Cold Steel Trail Master Modified & Batoning Demonstration

The Cold Steel Trail Master is still my favorite large, fixed blade survival knife. I had this one modified by Justin Gingrich of Ranger Knives. The removal of the top portion of the hilt allows me more freedom to choke up and use the knife for smaller tasks. It also means I can baton on the entire spine, even close to the handle. I have damaged the kraton as a result, but this knife will be rehandled soon anyway. I also had Justin add some jimping to the spine. Whereas on smaller blade this can provide a surface to apply thumb pressure, on such a large knife it's really to create an abrasive surface to use as an additional tool - to strike a firesteel, or grind wood. These modifications are a vast improvement to an already exceptional knife, and I rate this a Must Have. 9.5/10

Category:

Education

Tags:

• cold
• steel
• trail
• master
• modified
• custom
• carbon
• batoning
• wilderness
• survival
• large
• fixed
• blade
• knife
• review
• bushcraft
• camping
• hiking
• backpacking
• icychap

[iTek42]

Hey man.. what'd you use to remove that backguard and add the chimping? I apologize if you announced this in the video, but my kids are driving me up the wall and I wasn't able to actually listen to your dialogue. Lol.

[icychap]

@iTek42 The work was done by Justin Gingrich of Ranger Knives. He's done a few custom jobs for me, including making my Custom RD6 (check out the videos!), and he always does excellent work. Thanks for watching.

[aseglkj]

Removing the top of the hilt, ok, but the gimping is pointless. Why would that be better for striking the firesteel? A nice square edge works just perfectly.

[icychap]

@aseglkj On the contrary, the jimping is very useful. Not only does it provide an excellent, sharp surface for striking a firesteel, but it makes very fine shavings when scraped across wood, making great tinder for that same firesteel to ignite. When applied in a sawing motion, it can even create shallow notches.

[envirosponsible]

I cheered out loud when I saw the mods! But I'm a knife nerd, so...

[icychap]

@envirosponsible You're going to love the mods on my Recon Scout, then. And you'll enjoy my next slide show - it has some "knife porn" for us fellow edged tool aficionados (read: knife nerds).

[Leiflton]

i got a ka-bar cutlass to try for batoning and chopping. it may not work as well at batoning because it's more of a skinny blade. it seems the ideal chopper is like a ghurka kukri, which may not be as good at batoning, so maybe like a cutlass design with more of a wedge in the blade-shape.

[spiritartman]

Just got my new Trailmaster. I don't like the grip - handle not thick enough. Do want to remove the top of the hilt as you did (Looks GREAT)! any suggestions on what do do with Handle. Love the blade although I keep reaching for my KABAR Heavy Bowie. PS the Ontario SP8 Machete totally out chops and Batons the Trailmaster. Not going to say I'm dissapointed with the Trailmaster but I already did. Maybe a few changes will change that. How do I get in touch with Justin? Thanks!!!

[MrWer1138]

Did you see the guy who broke his while batoning? its in the side bar vids I have had mine for years and never had a problem and I have chopped some wood with it on ocasion.I wonder if they didnt use a clone or something...

[EasternGateGuardian]

hey buddy, how's the rehandling coming? I 'd sure like to see the follow up on that! My own TM's brass guard came loose and, instead of sending it back to CS because it would cost me about 50$ with no assurance they would fix it, I am thinking of taking all of it to make myself some outdoor worthy G10 scales handle!

I think am gonna be blueing the whole thing at the same time...might as well!

[applevalleyjoe]

icy...how about a video of all of your modifications!

[MrWer1138]

@reachoutandtouchme Yeah I agree,If you dont have good calluses built up it will raise a blister pretty damn fast!