Cold Steel SRK

Reviewed 11/01/2015 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $85.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

The SRK (survival rescue knife) has been around for almost 30 years. That is saying something about it's design. The only thing that has change is the steel used in the design over the last 3 decades. In this most recent version they are using a chunk of VG-1 steel. This knife is a classic field knife that is very capable in utility tasks.

Reviewed 08/15/2013 by atm

-Price Paid: $110.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

My SRK is the San Mai version. Wicked sharp right out of the box. The mirror polish on the blade struck me, as did the lamination line along the edge where the stainless steel and high carbon steel meet. Good looking, quality blade.

I like the heft of the knife - very solid feeling. Handle provides a good solid grip, but not as ergonomic as other designs. Very functional though.

The sheath almost holds the knife too securely. It takes a bit of a tug to release the knife, which made me nervous the first few times with such a sharp knife. Hopefully this will loosen up with time.

Knife has functioned flawlessly. Have not had to sharpen the blade yet. I just really like the feel of this knife. It feels solid, without being heavy.

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Reviewed 08/06/2013 by Barks

-Price Paid: $65.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I have used the SRK on several adventure hikes and outings and I really wanted a blade that could handle a lot of tasks well. This is a very well rounded knife. I like the weight at 8.2oz. Mine is the Aus8 steel and although I had to resharpen when I got it, the edge retention was good. I have managed to chip the blade in several areas along the edge which was a disappointment. I reprofiled the edge and after my last outing, I will have to again as there are again more chips.
Retention on the sheath is very good and I like the Velcro snap closer on the belt loop a lot.
One other minor gripe I have is the swedge on the spine of the knife. On larger logs when batoning, this swedge chews through the baton quickly. The swedge will help piercing and stabbing without question, but I have had little need to perform that task.

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Reviewed 02/14/2013 by Miika

-Price Paid: $70.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This was my very first 'survival' knife and after years of use this is a safe choice for anyone wanting a good knife.

Blade is AUS8 steel,very sharp right off the box, holds the edge ridicilously well and very easy to keep sharp. I have used this knife for pretty much everything imaginatible and it has never failed me.

The grip is the best I've touched; soft ribbed rubbery. It doesn't slip off your hands even when gripping it lightly. The soft rubbery has one draw back and that is you shouldn't use the handle to hammer anything. Even if the handle can that that kind of abuse, it will render it ugly.

For anyone getting into this knife business, I'd recommend this as your first knife. It's not too expensive and the quality/value is superb.

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Reviewed 10/07/2011 by DANN

-Price Paid: $59.00
-Used for Self Defense
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I purchased this knife at Fort Drum Clothing and Sales. I used it as my primary combat/survival knife.

Blade-

The blade is painted, not powder coated, so it has a slight sheen to it. The thick spine is resistant to hammering with used as a wedge for splitting wood. It is somewhat flexible but not very much, making it a very static blade in that regard.

Edge-

The blade retain an edge quite well and after minor coaxing will accept a good razor edge. I should point out that it is carbon steel and not stainless steel, so expect rust if used in a humid/wet environment.

Hilt-

The hilt is a one piece rubber molding. The checkering does an ok job in terms of grip but a poor job for appearance. There is a lanyard hold. I felt it was too small as it was difficult to thread 550 cord through it for a lanyard. I laced 550 cord over the entire handle to improve grip in both hot/cold and wet/dry environments.

Sheath-

My sheath was a hard plastic with fabric belt loop and a blade retaining strap and button. I used supplied from a hardware store and modified the sheath to adequately secure my knife.

Overall-

I like this knife but I have been made aware that this knife has too much of a "combat knife" look and may cause issues if carried for everyday use. Otherwise the only real down side to the knife is the sheath that mine came with.

Reviewed 04/23/2011 by Rob62

-Price Paid: $75.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

The Cold Steel SRK is an absolutely incredible knife. I have used and abused mine for years and still have not managed to damage the blade.

Anyone looking for a best value in survival or general bushcraft knives this is it.

This knife will easily batton wood. I have used it for any and all outdoor activities from battoning wood, building shelters, processing wild game, to picking splinters out of skin.

Reviewed 04/17/2011 by Brendan Lee

-Price Paid: $70.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

The Cold Steel SRK, or Survival Rescue Knife, is standard issue for Navy SEALs, and now I know why. It is a 6 inch fixed blade offering from CS, and is pretty solid for cutting and various camp tasks. if you watch the cold steel video for it, they put their knives through some pretty solid abuse, and it still comes out on top.

This is one solid knife, razor sharp out of the box, comes standard with a secure-ex sheath. It's a full tang blade so you know it wont break when you might need it most.

Currently sits on my BOB, and is ready to go at a moment's notice.

at first glance it could be a little awkward to hold, but the grip is pretty solid, quillion finger guard to prevent your hand from getting sliced...

fully recommend this knife for survival purposes

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