Which Knife?

tidefan · Jul 10, 2006

Quick question.... Please don't think I'm trying to start a flame war...I just would like some opinions on three knives.

I have to choose from a Cold Steel SRK, Cold Steel Master Hunter, or a Chris Reeve Mark VI. This will be a general camp/survival knife with a PSK built around the knife. I've used all three and like them, but I was wondering about the durability of the kraton handles on the CS. Does DEET or gasoline damage them? Will the handles come off with use? Will the CR sheath rear snap open by accident?

All have carbon steel blades and all hold an edge very well, as well as being easy to sharpen. Is the flat grind on the CS stronger than the hollow grind of the CR?

I need something I don't have to worry about when the chips are down. Any help would be appreciated as well as suggestions. Thanks, Jim

lmalterna · Jul 10, 2006

Just my .02 but I am a fan of Chris Reeve one peice knives. I have others but my CR Project One stays iin my BOB. Only gripe is the steel handle in extreme cold/heat being a might uncomfortable.

Bill

Boats · Jul 10, 2006

Yes, it is true that DEET will eat kraton.

I wouldnt have a metal handled knife as a primary survival blade. Too conductive of heat, cold, and electricity for my tastes.

I have a hidden tang A2 steel BRKT Forager with a blaze orange G-10 handle in my BOB.

Can't get those anymore though.

sodak · Jul 10, 2006

Deet will damage the handles. In normal use, I've never damaged any of my kraton, and would go with the SRK. Most general design and bang for the buck.

rdelliott · Jul 10, 2006

tidefan said:
Quick question.... Please don't think I'm trying to start a flame war...I just would like some opinions on three knives.

I have to choose from a Cold Steel SRK, Cold Steel Master Hunter, or a Chris Reeve Mark VI. This will be a general camp/survival knife with a PSK built around the knife. I've used all three and like them, but I was wondering about the durability of the kraton handles on the CS. Does DEET or gasoline damage them? Will the handles come off with use? Will the CR sheath rear snap open by accident?

All have carbon steel blades and all hold an edge very well, as well as being easy to sharpen. Is the flat grind on the CS stronger than the hollow grind of the CR?

I need something I don't have to worry about when the chips are down. Any help would be appreciated as well as suggestions. Thanks, Jim

Have you had a look at the Becker Knife and Tool knives? You would not believe how much stuff you can cram into the sheath pouch and down the back of the sheath behind the Kydex insert, and due to some cutouts in the full tang and matching spaces in the scales, you can cram even more stuff into the handle, and still have a hammer/prybar protrusion sticking out the butt.

I've got a BK-9 and am extremely pleased with it. It's nice to know that you can take down respectably sized trees with your survival/bushcraft knife. If you're looking for something a little closer in size to the SRK, you might want to look at the BK-7 or BK-10; same sheath, but 7" and 5" respectively.

thebladerunr · Jul 11, 2006

If you go with the Chris Reeve just go to your local hardware store and get a piece of shrink tube.

You slip it on hit it with a hair dryer and it conforms to your handle. No more heat or , cold problems.

Also it can be removed at any time without any type of damage whatsoever to your knife.

By the way "tidefan" is an interesting name. Are you from the Norfolk /VA. BCH area of VA. ?

Preacher Man · Jul 11, 2006

Like Sodak, I haven’t seen any damage on the kraton handles of my Master Hunter or SRK in normal use while also using a Deet based insect repellant.

Now, for the knives in your list.

I love my Master Hunter and use it as an all around camping knife. It is a tougher knife than it looks. Its full distal taper can make the point look weak, but that is not the case. That been said, it is not the kind of knife for a "chips down' situation.

Both the Mark VI and the SRK are "chips down situation" knives. Neither knife will let you down, but I prefer the SRK. As much as I would like to own a Mark VI (and I do, the design is a thing of beauty), I do not see the need (except for collecting purposes). I can not think of a single cutting, slicing, chopping, digging, piercing, or 'crow bar' task the Mark VI can perform that the SRK can not do just as well and for $200.00 less. The price difference makes the SRK easier to replace in case Murphy's Law shows its ugly face. In addition, personally I find the Kraton handle to be more comfortable that a wood, bone, or metal handle, and it has the benefit of easing chopping vibrations.

Granted, the SRK is not as beautiful nor shows the same attention to detail or quality control seen in the Mark VI, but that is the result of comparing a production knife with what for all intents and purposes is a custom knife.

Just my .02

Edgar

Craig_PHX · Jul 11, 2006

Tidefan,

I have/had the Cold Steel SRK, Master Hunter and True Flight Thrower in Carbon V steel. I gave the SRK away because the choil is too long for comfortable carving. The True Flight Thrower can make an excellent survival knife. It will take and hold a very sharp edge. My favorite is the Master Hunter. It is the most comfortable to work with. The handle has a great shape that protects your thumb and hand. You can carve figure four traps, split wood, shave wood curls for a fire, etc..

That said I now want to get an F1, it is like a small Master Hunter. I don't know if it is better but I'd like to try one.

tidefan · Jul 11, 2006

thebladerunr said:
By the way "tidefan" is an interesting name. Are you from the Norfolk /VA. BCH area of VA. ?

