Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie San Mai 18

So good I have bought this knife twice….nuff said? Had an og in carbon v and after beating that to hell and back, I sourced years ago the San mai version. On its third handle! So good I have worn its handle out twice. She’s now a custom beauty but for the money probably the best Bowie available ? If you have the means I highly recommend picking one up

Unbelievable. That's the only adjective I fell is close enough to describe the Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowtie San Mai! I've been looking to add a Bowie Knife to my collection for quite some time,but just couldn't make my mind up which one. I knew I wanted something special that would not only look good on display in my collection but would also perform to the maximum. Now I've been a keen knife collector and aficionado for many many years,having started my first collection when I was just 16 years old under the watchful eyes of my father and in January I will be 60 ,but even so I just wasn't sure were to start. Should I go for a Falkniven Modern Bowie with its cos laminated steel or a John Newell Buffalo Horn. Or maybe a Svord Von Tempsky Bowie. Each one has its merits. Everyone knows I've long been an advocate of Cold Steel Knives,but did I need a change. Unable to decide on my own I rang Nick at HH,who gave me a few ideas but unfortunately before I could make my mind up and order I ended up in hospital again. That was 3 weeks ago. Yesterday I rang H H again and this time it was Richard that answered the phone. Like everyone else at HH he is passionate about his job and so took the time to discuss the various merits of the 3 knives on my shortlist, finishing with the Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, which like the Falkniven is also made of laminated steels,(See the video).San Mai steel is well proven and has been around now for a few years. In fact I'd already purchased a Tai Pan a few years ago and it's been the pride of my collection ever since, so why change.I duly ordered a CS Trailmaster yesterday at 2.15pm. It arrived this morning at 9.30am by UPS. Talk about service! I couldn't wait to open the box, feeling a bit like a kid at Christmas. I then sat and literally oggled this Unbelievable knife from every angle for an hour. I have to say it's everything Cold Steel say it is and more! From the ample grip down to the full tsuba styled full stainless steel guard I could feel the forward weighted blade and it was easy to imagine the tremendous chopping or slashing power of this knife.I have pretty big hands but theirs plenty of room for a good solid and safe grip,even with work gloves on. Looking down the spine of the 7.5 mm thick blade that looks like a steel girder, strong enough to walk on you can see the thick lamination if you look carefully.Turn the blade sideways on to see the full power of the 3.7cm blade of this colossal knife. Why did I even think about buying something else. If I was younger and still using a knife in the field I could use this for every heavy task going and never need to replace it! But instead it will have to do as the new top dog in my collection.. Thanks to all at HH for their usual fantastic standards of service, with special thanks to Richard for the time he took yesterday to ensure I got a knife I'd be over the moon with. Many many thanks, Dr C Sands.PHD.

I have used the knife twice and it has chipped the blade in several places near the end of the blade. I was using the knife to make feather sticks in my local woods and was putting it through its paces by hacking at some heavy wood. When I got home and cleaned the blade I noticed it hadn't held up as I hoped to some tuff abuse. I have purchased this knife from heinnie but unfortunately I am unimpressed by the cold steel brand.

Ive had my trailmaster for 20 years, it dose the jobs a big knife should do very well, I do have a few other knives around the same size, i dont feel they match up to the trailmaster, useing this knife hundreds of times from chopping to cutting up my veg , i can say you wont be sorry you bought this knife.

You have to hold this in your hand and see it in the metal to really appreciate the build quality and beauty of it. It minces through logs when batoning, chops like a beast and the convex edge is great for cross cut batoning after splitting. I would have liked a better finish on the sheath, it doesn't seem to match the quality of the knife, it has good retention and looks and feels really tough though, and I love cordura sheaths. This knife will definitely be a firm favoutite, no regrets at all about spending the £££.

I love a convex edge, have used all the big knives, inlcuding other CS models and the Falk, even the BBM, to be honest if you can afford any of them they are all good. I chose the TM in San Mai because, it is heavy, strong in a prying fashion, thick, longer than most but small enough to keep using all day, no blade coating and has that convex edge which is simply worth all the money. Stainless as well, it's not perfect though, sheath is simple and could be more pack friendly and knife possibly needs jimping and a choil, which I am currently sorting on mine, however imho this is the "big Chopper" to get.

I have owned and used 4 trail master bowies and several other large knives, this one in my opinion is the best of the lot! excellent balance, chops, splits and performs really well at all heavy tasks. keeps an edge very well and with a bit of practice can be used for lighter tasks. If your in the market for a Cold Steel bowie the sk5 models ok but a little lighter than the san mai. Go for it pay the extra and get the san mai!