Cold Steel Survivalist 52100

L

Loony

Joined
Mar 6, 2021
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11
Hello guys new user here, I need a quick tip.
I recently purchased an SRK in san mai 3 vg-10 but I've been eyeeing the Survivalist in 52100
I think the Survivalist would be better for my purposes short and long term (bushcraft) amd I could combo it with the drop forged hunter
The Survivalist is a hunk of steel whereas the SRK has a softer kraton handle that would eventually loosen, chip, break, and rot,and can't handle batoning as well
But I have to ask for anyone who has experience with this knife, is 52100 easy to sharpen and maintain?
I had a bad experience with d2 because I needed a steel that can be easily sharpened in the field without comaplicated methods, I need a tough user
I have a Fallkniven DC4, a gerber sharpener with diamond rods, and two boker stones on 240-1000 and 2000-5000
What are your opinions?
 
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dirc said:
52100 is fairly similar to good plain old 1095 when it comes to sharpening - but of course it's much better all around

composition wise, it has a small amount of other elements which 1095 doesn't
http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=1095,52100
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Thank you for your input. I guess if you put it that way then I'm buying it. I'm not very knowledgeable on steels thus I made a mistake buying D2, neither am I great at sharpening. I had read somewhere that 52100 would be hard to sharpen due to its hardness so I had doubts.
 
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They are good knives and built like a tank, I don't think your going to break the handle on that knife.
I also believe you'll be happy with it and especially at the price offered these days.
 
d762nato said:
They are good knives and built like a tank, I don't think your going to break the handle on that knife.
I also believe you'll be happy with it and especially at the price offered these days.
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I am looking for the perfect knife, the survivalist along the hunter would be my only blades, price isn't an issue, but I wouldn't go past 150$. I have owned a Leatherneck SF and a Pocket Bushman, and been satisified, but now I have different standards for my blades (Leatherneck D2 was hard to sharpen, Pocket Bushman is a folder, looking for low-maintenance indesteuctible fixed blades now) and so I'm looking for replacements.
 
The perfect knife does it exist? What will it be used for? This is a good knife maybe a little heavy due to it's all all steel construction with the metal in the handle. It balances right on the front of the handle at the guard, kind of neutral all in all.

What I don't like about it is the tip is slim and one reason I like the Recon Scout with the thick tip but also thicker steel overall. The Recon Scout is coming out in 3V which would be a really tough knife but the handles rubber so you got that to deal with and the price will be higher and harder to sharpen I suppose.

A Recon Scout in 3V with a micarta handle would be the sh#%.
Look over some reviews of the Survivalist online of it being used in the outdoors for some on hands use. Don't get me wrong it a good knife for the money and hard to beat and it's all steel.
 
Loony said:
The Survivalist is a hunk of steel whereas the SRK has a softer kraton handle that would eventually loosen, chip, break, and rot,and can't handle batoning as well
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Nothing wrong with preferring the Survivalist over the SRK for any reason. But if you think a Kraton handle will "loosen, chip, break, rot and can't handle batoning as well" then you are really underestimating it's durability. My carbon V SRK I bought in 1990 has shown none of what you describe. Most knife choices come down to simply personal preference. The Survivalist "may" be more rugged based on it's design. But no need to force a reason that isn't true.
 
KenHash said:
Nothing wrong with preferring the Survivalist over the SRK for any reason. But if you think a Kraton handle will "loosen, chip, break, rot and can't handle batoning as well" then you are really underestimating it's durability. My carbon V SRK I bought in 1990 has shown none of what you describe. Most knife choices come down to simply personal preference. The Survivalist "may" be more rugged based on it's design. But no need to force a reason that isn't true.
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I respect the SRK, I really do. It is one of the best Cold Steel models. But I'm thinking long term, and the Survivalist seems to win in this aspect. I'm not planning on abusing my knives beyond their capabilities, but I've read that SRK handles can become loose after lots of use because the handle is just fitted/pressed and held by the lanyard hole as opposed to molded or glued. The survivalist can do better batoning and chopping, and together with the hunter, I have the best woods combo.
The SRK is the jack of all trades, a very good knife, but for my needs, I'm gonna have to take the Survivalist. The G-10 handles are a nice addition together with the new coating (I don't mind if it wears out).
The kraton handles are very strong, but will they outperform solid steel in durability? Don't think so. I've seen videos on youtube where guys cut or damaged their kraton handles while batoning or chopping on their SRK's.
Remember also that the SRK is a rat tail tang.
Take into account Cold Steel has been sold to GSM, so I'm trying to make the best buy in case quality declines or company closes and warranty is anulled.
 
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You need to go over to the CS forum here on BF there is a guy that stripped and blued his blade and it really turned out nice. Good luck with the new survivalist it should serve you nicely.
 
