ATS-34 or VG-10?

K

Kim Lau

Joined
May 6, 2008
Messages
754
I have a choose to buy a folder made in ATS-34 and one made in VG-10 for about the same price. Which one should I buy? Any help is appreciated. I'm wondering which steel is better for EDC and general cutting tasks. I'm looking for better edge holding and better obtainable sharpness.
 
Last edited:
ATS-34 is about the same as 154CM, right? If so, VG-10 and 154CM are said to have the same edge retention properties. VG-10 is supposedly a bit tougher and has GOOD corrosion resistance. I think VG-10 is a great steel. My Delica uses it, but I haven't had it long enough to put it to any rough tests yet.
 
Technicly I'd consider VG10 the better steel if I was worried about such things.So slightly better I'd likely not be able to tell the difference in a blind test. What I'd do with such excellent, closely matched quality steels is pick the knife that better suits me ergonomics wise, price wise, and lock style of course.

In other words they are both excellent steels that should be able to get the job done, if the job isn't about doing tasks that don't match up with blade style, and lock strength etc. Even that, if one was to fail, chances are the other one would in the same situation.

Get whichever knife you enjoy and don't worry about which is better. They are both good enough. Joe
 
Thanks Joe and THG. I was having trouble deciding on a Kershaw Lahar or an older discontinued Kershaw Wild Turkey. I'm leaning towards the Lahar for the ergos but someone was selling the Wild Turkey at a steal of a price. (check in the for sale forum)
 
I have a bar-graph type chart from Crucible that was reprinted in Jan 06 Blade mag. According to this chart ATS-34 has greater wear resistance--not by a huge margin, but still a significant one. Toughness is exactly the same. ATS-34 has slightly better corrrosion resistance (that surprised me).

I looked but could not find the chart on Crucible's site. Anyway, the difference is not great, but it looks to me like ATS-34 wins.
 
Thanks Joe and THG. I was having trouble deciding on a Kershaw Lahar or an older discontinued Kershaw Wild Turkey. I'm leaning towards the Lahar for the ergos but someone was selling the Wild Turkey at a steal of a price. (check in the for sale forum)
Click to expand...

You're quite welcome Kim Lau. Not long ago I bought a new, old stock Kershaw Talon in ATS34. It was supposed to RC at around 59 to 61 IIRC. Whatever it RC's at it's an excellent hardness for the steel. Fairly easy to sharpen, no gumminess I've seen with some other companies product when sharpenning.

All in all I'd say that Kershaw has ATS34's number. If the knife you like is ATS34, then by all means grab it while you can. The Lahar is excellent too. I have one also. It should be around for awhile if you want to go back later and grab it too.

Kershaws to me have been consistantly excellent and are one of my 2 favorite companies. By the way this forum has a Kershaw section with a bunch of characters. Thomas W., the head gangster there is about as good of a person you are going to find around here. Very knowledgeable about not only his company ( he works at Kershaw, an executive there), but about all things knives and market related. Lots of good guys posting there too.

Take it easy Kim Lau, Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top