Cold Steel SRK San Mai VG-10: Most overlooked variant

[@spike--]

🍻 bought a double knife package on Amazon for $140. The black coated and vg10 model. Both came in great condition.

[@yellowdog762jb]

Howdy from the Texas Gulf Coast! Thanks for the video! I also like D2 for some blades, but they can be a challenge to sharpen on some stones, and they rust pretty easily. I also like 440C, IMO it is an affordable, rust resistant steel with good edge retention . +1 for VG10 as well.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Howdy friend 🤠. If hest treated correctly those are all very good steals 👍 I like D2 as well but it can rust up on you living on the coast. Thanks for the comments bro 👊

[@2greeksandacamera]

This and the smaller Mini Pendleton’s which were made of VG-10 in Japan are as you say, fantastic. Also this to Cold Steel’s credit is the superior gripper material.

[@zensempai7371]

I have an 01 trail master - you look at it and it rusts and I live in a very arid, hot & dry climate ( Australia) but I do love how easy it is to sharpen and it’s edge retention- I have one san mai blade and my plain VG10/carbon V Blades work almost as well , so at the end of the day I think most of us are really splitting hairs needlessly as for most, knife use is a hobby more then a crucial survival life skill.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

That was very beautifully worded what you said at the end there. And it's true! At the end of the day the knife that you can maintain, sharpen and that works for you is the best knife! Materials, edge retention, corrosion resistance, toughness are of course variables that will inherently affect the way your knife performs. But like you said a lot of this stuff is just nerd knowledge and for most it just won't matter 😂. And I really love what you said because I love to tell people the truth about metallurgy. If you are a normal person who is just going to be using your pocket knife as a normal person like three cuts a week max. I would bet $100 cash that that person would not be able to tell the difference between D2 and S30V. I stand by that! And O1 is by far one of the best carbon steals out there for hard use and I really wish companies would use it more! My Uncle Chris has a custom fixed blade in O1 and man is it TOUGH!!! But back on the subject of usage, if you are a person who truly does rely on a knife day today for work and use their knives day-in-and-day-out, then I will have to say that the composition of your knife is very very important! But like you said as for most people, they would never tell the difference if it wasn't stamped on the blade. And I also try to remind people that this is a hobby first and foremost into not take it too seriously. Awesome comment man I really appreciate it 👊

[@zensempai7371]

Yeah - don’t get me wrong I love the different metals and form and function - I just like to be real so people that are getting into blades don’t needlessly feel that what they can afford, won’t be acceptable for their needs. And it’s funny all the blades I have seen my precious family used in generations past for farming and hunting and processing game are so simple and cheap, yet wickedly useable. I appreciate your response btw , bang on how I thought you felt too 😂

[@brokeboytactical4397]

@@zensempai7371 I just made and I'm uploading a 20-minute video based off your comment! I'm serious I could not agree with you 100% more even on this comment. Right on the money dude 🔥. I gave you a credit for this video as well.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

As in Texas, livin' in Florida you acquire an appreciation for a good stainless steel! I'm fortunate enough to have both SRK's! I keep em both oiled to prevent ANY dots or spots that can form in a New York minute in this humidity! I'd rather put my knife on a 5 minute strop or stone than a rubbing off the rust for as long as it takes!

[@matthewmiller9520]

I'm really glad cold steel made a stainless option for this knife without abandoning the sturdiness that makes it so fun to beat shit up with. Since I'm from Texas too I'd definitely spring for this version, plus putting a hollow grind on it is just smart since it's so thick. Although, you can do a lot of dumb shit with 3 SK5 versions for around the same price lol

[@brokeboytactical4397]

It's a tough knife for sure. I just really am glad they took the time to do it correctly. Stainless outdoor knives can be a hit-or-miss. This was definitely a hit!

[@brokeboytactical4397]

you can do some really dumb s*** with three sk5 SRK this is true 😂. just saw that last bit it was hiding lol.

[@InGratitudeIam]

The saber grind results in a tip that is stronger than the hollow grind.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

I much prefer the sabre grind

[@ludoA.K.A]

Hi guys, I ordered an SRK San Mai VG10 steel. I received the knife, everything looks perfect except for a small detail : the "lamination line" along the edge is parallel but only on one side... I have one of the two sides of the knife with the tip covered by the steel protecting the VG10 : normally, the tip is only made of VG10, the central steel. Apart from this aesthetic detail (I hope so...), it seems... wow ! He's a fighter and it shows. The Secure-Ex sheath sucks, it compresses the knife, it's not normal to have to force the blade to get it in... The Zytel sheath delivered with some ESEE knives is almost luxurious put side by side.

