Cold Steel SRK New VG1 Japan

S

spidanzas

Joined
Feb 11, 2015
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Just received this NEW (2015) SRK. Perfect grind and finish. Can't wait to take it to the Everglades.
Had the AUS8 but was not not singing praises. Looks like this pup is more precisely and sharply ground, + is VG1!.Anyone concur with my initial assesment before I use?
 
CS SRK is a very good knife in any of its steels. My only concern would be the hollow grind of the San Mai III. But I've never held a San Mai III SRK. I own two CARBON V SRKs, one of which served me well since the '90s, throughout my time in the service. I would have bought a SAN MAI III SRK already if it weren't for my reservations about the grind.
 
The hollow grind, is perfect for the working design of the 'Search & Rescue', in my opinion. for more refinement, then the Master Hunter.
 
you are gonna need a bigger knife if you run into one of those boas or pythons out there.
 
spidanzas said:
The hollow grind, is perfect for the working design of the 'Search & Rescue', in my opinion. for more refinement, then the Master Hunter.
Click to expand...

My oldest SRK has been used to pry up slabs of cement sidewalk and has stabbed through ammo cans.. With that in mind, I still have reservations about the perfect working design of the hollow grind. The hollow grind would certainly facilitate more efficient slicing but far too much was expected of my SRK beyond cutting. If my arm was trapped in a crevice and I had to either chip out the rock with my Carbon V, or slice my limb off with the SAN MAI III. I'd take my chances with flat ground Carbon V. But that's just me.
 
I'm happier with my carbon V SRK that with my Fällkniven A1 in VG-10 in terms of steel performance.

Why do I bring up Fällkniven? Because both the Cold Steels and Fällknivens are made in the same place by Hattori in Japan.

The Fällkniven is optimized for toughness and impact resistance (shape, grind, convex edge with microbevel...etc) and still I have had problems with poor edge retention (not due to wear, but due to breaking and deformation). The SRK is more focused on cutting well and less on harsh use, so I guess that it's V edge may even be less resistant to stress.

What I'm saying is that the VG-1 may be a better cutter, but it may need more care.

I'd certainly feel more calm beating the crap (read: "heavy use") of the AUS8 one than the VG1, and still I prefer the old Carbon V one in terms of tougness and cutting prowess.
 
I don't own one but love the SRK design. I do have some experience with VG-1 and let me tell you, that is not an easy steel to sharpen. Very rust resistant and holds an edge well, however. I'd go easier on it than I would the AUS8, San Mai III or 3V models, as VG-1 is a little more fragile.
 
DPC said:
I'm happier with my carbon V SRK that with my Fällkniven A1 in VG-10 in terms of steel performance.

Why do I bring up Fällkniven? Because both the Cold Steels and Fällknivens are made in the same place by Hattori in Japan.

.
Click to expand...

That is incorrect. Hattori does make all of the Fallkniven fixed blades. And Hattori does make the CS SM Trail Master along with a few other
models that have just been discontinued. But the SRK in SM, VG1, Aus8 as well as the Recon Tanto in those same steels have always been
made by Kinryu, Seki. These will likely be replaced with Taiwan made replacements in 3V in the near future as the owner of Kinryu has announced
that they will stop manufacturing knives after some 50 years or so. Kinryu made all the Seki SOGs (excluding the S1 and S2) until 2007.

I own: CV SRK (since 1989) SM SRK, FK F1,S1,A1,A2.
 
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KenHash said:
That is incorrect. Hattori does make all of the Fallkniven fixed blades. And Hattori does make the CS SM Trail Master along with a few other
models that have just been discontinued. But the SRK in SM, VG1, Aus8 as well as the Recon Tanto in those same steels have always been
made by Kinryu, Seki. These will likely be replaced with Taiwan made replacements in 3V in the near future as the owner of Kinryu has announced
that they will stop manufacturing knives after some 50 years or so. Kinryu made all the Seki SOGs (excluding the S1 and S2) until 2007.

I own: CV SRK (since 1989) SM SRK, FK F1,S1,A1,A2.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the clarification, I didnt know that.

I'd still be more careful with a VG1 knife than with an AUS8
 
silverds said:
My oldest SRK has been used to pry up slabs of cement sidewalk and has stabbed through ammo cans.. With that in mind, I still have reservations about the perfect working design of the hollow grind. The hollow grind would certainly facilitate more efficient slicing but far too much was expected of my SRK beyond cutting. If my arm was trapped in a crevice and I had to either chip out the rock with my Carbon V, or slice my limb off with the SAN MAI III. I'd take my chances with flat ground Carbon V. But that's just me.
Click to expand...
the vg1 model has a saber grind
DPC said:
I'm happier with my carbon V SRK that with my Fällkniven A1 in VG-10 in terms of steel performance.

