Cold Steel SRK aus-8 version Knife Review

[AtariSlinger]

Some weird comments here about steel. AUS-8 is a perfectly fine cutlery steel. Very tough, very easy to sharpen, and reasonable (not great, but still good) edge holding. Carbon V was Cold Steel's name for the 0170-6C (aka 50100-B) knives that were made for them by Camillus. So Carbon V esentially IS 1095, just with a bit of chromium and vanadium added to it.

[thefoodfoodfood]

Recon Scout or SRK?

[jdguzman881]

my favorite

[76tammystanley]

And the original was made in the USA sadly camillus ( sic) used to produce the steel ( carbon v ) but due to the lower prices of knives made in China and Japan they went out of business so those days are over. The srk is not made in China

[potatoheadhaoy]

@76tammystanley

"Lower prices of knives made in China and Japan"

Lol wut? You`ve got to be kidding me. Yeah, Chinese knives are cheap, but Japanese?

You really think hand forged Yasuki-hagane (It`s some sort of native, premium high carbon steel) knives are cheap? Wow, you really must be quite the millionaire.

It`s sad that Camilus is gone now, though.

P.S. Carbon V isn`t "that" good; 1095 would be a far better choice for so many reasons...

[76tammystanley]

Lmao no stainless steel is able to take a " evil" edge like good old carbon steel

[potatoheadhaoy]

@76tammystanley

I have a 14C27 folder that can shave my shin; maybe you need some more experience.

[turtle3682]

i think u should buy a condor hudson bay knife i heard its really nice but i would like to see a you use it

[survivalofthekit]

The Cold Steel SRK AUS-8 Is Better , The Gerber Is Good For A Different Purpose Then What Youre Describing.

[sbaeagles15]

Should get this the Cold Steel SRK aus-8 or the Gerber LMF II? Somebody answer I like the longer Straight Edge of the SRK but I just need a very good knife for all around survival means.

[TheTabellarius]

I have a skinner in AU6 AU 8 the sharpest longest holding edge I have ever come across. I can only describe the cutting edge as " Pure Evil " scalpel sharp used it for a year with nothing more than an edge touch up. fan of Cold Steel this will be my next purchase.

[ipoddish]

I meant carbon steel

[ipoddish]

What's the difference between aus 8 and stainless?

[Chun1ify]

@ipoddish

aus 8 is a stainless steel, and has qualities of anti-rust, although will have the edge wear out faster. the carbon steel is less rust resistant, but will have a longer lasting edge.

[TheTabellarius]

@ipoddish AUS 8 is extreme high quality stainless most others 420 or 440 stainless useless very hard to sharpen dull fast mostly used for Dive Knives

[thegangvault2]

My SRK came pretty close to razor sharp; I second everything you're saying in this excellent review. Thank you. :)

[ez2curanut]

I just picked up this SRK #38CK from local sports store. It is stamped Japan, but I thought China is making them now. Maybe it's an older original Japan version?

[thegangvault2]

@ez2curanut I believe that the SRK, as well as many other knives made by Cold steel, is made in Japan. They have different manufacturing sites for different knives I think... all of them, unfortunately, overseas.

[ez2curanut]

@thegangvault2 how right you are. I just got a lesson in the cold steel process, as well as others couple days ago while out at knife city in AZ. Thanks for reply :)

[cybernetamd]

I had my SRK AUS-8 for 6 months now, Had to grind the blades edge off it and reprofile it. The factory edge was crap for sharpness. I put a convex edge on it, then polished it down using a strop and green compound, dangerously sharp now. Overall, Excellent knife, it replaced my SOG S37 Seal 2000.

[oshilzl]

factory edge is not good at all.



[brandoncormier4]

@oshilzl factory edge could shave my arm, maybe you got a bad one?

[kawi4life250]

cant wait just ordered this in san mai i wanted aus 8 but for some reason it couldnt be shipped to my address so i ended up getting the san mai version

[RazorDsknives]

"i havnt been impressed with stainless up until this AUS8..." thats kinda funny because its really not the best of stainlesses. higher end of the mid grade range imo. i do like my recon tanto though. since its stainless i mirror finished the blade. i have a carbon V SRK. it performs quite well

[Wigglesthewiggler]

is it not solider ready knife

[Petegrin1]

My cold steel srk aus 8a did Not come this sharp

[ofsjason]

@Petegrin1 neither did mine. Mine was dull as all hell and took a lot of work just to get it to cut paper. It's not a skill thing, I have half a dozen others I've sharpened no problem

[OzaawaaMigiziNini]

My only comment would be that the teflon coating can, and does chip. That being said, you are dealing with a not-so-good-for-your-health coating when skinning game, butchering meat, preparing meals, etc.

