Thank you for this review my friend! I just got a Survivalist from my wife for a Christmas present! So far I love it. Also...I just subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to more of your videos!
I had been looking for an old CS Recon Scout fixed blade (1990's), but it was discontinued and had gotten very expensive. Then I realized that this Survivalist was a very close match to the blade geometry of the Recon Scout and technically with a more durable handle and a slightly better steel than the Carbon V (aka 1095 CroVan). It doesn't hurt that it is about a 1/2 inch longer either. So I stopped worrying about getting the older knife since this was an upgrade. The grind was very even, so it was easy to put my preferred edge on it. Absolutely no complaints. I was afraid it would feel too heavy, but it is a reasonable weight for a durable survival knife and has excellent balance. I would have to wear gloves or wrap it in some plumbing tape for real cold winter work, but that is manageable.
I bought one too. I like it alot. At just shy of 1/4"(6.3mm)thick blade, this would have been a good candidate for a hollow grind but it's not a deal breaker. I would have extended the hook at the back of the handle a little more and maybe more pronounced finger choils but again, no deal breaker. The sheath is also reversible for us southpaws. Overall great knife for the money. I wish it was black not the weird gray/blue color. One thing I like about knives like this one is they're affordable. I'm much more likely to beat the sh*t out of it instead of babying it. Mine had a nice toothy edge new. Looks to be around 20 degree angle(not sure tho). I lightly stropped it a few times and it became stupid sharp. I might try a paracord wrap if it doesn't make the handle too fat.
Great testing, mate. Awesome piece of kit. Just ordered me that bad boy... thanks to you! You can't redesign the wheel. The simple things are the most reliable. Cheers again. Wicked vid. Honest and to the point. Stay safe.
Great video man! This knife deserves alot more attention than it's been getting. I bought it because it the design and concept appealed to me. I was fully expecting it to have a bunh of drawbacks but I was happily surprised much like yourself. I have used it extensively for several longer trips and I absolutely love it. Sure, there are some negative aspects of a monolithic desing but they are very minor and you basically get a knife will last a lifte time and that is indestructable all over for it. And its like. $80-100 which is pretty insane for whst you get
Yes this blade was much more than I thought it was going to be. I was pleasantly surprised how it performed and how well it is made. I am glad you are getting some use out of yours and happy with it. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend.
I agree with your analysis. For price vs quality, it's a winner. I bought the gen I version with with no handle scales & silver coating over something like black DLC. I find the knife to be totally reliable, having no parts to loosen, fall off or break. I don't torture my knives, I use them within their limits. My knife has never chipped, rolled or bent so far. That's a total win for me. I also have two drop forged hunter knives, one with leather sheath & the other with securex sheath. Being a southpaw, I had to purchase the securex sheath to convert it to left hand draw. Totally happy with these as well.
I was hoping to get years of use out of this knife and reading your comment now I know I will. I really don't abuse my knives 24/7 like you see in my videos. I punish blades on my channel so you don't have to lol. These tests do confirm weakness in a blade but if a knife fails during my testing it doesn't mean it's not a good blade. Any knife can fail if you abuse it long enough. Thanks for sharing.
Good informative review. Straight to the point. Nice to see someone not ramble on about the sheath then take forever to take the knife out of the sheath. I recently purchased this knife and I'm impressed with its performance. I'm a big fan of Cold Steel knives. I own the SRK the SRK San Mai.the Recon Scout the Trailmaster the Marauder the Leatherneck Bowie and the Leatherneck Tanto. All good.
@@fit4knives882 and then how do they try to improve it 🤔, the just stick some stag slabs on it and call it something else, just crazy, job well done my blade brother 👍
Hi, i love all foged Cold Steel knives. I have three of the gold older survivalist. And two of the old bowies i Love them plus all the others, i would recommend you pick them up and double up on your favorite cos they will be needed. Thanks for sharing.
I just got mine yesterday , I paid $66 on Amazon and I have to say it is Bad Ass and for price , it might just Be the Best Knife on the market under $75 ...It's That Good . If your thinking about getting it , just do it before GSM either jacks the price up or changes the steel to that 4034 garbage can steel ....Great Review ...👍🖖
Nice review. The thing with this knife, especially with batoning, is wherever you hit the knife, be it blade, guard or handle, you're hitting the same piece of steel.
Is it similar to the trailmaster? Only thing I don't like about my trail master is the handle is too skinny for my hands. Really like the looks of this knife.
I would say it is similar in a couple of ways. Both have flat grinds and similar shapes. The Trail master is larger and heavier. The Survivalist has a more comfortable handle than the Trail master in my opinion. The price is the big difference. Survivalist around $70 compared to now $250+ for a Trail master.
I’m gonna get one. But I wish it wasn’t a full flat grind on a knife designed to be indestructible. Slightly higher than midpoint flat grind , or shallow hollow grind would be nice. Full flats do have their place. Heavy batoning through knots isn’t one of them
52100 is the same steel used on most ballbearings. It's tough as nails! Great knife, love the steel, however I would choose a Becker BK 7 or BK 9 instead of it. How did the Terava Skrama, sliped out of you?! You should get that if you haven't already!
