New Member

Hi, I am happy to be a new member here...I will be ordering my first ScrapYard knife very soon and am also waiting on my Battle Mistress to ship, so I am excited for these new additions to hit my collection(a modest one at that). I have a question...I have heard alot of "Bowie" talk here on this forum, as I am a Bowie fan as well, it seems that a 5/16" thick 10 1/2" long SR-77 blade would be the answer to some prayers. If you take the above described blade and compare it to the Cold Steel San Mai Three TrailMaster, as it shares those qualities(with the exception of being made from SR-77) although the TM may only be 9 1/2" long, anyway any experiences with the SR-77 vs. San Mai 3? I am pretty sure what kind of answers I will receive and I hope that I havent offended anyone...would just like some honest opinions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Welcome to the yard! Can't comment on the TM other than it is a laminated blade and yes while Katanas have always been made that way I'd rather have one solid bomb-proof lump of steel either sr77 or INFI for preference! CS only offer a 5 year warranty these days (unless I'm out of touch)- and that warranty speaks volumes... The 'yard warranty basically comes down to; "bring it on! For ever.."

SPEICHER - Howdy and Welcome to the Scrap Yard ! Like Paul, I can't answer your question either. However, I CAN say that the Scrapper 6 is an awesome knife, and I'm sure the Bowie will be also ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tom

Welcome to the scrapyard bro...

I second what Klink has said..the scrapper 6 is an awesome knife and well worth the $$$

Thanks for the welcome to the scapyard, I am definately going with a Scapper 6, I just wanted some opinions on the (over rated) San Mai Three vs. SR-77. For a minute I was considering adding the CS TM to my collection...but hell, for $300.00 I can do alot better than that.

Again thanks for the welcome to the ScapYard community

No kidding. Have you seen the pic below of the Recon Scout that broke while batoning from this bf thread: CS Recon Scout Fails Miserably? I found that thread after buying one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> That thread is what led me to Swamp Rat, and then here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Cold Steel's warranty is only for 5 years to the original purchaser, and you have to have proof of purchase, and they consider batoning or prying "abuse" and not covered under the warranty. If they don't trust their products enough to fully stand behind them, why should anyone else have faith in their products? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Speicher...To me, the $$$ you spend on the junky san mai from CS could be spent with a custom dealer that could make you a really nice knife for around that price...BUT...would be beat on it??:)

I have beaten MY Scrapper through some stuff and didnt hurt it a bit...Granted I dulled it some (:)) but that is to be expected

Andy...To be fair that was done battoning a frozen log, and IIRC CS finally hooked the guy up with a replacement...I will say that I have done something similar with the scrapyard 6 and it didnt care!

I used my Rat Mastiff all winter long once a week at my Aunt's house to split frozen logs from outside for the fireplace with no problems, and it's thinner than the Recon Scout. And I pounded it through plenty of frozen knots as well, no damage whatsoever, even the edge was fine. Some knots were so tough I pounded with all my strength and couldn't go through them. I got my knife stuck and had to baton it from the other direction to knock it loose. I think the only reason they covered it under the warranty was they knew it had been reported to the knife community and everyone was watching. Still, he had to do a lot of arguing to get it. They don't fully stand behind their products, so they must not trust them not to fail.

Those San Mai Cold Steels are sweet, but comparing the toughness of SR77 to laminated AUS-8A is the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing it.

Did you just place an order for an FBM, too?

Welcome to the madness!

Those San Mai Cold Steels are sweet, but comparing the toughness of SR77 to laminated AUS-8A is the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing it.

Did you just place an order for an FBM, to

Yes, I have ordered a CG Battle Mistress...and cant wait to get it, I did see that Recon Scout failure pic once before, and the excuse was that he pounded or put too much pressure on the wrong part of the spine (to close to the hilt)but is that still an excuse, when a SrapYard knife or a SwampRat knife could both take the same punishment and then some??

