I have both 4max & SR1, and also these 4max Scout and SR1 Lite. I EDC them all the time, as a builder these beaters are awesome. On days I’m in office all day or in a business suit, I pick my Air Lite for slimline carry. However these large folders are on me usually over 250days a yr.
Funny how during a destruction test the cheap steels did much better then the s35vn. Both of these knives are worth owning. Especially for the prices now.
Knives are not made for destruction tests, especially the one like Joe X. He tests the knives like you would test crowbars. It’s interesting data but that doesn’t make a good knife because it doesn’t break. For doing “knives” tasks, S35VN is much better. I saw it myself. I have a AD10 in S35VN and a Max Scout in AUS 10, and the S35VN runs circles around the AUS 10 for daily use. Now, if you intend to use the knife as a crowbar than AUS 10 is better. Or AUS 8 that is a soft steel, is very resistant but mediocre at completing knives tasks.
I’m getting both 1 because the scout is a beast and a tank and 2 because I love tanto style blades. Not sure what’s up with my facination for blade 😅 just wish these were flippers..
Not really funny. Aus8 and 420(HC) type steels are naturally tougher than the harder wear resistant steels like S30V etc. To raise S35VN toughness you would have to significantly lower the hardness so much it would defeat the point of choosing that steel anyway.
both are heavy duty but designed for different things - the 4max scout is a great outdoors knife that easily competes with a fixed blade - the sr1 is a search and rescue folder that copies the srk from cold steel - both these knives are great - the sr1 you can EDC - you will not feel it because its boxy slim and fits right in the hip of the jeans to the rear of the right pocket - the 4max can be EDC but i carry it in my laptop bag - i carry both and look for things to do with them - i never had such powerful knives that could be folded - love cold steel
I know you mean well... I just am so tired of hearing some people being so quick to say these style of folders not being an edc knife. It is a great edc knife for many of us that require such performance in the field. Me having the right edc could at some point determine a civilian living or dying. So such knives like the Sr1 and the 4Max are exactly what me and many of my brothers need for edc. Still awesome videos man we all enjoy them here at the department!!!!
I own the Italian 4-Max and now wish I'd bought the SR-1 Tanto because the 4-Max is not a friendly knife to carry. And if I don't carry it, I don't use it. So I'm selling the 4-max back and buying the SR-1 Tanto. Cheers!
@@jshphysicistatyahoo Sry that the 4max didnt turn out to be the investment you were looking for. You will enjoy the SR-1 for sure. I love mine. Ofcourse i own both models lol
Yeah I totally agree these folders are awesome EDC. I have the sr1 lite I EDC it everyday love it. If you need to blow threw something you can chop wood or blow through things.
Just bought both. The SR1 Lite is going to be a beater knife for prying, opening cans, everything your not supposed to do with a knife, knife. If it breaks or I lose it not a deal breaker. The Scout is for hard use cutting.
Thank you Kevin. I always dig your reviews. I'm surprised the SR-1 did not score higher, especially with its cool Tanto blade. I'll remember your opinion after I get the SR-1.
Own both - the 4max is the better knife overall for build, steel, and quality. The sr1 is slimmer to carry, still beefy like crazy, and has great action, making it more suited for tactical/ search & rescue use. The 4max has better blade geometry, and cuts incredibly well for such a thick and durable blade. No regrets picking up both of these, they’re awesome.
Thanx...I'm considering getting a tanto blade...I have an old slide lock Recon 1 that I bought YEARS ago when Cold Steel discontinued that model...The SR1 lite seems to be the better choice for me...and my limited budget...I'm also looking to get a Voyager Vaquero sometime in August...or mebbe the Spartan...I like the quick opening thumb plate and wish they'd offer it as either standard or an option on all their longer (than 4 inch) blades...I've suggested it to them but prolly need someone with more 'juice' to suggest it
I own both. SR1 Lite Tanto is in my work pants. 4Max Scout is for home defense. I bought the SR1 Lite Tanto before I knew of the negative things people said about 8cr13mov because the Tanto point is my favorite point style. But I think that both knives are great budget options that people can get into. Never judge a book by the cover.
Between these two. Im gonna go with the 4max scout. I already edc a spartan so the scout would be no different. I wear a kore belt so i dont even notice the weight. Cheers.
Scout can chop effectively AND with both a wider blade (to grip) and/or a better choil can do fine and delicate tasks better. With this sort of size folder these make it worth it otherwise go a Benchmade Freek (full size) or bugout if you want a best in class (hard use) folder. Drop point scrapes better with a bigger belly and with the better grind angle also cuts better due to height AND a better stabber due to reinforced near impervious to damage point. Scout is usable in work gloves and bare handed. Scout passed Joe X extreme testing where the SR1 failed.
The scout is my one knife to do it all knife, but the sr1 lite would penetrate and pry the daylights out of any blade. They're both on sale often these days on 4m4zon and m!dw4yUSA, so no reason not to partake in all things. Thanks for the comparison.
