Cold Steel SR1 and 4MAX - Tank VS Tank $$$$

Both of these blades are built extremely tough, however one is double the price. Is it worth it?

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

Hey there! The Dutch Bushcraft Knives boys (DBK) did a five strongest folder video, and asked the manufacturers to submit their strongest folder for brutal testing. Cold Steel submitted the SR 1 and this turned out to beat several knives at two or three times the cost of the SR 1. Make your own conclusions. Many will not like to hear this, but the 4 Max is made in the USA and in Italy, and it appears as if the Italian version is slightly better made than the U.S. model.

[@MuvoTX]

Thanks for this comparison. Love my SR1. At this point I have done dozens of camp outs and trail hikes / backpacking trips with it. Its been a reliable tool, never a problem.

[@therealone086]

I EDC a Recon 1, but I can see myself carrying this one also.

[@PowerMadHeadBanger]

Personally I only use folding knives with the Tri-Ad. I am completely sold on this lock as what floats my boat is having the strongest lock possible. But I hate Cold Steel clips.

[@LowLumens]

I have sr1 regular and lite. Se with 4 max. I also EDC an espada xl. Lol sometimes. All have seen batoning. Chopping. Animal deboning and other hard use. Love the triad lock. I sorry my sr1 lite daily or the 4 max scout. I take the premium versions outdoors. My xl’s like espada and Talwar rotate but always have one on my hip. These are fully robust capable knives!!

[@BlueOx2277]

I’ve been carrying a voyager XL for a couple years and it’s never let me down, that triad lock is super strong👍🏻

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@christamu2]

The 4Max suffers a bit in the blade to handle ratio due to the pivot being set so far back from the end of the handle. The giant tang on that thing is one of the reasons it's such a beast. Plus that stop pin is bigger than most pivots. Not a practical knife but I enjoy mine.

[@johnruff7417]

Thanks for doing this video, I’ve been wanting to see them side by side.

[@loustefanou1857]

My EDC is an SR-1. I ordered this with a tanto blade. I'd get the 4 max if they'd drop the price, and offered it in a tanto blade. I also own an AD-10.

[@LarsBreuning]

The 4-Max is an absolute beast. It's so insanely solidly built, it's earned a permanent place in my "shit just hit the fan"-bob. It's worth every cent..

[@dalecarpenter8828]

They need to keep making the recon 1 xl's and mini's !

[@DjrWalsh]

Own a 4max elite (Taiwan) and the scout and a sr1 lite tanto..will be getting sr1 tanto soon enough..I see them both worth it..especially with the 2 different blade shapes ..maybe feel different if they weren't both the same blade shape..

[@MrCDRWilson]

Great comparison, I feel I would carry the SR1 more due to the lighter weight and size, however I need a 4 max just to fondle and have in the collection. 4Max is on it's way for me, but now I see an SR1 in the future too. Cold steel has been killing it these past two/three years.

[@finncallan1087]

you all probably dont give a damn but does someone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my account password. I love any assistance you can offer me

[@rodneyedward1064]

@Finn Callan instablaster :)

[@finncallan1087]

@Rodney Edward i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@finncallan1087]

@Rodney Edward it worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much, you really help me out!

[@rodneyedward1064]

@Finn Callan You are welcome :D

[@carlitobrigante5419]

I like the 4max in Elmax ! GREAT VID ! Thanks

[@cerberus2881]

Got em both plus the 4 Max Scout.

[@Baruch-Hashem]

The Italian 4 Max is the best of the option if money is not a factor and you do not mind the size! It is a Monster Knife! The SR1 is just fine, but falls into a category where most pocket knives reside and is nothing special. For most jobs, practical is a box cutter. So for me, the Italian 4 MAX or Taiwan 4 Max Scout.

[@edged_mindset]

👊👊👊

[@pauljenkins2370]

The biggest draw to the 4- Max was the steel, it is also I didn't buy any Cold Steel until they switch to XHP. I'm also not too happy with the switch S35VN, a step down? Good review 👍👍👍

[@pyaoliang]

Paul Jenkins xhp is a great steel but I'd say more or less comparable value wise with s35vn. 20cv is a step above but so many knives are using m390 which is the same steel so it's really nothing crazy special. So I wouldn't put a premium on any of those steels. Personally, s90 and s110 are a bit more premium. And then the next step above would be stellite and 6k. But that's just me

[@hyssean12]

Shows how much Paul here knows. Stellite and 6k? Lol it is stellite 6k the name of the steel is stellite 6k there isn't a steel named stellite and a separate one called 6k lol

[@pauljenkins2370]

Yep, got them too (love M390), I also like my Spyderco Maxamet. Also like to get K390 and some day, REX-121. I'm also thinking, there might be something too manufactures over heating the highest end steels, during sharping. I ran into chipping on M4, S90, S110 and Maxamet, but after sharping, it didn't recur after using my KME with diamond stones and lapping paste. I also like collecting different locks too.

[@TheWestboom]

Sean H Stellite 6k is not a steel lol ;) it's Cobalt alloy

[@danieldan759]

@@pyaoliang S110v is really nice but not for hard use, not for a 4 Max....

[@ComeOnPelican91]

Are you going to get that new Bush Ranger? I may go for it. Good looking knife that looks related to the sr1

[@pipboy3000PS3]

I've just never liked the liners on the 4Max. I wish they would just do a version with a solid FRN handle in CTS-XHP. That would bring the price point way down, but would result in a much cleaner presentation in my humble opinion. Maybe they could call it the 4MIN, or the 4MAN...

[@richardlouis4412]

Can't beat the SR1!

[@edged_mindset]

nope!

