SRK and Master Hunter in upgraded steel?

UCPOPO

UCPOPO

Joined
Dec 2, 2010
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I have the Trail Master and Recon Scout in the new O1 steel models and love them. Do the Cold Steel mods know if Cold Steel has any plans to upgrade the steel used in the SRK, Recon Tanto and Master Hunter? While I like AUS8A and San Mai III models, I would love to see them offered in the O1 steel and I think they would be huge hits. Thanks of any info.
 
I'll never say no to knife improvements as long as they don't drive the price up too much. I waited till the O-1 RS came out to buy one (thanks UCPOPO!). I will say though, that after watching that AUS8 SRK abuse test vid, it's hard to really argue that it needs a steel upgrade.
 
I'm not verse in the various steels but is going from SK5 to 01 an "upgrade"?
And would going from a stainless AUS 8A to a tool steel 01 be an "upgrade"?
 
Hmm, I prefer the master hunter in a stainless, since it is going to be covered in blood and fur for substantial periods of time (mine is when I use it, and then I drop it in a bucket of soapy water for the long drive home). And as for the SRK-it is a hard use e&e/survival knife-a jack of all trades, master of none. So a steel that needs less maintenance (while AUS8 can rust a little, a wipe down when wet, is all it needs to prevent rust-rather than oiling and constant wiping that O-1 needs).

And if I want an upgrade in steel (I did on my Master Hunter) I can go for San Mai III.
 
KenHash said:
Thanks. But which is "yes" and why?
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To me O1 is an upgrade from both SK5 and AUS8A. However, I can see where some could prefer AUS8A and San Mai III for rust resistance but O1 preforms much like the older Carbon V which I am a big fan of. It sharpens up amazingly and holds an edge quite well.
 
My two favorite CS knives happen to be Carbon V Made in USA SRK and Master Hunter which I bought in 1990 and 1994.
I am very much a fan of Carbon V. I consider these knives indestructible. But I do have the San Mai III versions of both knives as well.
I have never owned an SK5 knife but I understand it to be a carbon steel, as is 01. And both are made in Taiwan.
While I understand that 01 tool steel is sourced in the U.S. while SK5 is from Japan, it's not like the 01 version knives are being made in the US again. Call me a cynic but I tend to think CS went to 01 to reduce costs rather than to give the customer a "better steel".
Bear in mind that "reducing costs" is a way for a company to remain competitive, and I'd rather see CS continue than be put out of business.
 
KenHash said:
My two favorite CS knives happen to be Carbon V Made in USA SRK and Master Hunter which I bought in 1990 and 1994.
I am very much a fan of Carbon V. I consider these knives indestructible. But I do have the San Mai III versions of both knives as well.
I have never owned an SK5 knife but I understand it to be a carbon steel, as is 01. And both are made in Taiwan.
While I understand that 01 tool steel is sourced in the U.S. while SK5 is from Japan, it's not like the 01 version knives are being made in the US again. Call me a cynic but I tend to think CS went to 01 to reduce costs rather than to give the customer a "better steel".
Bear in mind that "reducing costs" is a way for a company to remain competitive, and I'd rather see CS continue than be put out of business.
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I disagree. Cold Steel is stepping up their game and offering new steel options that are an upgrade. I've heard from a few people at Cold Steel that O1 is more expensive then SK5 but it's closer to the performance of the older Carbon V then SK5. Cold Steel has said they will be changing their 1055 steel offerings to 1085 (or SK5) in the near future. They also recently produced the Warcraft series in 3V and they are improving the steels in some of the folders to CTS-XHP. Those are all more expensive steels and will not cut costs but will offer a nice change to their line of knives.
 
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I could be wrong but I always felt that Cold Steels laminated San Mia III is tougher with better edge retention than AUS 8, Sk5, Carbon v and 01.
 
FTR-14c said:
I could be wrong but I always felt that Cold Steels laminated San Mia III is tougher with better edge retention than AUS 8, Sk5, Carbon v and 01.
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Don't get me wrong, I like SMIII but I don't think it's anywhere near as tough as Carbon V or O1. Edge retention is good with SMIII but the impact strength (aka chopping) is superior in SK5, Carbon V or O1. Any laminate steel will be more likely to chip then a solid high carbon steel.
 
