AUS6 or 440A?

[interfectus]

What the title says. I know they're both fairly low-end steels, but which one is generally accepted as being higher quality and better overall?

 

[Tightwad]

Strictly as a matter of opinion I prefer the 440A. This is the steel used
in all my U.S. made pocket knives. Considering the sheer volumn of
pocket knives cranked out by big companies 440A must have something
going for it. I know that I've have very good luck with 440A & 440C in my
factory made knives.

As far as the Aus Japanese made steels I like the Aus-8 the best. Aus-6
is just a cut below the Aus-8 so it should do ok.

 

[Rifter]

Cant comment on the 440A however i do own a CRKT M16 with AUS6M steel and its a easy steel to deal with, sharpens quickly and only takes a few passes over the stone every day to keep shaving sharp, its a little soft but thats to be expected with low grade steel's.

 

[wire edge]

There's a great article on this very topic in the newest Tactical Knives mag.

Check the "Steel Bin" by Butch Winter. He tells you everything you'd ever want to know, regarding the two aforementioned steels.

 

[doggyknife]

I basically can't tell the difference in terms of performance btw AUS-6 and 440A. Most of my AUS-6/440A knives seem to have the same basic edge-holding, corrosion resistance, etc. qualities if you take into account other aspects like type edge, blade thickness, finish, etc... My SOG knives tend to perform a bit better in edge-holding from other 440A/AUS-6 steel knives I have, though. Probably due to a better heat-treatment. But I only notice the difference if I do anal side-by-side test comparisons.

 

[interfectus]

Heh, I don't want to know what an anal knife test could be... sounds painful....

 

[steve1701d]

Aren't these steels essentially the same?

 

[doggyknife]

hehehehe....You just can't say much these days without someone finding a sick alternative meeting to it