← Comparisons
Head to head

Cold Steel 3V Master Hunter vs Cold Steel SRK Compact

Cold Steel 3V Master Hunter runs a 4.5″ drop point blade in CPM-3V; Cold Steel SRK Compact runs 5″ of clip point in SK-5 Carbon. The Cold Steel SRK Compact is the lighter of the two by 1.30 oz.

01234567 in
  • Cold Steel 3V Master Hunter · Drop Point
    4.5″ blade · 0.1875″ spine · 6.4 oz · ~1.38″ tall
  • Cold Steel SRK Compact · Clip Point
    5″ blade · 0.157″ spine · 5.1 oz · ~1.3″ tall (derived) · family outline
Spine thickness, same scale
0.1875″
0.157″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outlines traced from makers' photos, except where marked as the shape family's.
SpecCold SteelCold Steel 3V Master HunterCheck priceCold SteelCold Steel SRK CompactCheck price
Blade length4.5″5″
Spine thickness0.1875″0.157″
Overall length9.25″9.5″
Weight6.4 oz5.1 oz
Blade shapeDrop PointClip Point
SteelCPM-3VSK-5 Carbon
GrindFlat—
LockFixedFixed
Handle materialKray-ExKray-Ex
Country of originTaiwan—
Price bandPremiumBudget

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CPM-3V

The toughness champion. Chosen when a blade has to be batoned or pried and breaking is unacceptable. Keep it oiled.

SK-5 Carbon

Japanese equivalent of 1080; a tough, plain carbon steel.