SRK or S1?

U

Uncle Alvah

Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
23
I am looking for a fixed blade knife, and the Cold Steel SRK and the Fallkniven S1 look to be about what I need.
I'm not an especially savvy knife guy, and the two knives seem pretty similar, yet the S1 is roughly twice the price of the SRK.
What are the practical differences between these two knives that I should consider when choosing between them for a general use hunting/camping/woodsmans blade?
 
The steel in S1 is VG10, laminated now, and the SRK is aus8 ; also, the grinds are different, the S1 is convex while the SRK is saber ground, and much thicker at the edge. You can find the laminated SRK as well, with VG 1 at the core, a bit more expensive.
But if you can find an old CV srk, and maybe thin the edge a bit, it will make a great outdoors knife.
 
I have the SRK in AUS8 and I can tell you first hand that AUS8 is too soft for a fixed blade with outdoor use in mind. Plus Cold Steel puts that horrible black finish on which I ended up just sanding off. It's a decent knife, don't get me wrong. But if you want a blade you can really get some use out of outdoors, I'd go with Fallkniven. I don't even own one but they get nothing but good reviews. I'll probably end up getting one sooner or later.
 
In addition to what everyone else has said, the San Mai III version of the SRK (which is laminated VG-1 steel) will probably have slightly worse edge retention than the Fallkniven. The older Carbon V model is probably your best option, but they're damn hard to find. I wouldn't even consider the current AUS-8 offering because the steel is much too soft, it will roll with most outdoor usage.

If it's the kind of thing you care about as well, the Fallkniven as a two year warranty (if I recall correctly) whereas Cold Steel are warrantied for life. But Fallkniven have been proven to be tough enough that you'll probably never even need to utilize the warranty.
 
I've owned both. Had the Carbon V version of the SRK. Good knife. Nice balance. Good cutting edge. What I didn't like was, it does not have a full tang. Sold it. On the other hand, I own 2 S1's and an A1. Fallkniven is really tough to beat. Great edge. Good rust resistance. Tank tough. Like one of the other posters said, you don't ever hear of a bad Fallkniven review. They simply build a great knife and a very fair price. I've got more expensive knives than my A1, but don't think any of them are tougher.
 
I have a carbon 5 SRK ,an Aus-8 one , and the S1. Even though I like the Cold steel knives , if I had to chose between them and the Fallkniven , then the Fallkniven would win everytime. Much tougher blade steel and the convex grind does bushwork much better.

I had to take my SRK down to about 15 deg. before it even went near what the Fallkniven could do.
I really like the harder thermorun handles better than kraton also.Not too hard or too soft.
 
I would have to agree with XJZHX, the AUS-8 is soft. I had both but after a few uses I gave the SRK to my 11 year old son Shane. The S1 is a little more compact but built like a tank. All the great things everybody has said about it is true. I would buy one and never look back. I did buy a Master Hunter with CS's VG1 but after my experience with the SRK it is difficult for me to have faith in it. I will only use it around the house.

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