Tidefan is my lifelong commitment to Alabama...ROLL TIDE!!!!!! I am a rescue diver as well, so it works out...

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I'm looking at trying to make a drop leg platform for my kit...it will hold a bit more without being cumbersome. I had a BK7 and just could'nt get comfortable with the handle. I've never handled a fallkniven, but they look good as well. Again, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it...Jim

Cliff Stamp · Jul 12, 2006

tidefan said:
I was wondering about the durability of the kraton handles on the CS.

The biggest concern I had was with general rips and tears. They rip, puncture and tear fairly readily and thus you have to be fairly careful when working around hard woods, especially seasoned wood with broken and sharp edges. There are also issues with rust forming on the tang under the handle, but this is a *long* term issue.

Will the handles come off with use? Will the CR sheath rear snap open by accident?

I had a Trailmaster kraton grip suffer gross failure and lose the bond to the main body of the handle. I was concerned about the Reeve sheath opening that way but it wasn't a practical concern.

Is the flat grind on the CS stronger than the hollow grind of the CR?

In general yes, but Reeve uses such thick stock and leaves a lot of the blade unground that it is very strong for prying. The only concern durablity wise is in extreme conditions if you exceed the durablity of the edge. On hollow grinds since the edge doesn't thicken immediately you can blow out sections of the primary grind once the edge itself suffers gross failure.

-Cliff

tidefan · Jul 12, 2006

Thanks for the help... I would like to throw one more into the mix. I have a Randall model 23 with the leather handle. I've been hesitant to use it as it was a gift. With that aside, will it hold up as a "chips are down" knife". I know that Randalls have a good reputation, but I've never used a knife with a narrow tang. Will that part of the knife stand hard use. Thanks, Jim

lmalterna · Jul 12, 2006

tidefan,
I have no experience with Randall personally but do know of one guy that had a Randall snap on him with what he called "moderate" strain in prying. Just one 3 party .02
Not to sound like a spokesperson, but you can find nice mildly used CR fixed blades for 175-200 with a little shopping. A rubber coating like sold at Lowes can help with the metal grip- if that does not appeal to you but some do not like the round grip as it will let the knife roll in your grip at times.

Bill

CCH · Jul 12, 2006

I have both a Master Hunter and SRK and much prefer the MH for just about any use. I don't care for the Kraton handles, not so much from a durability standpoint as because when field dressing game they pick up a ton of crud that is extremely tough to get out, particularly in the field. I recently went to a BRKT Forager because it had a somewhat similar blade design but easy to clean grips. The SRK has always been a back up as I just didn't care for it as much and the Master Hunter is now getting the same duty. They are both really rugged knives that won't let you down. CR is well out of my price range so I can't compare. You might consider a BRKT Gameskeeper for a really rugged all around knife.

woodsmoke · Jul 12, 2006

Comparing SRK with Reeves is apples and oranges. SRK is a working man's knife and is almost 1/3 the price of the least expensive Reeves fixed blade. Any of the Cold Steel carbon V fixed blades will serve well in the toughest of situations. I read about blade failures but never experienced a CS break. I have carried CS knives in the woods all over North America while hunting, camping and canoeing. Also... I don't like the round handle on Reeves knives. Tends to roll when chopping.

valleytinworks · Jul 12, 2006

just my opinion.... coldsteel sucks

Normark · Jul 12, 2006

Hey Guys....

Keep in mind that any damage such as chipping out,, or blowing chunks out of a Chris Reeve Blade would be VERY Extreme use,,bordering on abuse...

The CRK will handle pretty much whatever you throw at it...

As for the three knives you picked,, they are all quite different and in my opinion would all have different tasks in the woods.

For instance,, the SRK wouldn't be my first choice for cutting and cleaning a bear, I'd much rather have the Master Hunter for that duty,, but wouldn't mind the SRK there to work the joints or chop off paws and such.

ttyle

Eric...
O/ST

Thomas Linton · Jul 12, 2006

OT, I know, but try Lemon Eucalyptus. Works just as well (for a slightly shorter time) without the nasty consequences of spreading an industrial plastic solvent on your skin - or knife handle, glasses, watch crystal . . . . .

Ed: sold by Repel and other manufacturers. Got mine at Walmart.

paleo25 · Jul 13, 2006

Tidefan where in Ala are you???? I have the SRK and love it, I have beat the hell out of it and it still keeps going

djbcqc · Jul 13, 2006

My experience with kraton handles is that I rotted one with military bug repellent (lots of deet in that stuff). Also, I carried a CS Taipan in Iraq for ten months and it took me a couple months after the deployment to get all the dust and brown crudd out of the hadle. Actually, 18 months later it still has brown spots.

tidefan · Jul 15, 2006

paleo25 said:
Tidefan where in Ala are you???? I have the SRK and love it, I have beat the hell out of it and it still keeps going

Fort Payne is my hometown, although I live in Florida now.

Seems like my problem may be solved. My wife and daughter gave me an early birthday gift...a RAT-7 D2. This knife feels really good and looks like a good "chips are down" blade. I can't wait to use it. Thanks for the help...Jim