New here...need some input

N

newknife

Joined
Jul 6, 2008
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588
Hello,

I'm new to the forum. Just started checking them out. I'm trying to decided between purchasing either a benchmade csk or a cold steel srk. I've seen some reviews and videos on the cs srk but haven't seen much on the bm csk. Can anyone give me feed back as to how both of them hold up?

FYI - I'm new to owning knives. This will be the first knife I've purchased since I was in scouts many years ago. I'm going to be traveling overseas...spending some time in forest areas and want something I won't need to worry about.

Thanks for the help.
 
I don't know about those but the benchmade griptilians and the spyderco enduras/delicas are awesome knives, come with many different options, shapes and IMO are a must have for the new collector.
 
If you are new to knives and sharpening, you will find the AUS8 of the CS SRK easier to sharpen. It gets razor sharp and holds the edge pretty darn well.

The BM CSK has a D2 blade. The D2 will hold an edge much longer than the AUS8, but if you are not a seasoned sharpener, it will be frustrating to resharpen it.

For a new person who probably has limited sharpening skills, between these two knives I would recommend the CS SRK.
 
knarfeng said:
If you are new to knives and sharpening, you will find the AUS8 of the CS SRK easier to sharpen. It gets razor sharp and holds the edge pretty darn well.

The BM CSK has a D2 blade. The D2 will hold an edge much longer than the AUS8, but if you are not a seasoned sharpener, it will be frustrating to resharpen it.

For a new person who probably has limited sharpening skills, between these two knives I would recommend the CS SRK.
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Thanks, that's good to know. I don't have any experience at sharpening so that's definitely helpful.

Could you also recommend a good sharpener? Something small for travel?
 
Look at the Gerber LMF II.... If it can take combat in Iraq and the other sandbox it sure can handle a few bushes.
 
Being a Benchmade fan and owner of several, I'll opt for Benchmade over most other production-made knives. However, I'll have to side with Knarfeng when it comes to D2.

With that said, there are other Benchmade knives I'd turn to before going with the Cold Steel. Namely: the fixed Griptilian, the Snody 220 Resistor, or the Nimravus, all in 154CM, a wonderful stainless that'll sharpen up easily and scare you when it is.

Here's a Nimravus or two:
BM-Collection-02.jpg
 
You will get many responses in a thread like this, by many folks who know alot about knives/steel/grinds/blade shapes/locks on folders/handles/sheaths etc etc. To help us help you, try to list the most common uses for your knife. We can narrow it down for you at least a little bit.
 
Have you looked at the CSK II in 1095? It would be much easyer to sharpen than the D2. For sharpening check out the DMT dia-fold.
 
the CSK is discontinued, just the 1095 CSK II is being produced. The D2 is stain resistant, the 1095 not at all. The AUS8 is stainless.
 
If you hang around here you will see that most people here don't care much for CS but most of their knives are a good bang for the buck ! :thumbup:
The SRK got some good reviews I think you will like it ;) I like my ColdSteel Knives !
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

You need to be aware of local knife laws where you're going. We can help with those. No sense running into trouble for no reason with an otherwise good knife.

I don't know about the Benchmade but that SRK is a workhorse. It is pretty thick though, good for beating on but not as handy for slicing or small tasks.

You might even be better served by smaller knives like the ubiquitous Swiss Army Knives, or an Opinel or two, or a Mora for a small but very effective fixed blade. All of these together can add up to less money than one big blade, which makes loss or damage more easily replaced.
 
newknife said:
Thanks, that's good to know. I don't have any experience at sharpening so that's definitely helpful.

Could you also recommend a good sharpener? Something small for travel?
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Spyderco Sharpmaker packs small and works good once the angle on the knife matches the angle on the Sharpmaker.

Go over to the Maintenance, Sharpening, and Embellishment forum and read a bith then ask a few questions. Lots of good knowledge over there. And quite a few threads on the Sharpmaker.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=794

Welcome, friend.
 
+1 on the Spyderco Sharpmaker. The key on the harder to sharpen steels is to never let them get really dull. Do a touch up after using for the day, or even during use if you are using frequently. The Sharpmaker comes with the grey coarse stones and the white fine stones, along with a booklet, and a DVD telling and showing how to use. I would really rec. watching the DVD, if you go with this sharpner. And don't be put off by the higher price ($50-$60) as it will last you for a lifetime if taken care of properly!:thumbup:
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

You need to be aware of local knife laws where you're going. We can help with those. No sense running into trouble for no reason with an otherwise good knife.

I don't know about the Benchmade but that SRK is a workhorse. It is pretty thick though, good for beating on but not as handy for slicing or small tasks.

You might even be better served by smaller knives like the ubiquitous Swiss Army Knives, or an Opinel or two, or a Mora for a small but very effective fixed blade. All of these together can add up to less money than one big blade, which makes loss or damage more easily replaced.
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Great point. Hadn't really thought about that. I'll be starting out in India (but may go to a few of the surrounding countries as well). Do they have any restrictions?

Also, what about the airlines. I should be able to keep the knive(s) in my check baggage right?

And if those knives are too big is there something "somewhat" comparable that would be a good knife that is a folder.

Someone asked what all I expect to be doing with it. I'm not really sure. I know though that I'll be traveling through forested area's here and there...sometimes for days.. and wanted to make sure I was prepared.

I was planning on getting a smaller pocket knife to keep on me but also thought about getting something a little tougher as well.

Thanks for all the help.
 
I've been thinking maybe it would be better to get a good folding knife or "smaller" fixed blade and then maybe a folding saw.

I was looking at these two saw's. Seems like the spyderco one would be better suited for caring in a small pack. What do you think?

http://www.fernknives.com/kershaw/folding-saw/626/index.html

http://www.fernknives.com/spyderco/spydersaw/1479/index.html


I would still be very interested in hearing what people would suggest for a good "survival" folding knife (If you were going to spend some time in a remote wooded area).
 
At the top of the Maintenance forum there is a Steel FAQ which you should read for a pretty detailed overview.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
At the top of the Maintenance forum there is a Steel FAQ which you should read for a pretty detailed overview.
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I skimmed through the part about D2 and AUS8. It said the AUS8 didn't hold and edge like ATS-34 (but neither of those knives use that steel). But there was nothing said about the D2 and sharpness.
 
newknife said:
I skimmed through the part about D2 and AUS8. It said the AUS8 didn't hold and edge like ATS-34 (but neither of those knives use that steel). But there was nothing said about the D2 and sharpness.
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D2 will hold an edge for a very long time, but you will have a harder time to get that edge there in the first place. People often joke saying "D2 takes a poor edge and holds it forever". D2 is a great steel but keep in mind its truly the heat treat that makes or breaks a steel. If your new to knives you will have a hard time telling the advantages of one steel versus another. Don't spend to much time one the steel, try to focus on the knife that fits you hands and needs more.
 
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