@@LXT43 that's the reason I didn't bought them. They are good knives with excellent blade and handle profiles, but they had to fuck up the handles. Why so many knife manufacturers these days put holes allover the blades and handles it's beyond logic and comprehension. And coatings, another idiotic invention with no use in real situations.
Have mate (🇦🇺), If possible could you please do a Cold Steel Drop Forged Survivalist vs a Smith & Wesson Homeland Security Bowie Knife CKSUR4N. Down under the CKSUR4N is basically half the price of a Cold Steel Survivalist. $87 Chinese Bowie vs a $157 Taiwan Bowie
"Smith and Wesson" 😆knives are made by BTI tools in China. The same company that almost ruined Schrade , especially Chris Tanners Jess X. They took an admittedly ugly but ultra hard use tool.and turned it into a gas station special Taylor Brands made the original version.
Greetings Sir From East Coast Canada & I Love Your Property Fence !! My Neighbor Is The King Of Assholes & I Wish I Had A Fence Like That !! Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.
JOE X just destroyed this knife. The high carbon does not hold up to heavy prying after beating metal and stone. Not stuff I would do with my knife but interesting to see and know.
Thank you for this review my friend! I just got a Survivalist from my wife for a Christmas present! So far I love it. Also...I just subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to more of your videos!
I actually put my own convex edge on mine. Works a treat!
I had been looking for an old CS Recon Scout fixed blade (1990's), but it was discontinued and had gotten very expensive. Then I realized that this Survivalist was a very close match to the blade geometry of the Recon Scout and technically with a more durable handle and a slightly better steel than the Carbon V (aka 1095 CroVan). It doesn't hurt that it is about a 1/2 inch longer either. So I stopped worrying about getting the older knife since this was an upgrade.
The grind was very even, so it was easy to put my preferred edge on it. Absolutely no complaints. I was afraid it would feel too heavy, but it is a reasonable weight for a durable survival knife and has excellent balance. I would have to wear gloves or wrap it in some plumbing tape for real cold winter work, but that is manageable.
Some videos, you just have to see twice! I really like this knife. Love how it performs and VERY HAPPY I bought it! GREAT REVIEW btw...
I bought one too. I like it alot. At just shy of 1/4"(6.3mm)thick blade, this would have been a good candidate for a hollow grind but it's not a deal breaker. I would have extended the hook at the back of the handle a little more and maybe more pronounced finger choils but again, no deal breaker. The sheath is also reversible for us southpaws. Overall great knife for the money. I wish it was black not the weird gray/blue color. One thing I like about knives like this one is they're affordable. I'm much more likely to beat the sh*t out of it instead of babying it. Mine had a nice toothy edge new. Looks to be around 20 degree angle(not sure tho). I lightly stropped it a few times and it became stupid sharp. I might try a paracord wrap if it doesn't make the handle too fat.
Great testing, mate. Awesome piece of kit. Just ordered me that bad boy... thanks to you! You can't redesign the wheel. The simple things are the most reliable. Cheers again. Wicked vid. Honest and to the point. Stay safe.
This was an outstanding video! It’s about the most perfect review video I have ever seen. Great job!
Very good presentation John!!!
Great video man! This knife deserves alot more attention than it's been getting. I bought it because it the design and concept appealed to me. I was fully expecting it to have a bunh of drawbacks but I was happily surprised much like yourself. I have used it extensively for several longer trips and I absolutely love it. Sure, there are some negative aspects of a monolithic desing but they are very minor and you basically get a knife will last a lifte time and that is indestructable all over for it. And its like. $80-100 which is pretty insane for whst you get
Yes this blade was much more than I thought it was going to be. I was pleasantly surprised how it performed and how well it is made. I am glad you are getting some use out of yours and happy with it. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend.
No! Let's keep this little gem to ourselves! 😁
I agree with your analysis. For price vs quality, it's a winner. I bought the gen I version with with no handle scales & silver coating over something like black DLC. I find the knife to be totally reliable, having no parts to loosen, fall off or break. I don't torture my knives, I use them within their limits. My knife has never chipped, rolled or bent so far. That's a total win for me. I also have two drop forged hunter knives, one with leather sheath & the other with securex sheath. Being a southpaw, I had to purchase the securex sheath to convert it to left hand draw. Totally happy with these as well.
I was hoping to get years of use out of this knife and reading your comment now I know I will. I really don't abuse my knives 24/7 like you see in my videos. I punish blades on my channel so you don't have to lol. These tests do confirm weakness in a blade but if a knife fails during my testing it doesn't mean it's not a good blade. Any knife can fail if you abuse it long enough. Thanks for sharing.
Good informative review. Straight to the point. Nice to see someone not ramble on about the sheath then take forever to take the knife out of the sheath. I recently purchased this knife and I'm impressed with its performance. I'm a big fan of Cold Steel knives. I own the SRK the SRK San Mai.the Recon Scout the Trailmaster the Marauder the Leatherneck Bowie and the Leatherneck Tanto. All good.
You own some great Cold Steel blades for sure. Thank you for the kind words my friend.
