Cold Steel and the SRK
Moderator: Orlion
Cold Steel and the SRK
I've never bought a new knife before, all of mine (for camping and hiking) have been second hand from my Dad or brothers. I've been doing some research and I think I've settled on the SRK and it seems like the best combination of function and cost for me, but I wanted some reivews first.
It looks like the only downside is that it's not stainless steel, and I've no idea how to compensate for that. Adivce?
Anyone use/own one? How does it hold up to backwoods use? How long have you had? General thoughts?
It looks like the only downside is that it's not stainless steel, and I've no idea how to compensate for that. Adivce?
Anyone use/own one? How does it hold up to backwoods use? How long have you had? General thoughts?
Avatar wrote:But then, the answers provided by your imagination are not only sometimes best, but have the added advantage of being unable to be wrong.
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Re: Cold Steel and the SRK
Balon wrote:It looks like the only downside is that it's not stainless steel, and I've no idea how to compensate for that.
(Anyway, I don't have it or any cold steel stuff, but they've got a damn good name.)Cold Steel SRK
The blade is finished with a rich Teflon® coat which helps to protect the AUS 8A Stainless steel from the elements.
--A
I'm a Gerber snob. I've had a Guardian for about 25 years, and 2 folding Gators, one serrated, one fine, but both are sheathed. I recently picked up an AR3.00 (folding with clip) so I have something with me at work (Rule #1-Always carry a knife).
I have never, ever had an issue with any of them. The Guardian saw a lot of abuse when I was younger, as it's been used as every type of tool except pliers. It's amazing I never snapped the point off the blade.
I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
This is the AR3.00. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good folding carry knife.

I have never, ever had an issue with any of them. The Guardian saw a lot of abuse when I was younger, as it's been used as every type of tool except pliers. It's amazing I never snapped the point off the blade.
I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
This is the AR3.00. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good folding carry knife.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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My current carry knife:

AUS6 bead blast finish stainless blade
Neck lanyard for easy carry
Clip point blade, hollow ground 1/2 serrated edge
Self locking ABS sheath with reversible boot clip
Hardness: 56 HRC
Blade Length: 2.5"
Overall Length: 5.25"
Weight: 0.125 lbs
Except I've replaced the standard cord (hilt & sheath) with 4mm accessory cord (rated at 3.5kN), and I've hand-sharpened the hollow-ground spine of the back-blade because it was a waste of potential cutting edge.
Larger Pic
In Sheath
(I also carry a leatherman and a small lock-blade folder.
)
--A

AUS6 bead blast finish stainless blade
Neck lanyard for easy carry
Clip point blade, hollow ground 1/2 serrated edge
Self locking ABS sheath with reversible boot clip
Hardness: 56 HRC
Blade Length: 2.5"
Overall Length: 5.25"
Weight: 0.125 lbs
Except I've replaced the standard cord (hilt & sheath) with 4mm accessory cord (rated at 3.5kN), and I've hand-sharpened the hollow-ground spine of the back-blade because it was a waste of potential cutting edge.
Larger Pic
In Sheath
(I also carry a leatherman and a small lock-blade folder.

--A
Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry. I have no idea why it's legal to carry a 3" folding blade but not a 3" fixed blade, but there you have it.
I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade, and why take the chance of lopping off the tip of a finger when closing a folder?
I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade, and why take the chance of lopping off the tip of a finger when closing a folder?
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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I own a pair (they're somewhere in my trunk) consisting of one about 6 inch, one about 4 inch, fixed knives. They were a gift from a great uncle years ago. Very nice -- very, very tiny bit of pattern welding, only on the guard, and nice handles. Problem: They're dueling knives. Sure, you could use them as a utility/hunting/scaling knife if you had to, but from the guard and the way the grip is made, it's very obvious that they're designed to transmit the full force of a stab without your hand slipping, and to protect your fingers from another blade while doing so.Cail wrote:Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry. I have no idea why it's legal to carry a 3" folding blade but not a 3" fixed blade, but there you have it.
I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade, and why take the chance of lopping off the tip of a finger when closing a folder?
So I don't carry them.
B&
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Hyperception keenly wants to collect knives, but it's one of those things we do without until he gets that dissertation done and finds a position using the Ph.D. (Baruh HaShem). Before he (and I) started this journey towards his Ph.D., long before Beorn was even considered, he bought one knife to start a collection. He liked it more for look than function and I admit I think it's pretty cool looking as well.
1991 Gil Hibbon "Double Shadow"

1991 Gil Hibbon "Double Shadow"

I've never understood collecting knives, unless you're collecting the high-dollar stuff. It just seems strange, when if you want to look at a bunch of different knives, you can just go to a knife shop. Collecting guns I can see, because you can still enjoy them and use them.
There's no target-stabbing ranges I'm aware of though.
There's no target-stabbing ranges I'm aware of though.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
Do you think those holes would affect its over all strength?Cail wrote:I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
Avatar wrote:But then, the answers provided by your imagination are not only sometimes best, but have the added advantage of being unable to be wrong.
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I own a few rifles and a shotgun for hunting.Menolly wrote:*shudder*
<--- Has never even touched a gun, much less wants to use one or collect any...
I would love to learn how to use a crossbow though.
Remington 302 rifle for deer
Ruger 10/22 for squirrels and such
Mossburg 12 gauge pump for birds and rabbits
I also have a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
I also used to bow hunt. I have a Hoyt bow but my shoulder has started going out on me a bit every year.. Im thinking a crossbow might be in my future.
Knives.. I have quite a few. I usually buy Buck knives for skinning and for a pocket knife.
(edited for spelling errors)
I wouldn't think so. The two up front are off the blade centerline. Not to mention that the thing was designed for combat/survival/rescue.Balon wrote:Do you think those holes would affect its over all strength?Cail wrote:I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- bloodguard bob
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Not really a problem here, and this one is pretty compact. Sheathed it's not even as long as my hand. Clips to my jeans in the small of my back and my shirt covers it.Cail wrote:Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry.
I like the pared down minimalist style. And while you've got a good point about the shear strength, I'd pit even a skeletonised single piece against the pivot-point of 90% of folders of equal or greater length.Cail wrote:I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade...?
I collect knives.



--A
Good point Av, however (IMO) the mission of a folding knife is very different from that of a fixed blade. Skeletonized knives look cool, but I wouldn't want to depend on one.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- emotional leper
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Neat, I get to learn some practical stuff at KW. This has been an educational thread for me. I know nothing about personal carry knives (just not the type who goes hiking or camping).
I'm reminded of that funny scene from Crocodile Dundee where he's in the city and comes across some thugs. They threaten him with a switchblade, but he looks all amused at that tiny thing, then casually shows them his humongous hunting knife.
I'm reminded of that funny scene from Crocodile Dundee where he's in the city and comes across some thugs. They threaten him with a switchblade, but he looks all amused at that tiny thing, then casually shows them his humongous hunting knife.