Why do I bring up Fällkniven? Because both the Cold Steels and Fällknivens are made in the same place by Hattori in Japan.

The Fällkniven is optimized for toughness and impact resistance (shape, grind, convex edge with microbevel...etc) and still I have had problems with poor edge retention (not due to wear, but due to breaking and deformation). The SRK is more focused on cutting well and less on harsh use, so I guess that it's V edge may even be less resistant to stress.

What I'm saying is that the VG-1 may be a better cutter, but it may need more care.

I'd certainly feel more calm beating the crap (read: "heavy use") of the AUS8 one than the VG1, and still I prefer the old Carbon V one in terms of tougness and cutting prowess.
Click to expand...
sounds like you would love a 3v knife
spidanzas said:
Just received this NEW (2015) SRK. Perfect grind and finish. Can't wait to take it to the Everglades.
Had the AUS8 but was not not singing praises. Looks like this pup is more precisely and sharply ground, + is VG1!.Anyone concur with my initial assesment before I use?
Click to expand...
VG1 is an awesome upgrade
DPC said:
Thanks for the clarification, I didnt know that.

I'd still be more careful with a VG1 knife than with an AUS8
Click to expand...

I dont think thats necessary, vg 1 is not anything like its vg10 cousin, its tough stuff.
 
DeadboxHero said:
the vg1 model has a saber grind
Click to expand...

Unless there has been a change that I am not aware of, most resources I have found support my understanding, that that the laminated VG1 SMIII SRK is hollow ground. While I appreciate your correction, if I am indeed wrong, it would help greatly if you could provide supporting proof of your correction. I have attached some resources, supporting my belief that the VG1 SMIII SRK is in fact hollow ground, and without any support for your claim, I have sufficient reason to believe you're probably mistaken. I would really like to own a VG1 SMIII SRK that isn't hollow ground so I WANT to be proven wrong.

Here is an image from Cold Steel's FAQ illustrating how CS differentiates and identifies their grinds.

grinds.gif


The gradient reflection of a hollow grind is visible in many frames of Cold Steels own demonstration video and in other reviewers' videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2yxo8w4kpQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGjDoctf4jU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnAufSBwmRI

This high definition image shows a very good perspective of the plunge line and unless my eyes are deceiving me, a concave radius is clearly visible.
410051.jpg
 
The New 2015 "all black" vg1 homogeneous steel version that the OP has purchased has a saber grind.
 
DeadboxHero said:
The New 2015 "all black" vg1 homogeneous steel version that the OP has purchased has a saber grind.
Click to expand...

Bravo, to you. Thank you for the clarification. I had no idea that the OP wasn't referring to the VG1 SMIII version (which was available in 2015). The OP even commented on his favor for the hollow grind.

spidanzas said:
The hollow grind, is perfect for the working design of the 'Search & Rescue', in my opinion. for more refinement, then the Master Hunter.
Click to expand...

Searching for a reference to the all VG1 model I also found that CS is marketing an SRK in CPM-3V. Now that has got my attention. That steel might relegate my Carbon Vs, to a life of yard work.

Back to the OP, given the climate and environment for your usage, high humidity swamplands with transition zones of brackish water, I believe the VG-1 version (prioritizing corrosion resistance) is absolutely the best choice of available SRK steels for you.
 
silverds said:
Bravo, to you. Thank you for the clarification. I had no idea that the OP wasn't referring to the VG1 SMIII version (which was available in 2015). The OP even commented on his favor for the hollow grind.



Searching for a reference to the all VG1 model I also found that CS is marketing an SRK in CPM-3V. Now that has got my attention. That steel might relegate my Carbon Vs, to a life of yard work.

Back to the OP, given the climate and environment for your usage, high humidity swamplands with transition zones of brackish water, I believe the VG-1 version (prioritizing corrosion resistance) is absolutely the best choice of available SRK steels for you.
Click to expand...


Im with ya man, Im not a fan of hollow grinds otherwise I would have been all over that san mai version

Im stoked about the 3v version I think they released a batch last year but the demand wiped them out fast.

Cant wait for them to make more.
 
Sog Creed, or BK9 in day pack also will work. By the way those snakes live in the Matheson Hammock area too. Along w/gator sizes green iguanas, harmless.
 
Great you agree. Quite content with the VG-1 Japan! This SRK is far superior than their standard AUS8. Better grinds, and coating/finish.
 
Correction....SRK is not hollow ground,..I'm think it's a 'saber grind'. Kind of sure about that.
 
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