UCPOPO said:
I disagree. Cold Steel is stepping up their game and offering new steel options that are an upgrade. I've heard from a few people at Cold Steel that O1 is more expensive then SK5 but it's closer to the performance of the older Carbon V then SK5. Cold Steel has said they will be changing there 1055 steel offerings to 1085 (or SK5) in the near future. They also recently produced the Warcraft series in 3V and they are improving the steels in some of the folders to CTS-XHP. Those are all more expensive steels and will not cut costs but will offer a nice change to their line of knives.
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I don't doubt that going to CTS-XHP on their folders would be an upgrade. And I am not addressing the Warcraft series or anything other
than the old established fixed blades that started with Carbon V and went to SK5 or AUS 8A and are now going to 01.
If 01 is more expensive than SK5 what is the incentive for CS to change? I haven't heard of consumer complaints about SK5 or AUS 8A
versions of CS's fixed blades. Have you? Maybe I just haven't heard.
Anyway, I'm just looking for someone to give me a reason why if I have a SK5 or AUS 8A version of something I should go for
the 01 version.

FTR-14C. I think you're probably right. Back in the 80s the Master Tanto I think was the only CS fixed blade knife with San Mai. So when
they eventually offered the traditional models like TM, RS, SRK, etc in San Mai III a lot of folks (including me) got very excited and just had to get one. But I just can't see the same with the move from SK5 to 01.
 
UCPOPO said:
Don't get me wrong, I like SMIII but I don't think it's anywhere near as tough as Carbon V or O1. Edge retention is good with SMIII but the impact strength (aka chopping) is superior in SK5, Carbon V or O1. Any laminate steel will be more likely to chip then a solid high carbon steel.
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I'll agree with you on the edge chipping from impact. I was thinking more lateral strength and catastrophic failure.
 
I think Cold Steel recognizes that if you aren't trying to improve or offering new things then you are losing ground in the knife world. The industry has so many available high quality offerings these days that it's amazing. I know I'm a sucker but I personally like options. Suckers like me will buy all of the steels they put out ;).
 
"Any laminate steel will be more likely to chip then a solid high carbon steel."

Actually Any Stainless Steel, solid or laminate, will be more likely to chip than a solid carbon steel.
But the carbon steel will roll or dent rather than chip so either way you end up in the same situation.

I agree that any knifemaker has to constantly improve their current products and introduce new offerings. But the same knifemaker also has to keep costs under control, at times reducing costs in order to remain competitive. I have never had a CS knife break or chip on me.
I have had knives of other brands do so. Despite having knives of various manufacturers I will remain a Cold Steel fan for sure.
 
KenHash said:
"Any laminate steel will be more likely to chip then a solid high carbon steel."

Actually Any Stainless Steel, solid or laminate, will be more likely to chip than a solid carbon steel.
But the carbon steel will roll or dent rather than chip so either way you end up in the same situation.
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I'm not so sure I agree with that.
I have chipped 1095 and AUS8 dents and rolls if you look at it the wrong way.
Also, heat treat, edge thickness and geometry all come into play.
 
Yes you are right that all those come into play. Which is why these are generalizations and there will always
be examples proving that it's not absolute. I have personally never chipped a carbon steel blade but I don't
doubt what you say at all.
 
The Master Hunter is a really good design, so good that Fallkniven copied it. I loved my original but gave it to my nephew thinking I could always get another one with good steel. Well, I was wrong about that. I would buy a Master Hunter with better steel in a New York Minute. I wonder how CTS-XHP would be in this knife since it performs similar to D2 or better? I could live with O-1.

As for the SRK, there is really only one steel that needs to be considered for it: 3V.
 
I only have the MH and SRK (and RS and TM) in Carbon V and just love the steel. Both Carbon V and 52100 are excellent steels (IMO) for the range of uses that the knife is designed for. I realize that some need or want stainless, I live in a very dry climate so that's not a big concern for me.

I think that all the steels mentioned in this thread are fine, but I'm happy with what I have already. If both knives were offered in 3G, I'd be looking to buy again. That really is a great steel for outdoors use with the proper heat treat. I would consider that a game changer.
 
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