AUS8 vs SAK steel

SwissArmyKnives

SwissArmyKnives

Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
31
I've owned blades in everything from BG42, s90v, ATS34/154cm and whatever V.nox SAKs are made from but never a aus8 blade.



I'm considering picking up a certian model from CRKT to keep clipped to my trucks seatbelt incase I ever need to extricate myself from it. How does the AUS8 steel compare to the steel used in Vnox SAKS so I know what to expect.

Thanks guys.
 
uh, ive got a crkt with an aus8 blade, the design is fantabulous, but i cant say that the steel is up to par, but hey, it was expensive, now im just aiming to make a replacement blade.
 
Originally posted by aaron_simkovich
uh, ive got a crkt with an aus8 blade, the design is fantabulous, but i cant say that the steel is up to par, but hey, it was expensive, now im just aiming to make a replacement blade.
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I've never really heard someone who disliked Aus-8 steel. I've never owned a blade of Aus-8, so I guess we need another opinion.
 
I have a few Cold Steel knives made out of AUS-8(A) steel and I don't find ANYTHING wrong with that steel...It takes a RAZOR-sharp edge, holds that edge pretty well, re-sharpens easily, and seems to be pretty rust-resistant.
 
Regarding rust, I carried an AUS-8 Endura for 5.5 years and a Voyager for one year. The only times I oiled them were to make the action smoother. The only rust I ever had was a little bit in the "A" of the Endura and that was easily removed with a toothpick. My brother carried my AUS-8 CRKT M-16 for a week or two and there was rust all over the blade. It is still functional as it is only surface rust. I guess the bead blasting makes rusting more likely.
 
AUS8 will work just fine for all but the most demanding user.

In EDC or general utility it's as good as anything else out there.

Although I would imagine that if you plan on using the knife just to hack your way out of a car the actual steel wouldn't matter very much at all, as at most it would have to slice through some fabric and break a window.
 
Thanks for the great replies guys

The knife probably will see some other use which is why I'm concerned about the steel quality. But I'm gonna drop the hammer and get the M1. I've come to a time where I really don't like tacticals, but they do have their place. It'll probably stay clipped to my seatbelt and forgot about till needed.
 
Originally posted by TheMightyGoat
I've never really heard someone who disliked Aus-8 steel. I've never owned a blade of Aus-8, so I guess we need another opinion.
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now you have
 
Originally posted by aaron_simkovich
now you have
Click to expand...

Umm... yes, I noticed. :confused: I don't mean to be rude, but did you mean something by that, or were you just saying it for the sake of pointing out?
 
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by TheMightyGoat
I've never really heard someone who disliked Aus-8 steel. I've never owned a blade of Aus-8, so I guess we need another opinion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by aaron_simkovich
now you have
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:.:rolleyes:
 
I use and own several knives in 8a and whilst I find it a *little* anoying how often it needs to be resharpened, it is a good all round steel. It is more than enough for your described tasks!

It is the minimum steel I would seriously consider for an edc knife, then again thats a whole different question.
 
I understand that SAK's use 420HC or 420J2 for almost all the "blade" hardware. Stain resistance and toughness is supremely important and it doesn;t get easier, cheaper in production form than blanked 420. Most steels mentioned above, certainly AUS8, will hold a better edge for sure.

Unless, you use a knife THAT MUCH, most "casual" knife users are unlikely to notice a significant difference in edge holding etc. BTW, you guys out there are NOT "casual" knife users. You all seem far too picky and discerning, like me. :D Jason.
 
Originally posted by TheMightyGoat
Umm... yes, I noticed. :confused: I don't mean to be rude, but did you mean something by that, or were you just saying it for the sake of pointing out?
Click to expand...


jus pointin out my man
 
I've got a lot of great Cold Steels in AUS-8A and some snazzy CRKT's in AUS-6M as well as a Spyderco in AUS-6M and have to say that they're both get steels. In the M1 design with the LAWKS system, AUS-8A should be really great.

You'll have to resharpen it more than you would ATS-34 or S30V, but it does its job.
 
AUS8-A is i very good steel. I have two Cold Steel folders,one Tuf Lite and one medium Clip point Voyager,and they are both made of AUS8-A steel. They are hardened to Rockwell 57. They hold their edges good and are easy to resharpen,you can for sure bring them to razor sharpness without to mouch effort. I have always liked this steel. Next to some more expencive steels like VG-10 which are my favoritue,then AUS-8A is also one of my favoritues. It is a quite inexpencive steel also. I don´t think you will be disapointed with this steel.

Manowar
 
I have lots of SAKS and only one knife in AUS8 (Gerber international AR300), I feel the AUS8 holds the edge better than the SAKs. Better than general use regular steels such as AUS6, 420HC and 440A, close to (but not quite as good as) my old knives in 440C (Boker and Buck).
 
It's quite similar to AUS-8 ,has a bit more Molybdenium added but no Vanadium... I think you will have a hard time telling the difference in everyday use if both knifes have similar grinds and bladeshapes. Vic's have mostly slimmer blades and more acute grinds than knifes from CRKT, Gerber, etc... I guess that makes them dull faster.

Chris
 
I got the M1 and I'm pretty happy with it. The fit and finish is better than i expected. It wasn't very srapr upon arrival but after a few seconds on my sharpmaker it was ready to serve. Pretty nifty knife and very stout. It'll serve it's purpose well.
 
Originally posted by ChrisA
It's quite similar to AUS-8
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The heading above of:
"SAK steel is 1.4110"

was very interesting, thank you.

I did a Yahoo.com search on
+steel +"1.4110"

and found that 1.4110 is a German steel designation.

These two sites in particular were interesting:

Steel designations and compositions
http://www.canit.se/~griffon/knives/text/steel-designations.html

Knife Steel
http://www.deweyknives.com.au/steel.html

The first site differentiates between 1.4110 and INOX steel for the Victorinox SAKs.

German 1.4110 is:
1.4110 C 0.55-0.75, Cr 16-18, Mn 1.0, Si 1.0, Mo 0.55-0.75.
(equivalents?) DIN:X55 CrMo14 ~440A

INOX listing:
INOX C 0.52, Cr 15, Mn 0.45, Si 0.6, Mo 0.5.
Victorinox's SAKs, RC 56

AUS8 listing:
AUS 8 C 0.75, Cr 14.0, Mn -, Si -, Mo 0.2, V 0.1-0.25, Ni 0.49.
(equivalent) 8-A


Here are some details of Victorinox's INOX steel - but it's from a late '80s or early '90s label from a kitchen rolling chopper -
so the steel might be different, and/or may have changed:

fc0257ac.jpg
fc0257a9.jpg


Note: the steel RC = 53/55 on this label - but according to the first site it's RC 56 and Victorinox's own web site says:
QUOTE:
What steel is used for Victorinox knives?
All Victorinox knives are high carbon, stainless, first grade, A-quality steel. They are tempered to a 55-56 HRC hardness for optimum edge retention.
UNQUOTE
FAQ at:
http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/service/index.htm?faq/inhalt1.cfm&faq/inhalt2.htm
Actual quote at:
http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/service/faq/antwort.cfm?pid=20000508105956
 
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