Friends of the Blade 42: the Trailmaster - an iconic figthing knife

the Cold Steel TRAIL MASTER is an iconic knife ... since 40 years!
For more very good info on the TRAILMASTER, you might have a look here:
www.jamesakeating.com/JakF.html
www.bladeforums.com/threads/h...
• Cold Steel Trailmaster...
• Does It Master The Tra...
www.coldsteel.com/catalog-arc...
Cheers !

[@JamesPawson]

Funny you should just post this, I just bought my first Bowie knife (a cheap one, Mossy Oak Wood Bowie, ) just a few days ago. I was sure looking at the Trailmaster, wishing I could afford it.. or the Cold Steel Frontier Bowie, which I love the look of.

[@Erik1970Viking]

Hi James, congrats to your new MossyOak Bowie.. i just looked it up, it looks quite sturdy .. you probably will have lots of fun with your knife! i think, it all depends on what you plan to do with it ... me, i like to study "Bowie knife fencing" in the way James A. Keating teaches it .. just look up "James A.Keating Bowie Knife", you will find good info. He is a great guy ... Cheers, Erik

[@powerplay4real174]

Two Treasurable blade Erik , good to see your still enthusiastic about blade pal 🎯🎯 🎖️🪖🥇🪖🎖️

[@dtmlavaca]

Hello Erik. 👋 Good to see you again.

[@Erik1970Viking]

Thank you, my friend, that's very kind :-)

[@RexRenart]

I didn't think the trailmaster is ready for big knife fighting system. The guard is too small and the back cut isn't sharp. But the cold Steel Frontier for exemple is a real fighting bowie.

[@Erik1970Viking]

Hi Rex, thanks for your input, and i understand why you think so - yes, the Trailmaster guard is a bit small, so maybe just a "blade stopper" but no "blade catcher". In his Comtec Videos, James Keating recommends the Trailmaster a lot, maybe due to lack of affordable alternatives in the 80s .. The Hells Belle ist lighter and faster and has a real blade catcher. - Nonetheless, i like the Trailmaster a lot. The point geometry is really really cool for direct forward thrusts. - Regarding the newer CS models, like the Natches and Laredo, i am somewhat bit sceptical due to this cable-tang design in the grip. Bit the Frontier surely must be a good massive one. Maybe slightly too heavy ?? do not know, i have not handled a frontier so far. But i guess the frontier is similar to the SVÖRD von-Tempsky Bowie, which i adore, and which is beefy and heavy. - Cheers, Erik