Cold Steel Trailmaster: "Wilderness Perfection" by Nutnfancy

At least as of 2008, the Cold Steel Trailmaster was a favored survival knife. Big steel for big jobs, helping to minimize my work load. It's not exactly light (23.5 oz for Carbon 5/SK-5 versions, 22 oz San Mai III) but for some wilderness trips I've found that it is "good weight." Also in comparison to it capabilities, it's much lighter than some alternatives. Nothing you can backpack with can split big logs and shear limbs (both varieties) as good as a Trailmaster. A downside though would be the leather sheath and the lack of QD capabilities for attachment. But at it's sub $100 price, the non-stainless Trailmaster rules. The stainless San Mai III is no less efficient but it is expensive. It would be best suited to the wetter environments where keeping the regular version rust free would be impossible. Also the San Mai version comes with the more preferable nylon sheath that's lighter and water immune. The extra length of the 9 1/2 blade (vs 7" for Recon Scout) makes for more efficient wood splitting, albeit at a four ounce weight penalty. And like the RS, it's 5/16' thick wedge-like, flat ground blade far surpasses other designs for this use. One significant downside is the leather sheath: it soaks up water, helps rust the blade, doesn't drain or dry fast, and is not quick detachable. If your system and YOU can handle the extra weight you'll be glad to have them once you get on site... they have no peer in these types of survival tasks./////////////////////////// Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 9 out of 10 (10 out of 10 if with Concealex sheath); San Mai III version: 8 out of 10 due to high cost

[@JWilly656]

"The ability to handle large chunks of wood" haha qualities i look for in a girlfriend too

[@ItchingJ]

Cold Steel Trail Master San Mai III. It's not until you hold this knife in your hand, that you understand how beautiful it is. I had to order two because I couldn't bear to do harm to the first.

[@jays630]

Nutnfancy project "RULES"! Thanks for all of your hard work and for being true to yourself on all of the products you review! I just purchased the CS Trailmaster and it's a GREAT knife for the price - heck - GREAT knife period! There is so much junk on the internet - it's refreshing to have your video's to get a honest nonbiased review! Keep um coming!

[@89Wildlife]

Im sure it will get the job done if used as combat knife lol

[@IamIronWolf]

Slung an original USA/Carbon V Trail Master on FTX in the Alaskan interior (-20F) under my left arm with some white 550 cord braided up. I used it to drop 3-4 inch trees to tripod up for fuel cans to feed the yukon stoves. After going through several frozen saplings it sliced through the 550 we were using the lash up the 'pods like it wasn't even there. Should have never let my friend talk me out of trading it to him.

[@TheMulhully]

I just bought one based on your reveiw. I enjoy the fact that you tell it like it IS . THANKS NUTNFANCY keep it coming.

[@YokoWenis]

I just received this knife in the mail this week. I had to go with eBay because you can't find a new one in a store. What a solid blade. I can't wait to do some serious chopping with it. Great substitution for a hatchet or axe for backpacking.

[@nutnfancy]

Don't doubt that at all

[@jpepperdine01]

I am an addict... I have watched this same review at least 6 times... Gota get this!!

[@Albacorewing]

I have had one of these since 1993 or so. For the money, it is one of the best woods knives there is. It will do the job and feels light on the hip. There are knives that are bigger, prettier, and more impressive to the eye, but none that are better. For the hiker in a place where wood abounds, it is just great as it cuts wood well, and thus is great for making a fire.

[@nutnfancy]

Rem Oil from WalMart gun section. I get these blades re-profiled at Razor's Edge, SLC, Utah, USA. PM me for phone number.

[@torpilo]

not just in uk but in all europe..i had to ask a friend to bring mine from canada..check with the airline to make sure u can do that..