[monstercatambush]

Good vid. Very "right here see what you think" as opposed to some kind of commercial like some review vids. My SRK is one of those where it was still made of Carbon-V, but had gone to the Kydex sheath. Best of both worlds for me. I'm kind of old school and like to have the threat of rust keep me mindful of maintaining my stuff. A little diamond hone I carry keeps it razor sharp.  Nothing better on the trail than a good solid knife. Thanks again for the vid.

[Petegrin1]

0:45 by some reason i like that sound when you cut through that thing... whatever it is

[iamJetJaguar]

1:29 - 1:24 = techno music

[vinciarmy01]

Damn! You can sharpen a pencil with it. No Way!

[Hordesthugz13]

This or the Bk2? for backpacking?

[NewWorldFreedomFight]

Great knife got it for christmas :)

[12robinredbreast]

I have an SRK and I used it hard for about 2 months as I backpacked in wilderness areas of Montana and Canada. It was pretty good at preforming simple camp tasks like splitting wood and carving sticks, and held up well when doing heavier tasks to. While testing it, I opened multiple cans with little dammage to the tip, and edge. I also chopped about a 6" diameter fallen tree blocking the road no trouble at all. The only complaint I have is that after heavy use the kraton handle comes loose.

[bluenoserr]

@12robinredbreast Or even modest use.  I've used mine on three trips, and the handle is already loose. Quite disappointing, as I otherwise like the knife.

[alex007q]

what is that noise in the backround

[MrBloodyGulch]

was this video done with a factory edge?

[dragonteen99]

@MrBloodyGulch ya he said so

[bluenoserr]

Heehee! I ordered this off eBay last night, and i'm so excited I'm watching this video again.

Thanks for making such great videos! It was advice from guys like enviroponsible that made my knife shopping so much fun.

[icychillgrill3]

I own this knife and I like it except for the coating is for shit and the knife will rust pretty easily. The knife is good but not great. I think Cold Steel has given this knife way too much hype.

[theloudmouse1]

I used my SRK to do some gardening. The knife dulled down after cutting some fibrous plants. I had a pretty easy time sharpening the knife back to something similar to its factory edge.

(I was free handing with an oiled stone. Just in case anyone is wondering.)

[bassdaze]

since you own both aus8 and carbon V versions, have you formed an opinion on which is better? I'm in the market for the SRK and currently looking at buying a used carbon V, but they're almost as pricey as a new Aus8.. Help sway my decision..



[envirosponsible]

@bassdaze I like the aus-8 so far, and I really like the idea of a utility knife being stainless. The aus-8 is easy to get a razor sharp edge and it seems to be holding it well. If the carbon comes with a leather sheath, I personally wouldn't buy it. I prefer the plastic secure-ex sheath. It can be mounted in an inverted position on backpack straps, which is very handy. It also depends on your personal experience with carbon vs stainless. Thanks.

[TheTacticalsurvivor]

my SRK just came in i love it!!!! have you used yours for bugouts yet???

[envirosponsible]

@TheTacticalsurvivor Haven't had a chance yet. You have something planned for an outside shoot with your new blade(s)?

[TheTacticalsurvivor]

@envirosponsible yea when i get a better camera im goin to make an "adventure" into my woods but one problem maybe you can help me with. how can i put multiple vids about the same thing together,you know cause i have to do everything i want to show in one vid how can i make it so like 3 or for small vids can be put together like you did in yours and kevins $20 bob i know it wasnt all one vid it was lots of little ones put together thts what i need help with. thanks

[weoressandor]

@envirosponsible

Hi

What would you recommend for general use this one or the Becker BK2?

Thanks the answer

[iceonmuhgrillz]

@TheTacticalsurvivor i just got one too, its bad ass works great, i love this knife

[iceonmuhgrillz]

i just got one of these knifes workes great i love it

[FlamingFury5]

@iceonmuhgrillz how much are they?

[crappefilms]

Very nice! I just ordered one in San Mai III, it should be a great trail knife. Thanks!

[envirosponsible]

@crappefilms Let me know what you think about the San Mai.

[crappefilms]

@envirosponsible

Overall I'm very happy with the SRK in San Mai. I used it last weekend for the first time and it seems to hold an edge very well after quite a bit of work. The factory edge was sharp enough to shave arm hair and is easy to keep that way.

