Cold Steel SRK Carbon V vs VG-1 San Mai III

A quick look at two CS SRK's.
Which do you prefer, USA partial flat grind of the Carbon V or Japanese hollow grind of the VG-1SMIII? From the looks of it I picked both...

[@dennisleighton2812]

4:00 You call that grind a "flat grind", but it's actually a sabre grind. A flat grind would be ground flat all the way from the back of the knife right down to the cutting edge. Just thought it would be good to clarify that for viewers.

[@paulstevens2839]

I have the vg-1 san mai. It truly is an awesome knife. I show mine off all the time. Everyone talks about it

[@jcarter855]

It's truly a beautiful & functional blade.

[@larryrosen2984]

Carbon v. Is the blade steel

[@Dad_a_Monk]

My Carbon V SRK looks quite a bit rougher....but I have used the hell out of mine. Carried it through Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. Never let me down. Still holds an awesome edge. I may be retired but it is long from needing to be so.. Got it after my SOG Government failed me in 94' Glad I got it before they made the switch to AUS 8a I don't think there's really a comparison between Carbon V and AUS 8a. Never personally used the San Mai III

[@jcarter855]

They now offer it in 3v which is quite a supersteel. I believe that will be my next purchase if for no other reason just to have one.

[@adods9824]

​@@jcarter855me too! $300aud down here tho :-/

[@paulie4x1]

You could be absolutely right about Camillus making the S.R.K. for Cold Steel, Camillus also made the 0170-6C strel, and C.S. used it under their proprietary name CarboV, I have both, the San Mai S.R.K. has a much thinner tip, and that worries me, but when Camillus went belly-up, C.S. stopped making the CarbonV, Becker also used the 0170-6C steel, in his Camillus Becker BK Knives, some how Sharon Steel Corp, started to make it again, under a new name 1095 CroVan, it's the same steel, that's why I bought almost the whole line of Ka-Bar Becker BK's, except for a few knives, it is a great steel, that's why Western, the Old Schrades, are still very sought after knives, because the 0170-6C hold's a great edge, and retains it too, great video, just what I was looking for, I thought, that I had a defective knife, mine is very thin, compared to my CarbonV S.R.K. Thanx Bro.

[@jcarter855]

You are correct Sir, Camillus produced all of cold steels USA made knives (carbon v) up until their steel supplyer apparently had it workers go on strike which caused camillus to go under & Cold Steel to outsource Japanese sk-5 as a replacement & move production to China then finally to Taiwan. AFAIK... I agree, I'm not a huge fan of the hallow grind on both the vg-1 SRK or vg-1 Recon Tanto - it takes away a lot of blade strength. But I can see why it was used being CS wants it products to be at their sharpest.. Which leads to a very fine tip on the San Mai SRK.. All this info is purely from my research so please don't consider it the last word be all end all ;). You're also correct on carbon v, it was & still is a very common version of 1095 which camillus used to produce several knives not only for just CS.

[@fahadsharifi7055]

+Ei Pi More info about D2 steel Steel - This steel has high chromium content, just less than what might classify it as stainless steel. Because of this it has good rust resistance. It is much tougher than most stainless steels, but not as tough as most of the other tool steel. This steel does have excellent wear resistance. It has great edge retention but can be very difficult to sharpen. This is also a tough material to mirror polish, so it you will almost never see it that way. Its carbon content is 1.50-1.60%.

[@paulie4x1]

Yup I have both the CarbonV and tge San Mai 3 S.R.K.'s the CarbonV is built like a tank compared to the San Mai 3, OH and I have a older Trailmaster in the San Mai 3 they just don't make them like they use to, the ricaso is different then the newer Trailmaster's, but like Lynn Thompson says, "not all is lost", they came out with some good O-1 knives, the Trailmaster, the Recon Scout, and I got the Kukuri Plus in O-1, I read the CarbonV is similar to O-1, I thought I was through with Cold Steel, but I think I will get the Trailmaster and the Recon Scout in O-1, so far I have a CarbonV O.D.A., (2) Recon Scout's, (3) Recon Tanto ' s in each steel, a San Mai 3 Trailmaster, a Kukuri Plus in O-1, a CarbonV S.R.K. and one in San Mai 3, a San Mai 3 Master Hunter, and a Mini Pendleton in VG-1, even though all are full tang, but the tang isn't as wide as the blade, it's not as narrow as a stick tang it's much wider but not as wide as the handle, that's why between the S.R.K. and the Fallkniven A-1 hands down on the A-1 because the tang is fuller and almost as full as the handle S.R.K. looks more like this ○=====}:;;;;;;:::::;;;;> but more in the middle.

[@jcarter855]

Nice collection :) I agree, I picked the A1 over the SRK too. I'm very tempted to try out the new Solid VG-1 SRK....