[@Liebreaker99]

just bought one today because of my observations, skills and because of this vid i am a proud owner and TNP'r

[@PHXGlock]

I went down to Merlo's Cutting Edge in the Arizona Mills Mall today and Bought a Cold Steel Trail Master made of SK 5 for $75.60 tax included, they are closing the store on Sat and all inventory is 50% of more off. They have one more left. I was looking for a Recon Scout or a Spiderco Endura but had to pull the trigger on this fine blade. PHX

[@1Adrenoline1]

Hey just wanted to thank you for giving me information on ALL these knives. I live in Maine and have woods everywhere but just didn't have the information. I bought this knife a long with a couple other that you gave good reviews and i got into camping and stuff. Im loving it.

[@Kevitivity]

It's burns much better. Plus, it a good survival knife like this, it's easy and quick to do.

[@robertcritch9896]

I totally agree. I have the Trail Master and the Recon Scout. I also have a Gerber Bowie, and a lot of other knives. But these 3 are my favorites.

[@Doggieman1111]

nice thing about leather with non-stainless is you can lightly oil the inside of the sheath and it will protect the knife.

[@menter555]

Never figured this to be a movie knife but this is the blade of the marine leader in avitar on his molle vest front

[@triplez300]

Hi nutnfancy or veri .. can you please tell me what degree angle do you reprofile to yoru TM ?? cheers !

[@gritloyal]

I bought one in Carbon V...b/c of this review. It's been out twice and put through hell both times....processed massive amounts of wood. This knife gets the job done and then some! The Trailmaster has lived up to the hype. Thanks Nutn

[@bones020694]

I would definitely buy one of these if they weren't so damn expensive. DAMN YOU COLD STEEL PRICEMAKERS!

[@nutnfancy]

Hey SP You have good taste in blades. The CS Laredo Bowie is an excellent blade and suspect the SK5 steel would perform just fine. It's also a full flat ground blade. I believe that the handle on it is fake wood ("faux") ie a polymer made to look like wood. But that's great by me: tougher and water resistant that way. I highly recommend the Laredo Bowie in SK5 from what I know and I will add one to the inventory some day.

[@moltenthoughts]

38 seconds in i had to stop and watch you hatch down a tree with the thing i couldn't resist

[@nutnfancy]

@YokoWenis I am glad that Cold Steel stood behind the product and replaced your knife. Do you have the same confidence in the new blade? Just wondering if you'll put it to hard use as well. -- Veri

[@nutnfancy]

No, it's just a preference. I prefer the better slicing capability of a 22 to 20º angle. A steeper angle is more durable hence that's why makers use it more.

[@rumptis]

I do prefer to "pitch a tent" in privet myself.

[@nutnfancy]

San Mai III will have a slightly brittle edge, just like my Fallkniven A2 Wilderness knife. A good carbon steel, while very susceptible to rust and staining, is much more forgiving and represents a better value. Get the SK5 version and don't look back.

[@wolfman011000]

Just bought a second hand San Mai III version for $364 (£220) new they are $656 (£400) here yet another from my Nutnfancy knife list crossed off. The SK5 version is $328 (£200) which is why i jumped on the San Mai version. Anyway thanks for all the videos take care and have a good new year God Bless.

[@eatsleepplayrepeat]

This is some vintage Nutn'

[@richardsharpe1863]

What do you think about this new O-1 High Carbon?

[@nutnfancy]

I have the Outcast in D2, watch for my review. I don't know how great the D2 will do in hard woods use though, it might be too brittle. Also its blade shape is less suited for wood splitting. Time and use will tell. It's hard to beat a non-SS Trailmaster.

[@nutnfancy]

The Laredo Bowie is indeed very fast and you make good points. In fact I just made reference to the Laredo in my Fitzen TANK combat bowie description text. Thanks guys.

[@asepulvida1]

just took it out and went down to 8 degrees...worked beautifully.

[@Bangalangs]

I like the sheath that the knife comes with. Looking forward to getting mine in the mail.

[@shcmoly]

Any takes on the new O-1 steel Cold Steel is using on the Trail Master for 2013?

[@megalizardfreak]

i just ordered this and the gurka kukuri ... perfect pair ...

[@deaton123able]

Mine came with a nylon sheath,bought it back in the mid-80s.

[@nutnfancy]

Sorry no, I have no sk-5 experience but I suspect it would be fine in the woods.

