Rare Cold Steel SRK CarbonV Version on eBay
Discontinued CarbonV Model SRK available on eBay. I haven't seen a carbon steel model on eBay since I bought my knife over a year ago so grab it if you ever wanted an SRK. This listing doesn't have the tactical sheath the comes with newer models, but it's still a good nylon one.
Those who don't know the back story to the discontinued carbon steel version:
Cold Steel CarbonV was legendary for its performance and edge-holding qualities. The carbon steel was produced at a domestic factory right here in the United States and was top quality. However some time ago there was a workers strike which lasted too long for Cold Steel so they outsourced stainless steel from China, hence the new AUS8 stainless models. AUS8 is still good steel but not even close to the CarbonV steel of yesteryear.
CarbonV is not a magic steel
Carbon V is a trademarked term by Cold Steel, and as such is not necessarily one particular kind of steel; rather, it describes whatever steel Cold Steel happens to be using, and there is an indication they do change steels from time to time. Carbon V performs roughly between 1095-ish and O-1-ish, in my opinion, and rusts like O-1 as well. I've heard rumors that Carbon V is O-1 (which I think is unlikely) or 1095. Numerous industry insiders insist it is 0170-6. Some spark tests done by a rec.knives reader seem to point the finger at 50100-B. Since 50100-B and 0170-6 are the same steel, this is likely the current Carbon V.
Taken from the following link
http://www.zknives.com/knives/articl...steelfaq.shtml
50100-B / 0170-6C / Carbon V: main
This is one of the more common carbon steels in the cutlery industry, however it is rarely called by that name. Cold Steel calls it Carbon V, Camillus calls it 0170-6C, and Case calls it "chrome vanadium", W7 is tool steel with a similar composition.
Overview : This steel is one of the most common production grade cutlery steels, called different names by different manufacturers. It is basically a low alloy enhancement of 1095 designed to give deeper hardening, refine the grain and as well provide slight increases to wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The performance seen in production knives was significantly varied which is common with the more inexpensive blades.
Taken from the following link
http://www.cutleryscience.com/review...materials.html