At least as of 2008, the Cold Steel Trailmaster was a favored survival knife. Big steel for big jobs, helping to minimize my work load. It’s not exactly light (23.5 oz for Carbon 5/SK-5 versions, 22 oz San Mai III) but for some wilderness trips I've found that it is good weight. Also in comparison to it capabilities, it's much lighter than some alternatives. Nothing you can backpack with can split big logs and shear limbs (both varieties) as good as a Trailmaster. A downside though would be the leather sheath and the lack of QD capabilities for attachment. But at it's sub $100 price, the non-stainless Trailmaster rules. The stainless San Mai III is no less efficient but it is expensive. It would be best suited to the wetter environments where keeping the regular version rust free would be impossible. Also the San Mai version comes with the more preferable nylon sheath that's lighter and water immune. The extra length of the 9 1/2 blade (vs 7 for Recon Scout) makes for more efficient wood splitting, albeit at a four ounce weight penalty. And like the RS, it's 5/16' thick wedge-like, flat ground blade far surpasses other designs for this use. One significant downside is the leather sheath: it soaks up water, helps rust the blade, doesn't drain or dry fast, and is not quick detachable. If your system and YOU can handle the extra weight you'll be glad to have them once you get on site... they have no peer in these types of survival tasks