Cold Steel Trailmaster alternative?

[y53p]

I’m looking for a 8-10” blade bowie knife for brush clearing around the property and just generally as a chopping knife that’s as efficient as it gets on what you’d reasonably chop with a knife (wrist thick stuff and whatnot). The Trailmaster’s way too expensive for my taste (rubber grip, crappy sheath, made in Taiwan or even more expensive if made in Japan etc) but it seems to be the “gold standard” as far as deep-biting chopping bowie knives go.

What are some good alternatives in terms if bowie knives in that category, made in the US/Europe, with better materials in the same price range or lower? (Up to $350ish) I was thinking about the 1909 Michigan Bowie by Bark River or their Shining Mountain bowie but they’re not up anywhere. Any alternatives?

 

[w]

 

[jbmonkey]

I’m looking for a 8-10” blade bowie knife for brush clearing around the property and just generally as a chopping knife that’s as efficient as it gets on what you’d reasonably chop with a knife (wrist thick stuff and whatnot). The Trailmaster’s way too expensive for my taste (rubber grip, crappy sheath, made in Taiwan or even more expensive if made in Japan etc) but it seems to be the “gold standard” as far as deep-biting chopping bowie knives go.

What are some good alternatives in terms if bowie knives in that category, made in the US/Europe, with better materials in the same price range or lower? (Up to $350ish) I was thinking about the 1909 Michigan Bowie by Bark River or their Shining Mountain bowie but they’re not up anywhere. Any alternatives?

52100 steel trailmaster $122 bucks if ya hunt. it's new and out there.

 

[Arathol]

 

[Blue Sky]

52100 steel trailmaster $122 bucks if ya hunt. it's new and out there.

For the record, I did not need to see this.

 

[beeinak]

Skrama 240. Fantastic knife for a great price.

 

[Mk-211]

ESEE Junglas.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

ESEE Junglas.

View attachment 2858049

I would concur.

 

[Steven65]

+1 for all the above advice........... and if you want something a little bit more special, Bill Siegle will make you an awesome user at a brilliant price that won't break the bank.
Check out his forum.........

Thread 'Skyhawk Bolo run started!!!'

Feb 18, 2025

After work today I decided to make a blank for another Skyhawk Bolo………then four more Looking forward to seeing them finished up! Hopefully soon but I can be fickle with these things. When they’re ready I’ll be posting them up in the Knifemakers For Sale section

• Bill Siegle
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Siegle Knives

• 
• 

 

[oldmanwilly]

52100 steel trailmaster $122 bucks if ya hunt. it's new and out there.

Hold on: are you referring to the 9.5" Drop Forged Bowie in 52100? Or is there a Trail Master in 52100?

 

[GrumpySoreOldBastard]

This checks most of the boxes.

Wallace Bowie

Designed by Mike Wallace 9 5/8" Titanium Coated D2 Blade G10 handle slabs Item: KD40041 Overall: 15 1/8"Blade Length: 9"Handle Length: 5 3/4"Weight: 1 lb 5 ozThickness at Guard: 6.5mmThickness at Tip: 1mmBlade Steel: D2Handle Material: G10 The Wallace Bowie lives up to its name to be called...

apocsurvivaltools.com

 

[EatingSarma]

Hold on: are you referring to the 9.5" Drop Forged Bowie in 52100? Or is there a Trail Master in 52100?

There is actual Trail Master in 52100, and it is very affordable, even here in Europe.

 

[jbmonkey]

Hold on: are you referring to the 9.5" Drop Forged Bowie in 52100? Or is there a Trail Master in 52100?

yes they make a trailmaster now in 52100....not talkin bout the drop forged line.

 

[jlauffer]

And 52100 Recon Scout too

 

[oldmanwilly]

There is actual Trail Master in 52100, and it is very affordable, even here in Europe.

yes they make a trailmaster now in 52100....not talkin bout the drop forged line.

And 52100 Recon Scout too

Huh, yet somehow a Google search provides no useful information on this. I reckon I'll have to switch to another search engine.

 

[Chris*33]

There is actual Trail Master in 52100, and it is very affordable, even here in Europe.

Surprisingly (as far as pricing in Europe goes) you are correct! A really fast search came out at 200 euros, which is quite good for such a knife. I really like 52100 steel, i am not familiar with cold steel's HT at all, though. DLC-coated at this price, but you can always strip/sand the coating, i guess. Good stuff!

 

[Chris*33]

The "bowie" part makes it a bit difficult to suggest something that excels in chopping, not that i've handled many knives to be honest. The closer you go to "non-bowie" bowies (BK-9/that Wallace model that another member suggested has above) the better it will be at chopping, since they are wider along the whole length. The longer the clip of the bowie the more mass it removes from the blade, so it should be weaker at chopping i believe (except if it's longer maybe which would give it some weight back?). That been said, i'm bowie all the way, as well.

 

[jbmonkey]

Huh, yet somehow a Google search provides no useful information on this. I reckon I'll have to switch to another search engine.

sent ya pm with links and video that's been found on it.....

 

[SharpBits]

Huh, yet somehow a Google search provides no useful information on this. I reckon I'll have to switch to another search engine.

Skip Google. Their search results are filtered and overly dependent on SEO manipulations.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I’m looking for a 8-10” blade bowie knife for brush clearing around the property and just generally as a chopping knife that’s as efficient as it gets on what you’d reasonably chop with a knife (wrist thick stuff and whatnot). The Trailmaster’s way too expensive for my taste (rubber grip, crappy sheath, made in Taiwan or even more expensive if made in Japan etc) but it seems to be the “gold standard” as far as deep-biting chopping bowie knives go.

What are some good alternatives in terms if bowie knives in that category, made in the US/Europe, with better materials in the same price range or lower? (Up to $350ish) I was thinking about the 1909 Michigan Bowie by Bark River or their Shining Mountain bowie but they’re not up anywhere. Any alternatives?

Back on topic: maybe a small machete will fill what you're looking for, and for a lower price. Here's a couple of options that I think would work well:

The Baryonyx Machete

The culmination of years of experience and careful design refinement, the Baryonyx (meaning "Heavy Claw") is one of the few machetes on the market designed specifically for use in the North American temperate zones. Intended as a versatile do-all, the tool is loaded with features that quickly...

byxco.com

Imacasa

Proudly providing a careful curation of timeless tools. Family-founded, employee-owned.

byxco.com

If you specifically want a Bowie, then look for a vintage Western W49 Bowie - they were made in the US and are great choppers for their size and thickness. They are still accessible on the secondary market for reasonable prices, but if you want something newer then Bear & Sons offers an homage in 12C27N steel.