The Problem with the Cold Steel SRK SK-5

[@richardhenry1969]

You can solve your problem with a small para cord lanyard. I like to use the rescue cord so I have fire starter material if things are bad. I make the lanyard so it goes around my middle finger. You can always make a adjusting lanyard with two overhand knots. I think if you give the lanyard a try you will be amazed how helpful it can be.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

That’s a very good point! I’ll try that next time I’m out with the SRK! 🙏

[@1joshjosh1]

Or you can buy a real knife like the Buck 650 Nighthawk. And I don't mean that retarded tops version with the holes in it.

[@davealbertsen9387]

That's EXACTLY what I said! I'm thinking...it doesn't take a lot of imagination; come on, "blade people" need to be creative, or...just use your gun for everything! Lol

[@trynsurviven2440]

There is a lanyard hole in the handle. Add a little paracord and it will help with the grip while chopping. It would be interesting to see if Cold Steel comes up with something.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Liked your review. The knife is a search and rescue knife by design, not a survival knife. More suited for knife fighting and basic camp chores. My 2¢ LOL.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Thank you! Yeah, that’s true. But one can always wish… 😁

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

I have one, with the fancy steel. Looks like a seriously strong knife from my use so far. I have changed the angle of the blade at the finger guard end to 20 degrees, for stick feathering.

[@longrider42]

Use a Lanyard, then it will not fly out of your hand. I like the SRK, which is why I bought one.

[@adods9824]

Me too. Ended up with 4 !

[@longrider42]

@@adods9824 I only have the one. But I do now own 6 Khukuri's from Nepal, of varying sizes ;)

[@howardvarley8795]

Not a problem for me since I don’t chop with my knives, but I would like the tang exposed at the pommel.

[@josephfaraci7849]

That knife is marketed towards military like Navy Seals and other units as well as law enforcement- with that said your idea of actually having it for chopping with a curve handle might interfere with changing the grips from a standard position to a reverse position You want to keep it simple so even in a high stress situation you don't want to dropping the knife when you need it most like somebody's trying to shoot you or stab you and you decide to change grips only to get caught on the part of the handle

[@turtletruth]

People love the SRK because it's a long knife with a shorter handle. (Thats what makes the SRK what it is!)

[@HateGoogie-ez5cf]

Add AddI short 10cm long paracord (knoted) other lanyards hole. Bend it back over two fingers and under the rest( towards the edge). Never get the same problem again 💫

[@phila1714]

👍 one my favs for sure but i just put a lanyard on it to grab. Thanks for the vid

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Alk you have to do is learn to make a snake knot 550 cord lanyard its what I do on a lot of neck knives and for bigger knives for extended grip for chopping

[@oswaldosalazar9948]

Excelente comentario..saludos desde Ecuador

[@brendon2995]

What holster is that on the knife?

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

It’s the original sheath that comes with the knife, but I removed the belt part of it, and added two Velcro straps, so I could carry it horizontally on my belt, Works for both scout carry and front left side, although it sticks out a little bit

[@luisloya1120]

Simple fix: attach a heavy lanyard.

[@Stucknthe80z]

Wow….just wow…..🤦🤦‍♂️

[@lckgilmo43]

U.S. Navy Seal knife made by the cheapest bidder. Cold Steel.

[@grumpyolesilverback7211]

This is clearly a “user” problem…certainly not a knife problem. 🤦🏻

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Haha yeah, that could very well be the case 😅

[@broadminded7774]

The problem with democracy is that everyone has the right to speak! So your solution to this design "flaw" will be to make the knife ugly and unwieldy by adding 2-3 inches of curved plastic to its rear end? Absolutely Moronic!

[@edbrown6985]

I've had a srk for a long time and never had one problem

[@DelightfulHelmet-mc8su]

Me to

[@charleslennonbaker]

I have been using the SRK for decades. He has a valid point regarding slippage, but using tacky gloves will stop it from slipping while chopping and I ALWAYS tie a lanyard to my fixed blade knives, especially my camping knives.

[@annodomini7250]

@@charleslennonbaker buy an axe.

[@MarkusMöttus-x7j]

Does it hav a 90° spine?