Good testing. You didn't over talk it, and you got to and made your points.
Just ordered one of these. I have the bowie with faux stag handle scales. Love the bowie looking forward to this one to! Awesome blades for real!
Enjoy! Thanks for watching.
@@fit4knives882 got it now and it's very cool and budget friendly!
Nice review my friend, I like the looks of this one, the drop forged with the bent handle just don't do it for me, but I really like this one 😀
I never liked the bent handled one either. When I saw this one I had to get it. More of a classic bowie design.
@@fit4knives882 and then how do they try to improve it 🤔, the just stick some stag slabs on it and call it something else, just crazy, job well done my blade brother 👍
This was a great review - bad ass knife!
Thank you very much!
Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info and the field test
A must have for me...👍
My pleasure. This one surprised me. It will be a great camp knife as well as food prep. Thanks for commenting.
Quite like this one. But how do you carry it? Belt?
Great review 👍
Got mine for $59.99 on Amazon a week or two ago. First one had a set to the right but replacement is nice and straight and so sharp!
Great test bro. Awesome blade.
Glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more and thanks for watching brother.
Hi, i love all foged Cold Steel knives. I have three of the gold older survivalist. And two of the old bowies i Love them plus all the others, i would recommend you pick them up and double up on your favorite cos they will be needed. Thanks for sharing.
Very good video bud.i own not disappointed at all.strops Very well.
I just got mine yesterday , I paid $66 on Amazon and I have to say it is Bad Ass and for price , it might just Be the Best Knife on the market under $75 ...It's That Good . If your thinking about getting it , just do it before GSM either jacks the price up or changes the steel to that 4034 garbage can steel ....Great Review ...👍🖖
6:41 “I think we get the POINT there.”
🤣
😆
Nice review. The thing with this knife, especially with batoning, is wherever you hit the knife, be it blade, guard or handle, you're hitting the same piece of steel.
You are correct. That is why I was surprised it didn't have as much shock as i thought it would.
Good video brother 👍 thinking about getting 1 myself
I think you will enjoy this blade.
Awesome knife I am going to buy one
How is this compared to the larger Drop Forged Bowie?
Is it similar to the trailmaster? Only thing I don't like about my trail master is the handle is too skinny for my hands. Really like the looks of this knife.
I would say it is similar in a couple of ways. Both have flat grinds and similar shapes. The Trail master is larger and heavier. The Survivalist has a more comfortable handle than the Trail master in my opinion. The price is the big difference. Survivalist around $70 compared to now $250+ for a Trail master.
Allllllrighttt❤
Great review. Sold!
Hope you enjoy it!
I’m gonna get one. But I wish it wasn’t a full flat grind on a knife designed to be indestructible.
Slightly higher than midpoint flat grind , or shallow hollow grind would be nice. Full flats do have their place. Heavy batoning through knots isn’t one of them
Hmm I dont have any cold steel yet, seems I been missing a lot, will start checking on them
Most of their line is good stuff and come very sharp. I enjoyed this one. I think you will like what they offer.
52100 is the same steel used on most ballbearings. It's tough as nails! Great knife, love the steel, however I would choose a Becker BK 7 or BK 9 instead of it. How did the Terava Skrama, sliped out of you?! You should get that if you haven't already!
@@LXT43 that's the reason I didn't bought them. They are good knives with excellent blade and handle profiles, but they had to fuck up the handles. Why so many knife manufacturers these days put holes allover the blades and handles it's beyond logic and comprehension. And coatings, another idiotic invention with no use in real situations.
I got one too. One tough knife.
Subscribed
Is the handle hollow or solid?
It feels solid. I would have to take the scales off to confirm.
The blade can be damaged but the handle and guard never will
Okay, you talked me into it…🔪
I think you will like it. Enjoy.
Give it a coating of KG Gunkote, you'll be glad you did.
I will try that. Thank you
Have mate (🇦🇺), If possible could you please do a Cold Steel Drop Forged Survivalist vs a Smith & Wesson Homeland Security Bowie Knife CKSUR4N. Down under the CKSUR4N is basically half the price of a Cold Steel Survivalist. $87 Chinese Bowie vs a $157 Taiwan Bowie
"Smith and Wesson" 😆knives are made by BTI tools in China. The same company that almost ruined Schrade , especially Chris Tanners Jess X. They took an admittedly ugly but ultra hard use tool.and turned it into a gas station special Taylor Brands made the original version.
@@tikkidaddypm101 jessx deserved way better treatment than it got for a bit. Glad Chris is back uploading
Greetings Sir From East Coast Canada & I Love Your Property Fence !!
My Neighbor Is The King Of Assholes & I Wish I Had A Fence Like That !!
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.
Tough knife
Think you might have sold one of these .
You will enjoy it for sure.
JOE X just destroyed this knife. The high carbon does not hold up to heavy prying after beating metal and stone. Not stuff I would do with my knife but interesting to see and know.
Joe blow X destroyed his credibility as a knife destroyer. Whoever believes in his testing is missing half of their brain.
Tough blade, but it is a skeleton tang....