[@CaptainHookhatesBooks]

Grabbed the san mai. Love the kydex sheath, blade length, and all around purpose. Also really wanted the stainless look. Hope it last me a long long time.

[@paulowenkamakz1]

Hey man, a lot of people think Cold Steel is just cheap end crap. They actually make good quality knives and on many different price platforms for any budget. I have a few Cold Steel knives myself and they just keep on going! Have a good one!

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Agreed! I level with people when they think that. Cold steel can really be a hit-or-miss. They're not disingenuous about it or anything they flat-out tell you if the knife serves our purpose or if it's a novelty. Like you said they do make knives at all price ranges and different levels of quality. You can get novelty knives, really good but cheap knives, excellent budget knives, good mid-tier knives, and good expensive knives. Problem is a lot of people don't like to read the description when purchasing said products they'll just see "cold steel" and buy it and assume it's the toughest thing ever made. Cold Steel imo makes the toughest and most overbuilt hard use/tactical blades out there. Budget or not they can really take abuse and keep coming back for more. I will say though they're non-budget stuff is a bit overpriced. The budget territory is really where they shine if you know what to look for.

[@Immortalized1]

@@brokeboytactical4397 recon tanto for 50 bones is almost as good as the Glock 78/81 for around the same price point. The bushman also. Low end but reliable to a degree

[@adrianfytr35]

Just ordered a SRK San Mai at a huge discount. I sure hope it's not a factory second, I get the feeling it's gonna be. It'll be my first Cold Steel knife.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Huge discount? It might be defective if it's truly a significant discount. Factory seconds are different than knives that are on sale that just happened to be defective. So if it's messed up you should be able to warranty it 👍 Hopefully it's just a fit and finish issue. I honestly should make a video about this! Thanks for the good content idea seriously! I'll Give you a shout-out man. Again I really hope it's just a fit and finish issue I really hope there's not a problem at all! I hope just got a good deal man.

[@adrianfytr35]

@@brokeboytactical4397 Awesome! I'll let you know if it's jacked up when it gets here👍. Edit: Amazon delivered it earlier today(very fast!) As far as I can tell the only thing that was a letdown was the sharpness level, it was not as razor sharp right out of the box as I had hoped. Still very sharp but didn't slice thin cardboard as easily as it should've have. I guess I'll never really know if it's defective as far as toughness because it's too awesome looking to abuse lol. I will use it for work but I'm gonna get a carbon SRK for heavy duty stuff, which doesn't really encompass much haha. It really is nice to look at and wield.

[@Immortalized1]

Definitely a beautiful knife as well as functional. The Japan Version was nice but so is this new one made in Taiwan

[@brokeboytactical4397]

I wish I could have gotten my hands on one of the Japanese versions long ago but I never jumped on it. You are correct the Taiwanese version is also very solid that's what I have. It's an older Taiwanese model I've had it for a while but it's still excellent

[@franciscoarana6626]

Nice, informative vid., But, the inner cutting steel is VG1, not VG10. Less prone to chipping. Easier to sharpen.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

The box says San Mai VG-10

[@HeavySetTactical409]

brother that was in my opinion an exceptional and accurate description of steels and this knife i just ordered the san mai version have the cpm lv and sk just want to try it out test it and beat on it a bit. thanks for the great video! i couldnt agree more haha i watch videos a lot and sometimes guys just dont know what the hell these steels do and are for its funny but this video was spot on my thoughts as well.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Thanks man 👊! I really really appreciate that! This was one of the more difficult knives to breakdown because of the different variants, price points and applications. I'm glad it came out comprehensive 😂 thanks for your comments bro 👊

[@HeavySetTactical409]

@@brokeboytactical4397 i just got and did a review of the san mai srk love that damn thing so sick

[@brokeboytactical4397]

​@@HeavySetTactical409 oh no s***? Well I'll definitely go and check that out man 👍

[@Sambo169]

I think the CPM 3V is tougher than the SK-5! I like the Vg10 San Mia SRK. I'm confused though? I have a Vg10 San Mia in Taiwan. I seen a Vg10 San Mia knife made in Japan as well! Which Vg10 San Mia is better? Taiwan or Japan?

