SOG Seal Pup Elite vs. Cold Steel SRK For Small Utility/Small Camp Knife

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Stephen1337

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Nov 5, 2011
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I'm looking for a good small knife to use when going camping with friends. I usually go two times each week to the woods with my friends. And I need a small knife that I can use for general tasks and I have evened it down to the SOG Seal Pup Elite and the Cold Steel SRK. I really dont know which one to buy I've wanted the SOG Seal Pup Elite FOREVER but the Cold Steel Recon just looks like a good knife with a good sheath and nice handle. But, I really am at a stand still of what knife to get please tell me which one I should buy and I need these knives to be able to survive a year of abuse intill I get another one. Also, if I DO get the SOG Seal Pup Elite should I get nylon sheath with a pouch on it to put things or a kydex sheath. Im also taking recommendations for a 5-6 inch small utility knife like the SRK or Seal Pup Elite.
Thanks
 
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If these are the only 2 knives you are considering, the SRK will take more of a beating. I have owned both, and it is just more of a work knife. Holds an edge better, more comfortable handle in my opinion, you would feel the diff. in your hands. I own neither now though so that's as far as I can go with it.
 
I would take the SRK of the two that you have listed.

That said, I would likely choose a few different knifes altogether:

The ESEE 6 is supposed to be an awesome woods knife, and it has an excellent warranty (no questions asked). 3/16in thick 1095, FFG, a choil, and 5.75in of blade to work with. More money than the ones you're looking at right now though.

Ritter MK2 (Otherwise known as the Becker BK12). 3/16in thick 1095, saber grind, drop point, 6in blade and a thumb ramp. More money here as well.

Becker BK2. 1/4in 1095 CroVan, saber grind, drop point, 5.25in blade. This one is more in the price range of the SRK, and it is surprisingly good at smaller stuff given its thickness. That said, they're not for everyone, but they're worth a look. I personally find the Becker handle design great, and very comfy.

Any of these blades will last WAY longer than the year that you're looking for. In fact, they'll likely outlast you, and your children (especially the BK2, that thing is a BEAST).

Pics of the BK2 being put to the test.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ting-the-BK2-to-the-test-so-you-don-t-have-to...

Good luck man, and let us know whatever it is that you end up getting :).
 
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man of the two you mentioned an srk is the winner hands down. i really havent had positive experiences with sog knives, i mean like at all. i have seen a bunch of sog knives flat out break so i cant in good conscience recomend them to another forumite. The cold steel srk on the other hand is an amazing knife in carbon v. i dont know much about their aus-8 knives but they have to be better than the sogs.

id suggest saving up a little more and getting an esee or a becker. Esee's are amzing knives and have a bombproof warranty so your really getting what your paying for. Beckers are another no frill option that are a smidgen less expensive than esee knives but their designs really c enter around big camp knives. an esee-4 would be probably about the best choice you could come up with and you cna get one used for less than 80 some places. happy hunting.
 
I believe both are now made of AUS8 (nothing wrong with that) and I recently bought a new SEAL Pup Elite just out of curiosity since I already have the original Seal Pup (Seki-Japan version) and I like the Elite's longer handle and it seems like a pretty nice blade for the money. I bought the non-coated plain blade with no serrations and I like it better than I thought I would and I filled the front pouch with "Light My Fire Swedish Fire Steel." I found the SEAL Pup Elite at Amazon for $53 so I figured I couldn't go wrong and its certainly worth the money.

Of the two knives you mention I'd think that the SRK would work better as a camp knife, its a little longer and it's 3/16" thickness would be more useful if you were to use it to baton wood. The SRK is a very nice design, I'm not a big fan of Cold Steels handle material but that is a matter of personal preference and I've only had problems with the handles wearing on their bigger Bowie's from chopping wood.

Good luck....buy both ;)
 
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I bought the SOG Seal Pup Elite Straight Edge with Nylon Sheath. :) Thanks for the help guys probaley will buy the SRK later when im done with the SEAL.
 
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