Made in Japan San Mai III Trail Masters and Master Hunters are gone

coloradowildman

coloradowildman

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Oct 28, 2009
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Sad news friends, the Master Hunter and Trail Master are no longer made in Seki, Japan. Apparently, GSM recently ended Japanese production of them recently and both are now made in Taiwan with VG-10 instead of VG-1. These two knives were the last full size Cold Steel blades made in Japan. If you were lucky enough to have bought one that was still made in Japan, hang on to it because it is now highly collectible.

I found this out recently after a friend sent me a birthday gift card for Amazon. I decided to buy a second Master Hunter thinking it was still made in Japan, as a backup to the Master Hunter I bought 3 years ago, which I love. I was shocked when I received one that was made in Taiwan. I would post photos but ever since the forums cracked down on account limits, I can no longer post photos (I need to find an entire day just to hand delete hundreds of photos because BF has provided no other way to free up space).

The good news is that if you're still looking for a Made in Japan Master Hunter, eBay knife dealers haven't caught on to this yet, and there are still a number of them for sale at the same price Amazon is selling the Taiwan versions right now. The Japan-made Trail Masters though have disappeared from online stores. But people are still listing them used on Ebay not knowing that Cold Steel stopped Japanese production recently. I've seen some great deals on ones that looked brand new as a result. Same thing with the used Japanese Master Hunters.

ALSO- Apparently GSM had the logo changed on one side of the Japanese Trail Masters and Master Hunters in the last 1-2 years. The Seki, Japan versions made more recently have the new style GSM Cold Steel logo and say "Made in Japan" underneath it. The ones made prior to 2022 have the original Seki Cold Steel logo. I end up finding a new one from an eBay knife dealer that has this logo and returned the Taiwan version back to Amazon. Quality is exactly the same as my 2021 Pre-GSM, presumably because it's still the Seki, Japan quality with just a logo change on the one side.

With this change, plus Kabar not stamping "USA" on their 1211/1213's any more and Ontario Knives going out of business, it feels like the end of the world that I grew up in. Benchmade, ESSE and TOPS Knives seemed to have survived as high end niche products, but my guess is that Buck's 119 fixed blade won't be made in the US much longer, or, it will be discontinued altogether.
 
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How did you hear about this? Are you only going off of having received a Master Hunter that was made in Taiwan? If so, that’s the CPM 3V version, not the San Mai.

Also, I doubt the Buck 119 is going anywhere soon…
 
that would be disappointing. not that I'm against cold steels Taiwan maker. they do good stuff. just liked the Japanese made san mai trailmaster. glad I got 2 of them.

I can't see Buck eliminating the 119 or moving production of it elsewhere. I guess anything is possible, but I sure hope not.
 
So are the $260+ Trail Masters made in Japan or Taiwan?

Not that I find any issue with the Taiwan-made Tanto series, but the 3V Trail Masters have that obvious grinding error and no posts have been made from people who bought ones with good grinds.

All pro-3V Trail Master comments I've seen were from people who like it and overlook the error far more extreme than what would make a knife qualify as a factor second and just because they like the knife claim it doesn't matter.
 
jux t said:
How did you hear about this? Are you only going off of having received a Master Hunter that was made in Taiwan? If so, that’s the CPM 3V version, not the San Mai.

Also, I doubt the Buck 119 is going anywhere soon…
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If you don't believe me, just go on Amazon and there's people posting photos of their new Taiwan stamped San Mai VG-10 Trailmasters. And they're not happy. I also emailed a bunch of the established eBay knife stores and asked them. Every one I contacted said that GSM started shipping the Taiwan San Mai Trail Masters about 3-4 months ago and didn't announce the change to the dealers.

And no, the 3V model of the Master Hunter and Trail Master have always been made in Taiwan and they are distinct from the San Mai III models. As for the Buck 119, ok, whatever you say. Nobody thought Ontario would go out of business because of all their govt contracts either. Now they are gone forever. Buck has already nearly doubled the price of the 119 in the last 7-8 years. I hope it stays, but I would never take it for granted.
 
Benjamin Liu said:
So are the $260+ Trail Masters made in Japan or Taiwan?

Not that I find any issue with the Taiwan-made Tanto series, but the 3V Trail Masters have that obvious grinding error and no posts have been made from people who bought ones with good grinds.

All pro-3V Trail Master comments I've seen were from people who like it and overlook the error far more extreme than what would make a knife qualify as a factor second and just because they like the knife claim it doesn't matter.
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As of the last 3-4 months, BOTH Trail Masters, the 3V and San Mai, are Made in Taiwan. Same goes with the Master Hunter. None of the prices have changed for any of these. Just that VG-1 San Mai IIIs are no longer made in Seki, Japan.