[@franciscoarana6626]

That is why there is a hole to attach a lanyard to your size preference. The SRK is perfect, and C.S. has been producing it for over 1/4 century.

[@bigmbd87]

that is what the lanyard hole is for,to attach a lanyard.that part of the knife is called the quillon,The choil is the space between the cutting edge and the handle and is part of the actual blade

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

I know, I realized too late that I was mixing up choil and the fingerguard/quillon.

[@brr8888]

Most knife guys know what that lanyard hole is for 🤦‍♂️

[@Ceriva09]

to be fair the knife is not build to chop its way to light for that. Cross batoning might be a better way to use it then and thicker wood can be "beaver chewed" with this and you still would need less energy

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Fair point! Although it has a decent chop for it’s weight, wouldn’t you say?

[@Ceriva09]

@@KnifeySurvivalist absolutly and the handle absorbs shock extremly well

[@adods9824]

Agreed. Too, btw 😄👍

[@StevanOutdoor]

The original name of this knife is "Search & Rescue Knife" but the people changed it in "Survival & Rescue Knife". Two things I would change. 1. No falso edge for better tip strengt when prying or batoning. 2. Bring back the AUS8 version with the saber grind instead of the current hollow grind. But you are giving your view so why would I dislike the video? It was just never designer as a chopping knife.

[@Kris_Stiletto]

I think it's great, too. Especially, for it's price point. For chopping, add a Lanyard... :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

I actually agree, and having read all the comments here, I will definitely add a lanyard and maybe make a video apologizing for critizing the people's knife 🔪 😅

[@throwbackzZ]

The srk is designed for buds not just survival. I carried this knife for years and never had an issue with it.

[@jakubpetkov1722]

I've never had issues with this (you can always attached the lanyard). However, my one and only problem with SRK is missing the exposed tang (similar to Fällkniven A1/S1, as example)

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

That’s a good point! Maybe Cold Steel could fix both of our problems in one change? By extending the tang to a full tang + make it an exposed tang + adding a little curve to the handle (like the Espada XL). What do you think? 😊

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Find a rock

[@samthai818]

Hahahahaha....LMFAO!

[@longrider42]

@@KnifeySurvivalist It is a full over molded tang. Use a magnet and you will find that out. The tang goes all the way back to the lanyard hole.

[@411Outdoors]

I did a video a while back on the SRK. A lot of people didn’t like it whereas others agreed. It’s look and feel is fabulous and if all one was ever going to do was slice or pierce, great! I absolutely do not like the handle construction, and I stand by that. It is too easy to loosen as far as survival is concerned. Since a great majority of us are not navy seals. It’s going to be used in the bush and out in the field. I don’t even need a knife to be full tang, but I don’t think this is as strong as others that have a rat tail tang. Don’t get me wrong I like it, but there are much stronger options around the same price

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

I saw that video you made, and I think you had some great points there! Thank you for watching and commenting on this one, I've been following you for quite some time, and I always watch your videos before getting a knife. Just curious, which knives would you say today are better value for money compared to the Cold Steel SRK? Assuming with full tang?

[@johnmutton799]

SRK is search and rescue, not survival! If you want to chop, use a lanyard.

[@silviopit]

The problema is when you do not have one 😅

[@azcrazybull1276]

Nice constructive criticism. It was done professionally. Haters always gonna hate

[@kennychan9459]

Sorry. Nope. If you don't know what a lanyard hole is for, I can't take you seriously as a knife guy.

My problem with SRK Compact is that it is a bad knife for carving, which is what I mostly do with my knives. Otherwise it is a nice knife.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Concerning chopping, I have seen other vids where they attached paracord loop to A knife to aid in chopping? Would that work better for you?

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Yes, I think that’s the best way to solve this for now 👍🙏

[@dualsportoutdoors]

SRK is my favorite production mid-size survival knife by far. Knives shouldn't be used to chop. Cross-batoning is infinitely more effective

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Going to try that next time! I’ve only used cross batoning to notch so far, but I will definitely try it to split some wood next time I’m out!

[@Adam-zq7qg]

You may like the cold steel AK 47 handle

[@MadMakMurdock]

It's actually a decent suggestion.. I have one but I mainly carry it for utilitarian tasks at work and concealed for self defense . But they should take your suggestion for a specialized bushcraft edition.

