Review SRM 255

  

-  an excellent EDC knife

Right now is a sympathetic time. Maybe not in the world, but if we instead stick to the small life, it is very exciting to be a knife aficionado at the moment. There have been and are being released many good knives and some that are even better. The other day I described a knife with words like "close to EDC perfection" and the same can be said about this knife. It doesn't have many weaknesses at all. If there is something that is not to your taste, it is more due to the fact that it is not "to your taste" than that it is poorly executed.

The knife I'm talking about is one of the latest additions to SRM's catalog called the 255  for short.

SRM 255

This knife has not without reason been called SRM's answer to Benchmade's Bugout on a few occasions and it must be admitted that there are great similarities. This applies to both format and appearance and not least lock type as both are based on a construction with a transverse bolt*. But the materials are different in both blade and handle, the design is not exactly the same and the 255 comes with a couple of improvements as well as a crushing argument as to why it is a better buy which I will return to.

I, therefore, go one step further and call this knife a "Bug Out Killer". Let me explain why!

Med den här modellen presenterade SRM en rejäl konkurrent i lättvikts-EDC-klassen

Short version: SRM 255, the knife that not only challenges competitors but beats many of them

Blade

SRM's 255 boasts what I think is a nice-looking blade. It is a functional drop point with a very high, almost full flat grind and a swedge that terminates before it reaches the tip. The finish is a brushed satin and the markings are restrained. Of course, the logo is there and also steel type, but it's not done in a vulgar format so I'm satisfied on that front. I am not one of those who demand completely sterile blades from the manufacturers to be satisfied. Only it doesn't look like an advertising poster.

The blade is 82 mm long with a height of 25 mm. A not entirely small blade, in other words. The thickness is 2.6 mm, which can be said to be adequate. In any case, if you want to create a knife that cuts really well. Some might even call it thin.

SRM has fitted the 255 with a stylish drop-point blade with some minor visual flair

The steel in this knife is Chinese with the designation 10Cr15MoV. Now it must be said that the higher numbers than the ones we knife enthusiasts are used to are not just for the sake of appearance, but refer to the components of the steel. In this case, the result is significantly better than the more common 8Cr steel, for example. In my opinion, this is a really good budget steel.

It is something that is noticeable when the knife has been used for a while. Especially when maintaining and sharpening the knife, the steel gives a finer edge, and above all, it lasts significantly longer than the simpler Chinese steel.

This Chinese steel responds very well to maintenance with, for example, a sharpening steel and a strop

Having come across the 10Cr steels a couple of times now I have come to expect a good budget steel as said. Especially when it comes from SRM and especially when the blade geometry looks as promising in theory as it does in this case. A thin blade, high grind, and reasonably thin behind the edge, 0.4mm in this case. Incidentally, the factory edge was very well executed. 

Then it is not super steel in the sense that it keeps its sharpness for super long. But in return, and perhaps more importantly, the edge responds very nimbly to maintenance. It's easy to get the spark back, so to speak.

For sparkly it is to use this knife. It is genuinely sympathetic to all everyday tasks I can think of. I often have it at work where the chef's knives are supplemented with a pocket knife for opening boxes, removing plastic, opening spice packages, and whatever it may be. In that role and also in everyday tasks, this knife excels. It is easy to handle, the blade is flexible, the tip is efficient and it fits well in the hand. 

Handle

The handle of the 255 is both simple and complicated at the same time. The shape is fairly clean as can be seen with a small bulge in the middle, a slight hint of a beak towards the end, and a small finger guard. In addition, the sides are slightly arched and not flat.

The material in them is G10 of good quality which, however, has been kept fairly smooth. Don't expect traction á la coarse rasp. 

The elegantly shaped handle of the G10 is a good size and the discreet curves are found in the right places

More complicated are all the details that exist and how the knife is built. The back is only partially open because, besides one of the knife's two colored spots in the form of an attachment bolt for a lanyard, there is also a small spacer towards the back end that braces the handle and makes it stiffer. The other splash of color is the collar around the pivot screw which is the same shade.

