Mike Skugrud—October 11, 2025
I just received my SRK SK-5 knife and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. This knife was very sharp out of the box, shaved hair off arm with no additional sharpening required. The fit and finish are exceptional and sheath fit was excellent, nice and tight. The sheath will attach nicely to my Bugout Bag. I have a very large collection of knives, mostly custom handmade, and normally wouldn’t trust buying a knife with such a low price tag but am glad I triggered on this one. I highly recommend this knife. Read more
Biff—July 16, 2025
This is a great knife at its price point. Feels very stout, the handle has good weight to it, and is nice and grippy. The sheath is very sturdy, has firm retention, and is easy to configure to various mounting methods. And this thing arrives SHARP. Like single pass shave hair off sharp. If you're looking for a knife to do work with, but that you won't cry in your beer if you manage to break it, get an SRK. Read more
S. Mariner—July 1, 2023
I have a lot f knives. A lot. For some reason, I just now got around to picking up a Cold Steel SRK. I LOVE THIS KNIFE. Best knife available at this price point as far as I'm concerned. Feels great in the hand with the rubbery grip which is also very comfortable in the hand, has a nice thick 6" blade, and feels light enough to handle really well and not pull your pants down due to weight, and yet is very solid and sturdy feeling enough that it can take anything you can dish out. I can see that we will have a great future together and is now my favorite for camping and everyday use. And that's saying something since there are many Ka-Bar, OKC, Buck, and others of which most were more money waiting on deck. It's a great looking knife but it's not so pretty that you are afraid to use it because you'll mess it up, and has a very utilitarian look and feel. Which means you'll actually use the heck out of it. Hopefully it will live up to expectations and I wish I would have pulled the trigger on this one long ago. It's perfect. Read more
Jessie Walker—December 15, 2025
Best tactical knife you can get at this price , I have purchased several knives from cold steel and they are all great but if I had to choose one that I’d consider almost perfection it’s the SRK, I have the compact and I love it so I knew the full SRK would be good but this knife is excellent, perfect size, extremely comfortable grip I absolutely love the handle design and fairly intimidating looking, definitely recommend getting this knife to anyone Read more
John P.—November 11, 2024
Just an initial observation as I haven't owned this knife for long. Build quality feels very sturdy, blade was thicker than I thought it would be and the handle is firm and grippy. I can't find anything to complain about fit and finish. No flaws that I can see. The factory sharpening I would rate as Excellent. Edge apexed right down the middle and no burr can be felt, razor sharp and smooth. I don't like the sheath and took 1 star away for it. It's way too tight and takes significant effort to sheath and unsheath. Overall it feels cheap and like an afterthought compared to the quality of the knife. Overall for the price I'm happy with what I received. Read more
MutsPub—July 21, 2019
For $40 you get a 6" knife with a decent sheath that is a general use "jack of all trades, master of none" working knife that will serve most well. It is a good knife w/sheath that is extremely functional. Do I wish that they were still saber ground instead of hallow, Yes. A hallow grind is cheaper to make and not as strong. Buck have successfully been doing it forever on their "hunting" knives; different steel and heat treat. I paid less than $40! I bought 2. They are both flawless; edge; grind angle; sheath. I re-profiled the edge to 20 degrees per side. I wrap the handle in black hockey tape because Cold Steel rubber grips will, for sure, chew on your bare hands over time. Tape the stitched connection of the sheath from nylon to plastic. This is where the sheath will tear. I raise the belt loop up on the sheath to its highest point; re-install the Chicago screws, and tape around the sheath as well. Electrical tape first, then hockey tape for aesthetics on both "mods". This "system" is now bullet proof and last for decades just like my other SRK's. IT IS NOT A $300 BUSHCRAFT KNIFE! You beat on, or "test" the tip it may break - doh! Re-profile it!!! Yes it is a SRK (surival rescue knife) and it will work as such. But, what on Earth do you expect for $40 in today's market? ELMAX steal?!!!!!! I own most versions of this knife; Carbon V (US and Japan), San Mai, Aus 8 and cpm 3v. It is a great design. You can still get these versions online. The 3v version is about $160 or buy 4 of these!!!!! Get the Cold Steel GI Tanto for $20 and go beat the heck out of it. I re-profile the "Tanto" edge to a belly and re-sharpen. It is a great knife , but no where near the fit and finish of this. Spend ~$35 and get the Ontario SP-1; now 1075 steel?; cut the top rubber/Kraton thumb guard off, put it in a Black leather sheath (7" Kabar or OKC) for about $11; $46 total. Go ahead and try to break it; bend it, doubtful but maybe maybe; break it - NO? All knives can be destroyed through abuse! Glock 78 ~$30 from Poland on fleebay. Re-profile edge is a must for it to slice; indestructible. The 81 has a "saw" back. Go spend $120 and get an Esee 6 with lifetime guarantee; or, $300 for a Busse. Shoot, buy an Old Hickory 7" butcher knife- $16, Kabar or OKC leather sheath - $11; or the new 5" version for ~$20, put it in a Kabar 5 1/4" sheath. Hockey tape the handles with palm swell and you are good to go! I would not hesitate to recommend this knife, if it is what YOU like, at this price point. With the caveat that it is now hallow ground , so act accordingly. Read more
Jersey Joe—October 17, 2025
This knife is razor-sharp out of the box. Great for camping and hiking. Can use for many situations like batoning small logs. Also love the sheath. Simply can't beat this knife for the price. Read more
Mom—December 27, 2025
Nice knife. Comfortable grip. Good solid weight. Sheath is very durable. Solid purchase! Read more