Cold Steel SRK

The Bear

The Bear

Joined
Nov 23, 2001
Messages
162
Cold Steel SRK: is there a better all purpose knife in its category of length and price?
 
Fallkniven A-1. List price is about the same, but the A-1 is, well, A-1
 
The A1 is a great knife, but is a little smaller. The SRK is a little bigger and more heavy duty, but comes with a few compromises. One, it is made of Carbon V, which requires some care, since it is not even remotely stainless. Also, the SRK has a fairly thick edge geometry.
 
The factory edge on the CS is a little blunt for a slicer, but for an all around camp knife, it's about right for me. I have re-profiled mine much thinner on an Edge Pro, and for slicing and cutting, it is fantastic. It is also very strong for general camp tasks.

There is a similar recent post comparing the two knives. I have no doubt that the A1 is a good knife, but I tend to shy away from stainless blades.
 
Maybe it would help if I read the first reply carefully before replying. I mistakenly assumed he was talking about the F1; the one with the drop point blade. The A1 is a completely different story. I would recommend the A1 to anybody. I have one, and it is a great all purpose, heavy duty knife. Dont let the fact that it is a stainless bother you. It is VG10, which is a VERY good stainless and takes and holds a terrific, grabby type edge.
 
The SRK is a great knife. Carbon V and VG-10 are pretty close in performance, but Carbon V is easier to sharpen, in my experience. I also reprofiled the edge, using a file, and ended up with a convex edge which is scary sharp. The blade has enough belly to make it a useful skinner (on moose, anyway), and the price is very competitive. You might find a 'second' at an even lower price. If I were to head off for the Arctic for an extended stay, the SRK would merit serious consideration.
 
Have both and they are both great knives. The A-1 gets the nod. The SRK is more of a sharpened pry bar than the A-1 though the Fallkniven gives up nothing in capabilities in exchange for better cutting and slicing. IMHO
 
The SRK is a great all-around general utility knife.

Very tough. Edge geometery allows for a good working edge and easy upkeep. You can reprofile for a finer, sharper edge if this is what you need.

Replacement wise you can get an SRK just about anywhere for a reasonable price. Also, if you're serious you can pick up a primo #1 SRK and a second for less $$ and carry or have available one as a back-up...and at a reasonable price.

Have used an SRK for years now. Wonderful product.
 
I just picked up one last week, So far i have found it to be a good all around utility knife, well suited for anything from cutting rope/wood to prying something open. Seems to be a good all around knife.
 
Originally posted by Nimrod
Have both and they are both great knives. The A-1 gets the nod. The SRK is more of a sharpened pry bar than the A-1 though the Fallkniven gives up nothing in capabilities in exchange for better cutting and slicing. IMHO
Click to expand...

The A1 is at least as thick, and maybe slightly thicker than the SRK, getting the "prybar" designation.

You can get a factory second SRK, according to my last catalog, for $26, so you can buy 4 SRK's for every 1 A1. For similar knives at these prices, I would go with the SRK. I seriously doubt that the A1 is 4 times better, slightly better, perhaps...

I have heard good things about the Fallkniven line of knives, and they do perform independent testing, to their credit.
 
Get a SRK second and call Normark to get an awesome sheath made. Laugh your ass off at the great deal you got, and go cut something. It is that simple folks...
 
I am currently working on an A2 camp knife for someone similiar to a SRK, but its 3/16" A2 with a full flat grind, and its a straight clip instead of a concave clip, it that makes any sense. Handle will be blue/black G10, and the blade will have a black powder coat on it. Hopefully the customer will let me know what he thinks, as it is my first camp knife :) HINT HINT LEV_K!!! :D :D I'll try to finish it up in the next few days and get pics up :)
 
Get the SRK factory second and beat the hell out of it. I doubt I will ever buy another first from Cold Steel. The seconds are too good a buy. Knives like the SRK and Recon Tanto were made to be brutalized anyways, so why pay the extra?
 
I basically like my SRK, HOWEVER, there is room for a design change, or alternate model, in my opinion.

I need a knife that can skin and gut a deer, slice steaks or dice veggies in camp, cut through a deer pelvic bone or rib (edge of the blade is laid on the bone and the blade spine is smacked with a handy rock) without chipping, the handle should not be too slippery to hold when I am up to my elbows in a rib cage and trying to cut loose an unseen trachea or an esophogus and the handle is coated in blood, the sheath should be nylon or similar and the sheath should be impervious to immersion in water or freezing, and the blade should be about 6 inches long. The blade tip should be strong enough to pry open a stuck paint can or hack a hole in a juice can without breaking or bending. The knife should be capable of holding an edge and be sharpened easily. Those are my requirements. Now add those of a uniformed rescue group I belong to, the blade should not have a military appearance (no clip point or false edge allowed as they do not present an acceptable appearance when viewed by the media, a drop point like the Buck Vanguard is okay), 7 inch is the maximum allowable blade length (6.5" is suspicous and someone takes out a tape measure to check), saw teeth are a no no (media appearance again), AND the sheath must be compatible with A.L.I.C.E. web gear. As we see the SRK with it's slippery when wet rubber handle, Carbon V blade, false edge tip, and freeze brittle sheath isn't quite there yet.

Any suggestions beyond own two knives?
 
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