The sheath is a disappointment, sloppy fit with near zero knife retention. Definitely not a good idea to invert it.

[TorchedSkunk]

@crappefilms you can tighten the sheath, hahaha.

[TheSherminator64]

Thats a cool knife, I have the Benchmade CSK-II which is basically the same thing as the SRK, I just wish mine came with the secure-ex sheath, I'm stuck with a leather sheath.

[TheTacticalsurvivor]

I just bought my Srk on your i got it for 75$ shipping and handling included.

[Scarcer]

Would you recommend the AUS 8A, or the Carbon V version?

And why.

[envirosponsible]

@Scarcer That's a tough call and comes down to personal preference really. I know for sure that I prefer the secure-ex sheath over the leather.

[mesa401]

@Scarcer There is no comparison. Get the carbon. Easier to sharpen, stays sharp..Take the black paint off the blade and keep a light coat of oil on it, or blue it. The AUS8 is junk.

[ZombieOrchestra]

@mesa401 Damn straight Man, Mid to late 90's cold steel Carbon V is the shit you want!

[ridgerunnersurvival]

@ZombieOrchestra Love my SRKS all of mine are Carbon V. Wish they would bring them back...

[nickoffroad]

@Scarcer They don't make the Carbon V version anymore, it was a better steel though. The only advantage of the AUS 8 is greater corrosion resistance. Cold Steel switched to AUS 8 for cost reasons, it's still a great steel though. If you want a higher level though they have the San Mai version.

[TheTacticalsurvivor]

love it!!!! im goin to buy this and the cold steel bushman to see how they hold up.Tac

[robovicify]

did you order this from coldsteel website or buy it somewhere else?

[envirosponsible]

@robovicify I bought it from LeBaron in Toronto, Canada.

[envirosponsible]

@gasdorf Ha!

[SyrianKnight01]

awesome video cool knife!!

[envirosponsible]

@SyrianKnight01 Thanks.

[audiboy711]

Great review, you cover all of the important information and give some great knife test vids. Thank you!

[envirosponsible]

@audiboy711 Thanks for the encouraging words.

[Amak503]

Thanks

It's good to watch these videos from a fellow Canadian

[envirosponsible]

@Amak503 Nice to know there are some Canadians tuning in. Where abouts are you?

[nellynell77]

cool thanks

[rooftopeagle]

do you do the paper test before or after the cutting test?

Also you are in Ontario right? if so me too :-) the reason I ask is I was wondering if you know of any good knife sharpening shops in the Southern Ontario area? I have a couple blades I'd like to get re-profiled to perform better but I just don't have the tools or skills to do it myself.

[envirosponsible]

@rooftopeagle Yeah, I'm in Ontario. I live in Whitby (GTA). I don't know of anyone off hand. Sorry. If something comes to mind I'll let you know. Where abouts are you?

[rooftopeagle]

@envirosponsible Niagara Falls :-) thanks for the help!

[CdnLifeguard71]

@rooftopeagle Try B & D Knife and Tool in St. Catharines. They put a great edge on a couple of my knives and my hatchet.

[rooftopeagle]

@CdnLifeguard71 Thank a lot dude!!!!

[CdnLifeguard71]

@rooftopeagle your welcome

[envirosponsible]

@CdnLifeguard71 Thanks for sharing that. What a cool thing this youtube is.

[CdnLifeguard71]

@envirosponsible You got that right. keep up the great work

[BitFox]

I love you bro, but short reviews are one thing, but a video for every two sentences you have to say about the knife? well, whatever, its cool to get content I guess

[envirosponsible]

@BitFox I'm trying out shorter reviews for those with A.D.D. Sorry for the overload of similar videos. Hopefully those who don't like the shorter reviews, or "overviews" will forget they exist after they see them the first time and just watch the full length reviews. I can't out talk Nutnfancy, so I'm looking to fill the void with brief videos. Thanks for the input, and I promise that this run of short videos will be over soon.

[icychap]

@envirosponsible Keep doing what you're doing. You respect your viewers' time, which is rare, unfortunately. You give the relevant information right up front, without too much fanfare. I appreciate this, and I believe other do too.

[myactionhobbies]

I am wondering how difficult it is to sharpen AUS 8. Any experience with that?

[envirosponsible]

@myactionhobbies Not yet. I hope it takes an edge better than aus-6. Even with the little experience I have I like aus-8 better than aus-6, which means the SOG SEAL Pup no longer has a place in my collection.

[icychap]

@envirosponsible I second this comment.