History of Cold Steel Trail Masters (and Recon Scout)
- Thread starter jlauffer
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I’ve been trying to figure out/confirm what steel this Recon Scout is. Anyone care to check it out? Was told it is O-1, but elsewhere SK-5
Thank you for any assistance
P.S. it is a SecureEx sheath
Recon Scout Imgur Uploads
Thank you for any assistance
P.S. it is a SecureEx sheath
Recon Scout Imgur Uploads
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As far as I know, anything with O-1 was marked as such, so I would say yours is most likely SK-5.
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Thank you!
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I found a fascinating tidbit hiding in the archives. I hope its not a rehash, as I've never heard it before. It explains the limited production Carbon V Trailmasters made in Seki, Japan. See post #7 Old Bladeforums TM Thread
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Thank you VERY MUCH for all this effort!Carbon V Trail Master with black epoxy-coated blade/guard - #16CB
Period: 2002 - 2006
Blade Steel: Carbon V
Blade Markings (stamped):
Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
Side 2:
COLD STEEL USA
Sheath: Black leather, with strap that goes over guard
==================================================================================
San Mai III Trail Master - #16JSM
Period: 1998 - 2005 (San Mai III); 2006 – Present (VG-1 San Mai III)
Blade Steel: San Mai III and VG-1 San Mai III; convex edge
Blade Markings: There are 2 versions that I know of:
1) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
SAN MAi III logo
Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN
2) Side 1:
TRAIL MASTER logo
VG-1 SAN MAi III logo
Side 2:
COLD STEEL logo
MADE IN JAPAN
Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon
==================================================================================
Carbon V Recon Scout
Since the Recon Scout is basically just a shortened TM, I figured I would include it as well. I believe there are 3 versions of the CV Recon Scout:
1. First pre-production batch that was only available to the military for Desert Storm. Has the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and a slight recurve blade. Wasn’t even called the Recon Scout yet, and there were no markings on the knife (sterile). The blade had more of a parkerized finish than the later epoxy coating.
Period: 1990 – 1991
Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon
Blade Markings: None
2. First production version offered to the public. Was still Gen 1, and was now called the Recon Scout, but they were still sterile, and the recurve was gone. Blade was epoxy-coated. The 1992 catalog says that they were a Special Projects exclusive. I don’t believe they even came in a box, just a bag, and included a little blue info card. Most of the ones I have seen for sale are missing the card.
Comparison of recurve version (top) and regular version (bottom):
Period: 1992 – 1994. It is shown in the 1992 Special Projects catalog and the 93/94 catalog.
Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon
Blade Markings: None
3. Final CV version, with Gen 2 ricasso/choil, epoxy coating, and markings.
Period: 1995 – 2006
Blade Markings (stamped):
1) Side 1:
COLD STEEL
Side 2:
USA CARBON V
Sheath: Black Cordura/nylon (1990 – 1997); Black leather (1998 – 2003); Secure-Ex (2004 – 2006)
Misc: I acquired a very unusual Recon Scout off eBay a while back. It had the Gen 1 ricasso/choil, and was parkerized like the recurved version, but didn’t have the recurve, and it had large “billboard” markings on both sides of the blade. Only one I’ve ever seen, so thinking it may be some sort of prototype or promotional piece.
On the one side it is pretty easy to read COLD STEEL with VENTURA CA underneath. On the other side, can see RECON SCOUT easily enough, but underneath is not complete. Can make out what looks like ARBON and TEEL, so pretty sure it said CARBON V STEEL.
MUCH APPRECIATED
!!!
Bring back all C.S info forums !