Is the SR1 worth it Over the SR1 Lite at 1/2 the Cost?

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Nalapombu

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Hey all.

I’m looking to get my first Cold Steel. It’ll be a carry knife. I also like blades in the 4 inch range. I don’t keep up with what the makers have and just recently got into really looking for what I want and seeing what all is out there. When I saw the YouTube channel of Metal Complex do a showing of the Cold Steel SR1 in Tanto, I had to check into this line.

The SR1 Tanto on that reveal looked awesome. It looks like a knife that would stand up to most anything. I also like the 4 inch blade length. I think I prefer the clip point blade type though.

I went looking at the Cold Steel website and saw that they also have an “SR1 LITE.” The LITE looks nearly identical to the SR1. I believe the LITE is a bit lighter than the SR1 though. What caught my eye was the price. The SR1 LITE is about 1/2 the price as the SR1. I’ve watched a couple videos and such about these knives and I don’t know if I can justify the extra money that the SR1 is over the LITE version. Can you? In fact, I might be able to get an SR1LITE and a Voyager LARGE for the price I’d pay for the regular SR1.

Can you all tell me if you think the SR1 is worth the price over the LITE? What differences are you getting for the added money?

If you didn’t have either one and we’re going to buy yourself one, which would you buy?

Any other info on these knives you want to share, including your experiences will be appreciated.


Thanks.
 
I’d get the best I could afford. The lite has alphabet soup steel and plastic handles. The regular has s35vn and G10. While they appear “identical”, the lite will need sharpened more often. That can be frustrating for some.
 
the sr1 is a pocket tank, if you are interested in buying one know that is is very thick and has a decent amount of weight and size and not the most comfortable to carry, the sri 1 light tanto that i tried was not a good slicer due to the blade thickness

i would say that the cold steel recon folder bowie is a much better alternative that is worth looking at, its slimmer and easier to carry yet big and and very strong with the same triad lock, and also the cold steel 4 inch voyagers are also better than the sr1 in my opinion unless you like the thicker pocket tank type folder
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the sr 1 lite is 1/3 the price of the regular if you look around. I just got one for 42 bucks shipped. If you don't know what steel you need in a knife, the lite or the voyager might be a better choice for now over the more expensive sr 1. if I could only have one of the knives you mentioned, Id have a voyager because its better at being a knife than the other two. But like Jeremiah mentioned CS makes a lot of different 4" knives to consider. If carriability is important, Id look at other models. I carry the lite to work because unlike my other CSs I don't mind using it as a multi tool if need be.
 
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It depends on what steel you like S35VN or AUS10. I'm more of a collector than user but I got both green Tawain versions in S35VN but don't own the China versions. I can tell you if you're looking for the best get the green one's in S35VN. They are quite thick though 3/16's and are really stout looking at the least. Like mentioned there are a few other CS knives that will also fill the bill in a 4" folder. It's just what you like and prefer, maybe consider a 4 Max as well although somewhat heavier overall to carry.
Good luck on your hunt which is to me the best part. ;)
 
try the lite, cause they are pretty affordable. might be able to grab a used one off the exchange for even a lower price..

see if ya like it enough to invest in the better version with better materials. then turn the lite into a beater or sell it. thats what I would do.
 
I agree with Jeremiah, take a look at the Recon 1. I think for EDC it’s just more practical due to it’s size and as mentioned it will be a better slicer, etc. The Recon 1’s toughness is legendary…dozens upon dozens of review videos demonstrating this. It also fits your hand like a glove. A fair purchase price is right around $100, but they can be had at $85-$90 from time to time. It’s one of CS’s flagship models.
 
Not gonna touch on the Recon versus the SR1s. To answer your question:

if you are looking for an essentially indestructible folder to use and even abuse, I suggest getting the Lite. If you want something that will do all that, and in a supersteel that will be even stronger while requiring less sharpening, go with the regular expensive version.

I own the SR1 in both Tanto and Cli0 points, plus an SR1 lite Tanto. I think all three are fantastic. I like my lite just as much as the standard version. Buy any of them with confidence.

Do not, even for a moment, assume that the Lite is some kind of cheap and weak imitation. The Lite is intended for heavy use, that's the point. Lynn Thompson (who grew up very poor) has always tried to offer affordable versions of his premium knives so that everyone can have a chance to own one, and so that people who really need to abuse these tools can confidently do so knowing that buying a replacement is not that big a deal.
 
I wanted to compare the steels, so I picked up a tanto lite and the regular SR1 clip point.

By no means to I baby my knives, but I also don’t don a gas mask and get all stabby mcstabberson on car hoods either. The lite holds up just fine and doesn’t give up any significant edge retention.
 
For a first Cold Steel knife, I would go with the Cold Steel Voyager with clip point. It's an excellent knife. You can get it for around $60. The SR1 Lite can be had for considerably cheaper, and it's a tank. However, I find the Voyager to be easier to carry and is a better knife to use for most tasks. The thing about the Voyager is that you can EDC it, and it can perform EDC tasks as well as heavy duty tasks. No, it's not as good at prying open the hood of a car... the Cold Steel SR1 Lite is definitely a better knife for that kind of work and other extreme tasks. I mean, frankly speaking, when it comes to heavy duty knife work, the SR1 Lite is indestructible - unless someone goes on a mission to destroy it with a sledgehammer or something stupid like that. But that's not heavy duty knife work - that's just knife abuse, and you will see a lot of the youtube clowns engaging in knife abuse.
 
SR1 Lite and SR1 owners, does your blade have a large amount of up and down play when in the closed position? What I mean is, when you hold the knife upside down, and shake up and down, the blade, instead of staying tucked away in it's detent, instead rattles loosely up and down. Hopefully that makes sense.

My brothers SR1 lite, while being an excellent knife otherwise, has this "lack of detent" for lack of a better term, and I'm wondering if he just has a lemon.
 
DayofReckoning said:
SR1 Lite and SR1 owners, does your blade have a large amount of up and down play when in the closed position? What I mean is, when you hold the knife upside down, and shake up and down, the blade, instead of staying tucked away in it's detent, instead rattles loosely up and down. Hopefully that makes sense.

My brothers SR1 lite, while being an excellent knife otherwise, has this "lack of detent" for lack of a better term, and I'm wondering if he just has a lemon.
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Yeah, mine does, too, but as long as that Triad lock is on there, you ain't got nothing to worry about.
 
^ you can put a micro dot of oil on the front of the lock tooth and it'll close tight for awhile. or you can polish the tooth
 
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