aus-6

I have a CRKT folder with Aus-6 steel. I have had no complaints. Very easy to sharpen, and hold a edge for a decent period of time. Very similar to 1095 carbon if you ask me.
 
Seems to me there are lots of variables-- quality control in the initial steel manufacturing, the design of the knife (thickness and bevels), and quality control on the production line with heat treating and grinding. Buck's use of 420HC comes to mind. There has been some discussion here about the appropriatness of using D2 steel in the Kershaw Outcast too. There's lots of chatter in about seven or eight steels: AUS6, AUS8, 440C, 420HC, S30V, 154CM, D2, and 1095. Then there are whole other classes of mostly foriegn made steels that creep in an there's much more discussion about the knife overall than the steel. In discussing moras, it's carbon or stainless and the rest has been about design. I guess what I'm saying is that there is some "fashion" componente to the popularity of some steels.

Something I haven't seen data on is the flexibility of a blade and how fragile steels are in comparison--- looking at breaking the whole blade rather than just damaging the edge. http://www.knifetests.com/ has done this in a way with extreme bashing of completed knives. It would be interesting to see engineering-quality tests of identical blanks of steel in knife-sized dimensions. Edge retention is just one factor in a survival knife-- think of how you would feel if you snapped your blade at the wrong time :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top