How much can AUS8 steel take? 

BIG NEWS: I have designed my own Survival Knife called “APO-1”. You can get it now at my online store: www.survivallilly.at/ Thank you so much for your support

Lily, I think you may have humbled some of the knife reviewers out there. I appreciate modern exotic steels and even old exotic steel like my 16th century samurai sword, but you've shown us that you don't need a $400 bushcraft knife to survive and enjoy the woods. Great video!

Thats an epic compilation of footage, the amount of camera angles and shots is staggerering. The knife looks excellent, seldom see such a detailed review, I want one now!

One of the best "real world" knife reviews I have seen,

Last year, 2016, I heard a lot of my fellow reviewers constantly talking about how terrible AUS 8 and AUS 8A are. You video shows that this steel is not that bad. It can be a good choice for people who have a limited budget. Thank you for your long term review, Lilly.

I just bought one in SK-5 after being really impressed by the Bushman. I like the drop-forged Hunter, too, for smaller work. Say what you will about Cold Steel - they make good knives for real world outdoors use.

I am impressed with the extensive footage that sent Into this review and the composition of the sound-image play. There is so much diversity in the tests!

“A Girl and Her Knife” - a love story by the Coen Brothers. Seriously, a fantastic review that is more than opinion, but shows real use over time.

send a link to cold steel they may send you a new one to try out

great work Lily really ... impressive demonstration over time. Cold Steel should definitely compensate or sponsor you on something as in depth and time tested as this video. Thanks for showing Dax just seeing that guy made me happy :) Thanks for all of your great educational efforts !

nice review Lilly, I saw the other knife review . thanks and take care, keep them coming lady I love them all!!

Hi Lilly, Hands down, the best knife review I've seen! I'm in Canada and camp in both the winter and summer season. I have a cutlery collection that I've put through similar paces and currently own two of the SRKs. Most knife reviews I've watched are citified, weekend warriors who think by spending a few minutes making a video in a city park counts as a review. Your are a solid woman both figuratively and literally. You have a new fan! Thank you for making the video.

Love the way you made/edited this video... Lilly & Her SRK vs The Wild!!! :)

cold steel should be paying you for a reveiw like this.

Remind me to NEVER lend Lilly my knife ............... BTW this is a joke .... the point is to test to failure so we don't need to !! THANKS LILLY !!

What a spellbinding video. I watched every moment and was continually thinking, back and forth, about what you were doing and saying and what I saw on the screen (and I miss Dax, as I am sure you do) and how GREAT a job you have done in putting this video together. You are the star of your own life. And you dont even try to do anything but to impart factual, honest information in an entertaining and interesting way. Just wonderful. You are an inspiration and I hope little girls all over the world take note of your videos to see an example of a different (better?) way than maybe they usually see demonstrated in their usual social circle. Thanks and all the best to you. :-D

This is by far my favorite episode. It teaches and shows your skills at the same time AND I liked the music too. Thank you.

Great collection of footage showing a time tested knife working well for you. Really enjoyed this and would love to see you try some other knives, if you have the interest to do so

If Cold Steel ever makes an SRK “Survival Lily” Limited Edition, I’m buying it.

@10:29Safety tip: Never carry around an open knife like this, particularly when trampling up or down a hill and through the woods. In most cases, hold it close to the body with the blade edge down and tip pointed sideways passed your belt buckle. However, when trampling in the woods like this, I have found the safest way to handle a knife, is inverted, like a ninja. This way if you fall, your hands naturally turn the blade and tip away from you and not towards your chest, neck or face. While industry has its own safety regulations for how to handle a knife, I have never had anyone argue with me when I carry mine in reverse grip and parallel with my forearm. The vast majority of the time I don't think they even notice that I have a huge knife in my hand when doing so. Glad you are still doing vids! Let's keep it that way. Godspeed!

I really appreciate your knife reviews, this is probably one of the best reviews I have seen. Thank you, keep up the excellent work. Von

I feel like the Coldsteel SRK is to Lilly as the Walther PPK is to James Bond

Nothing like abusing an old friend. Man, that thing is tough! It hurts my heart to watch also.

what I love about this video is..when other RU-vid makers do cut test videos,they just cut shit up. and in this video yall make stuff out of whatever you are cutting. this is a real knife test video. when others make quiz test videos lol. nice video

I saw one these beaten to extreme levels on another channel,and it simply took it all and came back for more... phenomenal bit of kit and a must for any outdoor enthusiasts

I have used a German military surplus MilTech combat knife for 10 years now as my carry-everywhere knife. I have NOT sharpened it still, and it looks like lasting another 50 years. I have feathered with it and batoned it hundreds of times. Not even a hint of rust to the Rostfrei blade anywhere. Cost - $45 in a disposal store. Just sayin' to all those out there paying huge amounts of cash for something that does exactly the same thing.

Nice to see Dax again

Awesome review Lilly! Looks like you really put this knife to the test.

i lost mine in a forest for 8 months, when i found it it was the same as when i had it not a hint of rust, using 3 years now never had to ever file the blade just light resharpening after brutal uses, these things can get brutally sharp if i take my time and sharpen it.