[@brokeboytactical4397]

I've never handled the Japanese Cold Steel unfortunately. I was a little too late to the game they had already started producing in Taiwan by the time I started collecting knives. And that would actually be tough to say Taiwan is proven themselves to be quite the quality manufacturing country. They do produce some low end things too but so do all other countries. But Japan is definitely renowned for their forging skills so that's a toss-up... I still have to go with Japan if I'm being honest. But that's just because I've had a lot of success with Japanese made knives. As for 3v being tougher than sk5, unfortunately it isn't. I'm not saying it's better don't get that twisted. 3v has pretty much identical toughness to 1095. Sk5 is more in the realm of 1075 to 1080. Which is far tougher than 1095. But 3B will actually hold an edge instead of folding. Well sk-5 is a breeze to re-sharpen you are going to have to do it far more frequently than you would with 1095 or 3v. 3v is definitely a better steel don't get me wrong I am not saying that sk5 is just as good or better but it is tougher

[@jeremybryant5778]

I think the outer steel they use is 420 j2 or something like that. Tough stuff

[@brokeboytactical4397]

According to their website it's a high carbon spring Steel. That might be 420-j2 I don't know 😂. And it might have changed since I bought this knife. This particular one is a bit older

[@tunyung]

Thin and small tang of this knife do you think? Wish they were wide as the blade

[@stevewilson6937]

3v is far tougher than 1095 or sk it has 12% chromium. 13% is considered stainless

[@barkriverbravo1]

In Ohio I have many 3v blades and have had 0 issuer with rust

[@brokeboytactical4397]

They rust up on me here in Texas . My benchmade 200 puukko started forming a patina within a little over a month. Geography will play a roll in it's performance

[@spartacus4141]

Have u noticed any loosening in the handle I hear the 3v version gets lose after patoning?

[@brokeboytactical4397]

I haven't. But I would say it's possible. It's more of a super solid stick tang design design. The only thing keeping it in the grip the the brass bolster so play could theoretically develop. However, that being said I've beaten mine to no end including an sk5 version and it never developed any wiggle. Hope this was helpful.

[@spartacus4141]

Good talk

[@MadM0nkey]

Is it true what they say that these sheaths dull the blades ?

[@brokeboytactical4397]

They will for about 2 months if you use it a lot. But once you wear away all that extra material inside of the sheath and you use it a lot it won't dull your knife anymore it just needs a little bit of a break-in. But yes in the beginning it will dull your knife just a little bit. But then again like I said after awhile it will stop 👍

[@MadM0nkey]

@@brokeboytactical4397 the clearest, most conclusive answer i ever got on this question. Thanks mate !

[@emilyhofland8219]

Do you oil your working blade to help with corrosion?

[@RobertSmith-us7gs]

Aus 8 verson is best

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Really? I'd like to know your thoughts on that. I'll say it's not a bad budget pocket knife Steel not sure how well it'll translate into a Hard use fixed blade. But again I would really love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for the comment

[@ludoA.K.A]

​@@brokeboytactical4397​, JOE X on his KZbin channel claims that the AUS8 steel SRK is the best all-steel version of Cold Steel's SRK. In relation to the torture tests he subjects the knives to, it must be specified ! This KZbin guy loves AUS8 steel : one of his favorite knives is the APO 1S by Survival Lilly (partnership between the two behind his videos ? I don't know). But since the only stainless model still on sale today is in VG10 steel, consumers don't really have a choice. Personally, I find that paying 60€ for an SRK SK5 is OK. If the tang of the knife moves inside the handle after a few cuts, or if there is water seeping through the top of the handle, it's not that bad for the price and it's not a drama if it goes in the trash. It's still a good knife. 130€, still in Europe, for the VG10 San Maï version, stainless steel, it's starting to get a bit expensive. This is the upper limit, for me, that I am willing to pay for an SRK taking into account the design of the knife and its big weak point : its narrowed tang in the handle. 200€ for the CPM-3V version ? Overpriced considering the overall quality of the SRK, in my opinion. And apart from JOE X, I've never seen videos of people using their SRK with this fancy 3V steel : that's normal, given the price. Perfect for cutting paper and showing off, but the price difference is not justified.