Thanks Kevin. I pretty much have never given thought to the SR1, precisely because of the handle and the poor blade thickness to width ratio. I want a knife that will actually cut.
I’ve got other knives that are excellent cutters. What would you say would be the better “tool” - from batoning and feathering wood for camp to prying and perhaps occasional chopping - I.e. a folding version of a Bush knife?
The 4 Max has a better edge geometry so that would be my choice any folder will eventually fail from enough chopping but you could get away with a little again the length and handle shape would make the 4 Max better.
Kevin I promise clip it in your pocket and after a minute you forget it there!!!!! No lie its easy thanks Kevin try to carry one full day you can easily do it just try it!!!!!!
The SR1 Lite Tanto would have been around 90 bucks or so with Aus10a steel. That puts it in competition with the Recon 1 and at a conflict with it's twin brother the SR1 Tanto which can be had at about $150.00 bucks. The heat treat that Cold Steel put on the 8CR13mov steel rivals the Aus10a while being cheaper to manufacture. The Rajah came out in polished g10 and a aluminum handle it was soon after discontinued and the Rajah 2 has evolved with Griv Ex scales and better steel choices. If the SR1 is discontinued then you may see the SR1 Lite evolve like the Rajah 2 and be fitted with upgraded steel choices no longer at odds with it's retired twin brother the SR1 and not in competition with the upgraded Recon 1 with CPMS35VN because the SR1 is a different kind of folder made for even harder use than the Recon 1.
I just got the 4Max Scout for $55, and there’s more steel in it than in the SR1 Lite. There’s no reason the SR1 Lite needs to be $90 to be in Aus10a. Even so, $90 is not the same price point as a $150 knife (it’s a 60% lower price).
*IF* it's going to be _"occasional carry"_ rather than *EDC* then I think I would go with the *_4Max_* rather than the _SR1._ My EDC is currently an _Ontario RAT1_ in D2 steel. It's sufficient ... *IF* ... I have a *_4MAX_* nearby.
On the SR1 they use teflon washers...which I find worrying for its longevity..you would have thought cold steel would have used PB on such a hard use folder...If someone knows the reason why...then please tell me..
Good comparison vid. I honestly don’t understand the swedge on the 4Max Scout. With its usage case and market niche it seems to me full thickness of the spine through the belly of the blade makes more sense. Still a great knife!
Absolutely. The Voyager (L or XL) in tanto is the better choice for a hard use tanto folder with a tri-ad lock in my opinion. Or the Air Lite if you need a slimmer carry profile. Those are all Aus10a.
I EDC a large espada and its a perfect fit for my pockets on most my pants. Its 5.5 inch but weights around the same as the sr1. A folding knife for me shouldnt be bigger or heavier then the large espada because I think this is the maximum of knife-lenght and -weight fitting comfortably in my pockets. If you just want a knife to carry 1 times a year for a very hard I would use a fixed blade. The 4 max scout is very durable, porbable a bit more then sr1 and a bit slicier shape than sr1. 4 max is heavier, costs more, edge has around the same lenght. The extra weight of 4 max isnt worth it I think. It would be bad for me to have a 4 inch blade in my pockets, that weights more then 5.5 inch espada. Sr1 seems to do exactly the same like 4 max scout in terms of hard use but cheaper and I could carry it easier. So to get a hard "use" knife where its just about practicality I would go for the sr1. If its just about aestethics I think both are not very beautiful. Demko is known for plain but funktional designs. I dont think he wants his knifes to be good looking.
Only in slicing for self defense the SR1 Lite Tanto wins hands down. The 4max Scout has too much of a stout tip to Pierce thick layers effectively it would not Pierce deep into a bullet proof vest while the SR1 Lite Tanto would do so easily. It's like apples and oranges I guess it depends on what you use or want the knife for. The SR1 Lite Tanto is more versatile in my opinion but you know what they say about opinions lol.
I had to double check the age of your comment. It’s interesting how prices have changed over the 2 years since your comment. You can’t really get the Strongarm for under $90 today. I just bought my second 4Max Scout for $55.
4 Max Scout all day , to have such a Big hard use knife that cuts and slices that good is Awesome. No one does it like Cold Steel. And the AUS-10 is actually one of my favorite steels, budget or otherwise , and is a great choice for this knife . I think the SR1 with S35VN is a better comparison to the Scout than the 8crap13mov is , I mean the steels are a lot more comparable anyway, the AUS-10 is a much better steel than a lot of people give it credit for, just watch Cedric and Ada's testing on it , you'll be surprised , the AUS-10 cut that rope over 150 times with the factory edge , thats pretty dam good for a budget steel , some of that is CS's heat treat no doubt......👍🔪👊
ive got the 4maxscout 6 months ago and a slang 21machete today. the knife is what i expected, the machete not quite. it was sharpened by grinding, it presents burning marks, blue stain. heavy burr, rough finish. the handle material is suboptimal grip. i used a 3000 wetstone to properly sharpen it, it cut paper now. ill put some PlastiDip for handles today too. also ill cut some of the weight of the blade. thats my fault, my forearm is not strong enough, sadly.
