01?
Gideon...Awesome! Didn't know you did many Cold Steel products. Can you please do a review of the Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto? Seems indestructible on the Cold Steel company video, but cant find outdoor gear reviews from expert reviewers like you.
conanfa18 thanks so much, I want to this year it is on the short list!
Great review as always. I agree the sheath is lacking in the trailmaster. It's close to being really good but not quite. I see the trailmaster as an outdoors/combat type knife where the bk9, rtak, and Junglas as more of an outdoors/survival knife. For a knife as thick as it is it feels quite light in the hand and I feel that would make it more effective as a fighting knife along with the double guard, sharp false edge and symmetrical handle. I also agree wholeheartedly that it needs a good coating. Thanks for the work you do. I think your knife reviews are the best I've seen on you tube.
steeltrident Thanks so much my friend. That means a lot thanks for the support.
I've seen and made some sweet kydex sheaths out there. Affordable also.
I have one in the original Carbon V; I’m wondering which one, Carbon V or 01, is quicker to rust.
probably 0-1 steel
I have an MTECH copy of that Trail Master. It holds a good edge but only costs $20+.
Any chance you would Do a video on the MTECH? I'd like to see you put it through the paces! ok Thanks
It's rubbish
Thinking about getting the 3v or the San mai version..Absolutely love the recon scout in 3v and want the bigger versions of it..how's it holding up @gideonstactical ?
If you count self defense when it comes to survival, this knife may actually be a better deal then the "competition". Then again, I always carry a large can of pepper-spray for said purpose.
Great Review, this Video IS Why I love your Reviews, you showed The Rust issues! Thanks again for your work.
Wesley McCann thanks for watching!
gideonstactical , I always do, sometimes a day or so later but I catch up. When can we get Morale Patches?
+gideonstactical awesome man, good stuff arron! You ever gonna do the Ontario woodsman
+gideonstactical yes I bought a direct action ghost backpack and would love to rock one of your patches on my pack.
old geccko It's misuse. He even said they just wiped it off and left it in the snow! Of course you need to maintain ANY carbon steel or it will rust.
I'm interested in a review of the cold steel recon scout, do you have any reviews on it?
Now, THAT'S a Knife!
So nice!
What's the best stainless survival/tactical knife? Too moist here in N.Y. for anything high-carbon.
Mos Matic knives to look at, Fallkniven A1, or you might want to look at the boker dragon slayer 440C
gideonstactical I wanted something a bit tougher than 440. What do you think about the Bradford Guardian series? Did you ever get you hands on one? The forum reviews arent really trustworthy without a visual to go along with it lol
People have been using carbon steel knives in New York for hundreds of years without any problems. As long as you don't store it wet and wipe it down with an oily cloth twice a month your blades will not rust.
Eurotrash4367 thank you. I did like all the Esee 6 reviews I watch. I am gonna study up on knife maintenance before I make my choice. I am generally a folder kind of nut lol
Mos Matic keep in mind 440c is the high end 440. It’s very tough from quality manufacturers.
I notice you often wear the Outdoor Research freossi softshell - is that a great jacket or what? Also, i'm kind of surprised how aggressively it rusted. Most of my O1 knives that have seen exposure seem to take a gray sort of patina, or a surfical oxide which is easily rubbed off, with the gray patina underneath, but no pitting. Is that surface-rust or actual pitting?
Carbon steel tip: Bar Keepers' Friend (oxalic acid) will remove that rust lickety split.
Just use a potato
WD-40 will be fine I think. I use it for my EDC、my kitchen knives、my motorbike and many other tools
@@Wildwestwranglerreally?
Thanks!
@@戴揚-p8bthanks!
Sheath issue is not a fluke. Happens with my Recon Scout also. Could be the weight, but that should have been taken into account when designed.
The difference between a woodsman who hunts and a bushcrafter is evident. Thanks for pointing this out.
I understand that he let it rust on purpose to test it.
However, I love carbon steel blades. I’ve never had one rust with just a minimum amount of oil on the blade. And I’ve used all of my knives extensively and over many years.
My oldest carbon steel knife is my great grandfathers knife. He got it in 1945. It has no rust. My great grandfather taught me to oil it well. As a young boy, I sharpened it for him and kept it clean. He used it to clean small animals. He was an avid hunter. I got it and others after his death.
I also have one I got in 1972 for my birthday. It is a Kabar. It has no finish left, but has never rusted. I keep it well oiled. It’s also razor sharp. And it holds an edge very well and has seen a lot of use.
I am torn from watching reviews of the Tops BOB and your review on the OKC Cerberus. Which one would you pick if you could only pick one?
croatoan777 I would look at the TOPS HOG or Cerberus
So did the tree win or the knife LOL . At around the 10:00 min battle scene you did a walk away and left things unanswered.
That knife belongs in a leather sheath,just doesn't look right IMO.