[@paulie4x1]

I have the S.R.K. in the San Mai 3 save your money, but if they come out with one in the O-1 then go for it since O-1 is similar to 0170-6 or CarbonV I got that info from, zknives.com , but they did come out with the Recon Scout and tge Trailmaster and tge Kukuri Plus I got the Kukuri Plus in 0-1 the tang on X-Ray looked strong, and I'm also getting the Recon Scout and the Trailmaster in O-1, but they're not making them like they use too, when I first got my San Mai 3 Trailmaster Lynn Thompson claimed that it was the strongest knife made in production and custom, I have him saying that on a video, he's not saying that about the new ones, and yes you can tell the dufference, and I have one, and (2) Recon Scout's in CarbonV one I use one is virgin never sharpened or used, and still very sharp.

[@micheletennis87]

Based on his experience, this Cold Steel SRK is really a good knife as they say? I'm looking for a sturdy knife that lasts moltooo moltooo time, which keeps the wire long, I want a great product, this knife can be what I'm looking for? Which of these two products is best according to your experience?

[@jcarter855]

The SRK has a huge following, especially the Carbon V version. I myself sold both of these shown & went with the fallkniven A1. I would feel quite comfortable with any version of the SRK for normal day to day use. Cold steel recently released a solid VG-1 SRK & there is always the AUS8a version. If you're comfortable sharpening a blade any one of these knives would serve you well. I know what I want in a knife this size but It's hard to recommend a blade to someone else (if that makes sense).

[@allemander]

I ordered the VG1 SRK. How does Frog Lube help your blade?

[@jcarter855]

I use it to protect my blades from corrosion during use & storage. It's also safe to eat (food grade) & will not harm the handle materials. When you get your SRK you'll notice that sheathing & unsheathing your knife wears on the handle (where the sheath grabs the handle to retain the knife) - a bit of FL stops this wear to the handle material.

[@cody7623]

Hello , I'm in a conundrum. I'm looking to buy the SRK but I'm not sure which version to get AUS8 or VG-1 San Mai III. The VG-1 San Mai III version is 50 eur more and i was wondering what makes it that much better (does it increase the knife life span and the time it can hold an edge) , thank you in advance!

[@jcarter855]

I would go with the AUS8 version for hard use, the San Mia is more of a meat cutter IMO while the aus8a can take quite a beating. keep in mind - cold steel just released a solid vg-1 SRK also about the same price as the aus8a version.

[@cody7623]

josh carter Awesome , do you have any idea when it'll come to EU?

[@jcarter855]

+cody7623 they just hit the market about a month ago, so keep an eye out. wish I could be more specific.

[@cody7623]

josh carter I am relatively new to this whole steel thing , so if you don't mind I'll just tell you what I plan on doing with the knife and you'll suggest which version I should get. I plan on doing most of the * work* in the woods so batoning , chopping and after all that I want the knife to keep a decent / good edge (able to cut through fruit and do some feathering and other woodcraft things) , but since I'm new to this I also want it to be easy to sharpen. Which steel would you recommend?

[@jcarter855]

+cody7623 given the tasks listed, I'd select the aus8 (its tough, easy to touch up & relatively inexpensive if lost damaged or needs to be replaced.

[@paulie4x1]

Oh by the way Josh, I bouggt my Trailmaster before I have heard about Cold Steel, Infact I bought it from a Sporting Goods Store back in the early 90's at a great price, He didn't know anything about it and sold it to me as a 420 Stainless Knife. it is a little different than the new ones, the ricaso is alot different on mine, Back then Lynn Thompson had a video claiming it was the toughest knife made in tge world both commercial and custom, Yeah, and I believe mine is, They just don't make them like tgey use yo, even the lamination line is very close to the edge similar to the Fallkniven, But I think I'm buying the Master Hunter in 3V I have it in San Mai 3 and the Integral 52100 4" blade that looks promising Oh and most defenetly the AK-47 Field Knife that looks awesome too, , , Laterz Josh.

[@jcarter855]

Nice :) I picked up one of the new Black Talon II'S CS may not be the best but they do have some awesome designs

[@paulie4x1]

Yeah the vintage Talon is as nice as my vintage ones, made the same way, , , But Cold Steel is making some very good stuff, now that tgeir using some good steel, I want to get the Master Hunter in 3V I have one in San Mai 3 and it's a pretty good one, But the new AK-47 Field Knife I think will be my next C.S. Oh and that Integral design 4" blade in the 52100 look's Sweet too,

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Josh, So how is the tip holding up on your San Mai 3, S.R.K. , Yeah, it's a good one for food prep and tasks like slicing and even some carving in camp, But no way in the world will it hold up like my CarbonV version or my Fallkniven A-1. By the way, I got a fantastic deal on a guy selling going out of bussiness knives that people who never picked up their orders, Anyhow one of the knives was a Fallkniven Njord it's part of the Northern Lights Series it's a beauty, same size as the A-1 but with a leather stack handle, it's a beauty. I also bought almost all of the Swamp Rat Rodent Series, Yeah I even got the RatWeiler just recently, But when it came to a 6" blade I didn't like the double guard tactical look and the thickness of the blade on the Rodent 6 so I had it modified, I had the top gaurd taken off and the blade thinned down and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu on steriods, It came out beautiful, I think IMO it's alot better than even my CarbonV S.R.K no question about it, It's one tuff badass knife and my Fav's, as far as looks, the nod prolly would go to the Njord, but as far as the knife I wish I had in a survival situation no doubt my Modde Rodent 6 hands down, it's my Fav's 6" blade, I love it, , ,

[@jcarter855]

I really enjoy the fallkniven A1 also, it's a tank of a medium sized blade.

