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Cold Steel SRK Series
The SRK—Survival Rescue Knife—is Cold Steel's flagship fixed blade and one of the most proven designs in the industry. Standard issue for Navy SEALs during BUD/S training for over 25 years, it's earned its reputation through actual field use rather than marketing claims. Military personnel, SAR teams, and law enforcement have relied on this knife when failure isn't an option.
Intentional Design
The SRK features a 6-inch clip point blade ground from 3/16" (5mm) thick stock. That's beefy enough for serious prying and batoning, but the hollow grind and swedged tip keep it sharp enough for detail work. The clip point geometry gives you good belly for slicing and skinning, with a reinforced tip that resists breaking under lateral stress.
The handle is pure function—deeply checkered Kray-Ex rubber that won't slip even with wet, bloody, or gloved hands. A single quillon finger guard protects your grip without adding bulk, and the full tang construction means the blade runs completely through the handle for maximum strength.
Every SRK ships with Cold Steel's Secure-Ex sheath, a polymer design that holds the blade securely and accommodates standard belt loops.
Steel Options
SK-5 is the workhorse option. This Japanese high-carbon steel (equivalent to 1080) offers excellent toughness and edge-holding at an accessible price point. It'll take abuse that would chip harder steels, sharpens easily in the field, and costs around $55-80. The trade-off is corrosion susceptibility—keep it oiled. This is the version issued to BUD/S candidates, and it's proven itself in saltwater, jungle, and desert environments worldwide.
CPM 3V represents the premium tier. This American powder metallurgy steel delivers significantly better edge retention and wear resistance than SK-5, while maintaining impressive toughness. It's semi-stainless, so maintenance is easier than straight carbon steel. Expect to pay $130-150 for this version, but you're getting a blade that will stay sharp through extended use.
VG-10 San Mai offers a laminated construction—hard VG-10 stainless core sandwiched between softer outer layers. This gives you the keen edge capability of VG-10 with added toughness from the cladding. Fully stainless, so it's ideal for marine environments or users who don't want to fuss with rust prevention. Priced between SK-5 and 3V options.
SRK Compact
For users who want the SRK's proven design in a lower-profile package, Cold Steel offers the SRK Compact. It features a 5-inch blade ground from thinner 4mm stock, bringing total weight down to just 5.1 ounces. Same Kray-Ex handle, same Secure-Ex sheath, same design philosophy—just scaled for everyday carry or as a secondary blade.
The Compact is only available in SK-5, keeping the price accessible. It's a smart choice for users who find the full-size SRK too substantial for daily use but still want that field-proven reliability.
Why It Works
The SRK doesn't try to be everything. It's not a dedicated fighter, not optimized for bushcraft, not built for kitchen duty. It's a survival and rescue tool designed to perform reliably across a wide range of tasks in the worst possible conditions. That focused design philosophy—backed by decades of military adoption—is why the SRK remains one of the best-selling fixed blades in Cold Steel's lineup.