Birthday coming, so some self‑indulgent purchases recently.
Cold Steel
In fairness, I must start by admitting to being a little ambivalent towards Cold Steel.
Some of their stuff is very interesting. Some is very expensive, while other items seem good value. Some of their products are praised to the skies, while others have issues. I have an impression that price and quality do not always correlate.
On Venice Beach, I had a conversation with an entertainer who claimed he used Cold Steel True Flight Throwing (TFT) knives out of “economic necessity”. He claimed TFT were incorrectly heat treated for their role. He threw them until they inevitably broke. He claimed to have a bucket filled with broken TFT. Cannot say I liked the ones that I threw.
That was a couple of decades ago, but more recent reviews still mention breakages.
Cold Steel make kukri‑inspired knives, and I would love to see how these compare to the real thing. The grip shape of a kukri is near perfect for its role. I am doubtful that the evident changes to the grip made by Cold Steel are for the better.
Unfortunately, the CS kukri‑oids come with a high price tag. I am not going to spend good, hard‑earned money on what may prove inferior to what I already have.
On the other hand, I have drooled over the Thai Machete, but have been unable to source one this side of the pond.
I have also been tempted by Cold Steel's copy of the TruBal Bowie Axe thrower, the Perfect Balance Thrower. I mention the former in “Survival Weapons”.
As I sat down to write this, I was a little surprised to realize the only other Cold Steel implement I owned was a Mini‑Flight Thrower sent to me by a good friend.
In this video it is claimed that the SRK was the first knife issued to SEALs for their Basic Underwater Demolition training (BUDS).
You can take that two ways.
SEALs would not issue something that was total dross, but most SEALs progress to other designs.
The SEALs issue the 6" model.
SRKC
I decided on a Cold Steel 5" SRK (aka SRKC/SRK Compact). I was interested in this as an alternative “pec‑knife”. A knife this length is generally handier than those in the six to eight inch category.
The 5" version differs from the 6" model in thickness, grind and grip width.
Sheath
I had heard the sheath of the SRK had been changed, and was not very good.
The sheath of mine is quite reasonable, so may be it got changed again, or that comment did not apply to the SRKC.
The knife clicks into a collar on the sheath. Not quite with the crisp “snap” of my Moras or Gerber Strongarm, but it keeps the knife in if you give it a good shake, so good enough.
For added security, there is a retaining strap with a popper. This is better than the example on my personal Strongarm. It is a generous (slightly loose) fit, and the pull tab is a good size so may be unpopped with just a flick of the thumb.
The sheath is not ambidextrous. You have to align the blade correctly before reinserting it.
The belt hanger has a loop large enough to fit most belts, and has a popper so it may be easily removed from a belt without unthreading.
The belt hanger is secured by two bolts, so it may be removed and remounted for handle‑down carry. The sheath as a number of eyelets and slots, so other configurations may be possible.
The cross slots in the bolt heads are compatible with the small (can‑opener) screwdriver of a Swiss Army Knife, so no searching for an Allen key or Torx wrench, and it is possible to reposition the belt‑hanger while out in the field.
There is a choice of handle colours, but the sheath is “any colour you want so long as it is black”. You could probably paint it.
Knife and sheath together are quite light, which is good.
Blade
Blade thickness is important for pec‑knives and “cross‑over” survival knives. They may be put to heavier use than most knives of similar size.
The SRKC is about 4 mm thick, putting it midway between my Moras and the Strongarm.
One side of the blade was smeared with some grease. The blade is carbon steel, rather than the stainless I had assumed.
The box cautioned me that Cold Steel knives are “extremely sharp”. Not even close. Straight out of the box, this one wasn't.
Grip
The handle is a hard, rubber‑like material (Kray‑Ex) with a slight tackiness and good checkering.
There is a brass‑lined channel for a wrist loop, which is a good feature. A lot of very expensive knives do not have such.
My only criticism of the Moras is this lack, but their handle and tang construction makes it an easy task to add one with a gimlet.
What I do not like about the grip is the cross‑section. It is basically a rectangle with inwardly tapered long sides. An oval cross‑section would be more comfortable, more attractive and more practical.
Butt
There is a slight flare towards the butt, aiding retention.
The butt of the knife is covered in the same material as the rest of the grip. It is ridged, presumably for grip if you use an ice‑pick, hook or ninja hold.
On the plus side, no bare metal if you use the knife in sub‑zero conditions. Possibly it will provide electrical insulation if you cut a live wire?
Grip length is ok for me (Size 8 hands). If you have really big hands, you might find the butt within your palms.
On the other hand, the covered butt may not be ideal if you have to use it for pounding or hammering.
In contrast, the Strongarm has an exposed section of tang at the butt that may possibly be used as a window breaker.
In “Northern Bushcraft”, Kochanski suggests a “knife should have a strong pommel that will protect the handle if the knife is driven tip first deep into wood.”
Arguably, the Mora(s) Kochanski famously usually carried does not meet that criteria.
Price and Value
My SRKC cost me £52, but I have seen them offered at £39.99 (Out of stock). A Mora will be under £14, and a Strongarm is currently £89 to £100+. Prices tend to be higher on this side of the pond due to less competition and demand.
Personally, I feel the SRKC is a little overpriced for what it is. This seems much more a £30+ knife.
Shop around and be on the lookout for deals. In the US, prices under $40 may be encountered, which is a more reasonable price.
I was a little underwhelmed when I unboxed the SRKC. I am beginning to warm to it.
Consider it as an option if you can find it at a good price.