AUS-10

strategy9

strategy9

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2015
Messages
4,207
I recently became aware of Kilimanjaro Gear (a budget friendly knife co.) Having released a Winkler designed, (looks like it is based on the the F3 models), 3oz. folder for around $100 with micarta scales and an aus-10 blade.

I am certainly intrigued to say the least, at the prospect of a $100 "winkler", as I had a couple of their cheaper models, and the vertice was a great little beater knife for around $10-15.

I know aus10 is a rough japanese equivalent to 440c, which i still love when done up properly, but using vanadium and nickel in the matrix however I would imagine makes it a different beast altogether. I don't have any 1st hand experience with it however as it doesn't seem very commonplace in the market.

I do know aus8 takes a great razor edge with ease, but runs a bit soft for my liking and loses that edge too quick, so how many of you have first hand experience with aus10, and how comparable is it to 440c and how much of an improvement is it over aus8 in terms of edge holding?
 
Good question, I have also been interested in it after seeing a few AG Russell made blades with it.
 
440C is known for having large chrome carbides clumping together making the steel wear resistant but not tough and a little chippy. It needs thicker edges and higher angles to keep it performing well. Also note you never see it over 57-59rc.

Aus 10 is meant to give similar wear resistance with somewhat better grain structure in a not too expensive steel with similar non demanding heat treating. It's a pretty good steel. It's an ingot not a powder steel

Joe
 
AUS-10 is a pretty good steel. It should perform around the same as VG-10. Good grain structure, and it takes a very good edge. It doesn't refine quite as well as VG-10 but it's better than 440C. You shouldn't be disappointed with it, unless you compare it to super steels.
 
I know nothing about AUS10 performance, other than Spyderco marketed it as being better than AUS8 & 440C. This was before VG10, but I believe they kept it in their all stainless Native when the FRN version went to VG10.
 
Pick up an A.G. Russell Hunter Scalpel. It's a little fixed blade in AUS-10, weighs like half an ounce, cost ya a mere $20 bill.

Another $20 will get you the Woodswalker... about the same size, and in AUS-8.

You can use them side by side, sharpen them up side by side, and you'll know quickly how they compare.

And you'll have two great little fixed blades to carry around with you.
 
I have one knife in AUS 10. (A Junglee Marshall, which I bought for the sole purpose of trying that alloy.)

Edge holding is always dependent on the heat treat and to what hardness the alloy was taken.

♦ My AUS 10 Junglee measures 58 HRC. It holds an edge noticeably better than my 58 HRC 440C Buck 110.

♦ The Junglee holds an edge a tad less well than my blades in the similar alloys, VG10, 154CM , and VG1; but those other blades were hardened to at 59-60 HRC.

These were formal comparisons made by slicing manila rope. All the blades were sharpened on a Sharpmaker at 15° per side.

So, better than 440C and in the ballpark with 154CM, especially if they were the same hardness.
 
Thanks Knarf.

I just seen bladehq has the knife for $70... $70 for an aus10 Winkler (design) sounds more appealing yet ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top