As far as the San Mai is concerned...when thombrogan stated that it is laminated AUS 8A,it has since then changed.To my understanding it is now laminated VG-1 and the two outer layers are 420J something or other?? does this change anything in your opinion? does that VG-1(which is not to be mistaken for VG-10,from what I've read?) make the San Mai any better? although I still dont see myself dropping three bills or more on one, like I said before the Busse family of cutlery at this time will be the only blade I spend that kind of money on, I didnt even blink when I saw that they brought the Mistress back, due to reputation and test after test that I have seen conducted.

Andy, good picture! I always wanted a TM- but jeez what total junk!! I wonder if CS means 'Can't Survive' or 'Catastrophic Shearing'?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

Well, maybe I am the minority here, but I wanted a CS Trail Master. I think they look great.....but now that SY is going to be producing one, Cold.....who? But I would perfer the Carbon V over the laminated just on GP! Something about laminated steel just make me want to move on to the next vendor.

Welcome to the Yard!

Patti <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

On a mongo chopper, I totally agree. On a small knife, it can be neat.

"Mongo" Chopper? What benefits would a smaller blade offer....from what I have read the CS standard center AUS8 is fecal matter....do you have a brand that offers a quality laminated blade or if you were to design your own, how would you have it put together?

For small blades, I guess those Spydercos with laminated (with 420, I think) ZDP-189 or the Mcusta laminated VG-10 from Japan. The mcusta looks a lot like damascus, pretty handsome.

In kitchen cutting and day-to-day cutting, a thinner and harder blade usually offers an edge that will last longer and cut with less force than softer and thicker counterparts. Since you only need the edge to be hard, having the surrounding metal be soft is good for both the user and manufacturer. For the user, when the sides are too thick to allow for low-force cutting, it's easier to hog off lots of softer steel than say ZDP-189 or S30V (been there too often <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> ). For the manufacturer, it allows the knife to be stamped into shape instead of cut into shape (easier and often less wasteful) which may not lower the price, but would lower the manufacturing time (for knifeknuts that gotsa have it now).


I've read both good and bad. In a knife used for chopping and entertainment, I wouldn't want any stainless steel (maybe H1, but I've never chopped with it). CS usually runs their unlaminated AUS-8A sort of soft, but that works great with their serrated knives.


Spyderco and Fallkniven both offer high-quality laminated blades. I have a Fallkniven U2 pocket folding knife that is a pleasure to use and many folks enjoy Spyderco's laminated Calypso Junior and Jess Horn with ZDP-189 core (I've got a ZDP-189 Delica from Spyderco, but it's not laminated. Thinning its edge on a benchstone took a few nights.)

SPEICHER: It is good to see you here too!! Welcome!!

Thanks TKC...its good to be here

I always wonder with laminated knives what happens if you are prying or really knocking hell out of something.. That must set up internal stresses between the strata (what if a poor weld wasn't picked up in the factory???).

While I think I'd rather have the INFI Scrapper 9, what do you guys think of Extrema Ratio knives in particular the big ones- and more importantly.. anyone tried to 'kill' one yet?

Yeah, they look nice, but we're users, not collectors, so performance is more important than looks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Cliff Stamp did a review of them if you haven't seen it. After only a couple weeks the handle failed and could be rotated. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Cliff Stamp also did a review on a Extrema Ratio pocketknife, the Fulcrum IID. If you wanna see it, the link is: Extrema Ratio Fulcrum IID

I had two Extrema Ratio folders. Not for me. Stainless and thick aren't a useful match. Laminated and prying, regardless of welds, wouldn't be fun if the edge is really hard (the whole point of a laminated blade...) and a waste of laminating if the blade is soft.

I think the TrailMaster would have been better served with scales, if they wouldnt use the Res-C

Might be an interesting project if someone were so inclined to peel the handle off the TM!

Andy I have seen a few of those reviews but not the E.R ones, so good find! Cliff's review put me onto SRKW in the first place... I was looking reviews on the Tramontina Bolo (great for the money!) found Cliff's site- then the swamp... sadly too late for the BR and CT (darn it!). Hmm let's hope there is a big Dan INFI knife in the next couple of years as Cliff loved the old BM...

GF the TM would be a good place to put micarta but not scales- washers like the SOG Trident!