[@livewithnick]

I'll swap you the factory Kydex looking sheath for the leather one.

[@nutnfancy]

Yeppers on the Outcast. D2 is a poor wilderness blade choice: too brittle I think.

[@danielvandersteeg5023]

Why would you not put a expensive blade to work? If one of them should be able to take it, it would be the san mai.

[@WessexBladesHandMadeKnives]

Great but in the UK it is £184...$240 ish that is a scary price..the rtakii is £134 WHAT??? we are soo conned in uk this should be a lot less....

[@nutnfancy]

Hmmmm. Let me think about that... could be a good video.

[@asepulvida1]

Hey Nutn, Love your vids. I bought this knife because of your recommendation and glad I did. Went backpacking and everything was covered in snow/moisture. This knife was the only reason I was able to get a fire going. Thanks man and thanks Cold Steel.

[@nutnfancy]

Did it... look in my vids and you'll see it.

[@nutnfancy]

One is now in the inventory. Expect review.

[@trollforge]

It is all about what you want, out of the box it will probably stab through a car door, and do everything in the Cold Steel advert vids, except shave. I want to carve meat as well as split wood with it, I'll re-profile. As for the sheath, well, if you are hung up on moisture as Nutinfancy is, then you don't want Leather, if you are hung up on noise as I am, you don't want securex, you do want leather, I'll be making a leather sheath for mine, but Ill use the securex too. Can't please all...

[@SuperRip7]

I like the treelimb chopper.

[@YokoWenis]

@slowandpainless I didn't buy it directly from Coldsteel and I would assume the seller would say to take it up with Coldsteel if I was to want a money back return. I used it last weekend backpacking in Montana, but it didn't see any real batoning. I just used it to strip some limbs on some downed trees for firewood, and for that, the new blade worked fine.

[@YokoWenis]

@slowandpainless I think it's the design having two right angles between the blade and the tang right at the hilt that is a weak point. If that transition was tapered like it is on other knives (Ontario RTAK II), it would be less likely to break.

[@m.j.morshead]

over priced here in Australia at $269.i will just buy the ontario old hickory 14" for a fraction of the cost at $40.bugger paying an extra $ 230 for wank factor.

[@pissedoffwhiteguy6131]

+Mick M You can always pick up the Mtech clone. You guys get screwed on a lot of products in Australia. I know imported guitars are super expensive too.

[@nutnfancy]

All good points being raised here.

[@SIFLINT1]

for that price you shouldnt need to have to sharpen it and replace the sheath .... fail in my book .... in UK its $450- $500 even the rrp $250 is a bit harsh

[@CutleryNovice]

@sandythebear The SK5 Leathernecks had problems so they're switching to 4116 Krupp ,hand on to yours it'll be rare in the future

[@Redshift313]

As my Dad used to say... Experience... is learning it the HARD WAY !!! And since being an Idiot the majority of my life... most of what I know has been learned The Hard Way... i.e., Experience. That's what brings me here... the realization that I don't know everything... get MORE informed and NOT waste me hard earned money on junk that does not fit my setup and Bushcraft style. I Love you man... in a cool way of course !!!

[@StarshipSmoochers]

weird to hear that you didnt put the san mei to the tests, i was looking forward to your opinion. well, it does its job VERY well. i own one of these, and i´ve put it to the test. I love it. only problem with it, like with (almost) any other stainless blade, do NOT hit the ground batoning through logs, or it will chip freakin fast. beside of that, it keeps the edge perfectly, and its my companion of choice for most of the hikes and hunts i do. knives must be used bro, u know what i mean..

[@Petegrin1]

i wont buy this knife. becuz i can buy 4-5 srk:s in the price of one of those. i know this one is longer so u cant really compare them but i think that 4-5 srk:s will hold longer then one of those. but thats just me. if i had the money to buy this one with no problems i would buy this one but im not the richest guy on earth so i reather buy a srk and if it would break i just buy a new one. but thats Just me

[@KurNorock]

@firebark - Because the edge profile has very little to do with the overall quality and usefulness of a given knife. Most people who sharpen their own knives tend to just use the same angle (usually not the factory angle) every time they sharpen a knife anyway so most people reprofile their knives when they sharpen it.