As for quality, I've owned and used several Seki, Japan blades since the 1980s when my dad was a Cold Steel dealer. I've also owned Made in Taiwan made Cold Steels, including folders and fixed blades. In my experience, the Seki blades ALL had great steel and heat treatments. My Taiwanese blades have been a mixed bag unfortunately. Several of my knife collecting friends have had the same experiences. Of course, everyone has a personal preference. But that has been my experience.
 
jux t said:
How did you hear about this? Are you only going off of having received a Master Hunter that was made in Taiwan? If so, that’s the CPM 3V version, not the San Mai.

Also, I doubt the Buck 119 is going anywhere soon…
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Here's one on eBay that just popped up- Link to eBay auction/sale removed
 
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jbmonkey said:
that would be disappointing. not that I'm against cold steels Taiwan maker. they do good stuff. just liked the Japanese made san mai trailmaster. glad I got 2 of them.

I can't see Buck eliminating the 119 or moving production of it elsewhere. I guess anything is possible, but I sure hope not.
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I thought the prediction for Bucks 119 was quite the extrapolation. And if it does come to pass I have plenty in reserve along with the iconic 110.
 
jux t said:
CPM-3V Master Hunters were made in Italy for a while. I did check your eBay link and saw the Taiwan made San Mai MH, that’s interesting for sure.
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True, but it's been quite some time since they were made in Italy.
 
sadly i'm not that surprised gsm would cut ties with Japan makers. I also won't be surprised if and when they cut ties with their Taiwan makers and get everything from China.
 
jux t said:
That would be the day I stop buying.
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Same here. But that's also why we have to stock up on the good stuff while it's still available. People told me that I was crazy when I had 15 Natchez Bowie's in various steels, you can't get them in carbon steel under $200 anymore. So I got a few here and a few there whenever they went on sale or clearance back in the Ventura, California days!
 
I got one of these Taiwan San mai trailmasters recently to see how good it is or isn't. not impressed. the grinds are poor. one side is missing most of the outer layer of the softer steel. angles are poorly done. be fine for a beater and I plan using it as a beater.

I'd say grab a Japanese one while they are still out there, if ya want a good one.
 
jbmonkey said:
I got one of these Taiwan San mai trailmasters recently to see how good it is or isn't. not impressed. the grinds are poor. one side is missing most of the outer layer of the softer steel. angles are poorly done. be fine for a beater and I plan using it as a beater.

I'd say grab a Japanese one while they are still out there, if ya want a good one.
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No good excuse for this . Just poor QC . :mad:

Taiwan can do much better . I have a Taiwan made , Black Bear Classic , San Mai , that's near perfect to my eye . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
DocJD said:
No good excuse for this . Just poor QC . :mad:

Taiwan can do much better . I have a Taiwan made , Black Bear Classic , San Mai , that's near perfect to my eye . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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yep. we have seen they can do great stuff. think it boils down to Lynn held super high quality standards. not so sure gsm even cares or to be fair, understands knives enough and what are the quality standards that apply.......
 
jbmonkey said:
yep. we have seen they can do great stuff. think it boils down to Lynn held super high quality standards. not so sure gsm even cares or to be fair, understands knives enough and what are the quality standards that apply.......
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The functional performance advantages of the San Mai "sandwich " have been largely overshadowed by improved mono steels .

If you are going to market San Mai knives going forward , they best be attractive and well finished . Collectable showpieces ...not just beaters . 🤨

Hopefully , GSM will figure this out before they burn the brand's reputation .
 
jbmonkey said:
I got one of these Taiwan San mai trailmasters recently to see how good it is or isn't. not impressed. the grinds are poor. one side is missing most of the outer layer of the softer steel. angles are poorly done. be fine for a beater and I plan using it as a beater.

I'd say grab a Japanese one while they are still out there, if ya want a good one.
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I think all those on the retail market are from Taiwan.
 
DocJD said:
No good excuse for this . Just poor QC . :mad:

Taiwan can do much better . I have a Taiwan made , Black Bear Classic , San Mai , that's near perfect to my eye . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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It is probably the grinds.

The 3V Trailmasters are flat grinds and the big reason to buy the Japanese -made San Mai Trailmasters is not the San Mai but the full convex grind which is very rare in knives.

I think the factories in Taiwan can make quality hollow grind knives but have problems with any other grind, even saber grinds.
 
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