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Head to head

Cold Steel SRK SK-5 vs Cold Steel 3V SRK

Cold Steel SRK SK-5 runs a 6″ clip point blade in SK-5 Carbon; Cold Steel 3V SRK runs 6″ of clip point in CPM-3V. The Cold Steel SRK SK-5 is the lighter of the two by 0.60 oz.

01234567 in
  • Cold Steel SRK SK-5 · Clip Point
    6″ blade · 0.197″ spine · 8.2 oz · ~1.4″ tall
  • Cold Steel 3V SRK · Clip Point
    6″ blade · 0.197″ spine · 8.8 oz · ~1.56″ tall (derived) · family outline
Spine thickness, same scale
0.197″
0.197″
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 SRK SK-5Cold SteelCold Steel 3V SRKCheck price
Blade length6″6″
Spine thickness0.197″0.197″
Overall length10.75″10.75″
Weight8.2 oz8.8 oz
Blade shapeClip PointClip Point
SteelSK-5 CarbonCPM-3V
GrindFlat—
LockFixedFixed
Handle materialKray-ExKray-Ex
Country of originTaiwan—
Price bandBudgetPremium

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

SK-5 Carbon

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

CPM-3V

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