[@adammcguinness9950]

Just put a short lanyard on it. It’ll give you more to grab at the end.

[@nobodyatall7039]

That is definitely not a chopping-weight knife. The way to use a small blade like that to fell or section trees in the unfortunate absence of a folding saw is to use it like a chisel with a baton.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Hm, hadn't thought of that! I will definitely try that next time I'm out with the SRK 😊

[@johnsmith4630]

put a lil lanyard on it or put longer handle, to make it chop better

[@stevethecross2727]

I have an srk and I put a braided lanyard on it to give me more grip on extended grips.

[@Scouse.Malinois]

Lanyard would do, or wrap the end with tape

[@jhtsurvival]

I just got one

[@charlesmckinney]

Add a short lanyard to the handle, insert last two fingers into the yanyard and chop. It secures the knife in your grip quite well. Works for me.

[@andrewjordan7967]

Thx for the review. As previously stated- use a lanyard. There is a good reason this knife is popular for both defense and survival. Bigger hands require bigger handles. Improvision and creativity are irreplaceable survival characteristics! That and having the will to survive. 👍

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Thank you for the kind words, and I agree! 😊

[@RubbaDubbaDooskie]

Probably a weight/material/cost/ergonomics decision that doesn't factor in XL hands. They're going for optimization for median/average hands for their end users.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Yes, I'm sure there are a lot of factors weighing in, but they have made quite a few of their other blades with the curve I'm talking about, so maybe it could be possible down the road that they make a variation with that?

[@MitchellRoberts-dk2mb]

So not fitting your hand is the big deal breaker? When chopping. 🤔🧐😏 Try holding it properly and don't attack trees with it. It's actual purpose is a tactical stealth knife. Stabbing and slicing flesh.

[@martinhafner2201]

Giving the handle a curve at the bottom would get in the way of knife grip changes in knife fighting. It would cease to be a good fighting knife. Use a lanyard for chopping. Learn how to set up and use a lanyard properly. Most people do it wrong.

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

Who chokes back on a belt knife without a lanyard? Only issue I’ve ever had is that the sheath can sometimes contact the blade edge dulling the blade. Just have to be mindful when withdrawing or re-sheathing the knife.

[@TheAustralian1x]

Use a lanyard

[@1x1_southcoast83]

See that little hole in the handle? That’s for a lanyard. Use a lanyard and it won’t slip out of your hand when using that chopping action you’ve described.

[@davealbertsen9387]

You can simply put a short length of paracord through the lanyard hole to improve retention when chopping.

[@crux85]

Valid opinion about the handle, but you could add a lanyard and solv your issue 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@1qas23]

Lanyard!

[@MarkusMöttus-x7j]

But my most important question is, does it have a 99° spine???

[@seanhewson1341]

You can baton the knife into the branch at an angle and then baton it at the apposing angle instead of chopping with it.

[@pugilist102]

I’ve never chopped with a knife. I don’t even know why it gets tested so much. Looks silly to me.

[@seanhewson1341]

@@pugilist102 It's not ideal but there are ways to make it work. A small knife might be all you have for some reason. You don't always get to choose your circumstance.

[@pugilist102]

@@seanhewson1341 I’m not gonna chop with it. Using a baton like you stated is feasible. Wasting energy trying to chop with a small knife is silly. Find another way.

[@samthai818]

Agreed. The only chopping I do is whacking off side branches off a main stem or chopping off a palmetto leaf. I will always prefer to use my Corona folding saw or a hatchet. But batoning is perfect with the SRK!

[@jamescooper2618]

I disagree. I think it's good the way it is. Especially for the price.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

1:44 all starts

[@jedijoelam]

I get your point. A lanyard would definitely help, but longer handles are always welcome. For now, I do suggest a two-finger lanyard loop in the 'paracord bracelet' form. In a full grip it helps prevent secure your grip, while in a three finger chopping grip it will also give you something extra to grab onto.

[@daginn896]

Love the design, like the steel, but the handle is shit. Tore mine after one day of use.

[@ultimaetsolder]

Knife has a user problem. Not a knife problem.