Airik1111 I would agree with you yet that's my brother he fought the tree lol
Would the Carbon V or San Mai blade made a difference in your opinion?
luiz79 the steel is not the problem, it's the design.
Not a bad knife, but I prefer full tang through handles like the Esee Junglas or Survive gso 10.
midwestoutdoorsman I would tend to agree with you on my larger Knives
What do you think of the San mai version any good ? Better than 01??
Your Fault should of taken care of your Knife...you know what would happen...I think this is a Great Knife
Would you say this rust about at the same rate as 1095
Ry142 D yes
gideonstactical ok thx for the quick response
Remove rust and clean and apply EEZOX.
Does anyone know what a black hills ammunition promotional Trailmaster would be worth I have one
@gideonstactical do you think that this is a good candidate for cold bluing?
It would almost certainly be a good option for that. O-1 is not a complex alloy and it has plenty of carbon, it should work just fine. I’ve done the same thing, using a kit that’s made for guns, to a number of carbon steel knives and it works very well at preventing surface rust.
I always thought the coated sk5 version was better. I never understood why they changed it. I have a recon scout and the hand guard is loose.
To me, the ultimate lie about the Trail Master is the name itself. It’s just not a chopper in the way the name implies. It’s a large, extremely tough, and totally effective combat knife, that can also do a lot of general outdoor utility work.
Heat the sheath up and form the retention to your liking. Very easy to do with an oven or heat gun.
True, just shouldn't happen. Never had that issue on another CS.
I'd just buy a $30 axe.
Why, Bowie carried an axe when he was out and about exploring.
As do I. Batoning and chopping 3" trees is what an ax or hatchet is for. The amount of energy one would spend chopping a dead sapling into 18" pieces would burn valuable calories needed in a survival situation.
I want this knife and the Ontario bushcraft woodsman.
Im gonna take a break from buying high end expensive knives and go back to the roots and grab these and tops again. There great knives and its what started me and I love em. Lol. Great review Aaron. Love your work bud.
Ryan Caiazza glad to hear it!
This knife is fucking beautiful! If you love big badass knives you can't leave this beauty out of you're collection, like Aron said there are better survival knives out there.if you have had your eye on this knife don't be put off by this review just buy the darn thing already.the one I got snaps shut with aththority.after years of use the handle did get loose but cold steel sent me a new one in o1steel the I sent in was sk5.
Dude .....don't you know Rut-or-Antsy says FFG is the only way to go and this is a epic blade that is on his wall of acknowledgement! 🙄 Thanks for an honest review and yeah 15-20 years ago the TrailMaster was one of those have to have blades. I had one in Carbon V. I think for the price range Esee and others have well surpassed it as a wilderness blade.
Mine has a nylon sheath. Good enough for me.
Trying to look up the competitive options you mention. What is a SC hungelous? Tried to look it up and found nothing.
bigchunk1 "esee junglas" he has a video for it. Fantastic blade.
thanks
bigchunk1 SC Hungelous, that is awesome lol! I died when I read that. The ESEE Junglas is badass! I have it and the Trailmaster and for camping and and bushcraft work the ESEE kicks the Trailmasters ass.. The Junglas chops circles around the Trailmaster.. It's probably the perfect large chopper..
This was shot with really good camera work.
I love cold steel folding knives. Their fixed blades I've not really enjoyed so much. The exception is their value blades. The Finn bear is wonderful. Not sure if it's being replaced/ discontinued by the mora clone they got now. But it was a hell of a $13 knife. And the gi tanto. Awesome. $25 and super customizable
That one is pretty expensive. Can you test the black version?
I went to link on amazon it says VG-1 SAN MAI-111 STAINLESS STEEL! IS THIS THE SAME KNIFE?
no.
definitely a "heritage" knife. Great vid...thanx! :)
Can you put a patena on a 0-1 blade
James Lawyer u can put a patina on any carbon steel. lomg as it dorsnt have a coating
That is a nice knife. if you cleaned it and used metal polish on it, the rust will go away.
saw that big badass grizzly on your back, man I'd love to grab one up sometime
Hairdryer sheath tightening method?
Trail master O-3 or San mai? I want to buy the toughest of the two. I don’t care how much they cost. Would love your opinion, sir. Thank you!
Toughest? Cpm.3V
fun fact: here it cost about 220 Euros, bit more in Dollars. For that much money I'd prefer D2 steel and a real handle. And maybe a nice Kydex sheath. But it's such a beauty... one day I'll afford one. and a new handle. and a new sheath... lol
Think it will come out in cpm 3v down the road?
Scott Schneider maybe, but it would still not be in my top 5 knives in this size.
Tighten screws on sheath bud. U can add two screws in top holes and it will hold
Can you force a patina on it ?
saintrojo I am sure you could
Thanks for the review of the CS Trail Master. It seems you had a similar problem way back when you reviewed the CS Gurkha Kukri plus, The handle got a bit loose on that one too.
Discontinued now but I have found a few online I'm torn between this and the prather war bowie