SRK (SK-5) Fixed Blade Knife
The blade profile and construction support a range of tasks including shelter building, cutting, and general camp work. A Kray-Ex™ handle provides a secure grip in adverse conditions, while the Secure-Ex® sheath offers consistent retention and carry in the field.
Carbon steel blades should be cleaned, dried, and lightly oiled after use to prevent oxidation.
"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"
SK-5 High Carbon Steel
Designed for toughness and edge retention under heavy use
Tuff-Ex™ Blade Coating
Helps protect against corrosion and wear in harsh environments
Full Tang Construction
Provides strength and reliability for demanding tasks
Kray-Ex™ Handle
Maintains grip in wet, muddy, or gloved conditions
Secure-Ex® Sheath System
Offers durable retention and dependable carry
Field-Capable Blade Profile
Supports cutting, shelter building, and general survival tasks
The numbers, flat and honest.
| Blade Length | 6.0 in |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 10.75 in |
| Blade Thickness | 5 mm |
| Weight | 8.2 oz |
| Steel | SK-5 High Carbon |
| Finish | Black Tuff-Ex™ coating |
| Handle | Kray-Ex™ |
| Sheath | Secure-Ex® |
| Use | Survival, rescue, field tasks |
| Blade Steel | SK-5 High Carbon |
| Blade Finish | Black Tuff-Ex™ |
| Handle Length | 4.75 in |
| Handle Material | Kray-Ex™ |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime (Cold Steel) |
WHY YOU’RE BUYING FROM STAY READY.
We aren’t the Amazon of survival. We’re a small, opinionated shop that carries gear we’d stake our own lives on — and we back every piece with real support.
Curated
Every brand we carry has been vetted in the field by our team. If it doesn’t pass our 30-day use test, we don’t stock it.
Authenticated
Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.
Supported
Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.
American
HQ in California. Orders ship from our US warehouse. US-based customer care.
BLADES & COMBAT CUTLERY
Founded in 1980 to build the strongest, sharpest knives on the market. Popularized the American Tanto.
Cold Steel was founded in 1980 in Ventura, California by Lynn C. Thompson — a martial artist trained in judo, kendo, and kickboxing from his teens, who was frustrated with what was available in the knife market and wanted blades that were stronger and sharper. Cold Steel went on to popularize the American Tanto blade and built a reputation for proof-testing knives on camera to absurd standards. The company was acquired by GSM Outdoors in 2020 and is now headquartered in Irving, Texas.
- Founded in 1980 by Lynn C. Thompson in Ventura, California
- Popularized the American Tanto blade design
- Known for combat knives, swords, and survival cutlery
- Acquired by GSM Outdoors in 2020
- Now headquartered in Irving, Texas
Answers, straight up.
Product-specific questions on the left. Shopping with SRO on the right. Both open-ended — hit us if we missed one.
What blade steel is used?
The blade steel is SK-5 High Carbon.
How long is the blade?
The listed blade length is 6.0 in.
What is the overall length?
The overall length is 10.75 in.
How long does shipping take?
Most in-stock orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days, not counting weekends and federal holidays. Special-order, dealer-direct, custom, and LYNX Survival Systems orders can take longer. Lead times shown on product pages are estimates, not guarantees.
Typical carrier transit after that: Economy 5 to 7 business days, Expedited 2 to 3, Overnight 1. These are carrier estimates, not guarantees. Some items, such as lithium batteries, aerosols, and safety matches, may be limited to ground shipping.
Free Economy shipping on qualifying orders over $150 to the contiguous US, on eligible products. Oversized, heavy, freight, hazardous-material, dealer-direct, custom-built, and special-order items may be excluded. Oversized and freight items, such as rooftop tents, recovery equipment, and Pro Eagle products, may carry extra shipping charges. If extra charges apply, we'll let you know before the order ships.
Some items ship directly from the manufacturer or a supplier partner on their own schedule, so an order can arrive in more than one package with more than one tracking number. Full details: Shipping Policy.
What’s your return policy?
You have 30 days from receiving your order to request a return on eligible items. Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com with your order number, the item, and the reason, and wait for return authorization before you ship anything back. Returns sent without authorization may be refused.
Items must come back in like-new condition: unused, unmodified, unworn, unwashed, and free of odors, dirt, stains, pet hair, and damage, with all original packaging, manuals, accessories, and tags, plus proof of purchase.
For standard parcel items, you pay return shipping unless the return is due to our error, shipping damage, or a verified defect. If we provide a prepaid label, its cost may be deducted from your refund. For oversized, freight, dealer-direct, and special-order items, you pay return shipping unless the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect. Original shipping charges aren't refunded. Some items may carry a restocking fee of up to 15%, and we'll tell you during authorization.
Some items are fulfilled by third-party suppliers and follow that supplier's return policy, so eligibility, refund timing, return shipping, and restocking fees may differ.
Approved refunds go to your original payment method. Allow up to 10 business days after approval, and your bank may take longer to post it. Full details: Return & Refund Policy.
What can’t I return?
These can't be returned or refunded, except where the law requires it:
- Engraved, personalized, customized, and built-to-order products, and special-order products obtained specifically for you
- LYNX Survival Systems survival kits, custom IFAKs, and custom medical kits
- Agency, government, organizational, and contract-built orders
- Gift cards, and sale or clearance items marked final sale
- Food, drink, and other perishable products, including emergency food
- Personal care, hygiene, and beauty products
- Hazardous materials, and flammable liquids or gases
- Opened or used medical products
- Opened water treatment or purification products with broken factory seals
- Anything marked non-returnable on its product page
For built-to-order, custom, and special-order items, exceptions may be made only for verified manufacturing defects, shipping damage, or fulfillment errors. For food and drink, replacements may be issued only for verified manufacturing defects or shipping damage reported within 5 days of delivery, with photos.
Not sure whether an item qualifies? Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com before you order.
Do you ship outside the contiguous US?
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S. territories aren't eligible for free shipping, and extra freight charges may apply. If your order needs a shipping quote, we'll contact you before it ships. If you decline the quote, the order may be canceled and refunded. APO/FPO addresses are also excluded from free shipping.
International shipping is available on select products and destinations, and some products may be restricted from international shipping. You're responsible for import duties, taxes, customs fees, brokerage fees, and meeting your country's import rules.
Full details: Shipping Policy.
My package arrived damaged. What now?
Inspect your order when it arrives. If anything is damaged, defective, or wrong, email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com within 7 days of delivery (5 days for food and drink) with your order number, a short description, and photos of the item and the packaging.
You don't pay return shipping on items that arrived damaged or wrong, or with a verified defect. Some items fulfilled by third-party suppliers follow that supplier's policy instead. Reporting after 7 days may limit our ability to pursue a claim with the carrier, and while we may help with a carrier claim, approval is up to the carrier.
Package lost or never arrived? Contact us within 7 days of the expected delivery date. For freight deliveries, inspect the shipment before you sign and note any visible damage on the carrier's delivery receipt.
Can I talk to a human before buying?
Yes. Call (562) 294-6269, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific time, or email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com. We reply within one business day.
We'd rather talk you out of a kit that doesn't fit your mission than sell you the wrong one.
Do you offer a military/first-responder discount?
Yes. Current and former U.S. military, military spouses and dependents, and first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS, can save up to 10% on most of our products through GovX ID.
Verify on our GovX discount page and you'll get a single-use code to enter at checkout. For later orders, log in with GovX ID for a new code (limit one code per day). The GovX code can't be combined with other discounts.