[@bdh3949]

Good quick review, thank you. Have you tried an adjustable lanyard that can tighten around your chopping hand adding both length of reach and control of chop? I just put one on my SRK and it does work well though not as good as other knives I have for that purpose.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Ooh, I like the idea of an adjustable lanyard! I will try it, and I think it will be part of my next video 😋

[@potassiumcyanide3857]

Why would i chop wood with my knife, i have axe for that

[@FerndaleMichiganUSA]

No Man! A pinky lanyard! That's what you need.

[@CitizenValve]

They put the lanyard hole there for a reason….use it.

[@ahhamartin]

Similiar to how when I used a finger grooved Randall "Airman" (#15) and moved my fingers down two grooves when chopping. Also put the Kabar's pommel in my palm. Works much better than it sounds.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

YES! 🤗

[@user-jr2ue9nu6y]

Its a stick tang so weak. Its a cheap survival knife.

[@JoelGalvan-w6y]

I stick with case and k bar, never a problem.

[@carlosamigosAUS]

It's called parachord, bud :)

[@mattmonsees2393]

Nothing wrong with it since it’s like $35

[@BeefT-Sq]

Clickbait alert. A knife that isn't ideal for chopping ? What next ? An ax that feels blade heavy ?

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Haha 😂 when you put it like that 😅 I feel like a bit more of a rounded handle would make it a better survival knife overall, but maybe that’s an unrealistic request

[@Cleatus546]

It is a piece of overpriced junk.

[@James-ke5sx]

Better to get a different knife that suits you.

[@chriswb7]

Put a lanyard on it and use that to put your wrist through when you want to chop.

[@That-straight-six17]

I’m about to buy two of these

[@usbsol]

Mine broke on the second day of batonning wood for a fire... not impressed at all

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Oh no! I would not expect that from mine, I’ve used it a lot and not seen a hint of it breaking

[@TK-fd2rj]

Buy an axe instead!

[@Codename-B]

Just use a lanyard.

[@Steve-mz5uv]

Put a lanyard on it to hold it take it off when not needed

[@singingtoad]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the SRK. Although, I get what you're saying, I personally don't have any issues with my SRK for what I use it for. It's not designed to be used as a chopper, so I don't use it as such. I have other knives in my collection that are better suited for that task. 👍However, if you want to use it for chopping, I'd recommend adding a lanyard as other have also mentioned here. ☺Take care and Cheers!

[@adods9824]

You're

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

1:41

[@TK-fd2rj]

Not a chopper dude!

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

@@TK-fd2rj I bought an axe instead!

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Gonna piss off the fan boys with this one

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Hehe yeah, that is a risk that comes with taking a shot at their favorite knife 😅 Hopefully (albeit unlikely,) it leads to a new and improved SRK from cold steel, and maybe then they will forgive me 😋😛

[@heldersantos6295]

🥴

[@seanhewson1341]

You can baton the knife into the branch at an angle and then baton it at the apposing angle instead of chopping with it.

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Hm, that's an interesting take, I will definitely try that with this one and my other smaller knives 🙂

[@seanhewson1341]

@@KnifeySurvivalist I have a hatchet that can be used for chopping, batoning and feather sticks. A Ka-Bar Jaroz Chopper that can be used for chopping batoning and feather sticks and a TOPS HOG that can be used for smaller Batoning and things like feather sticks. Smaller knives aren't going to be much for chopping but you can baton them like I said to chop through the branches. A folding Silky saw can be a very useful tool as well. If you are stuck in the wilderness and want to build a strong shelter the saw would be better than chopping with an axe or a knife.

[@ahhamartin]

Oh yeah; search around for a stick of firewood every time you want to chop something real quick.. get off the pavement for once my friend.

[@seanhewson1341]

@@ahhamartin I don't have any lazy friends

[@RichardMeisenhelder]

i agree add a lanyard

[@anonymous19172]

Add a lanyard

[@chipallen7792]

Lanyard

[@staginglightingsensation8505]

For combat use the cold steel tanto. And for choping a machete

[@scottm2244]

It’s not full tang either

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Ah yeah that’s true, but I don’t really have an issue with that, it handles abuse quite well, I’ve been throwing and beating mine so many times and it doesn’t even hint at breaking 😁

[@adods9824]

It is ! Has been for over 30 years

[@iruwild]

Just use a lanyard for chopping, and I would use at least 8 inch blade for chopping.

