Difference between old and newer SRK's?

W

wahoowad

Joined
Dec 2, 2002
Messages
39
I have a SRK I bought in the mid 1990's - it says 'Cold Steel Carbon V' on the blade. I see new ones have Aus 8a steel. What is the difference between Aus 8A and my Carbon V?

I see a slight cosmetic difference in the handle pattern. Any other differences?

Mine came with a cordura type sheath that I never liked. Yesterday I broke down and ordered a Secure-Ex sheath from Cold Steel :p
 
Carbon V was a carbon steel like Case's CV, or Becker's chrome vanadium. The initials may not be a coincidence. :)

Aus 8a is a stainless steel, widely used by many companies.
 
The old Carbon V are great knives. I have one. The Navy chose them for BUDS training (Seals). This is a lot of work in the water. Learn to maintain.


I bet the Aus8 work fine for most users.
 
Carbon V is awesome (and very popular with collectors) but it will need a little more care and attention to avoid rust.
The newer models (in 8A) will be more rust resistant, though I would still recommend cleaning and oiling your knives whenever you get the chance, it's a good habit to get into
I've had the pleasure of using knives with both steel types and I found that the Carbon V models held an edge longer, but the 8A knives were far easier to "touch up" in the field.
Both will work just great
If you already have a Carbon V knife, then you have a beautiful working knife that is for many very collectable. A great find and I'm sure it will serve you well :)
 
I think I am going to pick one of these up soon, I like the grind and the overall dimensions. :thumbup:
 
The CSSRK in CarbonV (5 not "vee"!!) is my 2nd ALL TIME favorite in the companys' history. I have 3.

One is "parkerized" grey, like the old, (really old) USMC KBars, and it had that "poj cordura" sheath, one is black epoxied and stamped, and one is "bare naked as the day it was born."

It has been "maintained" to a high satin finish w/ Semichrome polish. I polish it about once a year, unless I use it to chop limbs, skin a deer or a turtle for the pot. (Wash as much CLP off the carbon steel as you can!) That SRK is my general "go to belt knife.

You know what Id really LOVE to see? Voyager XL clip in HCS!

I use EEZOX Gun/Knife care on all my carbon steel knives, unless I know its about to get elbow deep in a kitchen function for a few days, then I wash it in hot soapy water (Dawn dish liquid), and just use mineral oil from the pharmacy...NOT the hardware store. One could give you the "outhouse two-step", it is used for that purpose... the other WILL KILL YOU!!
 
RevDevil said:
I think I am going to pick one of these up soon, I like the grind and the overall dimensions. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

They are great knives for the money. I've used mine pretty hard, and I must say that it batons like a dream and has good weight for chopping, although the blade might be a little short for that.
 
Bugout Bill said:
They are great knives for the money. I've used mine pretty hard, and I must say that it batons like a dream and has good weight for chopping, although the blade might be a little short for that.
Click to expand...
Good to know that they have versatility, do you have the newer stainless version or the Carbon version?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top