Monte
CA

Apr 13, 2026

Pros: Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Blade Material, Pocket Clip, Sheath

Sharpens well, cuts well, feels like a portable beast

I didn't really use this product until after I was e-mailed a review request. I thought about it and decided to give the knife an honest try. I got the knife because of the comparison to the Becker Campanion, which I have. The Campanion is lovely, but difficult to carry around for every day. I have been using the knife to slice tomatoes and make salad. I have not tried to baton any wood but I have every confidence it could do that as well. It is very, very solid. I also enjoy taking this knife around with me in addition to my Leatherman Surge. The Surge is great for most of the marking, cutting things open, etc. The SR 1 Lite however is not for delicate tasks, making salad aside. This is the SHTF, boy I am glad I've got this on me knife. Also, it sharpens well with the Benchmade field sharpener.

Night Owl
,New England

Feb 08, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Outstanding value

Cold steel has always been a solid performer, especially with medium and larger knives other more expensive brands simply don’t make. Because Coldsteel has superior heat treatments, construction and sharpness out of the box, this light series of the SR1 line is a outstanding value.

Nordictrekkie
VA

Jan 27, 2023

Pros: None

Cons: None

NEXT THING TO A LIGHT SABER IN YOUR POCKET

I Love these knives. I really do. The concept is excellent (a sharpened pry bar/window smasher/sapling hatchet for under $60.00 that fits comfortably in your pocket yet can still cut your salad and hamburger up, if needs be. What more could you want? Only a light saber would be a more powerful EDC.) And this tanto model of the SK1 is the one to get. It's a superior design over the clip point. The big belly on the clip point is just too broad for the handle and the back spring dings the edge when closing. NOT SO WITH THIS TANTO MODEL. IT'S PERFECT. AND FOR $56.00? GO BUY IT! YOU'LL LOVE IT, AND YOU'LL SURELY NEVER BREAK IT!

Two Knives🔪🔪 Formally Know As Doommex
Fresno California

Jun 26, 2022

Pros: Handle Material, Blade Material

Cons: Lock Ease of Use, Weight

A Beast of a knife

When I read the reviews on this knife I wasn't surprised I have always been a Cold steel fan still to this day have my original Master hunter made in Japan.I opened the box what a surprise a "beast"of a knife in all of it's cold steel glory telling myself another cold steel win win.The knife was very sharp out of the box but being who I am touched it up a bit. Pocket clip very heavy duty not going anywhere matched up with the Griv-ex handles. The only negative review I have is that it's difficult to get out pocket which is nothing that can't be addressed. So hats off to Cold steel once again for producing a superior product for a decent price I would compare it with any high end blade any day of the week. So with this being said I normally use Doommex as my review name changing it to what my customers call me two knives thank you Knife Center and Cold steel.

The Christian Samurai
, USA

Jun 10, 2020

Pros: Handle Material, Overall Quality

Cons: None

The SR1 Lite Tanto the #1 Vicious Value!!!

The SR1 Lite Tanto stands on it"s own beyond it's twin brother the SR1 Tanto. Lynn Thompson has stated that " If I had to be dropped of in a remote part of the world and have one folding knife it would be the SR1Tanto (CPMs35vn).". Lynn Thompson has also stated " Probably the best value that we have ever made is the SR1 Lite (Tanto or clip point)." These statements can be proven if you look them up on Youtube under SR1 Tanto and SR1 Tanto Lite. With that being said the 8CR13mov steel is heat treated very very good and can endure a lot of abuse it has been tested by Jimi Slash on YouTube and passed with flying colors. The use of this heavy duty Tactical Utility Knife is for survival purposes therefore it's edge is sharp but not razor so that it can last without sustaining damage and can be resharpened on a rock in the field. It is tough with a 4.8mm to 5mm thick blade!! Resharpening of harder steels would be difficult in the field without the right tools and skill in my opinion. This gives the SR1 Lite a edge. The scales are black grivory ( Griv-ex) and when in the right light shows a shiney pattern similar to the darkness of outer space with a cluster of glimmering stars with a g10 back spacer you can see the g10 pattern in the back spacer if you look closely. This knife will easily Pierce thick leather, body armour and multiple layers of material!! The Sr1 Lite Tanto is the real deal for sure!!

Sharp Guy
Maryland

Apr 22, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type, Overall Quality

Cons: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Pocket Clip

Something‘s nightmare

Overall, an incredible folding knife qualities of a large scale fixed blade very smooth action, extremely grippy handle should be an assisted opener. I find it impossible to flick using thumb stud.

Monte
Fresno, CA

Apr 11, 2026

Pros: Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Pocket Clip

As advertised

I saw the review for this product on YouTube. It was a David C. Andersen presentation. He compared the knife to a Becker Campanion. I have a Becker Campanion and thought that having something similar to it but in a folder would be a more reasonable everyday carry option. Just like the Campanion, this knife is a beast. You can feel how solid it is after the first flipping it open. The edges are sharp (I have been cut while folding the knife closed). However, I have not really used it beyond simply carrying it around. I believe that this knife is well built and will stand the test of time but that is just my belief. Pocket clip is stiff and it takes a little practice to get the knife out of the pocket. Although the knife is large and a little heavy, I haven't noticed it in the pocket or felt that it got in the way. I normally carry a Leatherman Surge in the nylon case. I do like a beefier knife because I feel more confident about its ability to take punishment.

Tiny
USA

Dec 24, 2025

Pros: Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Pocket Clip

Cons: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Overall Quality

Good

Blade had a very slight ding in the edge of the blade, then I saw that as blade closes, the edge of the knife was coming in contact with the spring inside knife... I am going to buy the regular SR1 with better blade steel...