[@paulie4x1]

Josh, Just becareful I'm real cold weather, That VG-10 Core is hard and hold's a great edge, but it will chip when batoning in extreme cold weather, But Yeah, It's one of my Fav's especially in wet conditions like camping around water, Even though my Modde Rodent 6 rusts alot easy, I keep it waxed and it's one of the toughest knives I have in the 6" size it's awesome, And Thanx for your reply, Do you still use your San Mai 3 Cold Steel S.R.K. ?

[@jcarter855]

+paulie 4x I ended up selling the san mai 3 and keeping the A1 ;)

[@paulie4x1]

Good choice, I was going to get the VG-1 S.R.K. but then I changed my mind but that AK-47 Field Knife is my next C.S. it's a full tang in the 3V, , ,

[@adods9824]

Me too! Mine is a custom shop Rodent 6. No top guard. Absolutely my favourite 6" knife. My Esee 6's are next ..

[@cwsmith17]

Is that really a cold steel blade on the bottom?

[@jcarter855]

It is, it's a very early SRK made by one of CS's subcontractors. I ended up trading it for a used sk5 gurkha kukri I could kick myself now - but at the time I really wanted a beater kukri...

[@cwsmith17]

ok thanks

[@allemander]

Are these full tang??

[@jcarter855]

They are partially full tang, the handle slides over the tang - then the grommet is inserted in the rear "tang hole" to secure them together. Hope this help's, you can Google either ark or recon Tanto tang for a better idea of what I'm talking about.

[@nickaguado7]

If that carbon V drops in cold weather, it'll shatter. No thanks. I'll take the SAN Mai III. It's a much more wicked blade.

[@Eurotrash4367]

What in the world are you talking about?

[@jcarter855]

I think he means the Carbon V is more robust in cold weather vs High carbon Stainless (SMIII). It should read If the SMIII drops in extreme cold weather onto a hard surface it has a greater potential to suffer edge or tip damage... just a mix up I suppose.

[@eipi5173]

was i suppose to learn something ?

[@jcarter855]

depends on your level of education Sir.....

[@eipi5173]

+josh carter im smart enough to know everything i saw and heard can be learned by looking at the box....thxs fo nothing...cyaaaaaa

[@fahadsharifi7055]

+Ei Pi Comparing between toughness, holdin edge and rust, Toughness: Both are great in field. Holdin edge: Carbon steel much better in holding edge then san mai III Rust: Blades coated to avoid stain & rust so no need for oil care. In san mai III coated by soft chromium & stinsteel on sides blades above the edge 1/2 inches and in carbon coated by normal rust resistant.

[@jcarter855]

+Fahad Sharifi i agree with your assessment sir. Now that CS offers a variant in 3V ( Ultra tough, excellent edge holding ability & only lacking in the rust resistance deartment besides the outstanding DLC coating) Thats where I'd place my money....

[@fahadsharifi7055]

..CPM 3V steel does not hold its edge as well as some other steels... Check out that: www.knifeart.com/3v-steel.html

[@steinert]

Thats no comparison and you are just a toy-boy who collects knives and never used them. ! You waste other peoples time - thats all !

[@jcarter855]

quite possible ;)

[@jcarter855]

+Hidden Woodsman beauty is in the eye of the beholder - as is usefulness, is it worth the money and so on... judgment is singular

[@jcarter855]

+Hidden Woodsman I know my videos aren't much but It's people/viewer's like you that make KZbin Great!!! Thank You!

[@scottm5972]

Stuff a new manpon in your mangina, sir.

[@sliderulelover]

Man, you really need to wake up when you do a video. You put me to sleep by your sleepy presentation. The next time you do a video, wake up. Also, if you're going to compare two knives, do a cutting test, otherwise, I could just have read a brochure. Without a cutting test, showing each knife in action, you don't give much information.

[@jcarter855]

Go back to sleep.....

[@eipi5173]

i agree... as do many here...look at his constructive reply to you and me.

[@tomsimmo5789]

Are you smoking a Doobie

[@dagthewog6290]

Man, you really need to wake up when you do a video. You put me to sleep by your sleepy presentation. The next time you do a video, wake up. Also, if you're going to compare two knives, do a cutting test, otherwise, I could just have read a brochure. Without a cutting test, showing each knife in action, you don't give much information. You remind me of my psychology professor. She looked like Shelley Winters and read from the book. I came pre-sleepy to her class to hear her drone-sounding voice. You didn't hyp-mo-tize us all, did you?