[@ahhamartin]

.......and a SEAL Team if you got mugged? You'd use what you had with you.

[@woofman4796]

The biggest problem with cold steel is cold steel, I'll stick with esee fixed blades and spyderco folders

[@jlogan2228]

Tbh you shouldnt be trying to chop with a smaller knife like this, its not bot what its made for. Its like saying theres a problem with a shovel bc you cant rake the leaves with it. If youre going to chop get a larger heavier knife, a machete, a cleaver, a hatchet etc

[@ahhamartin]

In the real world, you "run what you brung". Iast winter I spent a night in a ravine with a dislocated knee. All I had to make a cane with was a Emerson "Horseman" POCKETknife. It chopped...

[@simonstokes369]

Just no.

[@henryhill6126]

I saw a broken one in SK5 with huge grain which means bad heat treatment. That is probably why it broke so easily. It is a very visually appealing knife to me. I have the laminated version and it is great.

[@celmer6]

I've been rocking Cold Steel's SRK since 1990 with 7 of them in my rotation now and I have to say "Nyet knife is fine"!. I understand what you are saying and what you want to accomplish. What you need is a heavier knife for chopping chores. Try one of Cold Steels Bowie knives for chopping. After 33 years with the SRK I'm convinced that it is the perfect all around Survival and Combat knife. When I'm out in the woods it's like a extension of my body and always ready for whatever task I have to accomplish.

[@adods9824]

Me too. That's how I've ended up with 4 of them! 2 old skool carbon v and 2 newer SK5 ... 😄👍🤘🇦🇺

[@celmer6]

@@adods9824 I love the Carbon V blades because they really perform great. The SK5 performs every bit as well with better edge retention. I have 2 of the SK5 SRK's and I use them exactly the same as the Carbon V.

[@knowledgeseeker3188]

dude...for your complaint...buy a hatchet

[@Andr8k]

maybe you know better knife for the buck?😮I'm not

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Hm, good question! Of the ones I own, I would say the Schrade SCHF52 is a close competitor when it comes to an outdoor/bushcraft survival knife, and it is very close in price and capabilities, but a bit heavier. I recently got the Condor Jungle Bowie, and that one is similar in price to the SRK SK-5, and a bit more combat geared maybe, but it could probably pull off the same tasks with the same weight 😊

[@Andr8k]

​@@KnifeySurvivalistI should definitely try shcrade 52m. Thanks for advice

[@samthai818]

I disagree, but I still like the video! My friend, you can easily rectify your concern with the issue of the knife flying out of your hands should you chose to chop with a very low handle hold, add a finger lanyard to accommodate a a secure hold. It would also improve your chopping by allowing the knife to pivot and torque with a greater range of motion making your chopping more efficient and effective. Use 550 paracord or a piece of leather rope and you would have your perfect knife. For Coldsteel to modify the SRK would increase the cost of a great cheap knife, change the balance of the knife, and people with smaller hand would not like that change. They made this knife with 90% of users in mind with small to large hands. Unfortunately your extra large hands falls outside of intended users. But again, a little simple modification could easily remedy this. On another note, have you taken a look at the Recon Tanto? I believe it is an even better knife than the great SRK! Longer blade making it a better chopper and a much better batoning knife!

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

Thank you for the constructive advice! I have added a lanyard now, and it feels safer to chop with now!

[@KnifeySurvivalist]

I don't have the Recon Tanto yet, but I will probably add it to my Cold Steel collection next year! 😊

[@samthai818]

Right on brother! Right on!

[@Im_With_Stupid]

It's a good jack-of-all-trades knife, but it's too small to be an efficient camp/survival knife and too big to be a practical bushcrafting knife. If all you're going to do is a little bit of both, go for it, but if you do a lot of it you're better off carrying something for both applications, like an Esee6 or RAT 7 and something small. Even a slipjoint stockman would be an infinitely better bushcrafting knife than the SRK.