The handle inserts aren't G10, they're plastic, but they're a low stress part. They're also somewhat protected by the steel handle. Its an outstanding knife and a very good bargain at the $58 for which I've seen them sell. Here's mine I stripped and blued with Brownells Oxpho Blue.
IMG_0315.jpg
0619240e-1fcd-4611-b09f-581165ccc57e-jpeg.965527
 
jdk1 said:
The handle inserts aren't G10, they're plastic, but they're a low stress part. They're also somewhat protected by the steel handle. Its an outstanding knife and a very good bargain at the $58 for which I've seen them sell. Here's mine I stripped and blued with Brownells Oxpho Blue.
View attachment 1521715
0619240e-1fcd-4611-b09f-581165ccc57e-jpeg.965527
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Beautiful, will do the same. Thanks for the picture, I searched the forums. I read on my supplier that the scales are G-10, the Cold Steel website doesn't specify.

https://www.coldsteel.com/drop-forged-survivalist/

https://www.lamnia.com/hr/p/46467/nozevi/cold-steel-drop-forged-survivalist-nož-36mh
 
L Loony this thread has pics I took with the scales off: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/big-budget-bowie-cold-steel-drop-forged-survivalist.1727880/

The good thing about this knife is, if the scales broke, the knife is largely unaffected. It might be the ultimate zombie apocalypse knife to be honest. It'll do for woods use or fighting. Its also lighter than Cold Steel says and feels even lighter than its actual weight. Its in my "best buy" category at its current price. Maybe well see a drop forged Trail Master and Recon Tanto some day! Or Gurkha Kukri, or...:D
 
The Survivalist is a really good all-around cutter and medium chopper. Sliced a couple of pounds of steak for fajitas a couple of days ago. Not as efficient as the Becker BK-5, but it was effective. I'm not a big fan of plastic sheaths, but it works.

I agree, the tip is not the strongest, but it's not fragile like a F-S dagger. Cutting technique is more important than brute strength. But for less than$70, I consider mine a good deal.
 
I lo
justjed said:
The Survivalist is a really good all-around cutter and medium chopper. Sliced a couple of pounds of steak for fajitas a couple of days ago. Not as efficient as the Becker BK-5, but it was effective. I'm not a big fan of plastic sheaths, but it works.

I agree, the tip is not the strongest, but it's not fragile like a F-S dagger. Cutting technique is more important than brute strength. But for less than$70, I consider mine a good deal.
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I love Cold Steel's Secure-Ex sheaths, low maintenance, light, well designed, versatile carry options and if undamaged will last forever, I always tie paracord all around them
 
I have used this knife since it first came out. They are very tough easy to sharpen and hold an edge well. I had the 1st version but sold it when the new one with handle inserts came out. It really improved the handle.For around 60.00 i dont know what can be a better choice.Ive never seen a knife like,drop forged in 52100 for a price like this either. 52100 is great. Ive used them alot over the last few years.Here is a 35+ foot tree i cut down with mine and it didnt take a great amount of effort.
 
Survivalist is a really good knife for the price, I gave one to a good friend and he loves it. However if you you say price is no issue, take a look at Carothers Performance Knives or Busse/Swamprat knives.

Edit: I missed the part about $150 max, nevermind then.
 
goldie said:
I have used this knife since it first came out. They are very tough easy to sharpen and hold an edge well. I had the 1st version but sold it when the new one with handle inserts came out. It really improved the handle.For around 60.00 i dont know what can be a better choice.Ive never seen a knife like,drop forged in 52100 for a price like this either. 52100 is great. Ive used them alot over the last few years.Here is a 35+ foot tree i cut down with mine and it didnt take a great amount of effort.
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I read your posts about this knife in the forums, thank you for your input. I'm sold,I already told the seller to return the SRK and give me this one. Let the SRK go to a rightful owner, I need a beater. At first I thought 8 inches was obscene, but figure I cam chop and baton, as well as woodwork.
Big knives are not my style, and this knife ain't prettier than the San Mai's laminate, but function rules with me.
I'll be combining this one with the Hunter, another great piece, steroid pocket bushman with great securex sheath.
 
You wont regret it.SRK is a great knife,have one as well but this has the weight needed for chopping better.You can always add a teklok to the sheath thats what i did so it rides higher.I took off all my cordura belt loops and replaced them w tekloks for that reason.
 
Loony said:
I love Cold Steel's Secure-Ex sheaths, low maintenance, light, well designed, versatile carry options and if undamaged will last forever, I always tie paracord all around them
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Oh, I didn't say they were bad, cuz they're not! And, while I particularly like the belt hanger, I'm just not a fan of plastic sheaths. I'm going to have one made in leather.
But I will be keeping the Secure-Ex, it's a good piece of work, especially for rougher weather.
 
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