Aus8a = 420?

L

LUW

Joined
Nov 24, 2009
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Guys, I read somewhere (here, maybe?) that AUS8A is basically the same steel as 420. Is that true? :rolleyes:

I have one or maybe two knives in 420 and I don't really like them, because I think they're too soft. The reason I'm interested in this is because I have the opportunity of buying either a Kershaw Splinter or a Barrage. I would love to get both but I can't, not if I want to get that Shallot in CPM 110V that I'm also watching.

splinter.jpg


The Splinter looks pretty nice, a "gentleman's folder", but is in AUS8A :(. As I said, I'm not very fond of this steel, so I have doubts if this would be a good buy. But the thing looks sweet!

barrage.jpg

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The Barrage on the other hand is more tacticool looking, but since currently I don't have any all-black folders, it would find a spot in my collection. It has a 14C28N blade, which I read good things about.

Both are exactly the same price and are NIB, and are here in Brazil - shopping locally is always a plus. Since I can only get one if I want to get the Shallot, I have to choose. And the steel is an important issue for me, so any comments would be appreciated.
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Nope. AUS8A is a more superior steeal than 420 stainless steel. The edge retention from past experiences is generally much better than 420 steel.
 
LUW said:
Guys, I read somewhere (here, maybe?) that AUS8A is basically the same steel as 420. Is that true? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

No. First of all, there are different classes of "420" steel (420-J, 420-J2, 420HC, and so on), so you should be more specific about what type of "420" you're dealing with. AUS-8 (no "A" needed after the "8," unless you're referring to it by its other name, "8A") is an entirely different steel than any of the 420 variants.
 
Since this is my first post I'd like firstly to say hello :)
I think that aus8 can be compared to 440b or even to 440c

EDIT : Ankerson ,you're faster than me ;p
 
pppiggg said:
Nope. AUS8A is a more superior steeal than 420 stainless steel. The edge retention from past experiences is generally much better than 420 steel.
Click to expand...

You really should define "superior," and while you're at it, you should be specific as far as what variant of "420" you're speaking of.;)
 
ottsego said:
Since this is my first post I'd like firstly to say hello :)
I think that aus8 can be compared 440b or even to 440c :)

EDIT : Ankerson ,you're faster than me ;p
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Welcome to BladeForums!:) In my experience, you are absolutely correct. Though AUS-8 has properties more akin to 440B, I've found it performs like it should be the middle steel between 440B and 440C. Maybe I should start referring to it as 440B/C?:D
 
Hi LUW,

From what I read, AUS 8 is a much better knife steel than 420J or 420HC; although still not a "premium" knife steel. It seems closer to 440B.

If you have a shot at getting the Shallot in 110V, stay with it. It would be a huge upgrade.
 
I really think the bottom line should be it's a great steel that takes an extremely sharp edge and it's very tough when heat treated properly.

Nothing at all wrong with AUS8. ;)
 
Short answer= No, they are not the same steel.

Ankerson makes a good point as well.
 
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Thanks guys, I learned a lot from those links!
clapping.gif


So it's comparable with 440C and 440B? Even so, I rather have something a little bit more "fancy" in terms of steel. So if the Shallot can't find it's way to my collection I think I'll go for the Barrage. And I just noticed that the Splinter is an auction, so the ending price will probably be higher then the Barrage :rolleyes:.
 
Gator97 said:
AUS8 is closer to 420HC. Here's the AUS8 vs. 420HC vs. 420 comparison graph
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Which is not to say that the two alloys are very similar in performance.

The graph is a bit misleading. The difference in Carbon content between the two alloys is very significant, even though it does not appear so from the graph.

In edge retention, AUS 8 is significantly better than any 420 variant, no matter who heat treated it.

The closest alloy I can think of in performance and composition is Chinese 8Cr13MoV. Sandvik13C26 is pretty close in performance.
 
If I had to place them in a hierarchy of some kind, I'd say Aus-8 is generally better than 420, all-around. Not quite as good as 440C, imho, but a useable steel by any standars.

Having said that, imho, 14c28 blows them both out of the water :D. So, if you're looking at the knives from a purely 'steel' perspective, I'd go with the Barrage.
 
Hey Gang, Keep in mind that it's not just the element brakedown that matters.
Attention to detail during the temper and annealing (heat treat) and the grind
can make a HUGE difference the ability of the blade to perform. I've never had AUS8
from anyone perform as well as Buck 420HC, because of the quality of their heat
treat and grind. That said I agree with Monk....14C28 is superior to any Aus8 or 420, because
it is powder metallurgy and higher carbon content
 
buffscales said:
Hey Gang, Keep in mind that it's not just the element brakedown that matters.
Attention to detail during the temper and annealing (heat treat) and the grind
can make a HUGE difference the ability of the blade to perform. I've never had AUS8
from anyone perform as well as Buck 420HC, because of the quality of their heat
treat and grind. That said I agree with Monk....14C28 is superior to any Aus8 or 420, because
it is powder metallurgy and higher carbon content
Click to expand...

Buck 420HC blades will often out-perform AUS8 blades because of Buck's proprietary edge-2000 blade profile. Profile is much more important than alloy when it comes to blade performance. However, if you are just comparing the alloys, then AUS8 holds an edge better.

I have tested Buck 420HC and AUS8 from KaBar side by side cutting manila rope. My test method negates the effects of blade profile differences. I had tested the Rockwell hardness of both and both measured 59HRC.

The AUS8 held an edge significantly better than 420HC when both were at the same hardness.
 
Good comment K....I agree, and have seen similar results from other testers.
When they first hit the market, I switched my EDC to a Dozier Kabar in AUS8 that I really
loved. It was the only AUS8 I really liked and held a decent edge if lapped.
It was less expensive than any Buck at the time, even Schrade USA+....
Eventually the blade snapped during use, and I went back to a Buck.
The only oriental metal for me these days is ZDP189.
 
buffscales said:
That said I agree with Monk....14C28 is superior to any Aus8 or 420, because
it is powder metallurgy and higher carbon content
Click to expand...

Wrong on both counts! 14C28N (the actual designation of the steel) is not a powder steel, nor does it have more carbon than AUS-8.
 
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