Is that the knife you got ???
What is it called again ??
The Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife)
(http://i.imgur.com/y6zOD.jpg)
Survival/Rescue operations demand a versatile knife able to withstand the most extreme abuse. The Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife), standard issue of the United States Navy Seals , was designed specifically with this in mind. The blade is finished with a rich Teflon© coat which helps to protect the AUS 8A Stainless steel from the elements. The Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Knife features a tremendously strong clip point that's fine enough for delicate work, yet possesses enough belly for efficient cutting, slashing and skinning strokes as well. At 3/16 of an inch thick, the Cold Steel Survival Rescue Knife© offers the sturdiest possible point and edge configuration, without sacrificing sharpness. The Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Knife's handle sports a single quillion finger guard and a deeply checkered Kraton© grip.
Overall Length: 10 3/4"
Blade Length: 6"
Blade Thickness: 3/16"
Blade Material: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless Steel with Black Teflon Finish Sharp
Handle Length: 4 3/4" - Kraton
Knife Weight: 8.2 oz.
Sheath: Secure-Ex Sheath
Fully Functional and Battle Ready
It's now my second favourite piece of kit
8)
So what is your favourite bit of kit?
Where did you get the knife, what were the options and how did you decide on this knife?
Perhaps a new thread on knives would be appropriate.
As I said, this knife is my second favourite bit of kit with the first being my Primus Omnifuel Stove:
(http://i.imgur.com/hcFet.jpg)
I'll not explain why the Primus is my favourite bit of kit here as that would require a new thread all to itself.
I'm a wee bit ashamed to admit how I first heard of the Cold Steel SRK, but I will...
...I had been looking for a new knife for a quite some time but without success. Everything I looked at was small, light, flimsy or had a fairly poor quality blade.
I wanted one knife that would be the perfect all-rounder. So, whether I wanted to make a feather stick for kindling, needed to cut down a small tree once the fire was lit or for cutting my steak once it's cooked on the aforementioned fire, then there had to be something out there that would do the job.
We'll, I am currently reading the Lee Child Series of Jack Reacher Books. In one of his books from 2005 entitled "One Shot" the Cold Steel SRK rears its ugly head and this is the first time I have heard about this knife. Here's an extract from the book:
(http://i.imgur.com/n9HEM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KfyCx.jpg)
The knife makes an appearance a few times throughout the book and I was curious and had a quick Google and that was the start of my interest in the SRK. There is plenty if information on Google about the SRK and a few videos of Crazy Americans hacking their way through cow carcasses and metal oil drums but, what sold it to me was the fact that it has been standard issue to the US Navy Seals for many years. As some of you might have noticed I would be quite partial to a wee bit of Military Issue equipment. My theory being that not even a teaspoon is issued to military personnel without going through about a 1000 hours of testing and re-testing in every environment possible. They are not going to issue something that is not fit for purpose.
"The Army's Test and Evaluation Command, or ATEC, was established in October 1999 by the Army's vice chief of staff with the primary function of ensuring that Soldiers go to war with weapons that work. Located throughout the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, ATEC has about 1,100 ongoing tests everyday in the United States and around the world."
First site I visited, credit card in hand, was this one but at £108.00 + P&P I thought I was going back to the trusty Mora for £15:
http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/SRK.html
Then I stumbled across this U.S. based website who were happy enough to sell me one for £62.46 Delivered:
http://www.gotothebriggs.com/01-24764?filter_name=SRK&filter_description=true
Now that I'm the proud owner of a Cold Steel SRK it will be with me at all times when Camping and Hunting. It is definitely not as bulky or as heavy as it may look in the photos and I believe it will serve me well for a very very long time.
Compared to Ray Mears toy knife which retails at £485.00 I think I have the perfect all-rounder.
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/72-Woodlore-Knife/
I think I know which one I would want with me in a survival situation.
REAL KNIFE
(http://i.imgur.com/uXvXe.jpg)
£485.00 APPLE CORER
(http://i.imgur.com/y779X.jpg)
8)