Cold Steel SRK: "Soldier Ready" by Nutnfancy

A Nutnfancy top pick for a deployment knife for combat-engaged soldiers, the SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) has a lot to offer the serious blade user. For one it's affordable. It's hard to find a quality stainless steel knife in this category (6 to 7 inch blade) and almost impossible to get it for around $60. By comparison the also-excellent amd similar Fallkniven A1 costs at least twice as much as an SRK. It is your affordable, quality alternative that should offer just as much capability. The SRK hasan impressively 3/16 thick spine that should excel in prying, chopping, cutting, wood splitting, and stabbing taskswithin its six inch limitations (spoken to in the video). The modified bowie clip blade is purposeful, avoiding nonsense design features that would detract from both its survival and combat usefulness (like sweeping curves meant more for Hollywood than the wilderness). Of course its just a 6 blade so that means it comes with some limitations and thats to be expected: it wont chop, hack, or cut as easily as a big ole survival blade like the CS Trailmaster. Thats just physics guys. But it sure is lighter: total carry weight is a mere 11 oz and that makes the SRK a top choice for soldiers and wilderness-bound NCs who need a strong fixed blade but not the knee-grinding loadout weight of a full sized blade. Its Kraton handle is outstanding, offering excellent purchase, shock absorption, and non-slip characteristics for your cutting tasks. And the whole package is topped off with another excellent waterproof ConcealEx (plastic) sheath that doesnt absorb water weight and is quick-attachable as well. Overall its a compact design that, for its size and weight, offers high levels of Survival Capability and Combat Efficiency (both Nutnfancy terms). And it will resist rust A LOT better than any 1095 steel blade and do so affordably. The Cold Steel SRK knife then remains a top choice for Nutnfancys recommendations for a carry-along, do everything combat blade. Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 8 out of 10 (for compact survival blades)

[@darentolley3195]

I was given a Cold Steel SRK during my deployment to Iraq. I can't say enough good things about it. The SRK was even able to punch holes in 55 gal drums.

[@mysss29]

"Having your knife sharp is like having gasoline in your car." YES

[@68wtotheend]

I got this knife for my deployment to Iraq. It was fantastic for cutting everything I took to it, the most reliable one was the seat belts I cut with it. The sand did take off some of the finish but like your video said the holes on the side of the sheath are perfect for 550 cord. I wove the sheath to my IOTV and it didn't move once. Great video and a great knife!

[@JesterSkywalker]

the thing about thumb ramps is that if one push stab too hard, there are chances of fracturing the thumb due to the postion

[@rasierzeug]

I was hot to get an SRK when I first saw this vid in 2009. Since they are kinda overpriced in Germany it took me some time, but finally I managed to get the Carbon V version for a very very decent price (slightly used) and I am so excited to take it out with me. Thanks for the vid bro!

[@shockurmom]

the SRK is a great knife! mine was given to me buy a good friend that served in the army. it was carried in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Great review on this blade! 5*

[@Forsaken0u812]

I bought myself the Recon Tanto Blade by Cold steel for my deployment. Loved it and never turned back. anything that can pierce a truck hood and keep on "trucking" has my vote.

[@SteadfastRC]

I bought this knife and have been running it for about a year. Love it!

[@david37922]

Bought an SRK (based on this video) for day hikes & camping. Great value, great quality, love the blade!

[@jeddfarley]

The part about the Kraton Handle wearing down to Nothing is crap. I've had my SRK since 2007 and the only spot worn down is where the compression fitting on the sheath touches. That has lost about 40% of its holding ability. The Kraton handle has slight movement around the tang from years of use.

[@philipshaw4112]

I have an old SRK with the original ballistic nylon sheath from about 1990 before the plastic sheaths came out. It is still solid and is the greatest I have seen for it's size, weight, and price.

[@ScGendo]

Every time i hear about prices in the US a part of me slowly dies in agony.

[@AirForceAce3571]

If you watch his "firemaking in the snow" & "Snow Cruise" series, he talks in detail in both series about his reasons and philosophies on splitting logs to access the dry wood inside the log for starting a fire & make it self-sustaining before throwing whole, possibly wet logs onto the fire.He does this because the climates HE goes in are wet, and very humid (Rocky Mountains) so that means initially burning whole logs won't work like it seems to for you in your environment. Hope that helps.

