Aus8 ?

[gull wing]

I read a description of a knife, the blade was AUS8 and part of it was:
"is similar to ATS34"
Is this so?
Where is AUS8 made?

In my limited experence ATS34 is better than AUS8? I have two knives in AUS8 they are ok, but I like other steels better.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

AUS 8 (aka 8A) has one huge similarity to ATS-34, in that they are both steel. On the other hand, if you're a nit-picky knife knut, the two steels are a bit different. Performance-wise, here is my opinion of the main differences you'll see. ATS-34 will almost always hold its edge longer, because it is usually harder (stronger) than 8A, and because it's more wear-resistant. 8A will be easier to sharpen, for both of the preceding reasons, and because it is extremely fine-grained, and some people -- myself included -- find putting a razor edge on a fine-grained steel generally easier.

I can drop down further if you'd like ... ATS-34 can get harder than 8A because ATS-34 has more carbon, and ATS-34 is more wear-resistant both due to hardness and due to the amount of carbides. 8A is more fine-grained due to the addition of a small amount of vanadium.

8A, and all the AUS series steels (AUS-4,6,8,10) are Japanese.

Generally, 8A is one of my favorite "2nd tier" steels, mainly because it can hold its own with most of the other steels in its class, and is so easy to put a scary sharp edge on. Steels like VG-10, ATS-34, S30V, etc., are definitely a step up from 8A.

Joe

 

[Planterz]

AUS-8 can be compared to 440C, although perhaps a bit down on the scale (440B maybe, but you never see that being used). Takes an very sharp, fine edge, and takes it easily, but edge retention won't be the best. Better than AUS-6 or 440A, a bit less than 440C, and significantly less than ATS-34.

In terms of edge holding, I'd place it AUS-6, 440A, AUS-8, 440C, ATS-55, VG-10, ATS-34/154CM, S30V. Add or drop a position depending on manufacturer and heat treat.

 

[gull wing]

Thank you very much.
This info is exactly what I wanted to know.
Thank You.

 

[Harry Callahan]

As with everything else in the cutlery industry, beware of knockoffs. Genuine aus steels were invented/perfected/originated by a little steel company in Japan. Auchi maybe? Don't know how they spell it. Anyway, that's the aus steels that Spyderco and Al Mar use. There's a lot of Chinese/Taiwanese crap steel out there that wears the aus name and IS NOT the real deal.

Genuine aus8 was used in many Spyderco models before they switched to ats55 and later to VG10. Good stuff.