I have one in Carbon V I bought about 1996 still going strong. One in 3V should a great knife.

Great review Lilly. Really enjoy your style. Looks to be a good small knife overall. Thanks for posting.

Love your videos, keep up the good work! Thumbs Up all the way!

Great review, I appreciated the way you let the knife show its usefulness and durability over time. That was one of the best endorsements of the SRK I have watched. I would put it above the demo videos Cold Steel does. I am trying to figure out how to get Lynn Thompson and the gang at Cold Steel to support your channel. If all of your subscribers dropped them a note maybe we could get them to send you other Cold Steel products to review. I carry an older Cold Steel Recon Scout in my day/overnight pack. While it is a bit heavier, it batons quicker due to a thicker, longer blade. I am looking forward to your next review.

I have the AUS-8 and the 3V model and I think that the 3V one is way better.

Excellent video. Great tips. Thanks for making it!

A survival knife is a knife that survives any abuse a person puts it through, not a knife that helps you survive.

great review and great real life scenes. this is one of the best long term reviews I have ever seen. awesome lilly. Wanna see more of that in the future. Hug Mike

I think they need to be paying you, because you sold me on the knife.

Solid video. Impressive use of the knife and simple explanations. Well done!

You don't want a super steel for a survival knife, but you want a steel that's very tough and also easy to sharpen. ( and generally speaking not expensive) Aus8 fits that criteria. With good heat treatment and good blade geometry, an aus8 survival knife is great.

thank you for the review. looking forward to the next ones! and LILLY: i bought a survival lilly shirt 🤗

I actually just enjoyed watching you put so much work in the outdoors. very inspiring lily. love your hard work keep going!! wish you the best

Wow Im beyond impressed with your skills Im so glad I found your channel

This is very impressive. Thank you Lilly. I agree with you that the properties of AUS-8 steel are conducive to an excellent metal for knives.

That knife has been through A LOT!!!

I have to say too Lily, that you're an excellent educator. Really, very articulate and illuminating in the details... always a pleasure watching and listening to you.

The best review of the knife over the past few years.Thanks and all the best. Sincerely, Alexander.

Great video Lilly. You're a real, genuine bush crafter/survivalist and are very talented. I've been watching your videos for a long time and find them very interesting. Your are one of the best on You Tube in this field.

I'm in love, a woman that can handle herself better then most every guy I know, and has that great accent and she is sexy to boot, I wish more women were like her. right on,

Even with a video like this proving a "budget" steel can perform knife snobs are still putting it down. What more could one possibly want from a knife? I suppose the snobs will say edge retention but is it that stressful to touch up a blades edge?

Most honest review ever watched. Real dirt time!

Thank you so much for this video. I have quite a few knives but only a few in AUS8. I've got a SOG Seal Pup Elite, a CRKT Homefront, 2 Otanashi Noh Ken and 3 Hissatsu folders. The Hissatsu has been a favorite carry of mine although I don't use it for edc. I've been hearing a lot of negatives about AUS8 steel which sort of put me down since I love the Hissatsu so much. Watching your video, i can now rest easy. Thank you so much again.

Stopped using it??? Blasphemy Iconic Blade

Any Knife that Survives Lilly I'm Buying...!!!!

It's so stupid that these blades are coated with black paint when it all gonna come off once you start using the knife. A regular steel blade looks more beautiful anyways.

The admirable in you that never hurt yourself, despite the the difficult bushcraft activities you perform. Keep doing good work

I have had my for years and it has become my Fishing and camping knife full time.

I love Lilly's videos, she rocks....

Great video and knife test! 🙂

Being former SASR & now auxiliary [trainer], we used a modified version of the SRK "tang through range" handle..I watch a lot of these clips, Canadian prepper, Monkey edge , Custom Knives & Prepared mind 101 in particular...Don't forget, sharpening & the differing applicable blade angles are vital....If in doubt, ask your local Butcher..They'll tell you.

Lilly has the arms described of the pioneering heroines in the Zane Grey novels ;)

I have a SRK I use in Montana on a regular basis, they are tough and very easy to sharpen. Lilly is correct they can take some abuse, but I rarely put mine through that. I wish more American women had her attitude.

I bought an SRK a few months ago because of your video on it. It is a great knife! This video proves it will last the distance. Thanks Lilly keep up the great work!

That SRK should go to the Cold Steel Hall of Fame. That knife went through hell and came out looking like a hero. Cold Steel should have offered you a new one (or a sponsorship) for the thorough testing and publicity their SRK has received because of you. As always, great job and great channel.

Very impressive knife review and that comes from a guy that flight tested aircraft for the USAF for 34 years.

message from my 4 year old daughter: i really like your videos and one day i would like to visit you.

That is one tough knife Lilly, too bad they don't make it in the AUS8 A steel anymore. You made my day a little bit better, lying here after my third hernia surgery. Thank you for the morale boost!

Enjoyed the whole review Lilly a lot going on in the video very interesting you look great in the clip just a little genuine compliment

This is fucking legit

I think I'm in love 0.o I didn't know women like you existed.