[@gippula]

I agree with you Nilsson, but i like to see the knives cababilities. I would never use my knife unless i really have to. You allso have to save the knives edge for the time you really need it. I would love to see more knife manufacturers to include a small sharpening stone with the sheath. Regards from Finland :)

[@CJ-os7gq]

originally thought this was an amazing knife, and i mean i still do. i absolutely love! the handle, the most comfortable plastic/rubber handle material ever with lots of grip. love the whole feel of the nice, love the sleek black look and what not and am amazed at how tough the knife truly is after having watched the testing video from coldsteel. however upon buying the knife i realized a few key points which really made this not so good of a survival knife. first off which is most observable it has no pommel which is a incredibly useful item for survival, breaking or crushing things could mean finding food for the day or not, or being able to do some other tasks you need. second the blade is a perfect length around 7-1/2 " i believe but its drop point to the blade is pointed up like a upside down V, and not flat at all. that drop point also runs about 2". when trying to use the knife to cut firewood, using another piece of wood as a baton that pointed tip makes it pretty much impossible to baton your knife as it just cuts into the piece your using to baton and is not generating any force on the piece of wood you want to cut. now as much as i love the feel, and love the look and man i do love the feel and look. i just would not trust this knife in a survival situation and would opt for another option.

[@33reyjay]

Mr fancy, I read you once had a carbon v recon tanto break during use. Is this true and could you explain the circumstances ? Thanks.

[@shcmoly]

Most makers are moving more and more production to Taiwan to save money, yet the prices never really seem to go down do they.

[@nutnfancy]

Thanks Mac. Nope that knife on the vest was a Cold Steel Kobun. I'll do a vest review on that soon and I'll explain it then. I love KaBar's too and generally would prefer it over these.

[@StartUpSurvival]

Nutnfancy please review the Cold Steel Master Hunter Fixed blade. Would be interested to see what you think about the steel vs Aus 8?

[@MrSamjohnston]

I've got a lot of use out of my SRK in the 5 months i've had it. Really great knife for splitting wood, chopping, smaller tasks. The blade has plenty of weight for a smaller knife which makes it easier to pack. Good knife for camping.

[@OmicronIII]

Just got this over the weekend. Well worth the 90 bucks. I love it. Great addition to anyone's survival back pack in my opinion.

[@iyn1911]

I just got the knife from my local store. Thanks for the recommendation. It's in my bug out bag.

[@unexpectedTrajectory]

Just got my SRK today. Very satisfied. After looking at knives like the Trail Master and Recon Scout, I wasn't sure 6" was going to be "enough." I realize it certainly doesn't measure up to the Trail Master for survival/combat, but I tell you what, at half the weight...this knife rocks! Feels very solid, decent heft, all around great knife. I would recommend it, provided you realize this isn't an uber-knife like the Trail Master or similar. Nutnfancy was right about this one. Cold Steel delivers

[@jwalsh037]

This is a great knife. Like he says the 6 inch blade has its limitations in the woods, but I will say I'm impressed with this knife for the price. I used it to process all my firewood last night, 5 hours of burning, lots of splitting. I just checked it out tonight, and it still cuts paper like a champ without even a touch up.... I had already sharpened it because it did't come especially sharp, but still. Impressed.

[@joezbackwith2gatz]

I love the SRK... I'll take 2 in aus8 and 1 in sam mai 3... I would even like to use the sam mai 3 for an EDC blade... The 2 aus8 blades for LBE systems... Great video Mr.Fancy...

[@outsidethebachs]

@nutnfancy, would you recommend the AUS-8 steel over the VG-1 San Mai III for this knife?

[@necromanticbunny]

'I don't know what that counts for, but it's kinda cool' - I love this guy ;)

[@nutnfancy]

Good point, will do.

[@christopherrobinson9690]

Soldiers I will pass on what I was told serving in the Army. Don't go cheap price or quality when its regarding staying alive.depend on only the best.

[@Joeskateapool]

all your videos I have watched are great!! thanks.what do you think of the buck special for a smaller survival knife?

[@siddanney9878]

how you compare the out of the box sharpness for this knife vs the SRK san mai?

[@pkwithblades7565]

Please do some tests with the SRK. i just got it and im still a bit skeptical about the AUS-8A. Great videos man.

[@unhumanballer99]

What dose he rap his handle with in the caption??

[@indiana183]

Hey Nutnfancy i know you like the kbar usmc knife i have one what do you think of the narrow tang in the handle? I know the military use this knife and have for years but is it fully capable and tough enough?

[@nobearsyet]

I liked my SRK, until I found the SEAL Pup. HAd t ore handle my SRK after about a year of daily usage in Iraq. Didn't really hold an edge well, but pretty good and enough to suit me.

[@oksurvivalguide]

Hey nutnfancy, I am thinking of getting this to attach to my maxpedition kodiak gearslinger. how does this knife do in a upside-down carry?