[@pichnoufblues]

Greetings Nutn' When hearing your review about difficulties you encountered in your backpacking option whith tools there is a path I tested and kept: The Ontario SP8 -whith personnal mods-/ Mora knife / Leatherman tool. Secret is : SP8 is NOT a Machete, think about that and i invite you to try this! PLN

[@Wh1ddee]

I appreciate your passion and knowledge. Thanks!

[@trollforge]

It wasn't shaving sharp, but much sharper than most knives come out of the box, I will be re-profiling it though...

[@FallacyofMan]

Hey, Nutn, Trail Master (now that it has Secure-Ex) or the ESEE Junglas? I'd be wood-splitting and chopping a bit, too. Thanks!

[@CanItAlready]

If some kind of lubrication is necesssary, why not use something edible like cooking spray rather than something whose formulation is kept secret by the company and may very well be toxic to the environment you're trying to enjoy?

[@BigFiveJack]

Sir, What do you think about altering the CS TM for example cut off it's top portion of it's guard so you can baton closer to the handle, and to be able to choke up easier on the blade?

[@P226nut]

Hey nutn how about a updated review of this blade? Maybe point out things you've learned about the trail master since 08/09, maybe give more competitive options and have better video too

[@CutleryNovice]

@sandythebear Smart move ha ha it'll probably go up in value like the Carbon V Trailmasters did

[@nutnfancy]

Good safety tip, thanks.

[@KurNorock]

@Thetruthishere11 - Saw-Vivor. A saw that folds up compactly for carrying through the woods. Kind of a play on survivor.

[@nutnfancy]

Happy B'day Louie.

[@oudipoet]

i wonder what is your opinion on the san mai 3 version of this knife? i ll look forward to hearing from you

[@XTREEEME100]

yeah its a review, but a review that tell you the same thing about 10 times, yeah the nife is made out of metal, metal,metal, metal,metal, metal,metal, metal,metal, metal ...... we get the point, we are not stupid people that dont know what the nife is made out of after the fist time he tell us about it......... well at least i'm not i dont know about you. "ooo and i know he dint say the nife was made out of metal 10 time is an example"

[@LVPG2010]

@jefallijay Yes. You certainly might get a reply. I've received several. No, you don't have to kiss but to get it either. I've gotten replies on posts that were complimentary and critical. It is a matter of the posters "attitude" as well as a lot of luck. Considering there are more than 800 vids, you need to understand the game a bit. Here's a hint: Post your comment with the first 24 hours of the vids posting. This is when there is the most attention paid by the TNP crew.

[@Oblio13]

Bowie-style knives are way too long for skinning or butchering, and aren't sharpened near the hilt which is where fine work is done. The thumb guard does nothing but get in the way and preclude the use of a proper deep sheath. For chopping wood and limbing trees, an axe weighs the same and is far more efficient. A good survival knife has a 3-5" blade sharpened all the way to the hilt, a full tang, no thumb guard, and a deep sheath that doesn't depend on a snap.

[@jimmy202500]

Hey nutnfancy I've never done any true camping. Are you alone? Because I would love to do that sort of stuff( after a few good practice trips) but i'm worried ill fall down, break my ankle and be fucked. So how do you ensure you'll be able to make contact if you're in trouble. Or are you simply experienced enough not to get in bad situations?

[@xmahkaih]

Love the knife! But I gotta say, the best tools in the wild are these here: Tops Tom Brown Tracker, Benelli shotgun, and an ipod. Worthless weight? My friend, I do a lot of Survival, and I love the outdoors, but what is the world without music? Even in the wild. Even Les Stroud carries instruments with him! A mans gotta have his jams son...

[@nickpprimm]

@ headpopp360 the srk is an excellent knife for all around use but why get a 6 inch blade for fire making when you could spend a little more and have a full size recon scout or maybe a little more and have a 9 1/2 inch trail master. Just consider the capabilty you get for the money

[@DIESIONAENSEMBLY]

A fantastic blade with a piece of shit handle, and a badly fixed fingerguard. The Fingerguard will vibrate lose and the craton handle will loose up from the tang. I hate blades that will out live the handle and vice versa. For rough duty over long time its NOT a good choice! Very disappointed...