SRM's "Mono Chassi" is also something that makes the handle stiffer. What it does is really two things. One is that it prevents the handle from flexing, even though it otherwise lacks an internal frame like a certain well-known competitor's handle does. The second is that it actually solves a couple of problems that sometimes existed with this type of lock in the past. More on that later. On the frame, the meaning of "SRM" has also been printed.

Here you can see the solution unique to the brand with "Mono Chassi"

Otherwise, the knife is mounted with two well-countersunk screws with a head in size T6. The adjustable pivot screw is a nowadays almost standardized T8 for this type of knife.

The handle is excellent in any grip as long as you don't expect a sturdy hunting knife

In hand, this handle is as good as a handle this thin can get. It measures only 11.5mm across the back. But apart from that, all grips work whether you hold the knife up or down, forwards or backward. All standard grips are comfortable and I can't think of any grip that would be uncomfortable. That, provided you don't compare it to a knife with a significantly thicker handle, of course. As said, everything is relative.

Opening and Lock

Thumb studs on knives have been written about a lot and they are the primary method of opening 255.

See and learn, I could say aimed at all manufacturers of knives. This is how it should be done. What I refer to is proper function. These thumb studs meet some criteria I have. Firstly, they must be easy to both find and "reach". In other words, they must be found positioned so that it feels natural to reach for them. They must also be accessible so that once the finger has found them, they are easy to use. Here they are certainly very close to the handle, but in return, they rise a bit above the side of the handle. However, they must not protrude too much because then they risk getting stuck in, for example, trouser pockets. This is a good balance.

After that, the motion itself should feel unimpeded and preferably nimble. Both of those criteria are amply met in this case. This is a very fast-opening knife. Of course, the ceramic ball bearings contribute to that.

While this is being done, the studs must not feel sharp against the thumb. That's why I don't like pyramid-shaped thumb studs, preferring this more barrel-shaped variety.

This is exactly how a good set of thumb studs is made

In addition, as with all variants of this type of lock, there is an alternative opening method and that is to pull back the lock bolt and flick the blade out. It also works well with the 255. Very good even and this is another point where it beats the knife it resembles. Namely, it is the lock that stands for the resistance that holds the blade in place instead of a detent ball, and in this version, it is very well-trimmed.

The lock is called the Ambi lock and is a variant with a cross-bolt

SRM calls their contribution to the lock jungle "Ambi Lock". But it's basically identical to Benchmade's old Axis lock, just a little better. Or at least more consistent in quality than my American-made knives are.

On the newer SRM knives, a so-called "Mono Chassi" is found, where the partial frame forms a unit

But even without comparison, this is a very good version. The reason is partly that the springs have a smoother "walk" or feel when they are activated and partly that the entire lock is placed in a separate frame or box. The technology has been named Mono Chassis. The advantage is that it stiffens up the knife and, in the case of the lock, means that the bolt does not end up crosswise as easily as the original sometimes tends to do, which gives a jerky feeling. Overall, it makes for a very good lock.

It holds the blade in a solid grip without play while being very easy to handle. This type of lock is also known to belong to the stronger ones in general.

To Carry

The SRM 255 belongs to those knives that can be counted as royalty when it comes to carrying comfort. This knife is not excessively long, very thin, and above all light. Those features make it a very likable EDC knife. After all, they spend more time in our pockets than in our hands.

255 is a knife that is exemplary in the pocket

The knife weighs in at a light 70 grams. That's not much for a knife with a blade over eight centimeters. In addition, the handle is as thin as 1.1 centimeters. It is not very much either as mentioned before. Overall, a slim pocket knife whose footprint is very discreet.

The slightly arched G10 sides also offer no particular resistance when the knife is drawn, which is another plus.

Once in the pocket, nothing of the knife is visible. The clip, on the other hand, is glossy, which draws the eye to it

Then the fine reviews of how the 255 feels to carry can be rounded off with the Ambi Clip found on this knife. It is SRM's own contribution to the flora of clips. But it's not actually a gimmick, it works really well. Even with visibly thinner handles. Something that was not entirely a given when the first knife it appeared on, model 7228, had a significantly thicker handle and thus more internal space where the attachment for the clip could be hidden.  