[@low49]

HAHA. I seriously going to buy the benchmade CSK 2. I saw your outdoor adventure using that knife for some light branch trimming I saw it chip. Thank you so much for that video you saved me about a 100

[@PlanBskate4444]

nice vid. i just ordered one on amazon and i will have it in about 5 days. i cant wait

[@SirGalath]

the ilumination you used on this video makes the SRK look so good...

[@tullywacker]

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SHARPEN 154CM STAINLESS? I.E. A BM3550?? its a great composite steel that holds edge but very hard to sharpen.

[@vandal9202]

I have one of these and I love it since I can take it on any kind of outing and its the perfect size and not too large. If I'm going to need to do any wood chopping I just take a machete or light hatchet.

[@eriktoews4216]

Great videos, bud. quick question: very interested in picking up this blade and have been considering either this aus8 version or cs's 'higher end' san mai steel. do you have an opinion on the differences in these steels, good bad or otherwise? thanks in advance for the help, cs wasn't so much...

[@Dilettant11X]

I got one of these years ago. Had a nylon sheath back then. Anyway, been a good knife in the field.

[@caddilacjim]

Great video Nutn.

[@aznelite325]

you can flip the nylon webbing attachment on either side of the sheath by just taking out the screws.

[@rangerbod]

I agree Fallkniven F1 does everything you need it too!

[@forkedroad]

ive always really liked the srk, huge 6" clip point blade, the simple yet effective handle, and now they have it with san mai iii? -aw man!

[@gravytrainoutdoors]

Sweet knife and review! What's your thoughts on the San Mai 3 version?

[@RJBeee91]

The Secure-ex sheath that comes with the SRK has a belt loop with velcro and button. It also has strap holes for LBE or any straps you want to run through it. Basically- Yea you can strap it to your ruck.

[@John031989]

Awesome job as usual. Why do you always go with kydex instead of nylon sheaths?

[@HarmLess7]

Hey NUTS! Missed your vids man ultra helpful. Wondering about buying a do everything knife for camping / hiking. I've got a laplander folding saw for firewood, theres only 3 of us, so wouldnt be making huge fires or shelters. My choices have fallen to CS SRK (but I'm worried about the steel of it, never used it before) the EKA Nordic W11 (my favourite) and the F1 obviously, but the most expensive. Whats the plan batman?

[@camdevo1]

Oh yeah and i'm fine with spending some money if i have to. As long as it holds up i'll save up and just get it. I just want your opinion on the best suited knife for what i'm looking for. I've just been looking at those 2 but i'm willing to look at other stuff as well.

[@nutnfancy]

All great points as usual Jet. "Gummy bear" grip- laughed hard on that one and very true!

[@TheGuyWithAWeirdName]

@wmc1982 The BK7 is my favorite knife for heavy camping or survival chores, but I think it would suck for defensive use.

[@oMG123aZomBie]

hey ntun could you do a review on the gi tanto, i heard some good reviews about it cheers

[@guitargamer57]

@nutnfancy What is a good outdoors knife for cutting branches and camping under $50?

[@TheChubbyKid]

The top 3 sets of holes on the top can be used to adjust the height of the belt loop. Just unscrew those screws and move them. If you put it in the 4th slot you will not be able to use the handle strap. Just got mine, needs to be sharpened though.

[@CutleryNovice]

Does Nutn like the Cold Steel SRK or Ontario SP17 Quartermaster better for woods use?

[@jibberingjon]

Nice video.

[@venomsam]

What do you think would be a better overall knife, the Cold Steel SRK in San Mai 3 or the Falkniven A-1?

[@VelociPurchaser]

got mine in san mai iii. can't wait.

[@WifeMadeThaStew]

Would love to see nutn's take on blackbird SK-5 and Becker bk2

[@ferencebartok1754]

Does the San mai III version chip easier then the aus-8 version

[@blueelite145]

hey nutn, i wanna get either the cold steel srk or the sog gov tac but im pretty split on which one to get, what would you prefer/recommend between the two?

[@ltjosh10]

I've been debating with myself about what kind of steel is the best. I've seen cold steel's vids where they bend the blade with san mai 3 but im wondering if D2 steel is brittle or not basically im looking at getting a D2 KA-BAR or cold steel OSS San Mai 3

[@MRdrPROkeithSR]

that ka-bar is the most attractive knife i've seen

[@SavageShooter93]

I have noticed in all of your reviews there arent any tanto tips be it a regular tanto IE the \_______ blade or the reverse tanto /____________ bad graphics yeah but you get the point i love em just for peircing advantage the chopping advantage due to that 45 degree point at the tip for impact on the regular tanto the reverse is styling but the reg tanto is function NUTN what do you think?

[@survivalkiing]

Just got mine in the mail 57$! Great blade cant wait to use it.

