Question about the SRK and Carbon V

[Eleven Mike]

Has Cold Steel discontinued Carbon V steel? If so, why? I was at their website just now, and saw that their Trail Master and SRK are only being offered in stainless, whereas Carbon V used to be their mainstay for such knives.

I have an SRK second that I bought a few years ago and have never used or carried. I really like the knife for what it is, but I just tend to carry four-inch blades. I was thinking about giving it to someone, and maybe getting another one someday. But now I don't know.

 

[shrpshn]

Don't want make this into another thread on Camillus closing: But that is the reason there is no more Carbon V.

They produced the Carbon V models for Cold Steel up until the Strike. When Camillus could no longer meet Cold Steel's production requirements, they (Cold Steel) had to move their production to Japan & Taiwan - thus the stainless steel.

The Carbon V days are gone.

 

[Eleven Mike]

Thanks.

Does anyone know if Carbon V knives in good condition are going to increase in value, significantly?


Wait, I just realized something. Since Carbon V is the greatest knife steel known to mankind shouldn't one of those wanna-be knife companies like Busse start making it?

 

[hso]

11M,

NIB already have.

 

[Sodbuster]

Really? I didn't know any of this. Camillus is done? I happen to have a Carbon V Bush Ranger that has just been sitting in its box since the day I bought it. I need to look in more often at the general discussion forum at bladeforums; I've been checking the exchange forum and not much else recently.

 

[Eleven Mike]

Does anyone know how Carbon V compares to other steels, in terms of composition and performance? Is it just a brand name for a common type of steel?

 

[Sodbuster]

Check out post #2 here, 11M

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396839&highlight=carbonV

 

[Eleven Mike]

Thanks, homes. I don't know if your name refers to the pocket knife, but I have always liked that one. I just wish they had locks and clothing clips. Then I'd carry one everywhere.

 

[hso]

Sodbuster,

That post quoting Mike Stewart is essentially correct according to my friends that were inside Camillus. Sharon Steel produced 0170-6 CV cutlery steel and it was used by Camillus in manufacturing knives for many companies. As with any steel, the heat treat and blade geometry play an equal role between the three in producing a superior blade. Have any one of the three be inadequate and you won't get a good knife (although rebeveling any blade after you get it can make a world of difference).

 

[Eleven Mike]

As with any steel, the heat treat and blade geometry play an equal role between the three in producing a superior blade.

Also, if the president of the company is a scum-bag, this will make the knife quite useless in the field.

 

[Eleven Mike]

I just remembered one big reason why I like the SRK so much and find myself unable to part with mine. This despite the fact that I consider it too big and too thick.

In the days long past, before I had been sucked into America's Sick Love Affair With Guns (TM), a new family started coming to our church. The father of the clan was a Vietnam vet and former cop. He and his sons, that were about my age, shamefully defiled me by showing me their knives and guns and so forth.

So it was that the first knife I ever handled that might be described as "high-performance," high-end," "tactical," or what-have-you, was a new SRK second, just like the one sitting before me on the desk now. There's something about the balance of the SRK, the shape and feel of the handle and the sturdiness of the blade. I still remember how it felt in my hand, some fifteen years ago.

So, while I prefer something shorter and thinner as a general-purpose survival knife, it's going to stay in my collection.

 

[steeltiger]

Yep my recon tanto is way to thick, doesn't cut well, and is way to heavy, but I love that thing, maybe its because its because that I can't destroy it, nomatter what happens to it, any way carry it five days out of seven!