Best review of a knife I ever saw, Now I want one of those knives LOL... I loved the skull cracking lol.... Thanks Lilly !!

This was a great video of you Lily ...showing the versatility of this knife...Ur awesome

Super Video Lilly. Coldsteel is auf jeden Fall besser wie die Überteuerten Messer von Fällkeniven ! Wenn ich mir die Preise von der Pro Serie anschaue einfach Lächerlich ! Japanische Fabrik Messer die Preise von Handgemachten Messern haben.

Just be my wife .. you're an amazing lady 💖❤️

That is actually quite the knife. I've been watching you for some time now using that knife and it has definitely withstood the test of time and usage.

Just bought this knife for my survival "walk home" bag. Unbelievable value.

Where are you

hi survival lily

AUS-8: 6/10 for toughness, 3/10 for edge retention, & 7/10 for rust resistance. AEB-L is 9/10 for toughness, 3.5/10for edge retention, & similarly 7/10 for rust resistance.

This was a great review Lily!

These knife abuse videos hurt my heart

first

That knife has a lot of character and stories to go along with it. I always like how people use their tools rather than keep them pretty and untouched. Use it rather than keep it like jewelry.

Thanks Lilly for the awesome review! I have an srk from the late 90s in the infamous carbon V that has proved almost indestructible. I wish they still used that steel. Thx again!

Thank you. I think this video just helped me decide on which camp knife I want to get.

I've had a Cold Steel SRK for about 2 years. I believe it is the most durable knife for under $100 USD that you can buy. It holds up under the most stressful and realistic conditions that I have encountered in real life use. Of course that does not include efforts to intentionally destroy the thing.

I LOOOOOVE digging with a knife. Thousand times more satisfying to watch than an umpteenth batonning video.

Gutted a deer with this knife once, was really difficult to get the blood and hair off the handle, almost like it was glued to the rubber somehow. Used a stiff brush with hot soapy water and it still took two cleanings to get it all. Sturdy knife though.

Im still trying to think off. When I'd need to use a knife in this way? Baton? I don't need too, if I do? I'll use a hard wood wedge. Dig? I'll use a stick. The wood is full of these. I still love your videos Lilly and I don't want you to stop.

Now this is the kind of knife reviews I’ve been lookin for!!! Beat the crap outta the knife and show me how it holds up! Love it!!

I’m more impressed by this woman’s knife handling ability than the knife itself,my EDC is a cold steel,very good knifes

Hi Lilly, thanks for this excellent review / test on my all time favorite mid-size , full tang survival knife . I never go in the woods or on the tundra without this important tool ( mine is the VG-1 , San Mai 3 laminated , hollow ground model , superbly made in Japan ) . While I believe my 2 older Carbon V models (now belonging to my brother ) made here In the U.S. are more rugged with a much thicker tip profile , I really like the newer , more "tactical" blade configurations as well ( my son owns the AUS 8A high saber ground blade like the one you used in this vid ) . There are other " budget" blades on the market that may be slightly better suited to serious wilderness use ( e.g.-- Esee 6 , Ontario Rat 7 , etc.) , but for all-around versatility in a survival knife , you can't go wrong with this incredibly tough , well balanced and ergonomic tool . Been using the SRKs for about 20 years and have no plans to part with this trustworthy blade . Thanks Lilly for this very well produced and helpful video . I hope it has put to rest any remaining doubts in the minds of some concerning the use of the SRK as a primary knife of choice . Great channel . All the best .

Love this review!!!

I've watched reviews for hours now by many many different reviewers. Lilly you give the best REAL WORLD applications and testing in your product reviews. I passed up the Fallkniven S1 and others because of this review and now I'm interested in either this or others. I've read other reviewers who claim you're too rough with your reviews, or you should be more gentle with your knives. I say bull$&!*. If you're going to claim your knife can hold up. I say prove it, and you definitely put knives to the test :) Thanks!

must be the most comprehensive knife review there is, good vid mate

Wow! 2 years reviewing a knife. Thank you very much for the work that you do.

Great and fair review . The first model SRK and Recon Tanto (made in USA and high carbon) are still going strong .

Great trip down memory road. You have a long way since "1984", I can't remember the first part of the channel, I have old timers memory. Thanks for the parts with Daxx, the only think missing was the special Lilly excitement laugh when her spear would hit the camera. Thanks for bringing us along. lrg

Hi Lilly, thank you for the great video, I feel its the best knife review out there. I find it funny how some of these guys on youtube talk so much on a knife and claim they put it through hell but have barely two scratches on the blade, your definitely showing how its done here. This video made me realize how versatile this knife is and how it would suit my needs perfectly. Unfortunately when I went to go purchase I found they now make them with a hollow grind, bummer right? But thanks again for the great video, awesome quality, editing, sound visuals, etc. and thank you for all the hard work you put in out there in the bush. I hope to see you on one of these survival shows one of these days, I'd think you would do great. Keep up the great work and stay safe :)

Never thought aus 8 could throw sparks but you did it This is an example of design is more important then material