[@terrygreen6088]

sr1 lite is only 60 bucks exact same knive only different kind of steel but if you abuse them they way they are build for it aint gonna matter in the end

[@Garflog643]

4Max is king

[@oromoto]

Thumbs up for THICC thick Bro!

[@kwionlgf4]

I like them both, but the price of the 4maxx is pretty close to a price of a higher quality fixed blade knife. I could name a few, but I'm not. So I'm just going to say this for the price of the 4maxx I'd rather or might as well get a higher-quality fixed blade knife.

[@darrylreformina1438]

Well, it all depends on where you live and what the laws are. Here in Hawai'i it is illegal to carry a dirk or dagger, but a folder is legal.

[@donaldwortham1661]

Cant cut to much with the sr1 it needs to be a little steeper. I did use it in emergency to cut 4 inch straps and it cut decent. And also something at the time to split some 2×4s peices into. Worked good. And banged the edge I. The process agaist some metal and didnt f it up lime i thought it should have. But would still like a little better blade angle. Thinking about sending to the apostle p for af one high end blade work.

[@Fearmocker]

These have the same steel CPM-S35VN Stainless.

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@f22shift]

I think it’s worth buying both. Under 300 for the Italian one with the finish issues resolved is a steal. I’m looking to get a tanto sr1 just to abuse. I can imagine they are both mediocre slicers. I wonder about the sr1 backspacer if it’s really g10 or a dlc metal. Originally I had some damage on my colossus backspacer so I decided to sand a bit but then quickly realized it’s a dlc metal piece. Man what a pain to remove the dlc! But now it’s a shiny polished metal piece. But I thought it was plastic by how light it was with a matte black finish.

[@hyssean12]

All cold steel backspacers are aluminum because they need to house the spring for the lock. G10 wouldn't be durable enough over time.

[@PotenzaVito]

hello my friend after watch your review i decide to order one Cold Steel 62L SR1 ,and i at say yes is very good folder one nice one from cold steel i do own other cold steel the large voyager clip point the code 4 clip point and the fin wolf folder ,this is what you call i folder simple strong no fuss ,may i do pull the trigger on the italian 4 max ,soon i do have spare cash ,for now i am really happy with Cold Steel 62L SR1 will serve me i life time ,great review all the best

[@christopher_martin]

i would rather have the SR1 even if the price was the same!

[@edged_mindset]

👊👊👊

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

so what did you do with the damaged 4 max??

[@hyssean12]

The 4max is a production knife in every way. Don't know why you would say it is a midtech or anything other than a production knife.

[@j3o300]

Probably because it's based on Demko's custom 4max.

[@timothybecker8605]

Thanks for the review. I want the 4 Max but I have heard they are like Benchmade knifes, you better handle it before you buy it.

[@bradk4114]

Some of the 4 Max knives that were made in America had QC issues; however, the new Italian version has been getting very good reviews.

[@L.T.112]

Hey, I am from Germany and over here we are not allowed to carry one hand opening Knives if they lock. My Question to you would be if I remove the Thumb studs on the SR1, would that make it into a 2 hand opening blade? Might be too much to ask for, bit would it be possible for you to try that out? Because over here the SR1 is 200$ and that is a fortune for a Knive that I might not even allowed to carry. Sadly no Knife stores to try it out myself... Thank you and keep up the nice work!

[@BrewCityRider]

Nice comparison vid. I like the SR1 a little better. It is easier to pocket carry and it is more stout due to the narrower width. I actually prefer the $40 SR1 Lite with the 8CR. Cold Steel's heat treat makes it Very tough

[@edged_mindset]

thanks

[@TheKnifeGuy]

SR1 has been my EDC carry for the past few months. I just love it. It's my pocket tank EDC tactical knife and I do enjoy cutting apples and boxes with it...

[@TheWestboom]

My 4max is one of the best slicers i own lol, that Being said i dont own nog ffg Spyderco's no more

[@Kris_Stiletto]

I like my SR1 Tanto better. Why? It's easier to carry. The 4-Max is too heavy, in my opinion. But, I do keep the 4-Max in my Bugout Bag. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Italy 20cv performance is very poor due to poor heat treatment. Too bad too cause those 4max are expensive... So a waste of money.

[@edged_mindset]

Good to know

[@Outcaste153]

I bought a 4max scout because I wanted to what is was like to carry with spending 300 bucks, I have to say its suprising how small it feels in the pocket compared to what I though by looking at it.

[@jaypowell0185]

Both knives look awesome but I would go with the SR1 considering the price difference

[@Febreze99]

Lets be honest.... it's not about the price, you're just not man enough to handle a knife like the mighty 4Max🤔

[@rowdyron4111]

I own both of these, and hands down I'd pick the SR1 over the 4Max if for only one reason - the 4Max pocket clip is bullshit. Way too flimsy, and easy to bend. They must have made them out of aluminum cans from the breakroom. You could jack a car with the one on the SR1.

[@donaldwortham1661]

The sr1 with little thicker titanium liners inserts. Little bigger screws so I can take apartvwithoit stripping. And a little better blade angle not so wedged. Would be perfect. With maybe the 20 steel or ctxhp

[@kevinAuman1]

I personally think that the AD10 is a much beefier knife than the Sr1 heck even the AD15 also....

[@Talmidiym8463]

Awesome review!!! U got a subscriber from me!

[@edged_mindset]

thanks!

[@jeepnicc]

Great video, thanks for sharing, how bout the weights?

[@Flockingtheherd]

Like the knives but man they really need to figure out how to get rid of that backpack scratching. In my opinion makes the knives feel really cheap

[@edged_mindset]

good point

[@GaeasBlessing]

is that a blue handle on the 4max or is it the cool gray handle? It looks so different here than it does on eBay.

[@batkorub]

Is this 4 max USA made?

[@sharpsvilleBill]

It is the Italian version.