AUS 8 vs ATS34

[kelleymmm1]

Could some please explain the difference and which is harder stronger.I have seen charts of different materials but didnt really under stand. I have wondered for a while. 58-59 is the actual hardness and aus8 is just the metal is it a higher grade or what. any help im lost.

 

[G3]

Personally I hold ATS-34 a little higher over AUS steels. ATS is a bit better at holding the edge I've found. AUS8 is a really good steel and takes a wicked edge but in my experience just doesn't hold it as long. It is easier to sharpen then ATS however so I would say the AUS steels are softer.

 

[Hair]

AUS8 is decent. ATS34 is a premium stainless steel.

ATS34 will hold an edge longer.

AUS8 might be slightly less brittle.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Could some please explain the difference and which is harder stronger.I have seen charts of different materials but didnt really under stand. I have wondered for a while. 58-59 is the actual hardness and aus8 is just the metal is it a higher grade or what. any help im lost.

Harder/stronger/etc aren't properties inherent in the steel, they are also a function of the heat treat. But, the way ATS-34 and AUS-8 are usually heat treated (to 59-61 Rc and 58-59 Rc respectively):

ATS-34 is harder and stronger. That means that on any type job where the edge is pushed into something, ATS-34 will hold its edge better, and also ATS-34 can take a thinner higher-performance edge without rolling.

ATS-34 is more wear-resistant. That means that on any type job where abrasion is the primary way in which the edge degrades, ATS-34 will hold its edge longer. ATS-34 will also take longer to sharpen (unless you've taken advantage of ATS-34's greater strength as explained above, and lowered the edge angle).

AUS-8 is tougher. That means on any job where toughness --resistance to chipping or other damage due to shock -- is a problem, AUS-8 will hold its edge better. Think chopping, etc. Since neither steel is particularly suited to be a chopper, you may not want to over-emphasize this one.

AUS-8 is more rust-resistant. You'll have to decide this one for yourself. If the knife will often be wet, especially with salt water, or is cutting highly acidic food, 8A is attractive.

For a general-purpose EDC folder, ATS-34 will often be the better choice, provided you take advantage of the properties and thin the edge down, which not only brings out the performance better but makes sharpening easier. However, knives made with AUS-8 are less expensive, and the fact is, it's a fine steel for EDC use. Provided the price of the knife reflects the fact that it's made from AUS-8, I do not shy away from it.

Joe

 

[G3]

Harder/stronger/etc aren't properties inherent in the steel, they are also a function of the heat treat. But, the way ATS-34 and AUS-8 are usually heat treated (to 59-61 Rc and 58-59 Rc respectively):

ATS-34 is harder and stronger. That means that on any type job where the edge is pushed into something, ATS-34 will hold its edge better, and also ATS-34 can take a thinner higher-performance edge without rolling.

ATS-34 is more wear-resistant. That means that on any type job where abrasion is the primary way in which the edge degrades, ATS-34 will hold its edge longer. ATS-34 will also take longer to sharpen (unless you've taken advantage of ATS-34's greater strength as explained above, and lowered the edge angle).

AUS-8 is tougher. That means on any job where toughness --resistance to chipping or other damage due to shock -- is a problem, AUS-8 will hold its edge better. Think chopping, etc. Since neither steel is particularly suited to be a chopper, you may not want to over-emphasize this one.

AUS-8 is more rust-resistant. You'll have to decide this one for yourself. If the knife will often be wet, especially with salt water, or is cutting highly acidic food, 8A is attractive.

For a general-purpose EDC folder, ATS-34 will often be the better choice, provided you take advantage of the properties and thin the edge down, which not only brings out the performance better but makes sharpening easier. However, knives made with AUS-8 are less expensive, and the fact is, it's a fine steel for EDC use. Provided the price of the knife reflects the fact that it's made from AUS-8, I do not shy away from it.

Joe

Yeah, what he said. :thumbup:

 

[Cliff Stamp]

ATS-34 is harder and stronger. That means that on any type job where the edge is pushed into something, ATS-34 will hold its edge better, and also ATS-34 can take a thinner higher-performance edge without rolling.

What needs to be considered here is the effect of the edge stability. AUS-8A like most of the inexpensive steels has an corrosponding low end heat treatment. AUS-8A actually has a higher hardening responce than 440C and it has a much low carbide fraction and thus it will have a much better edge stability at low angles. However as it is most often used, it is really soft and thus doesn't well represent its actual abilities. With the current interest in low carbide stainless hopefully manufacturers will re-evaluate the hardening of AUS-series steels. However the current perception of them is very low which is a real practical problem.

-Cliff

 

[rhino]

In my experience, I can get a much better edge (in terms of sharpness and initial cutting ability) on most factory AUS8A blades than I can with a comparable ATS-34 blade sharpened to the same angle. The ATS-34 feels "gummy" when I try to sharpen it (using diamond abrasives), which tells me it (the ATS-34 in the knives I've had) is probably not at its optimal hardness, and the AUS8A knives are probably closer to theirs.

For instance, I could get a much better edge on an original Spyderco Endura or a Cold Steel Voyager (both AUS8A) than I could on a Benchmade Leopard, another Benchmade whose name I can't recall, or a small Koncept folder (all ATS-34).

I can't comment on edge holding.