AUS 4 & CRKT

Nuke_Spook · Jun 21, 2005

I was at Walmart and saw a CRKT M16 in a blisterpack. On the Pack it said the blade steel was AUS 4, which I had never heard of. I am used to CRKT using AUS 6 or AUS 8, how does the AUS 4 compare to the AUS 6 or 8 and does anyone know why they switched?

Rat Finkenstein · Jun 21, 2005

I think AUS 10 is superior to AUS 6 and 8, so I would assume AUS 4 to be inferior. Was the knife noticably cheaper than CRKT knives in AUS 6 and AUS8?

GarageBoy · Jun 21, 2005

Think of it as 420..

Jeff Clark · Jun 21, 2005

Their new zytel handle M16 use AUS4. They have broken new ground here. I've never heard of anyone using AUS4 before. It should be tougher than AUS6, but soft.
http://www.crkt.com/m16zytel.html

Nuke_Spook · Jun 21, 2005

It looked like a 13Z for around $29.xx. I always thought AUS 6 was as low as most people want to go though if you are going with 420 I guess Buck does do it about as well I have seen.

Esav Benyamin · Jun 21, 2005

420J2 is scarcely passable as a cutlery steel. Buck (and others) use 420HC (high carbon) which is cheap but effective.

Jeff Clark · Jun 22, 2005

One report gives AUS-4 as:
0.4-0.45% Carbon
13.00-14.50% Chromium
1.00% Manganese
0.49% Nickel
0.04% Silicon
1.00% Phosphorus
0.03% Sulfer

This is around the same as Buck's 420HC with the addition of some nickel. It should work OK at around 54-56 RC and be pretty tough.

http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html

Nuke_Spook · Jun 24, 2005

Thanks for the information. You can't beat this forum for quick responses.

AUS 4 & CRKT

MidniteSuperMod