[@howyoudoing6]

Is this knife balanced out fairly well? Thanks

[@busansanai]

i see a lot of ppl on youtube and few i read on some forums that this knife develops some form of wiggle on the handle as they are used on batoning and stuff outdoor....how does yours holding nutn?

[@davk003]

Would love to see a review of the Cold Steel Leatherneck. Looks like they have a FFG version too.

[@bmx65]

Hi Veri, I may have asked this on another video and if I did then I'm sorry but. What does Nutnfancy think of TOPS fixed blade knives?

[@Eurotrash4367]

What does Nutnfancy think about the Cold Steel "Outdorsman". I have an older model in AUS 8. The newer version is San Mai III. Which steel do you think is better?

[@azerious85]

being depolyed takes a toll man, i can relate, stay safe bro

[@zelisiawolfcat1560]

Does anyone here know if Fancy ever made a review on the CS GI Tanto? I know its a cheap knife, but I was just wondering

[@PoopFartsFarts]

i was asking my self that too.

[@WaitForYouu]

Zelisia Wolfcat its kind of a POS, just get the Glock 78

[@Vampmonkey616]

+치유너 자신 I had one for bushcraft, and it did everything I needed it to do. It's cheap but tough.

[@jabara83]

when puting knives into a survival kit or usk or something of the such, would u rather have an srk, or a kabar combat knife? im leaning towards the srk just cause thats wat the seals use. i suspect they use the srk over the kabar for a reason, but wats ur opinion on the subject?

[@voutstg]

what would u say about sog gov tac ?which one do you think is better?

[@forkedroad]

when you were comparing, isnt the other knife a recon scout not a trailmaster?

[@nutnfancy]

See my "Anatomy of Hype" series and you'll see how I generally consider combat knives as emergency defensive backup tools. But effective backups they are, especially in urban combat, and I will always have one. These 8 ounces could possibly save your life. There's been plenty of close quarters, lethal combat in Irag and Afghanistan. Fallujah sound familar?

[@sgan2007]

Hey quick comment when you were showing how to sharpen the knife with that rod you were going in the direction of the blade. Have to pull the blade away to get super razor sharp. Pull the knife in the opposite direction of cutting direction

[@Petegrin1]

Hey Nutn! What knife would you recomand me to buy, the fällkniven a1 or the cold steel srk with aus 8 steel? Please answer here or on my channel sry for bad english

[@Kingmaconha]

what are those holes around the sheath for?

[@TheBCSledder]

Yea I never split logs and it works fine for me.

[@a1b2c39888]

hey how is the SRK doing over the time?? as this video is alomost 3 years old, is the SRK performing as well as it was when your first go it?

[@tasatasat]

Did you ever do another review of the SRK after testing it in the woods? I didn't see it in your videos.

[@bigmac53able]

I have several cold steel products and the sheaths seem to come with varing degrees of 'tightness' as far as holding the knife in when upside down. IF they are too loose, simply apply a clamp (I used a vise grip) to the general area that serves to hold he blade in with pressure for several hours or overnight, and your problem is solved. Of course you have to experiment as to how tight. Just the opposite for those sheaths that are too tight - prop them open for a while and exoerument. Good luck

[@nutnfancy]

All good points

[@peanutbutterslapbizn]

Hey nutnfancy can you review the TOPS Anaconda AN 7, I think that's what its called or any TOPS knives really

[@sargon08]

what about the Cold Steel OSS !! it has AUS 8A Stainless is this good steel ??

[@reefification]

@RJhasFLOW The seal pup elite should really only be used for a backup knife to strrap to your calf if any thing. although it's quite a well made knife

[@Kappi011]

i bought this knife awhile ago and have put it through its paces and i just noticed that the kraton handle has some movement on the handle up and down does anyone else have the same thing happening i mean i love the knife and its still my favorite i just dont know if i should talk to cold steel or just let it go?

[@VeganJutsu]

cool

[@lsutigers1010]

awsome review man very nice knife

[@Jimywiper]

Can you do a feild test with the srk cold steel

[@cg469]

@106nilsson If you watch most of his adventure vids, I think you can see his was throwing the whole log into the fire as long as the fire start to self maintaining. The split logs were mainly used for fire building stage, because the sharp edge is easier to catch the flame.

[@DAAN_MUSIC]

Is it possible to make this knife molle compatible?

[@cannon40k]

I'm interested in purchasing this knife but before I did I wanted to know how well that type of steel holds an edge?

[@Naicul22]

What do you think of the AUS-8A version?

[@MoNziL]

can u use it upside down or did u find it doesnt work that well?

[@IMFDB]

Is a screw supposed to fit in that hole at the end of the handle?