[@triplez300]

Contact coldsteel for San Mai trailmaster sheath around $80 another option contact redhill custom shealth for kydex sheath with leg rig around $150. I hope this will help you. If you not sure about red hill custom shealth maker just google it. His name is Bruce btw.

[@soul111smasher]

You not alone man, all knives are stupidly expensive here in australia too :( . Try what I do though, buy from an american website that ships internationally. Often, that is cheaper than buying it locally. If want to give that a shot, PM and I will tell you some online U.S dealers I reccomend.

[@4HI-4LOW]

Hey, just an idea but if you were to ground the swedge down flat, not only would it help not to cut the wood you are hitting your knife with while batoning, but it would save a little weight. Might not be much but hey every ounce counts. Great video and knife keep it up!

[@KurNorock]

Keep in mind though, I did reprofile it myself. The factory edge on my SP10 SUCKED.

[@bushcrafta1]

@magnadawg If you only had this blade all you would have to do would be grab near the tip of the blade so that you only have about 1-3 inches of blade showing. In one episode of dual survival Dave Canterbury skins a armadillo with a machete. so it can be done

[@satyratron]

@NoisemakerArrow batoning is the act of splitting logs by hammering a knife through the log vertically with another smaller log or "baton". search for nutn's winter firemaking video for an excellent example of what that looks like.

[@FalseSavi0ur]

hey im thinking of getting this knife but i just have a couple of questions about the different steels. i prefer the look of the stainless but im a little worried that it would get chipped easier when being used in the woods. can anyone help me out?

[@tamaplayer22]

looks like a good, solid knife. i probally wouldn't go for the san mai because it's too pricey. i like a leather sheath better than a nylon, i find it's more durable although it does absorb water. good review. keep em comin!

[@nastang87xx]

You are wrong. I own a beat to death Trail Master and that is a Trail Master.

[@tevers94]

The ones i have seen available today all have a somewhat polished finish, i find that good for survival, etc, but is it the same blade and handle. Or is it a new version that is better or worse?

[@Awesome_1789]

can you do video for only THE TRAIL MASTER IN SAN MAI III

[@brqde1319]

@noneactive How is discussing the weight of the blade, when you would want to take this blade, how it compares to other knives, and the functionality of the sheathe "rambling"?

[@magnadawg1]

How would you process an animal, ie. skinning, boning with this blade. Seems too big. I can see where batoning and chopping, it would be fantastic. But if I'm taking one knife? Thoughts...

[@20tom09gt]

out of this Trailmaster and the recon scout which would u prefer please get back to me as soon as possible please as im very interested in buying thhe trailmaster or the scout thank u

[@marksmanman96]

@ajsixshooter It's a knife review, dude. Nobody cares.

[@brianallen0826]

I cant find this black knife on cold steels site. All I see is the polished version for $250 and the San Mai for $350. Can this knife be gotten still for under $100? Where?

[@916OnMiNeZ]

cool knife but you said downgrade to a ka-bar umm ka-bar is much better quality than cold steel. just my opinion though. good review like your reviews nutnfancy. keep it up!

[@Perforator2000]

The only drawback I can see to that suggestion is that the smell of cooking spray could potentially attract bears or other predators depending on your location.

[@robed5277]

I was told that the trailmaster has a convex edge. Can I sharpen that with a lansky system or do I need a different system? Cheers, great vids by the way.

[@historyofmetal]

the only cold steel trailmaster i've been able to find has a silver-colored blade; i can't find one with the black blade. where would i be able to find one?

[@nkcbooker]

I'm ordering the knife today and would like to get a different sheath, but i am having a hard time finding anything but the the leather one. any suggestions?

[@megalizardfreak]

this, the junglas, bk9, or ontario ranger rd9 , which is a all around camp knife, as long as its under 400, so i think i can afford most large knifes