The Ambi Clip works so that it can be pinched together and then pulled out of the handle

But the apprehension fell. The very point of the clip is that it is clamped in the handle much like tweezers on a Victorinox fixed with a couple of extra lugs for safety. This allows the clip to be easily removed without tools. Just press it together with your fingers and then pull it straight back. Namely, it is attached to the back end of the handle.

That along with the shape makes this a "deep ride" clip. Apart from the extra finesse, the function is very good. Good tension in the material and the look is, if not stylish, neutral. The size of the ramp works and so does the space under the clip. Nothing to comment on in that way. But speaking of size, the clip could have been a little smaller. That's basically the only negative I have to object to on that front.

To Conclude

SRM actually asked me what I thought of this knife on Instagram. They wondered how it compared to previous models. Now I'm also very fond of the model called Rubik 7228L, especially with the Micarta handle I must add. But after all, that knife feels a bit rougher than this knife somehow.

So what I answered was that I thought the 255 was more sophisticated, that it felt more worked and thus a step in the right direction. Not that the materials differ in quality or finesse. They are the same with ball bearings, Ambi Clip, and Ambi Lock on the list.

But there is something about the design and perhaps the function that makes this knife something extra. But in return, it may be because I regard this model more as a purely EDC knife and the Rubik as looking towards the outdoors.

The SRM 255 is an excellent EDC knife

So what is sophisticated? Appearance is an important part, of course. The knife looks as light and airy as it feels in the hand. Stylish proportions with elegant lines. The color scheme is sober with a small splash of color in the collar around the pivot screw and the bolt that acts as a lanyard attachment. The arched sides give the G10 material a pattern reminiscent of wood grain, and the few visible screws and the lack of holes for said lanyard contribute to the clean look of the handle. The position of the thumb studs also contributes to the fact that they sit close to the handle and are thus less visible.

But there are many nice knives. So the next step is how it feels to use. It is at that point that 255 feels extra well thought out. It starts with how light it feels when closed, continues with how easy it is to handle when it comes to opening and closing, and then the knife feels comfortable in the hand. Given the limitations of course. It is a thin and slender knife that sets the scene.

The BM Bugout is a knife this has been compared to. I believe that it is better in several respects

Then there was the comparison with the Benchmade Bugout that came up after all. It fulfills most of the above as well. But on a couple of points, it is beaten. The SRM 255 has a better designed lock and the handle is significantly more rigid. In addition, this knife is quicker to open. The factory edge was also better, at least on this specimen. Otherwise, it is slightly larger, i.e. somewhat thicker and longer, and thus also heavier.

SRM 255 quickly became a favorite that is often found in one of my pockets

The final, killer argument, however, is the price. Not only do you get equivalent or in many cases better function, but you also get at least as good-looking but above all at a significantly lower price. MSRP for the SRM 255 in this configuration is $72.95.**

If you combine those arguments, there is not much to say that this should not be a candidate for your next EDC knife if you are looking for an elegant lightweight that is also very practical. This knife quickly became a favorite!

SRM Knife

Specification:

Length Overall: 191 mm

Length Folded: mm

Weight: 70 g

Blade Length: 82 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,6 mm

Blade Steel: 10Cr15MoV

Handle: G10

Lock: Ambi lock

Produced by: SRM, made in China

/ J - satisfied

*Something that BM had a patent for a while with its Axis lock, but which has now expired and opened up for other solutions. They in turn borrowed a lot of inspiration from Collins' "Bolt Lock" so they didn't really come up with the basic idea themselves. They changed just enough to open up trademark protection. Now this type of lock is found with basically all major manufacturers. As examples, in addition to SRM, SOG, Hogue, CRKT, Kershaw, ANV and Kizer can be mentioned.

** To compare with Benchmade which sets a target price of $200 for a base model of the Bugout. Then we are not talking about handles in carbon fiber and titanium, which are also available and carry a completely different price tag.

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