Ka-bar or Cold Steel SRK

B

Bladeguy738558

Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Messages
10
I need another sheath knife. i currently have a millitary navy seal combat knife; MOD 0 mabey? It just doesnt cut it (no pun intended). so i am getting a knew knife. ive done reaserch and i have narrowed my choices to 2; A standard military Ka-bar or the cold steel SRK. I will be using this knife for mainly survivalism. i think that that includes everything from choping small wood to perparing food. have any of you used any of these knives? which do you perfer? thanks
 
You can't go wrong with a Ka-Bar, but if you like the SRK, check out the Benchmade CSK. I have the CSK. It's an updated version of the SRK, and in my opinion, a better knife.
 
Bladeguy, welcome to Bladeforums!

The SRK would work as a survival knife. You wouldn't have to worry about breaking it. :) Some people aren't as happy with the Kraton handle, though.

The Ka-Bar was a modified design from the Marbles Ideal, which was a commercial hunting and camping knife. The Ka-Bar wasn't meant primarily as a combat knife, but for handling anything in the field -- in other words, it IS a survival knife.
 
Used both knives before and both are very good all-rounders.

If you get the Kabar -- it might be advisable to get the next generation series. The old leather stacked handles on the original Kabar will require a good waxing/snowsealing every once in a while if you want to maintain them in good condition. That's fine if you don't mind putting in the work but if not, pay a little more and get the next gen or alternatively, get the SRK which has the Kraton.
 
Both are good choices, but I prefer the SRK. Like Esav Benyamin said, you do not have to worry about breaking it. For a survival knife I prefer something that I can abuse if necessary and not having to worry about it.
 
Well, I'd say Kabar personally.
It's the best of the 'Ideal pattern' survival/combat/usmc knives...
There's a lot of history behind that blade, and they're still made in Olean, New York... (In a bigger factory now, though)
I have one Cold Steel knife, and I like it a lot...
But something about carbon steel and stacked leather... just classic

-kid
 
If you can get a CS SRK of carbon V steel it's a good knife. It's the one I carry. I've reprofiled the edge to convex, and sharpened it to push cutting keenness, and sanded the black krap off of the blade, and if cuts like a light-saber.

OTOH, there's now a Ka-Bar called the D2 extreme that's made from D2 steel, IMHO, one of the very best cutlery steels there is.

If I were buying one today, I would choose the Ka-bar D2 as 1st choice, the CS SRK as second choice, and the "traditional" Ka-Bar as third.
 
I will second the recommendation for the D2 extreme as it is a full width/length tang and will take all the abuse you can throw at it !!!
 
thanks for all your help guys. i ended up getting the desert Ka-Bar w/ kydex sheath. i love it. :D it shaved the back of my arm right out of the box and was also sharp enough to slice paper. i have another question. what would u guys recomend for a sharpener. i wont need on to drasticaly re-angle the knife, but i would like one that i will be able to use to restore that razor edge to the knife after alot of cutting/chopping. What would u guys suggest? thanks
 
Kabar here. I know it will work just fine and is a tried and true survival design.

STR
 
Bladeguy738558 said:
thanks for all your help guys. i ended up getting the desert Ka-Bar w/ kydex sheath. i love it. :D it shaved the back of my arm right out of the box and was also sharp enough to slice paper. i have another question. what would u guys recomend for a sharpener. i wont need on to drasticaly re-angle the knife, but i would like one that i will be able to use to restore that razor edge to the knife after alot of cutting/chopping. What would u guys suggest? thanks
Click to expand...


Spyderco Sharpmaker
 
Second ON Spyderco Sharpmaker it keeps my Kabar shaving sharp

Did you end up with leather or sinthetic handles. I know they may require work but i have handled few handles that feel as good in the hand as ka bar stacked leather.

PS: i believe Blackhawk still makes a really nice nylon sheath with pockets that is a natural for a survival outfit
 
I've got the Spyderco Double Stuff -- a 1" x 5" flat stone, with one side a fine white ceramic epoxied to the other side in coarse gray, like the Sharpmaker rod grits. It comes in a very sturdy leather slipcase.
 
A second vote for the Double Stuff ... but that assumes that the blade already has an easily sharpened edge profile. If not than an EZE Lap diamond sportsmens sharpening steel is the ticket. Comes in pocket and standard sizes from $5 to $15. :)
 
This EZE-Lap is easy to use, almost indestructible, and since you don't really need the sheath for a rod that slides into its own brass handle for safe-keeping, you can store something else in there. :)
 
Go with a DMT ultra fine diamond 2"x6" interupted surface stone. cost $40 on ebay. This will make your ka-bar twice as sharp as out of the box if not sharper (medical sharp).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top