AUS8A Steel

[MelancholyMutt]

I think Aus-8 is one of the best compromise steels available. My most extensive experience with the steel is with the Cold Steel R1 military classic (Clone of Randall model 1) and the CRKT M-16. The R1 sat on my belt throughout a trip to the Dominican Republic which consisted of beaches and treks through steamy mountain jungle and plantation lands. The steel was more than adequate for every cutting job I could find and required only light touchup strokes on a double sided ceramic stone. I did not use it for any chopping as it was neither required during any part of the trip, nor was it good for the steel. The M-16 did not fare as well as the R1, but it was given rougher treatment yet still performed admirably. I used the m-16 as a swimming knife, tucked into my swimming trunks, as well as for splitting open coconuts. Hard coconuts did a job on the edge, and highly saline seawater caused a few spots of discoloration (but nothing close to rust), but some polishing paste and half an hour on the stones took care of that easily.
The bottom line is that although there are better steels to be had, it's one of the best if cost and rust resistance is a factor. My reasoning to bring these two knives instead of my Reeves, Striders or Ek, is that if they were to be lost or stolen, life would go on without missing a beat.

 

[Fireshaker]

Hey Calyth! Remeber me?

Truth be told 8A steel was the first steel I ever cut myself unknowingly with. Of course, Im in a CS phase right now, and Im in love with my Vaquero Grande.

 

[jamaljj]

AUS8A is closest to 440B -

The BladeForums Steel FAQ
http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqsteel.shtml
says this:

QUOTE:
AUS-6 - AUS-8 - AUS-10 (aka 6A 8A 10A)
Japanese stainless steels, roughly comparable to 440A (AUS-6, .65% carbon) and 440B (AUS-8, .75% carbon) and 440C (AUS-10, 1.1% carbon). AUS-6 is used by Al Mar. Cold Steel's use of AUS-8 has made it pretty popular, as heat treated by CS it won't hold an edge like ATS-34, but is a bit softer and may be a bit tougher. AUS-10 has roughly the same carbon content as 440C but with slightly less chromium, so it should be a bit less rust resistant but perhaps a bit tougher than 440C. All 3 steels have some vanadium added (which the 440 series lacks), which will improve wear resistance.
UNQUOTE

Aus8a is the heat treated version of aus8. Has anyone ever seen 440B steel by the way? I've only seen 440A and 440C.

 

[singularity35]

Aus8a is the heat treated version of aus8. Has anyone ever seen 440B steel by the way? I've only seen 440A and 440C.

What's with the bringing up old threads on Aus-8 in two forums dude? If you look at the post date before yours, it's around 2003. The person you are replying too is probably no longer waiting for a reply.

 

[Raccoon750]

Aus8 is great, it holds a decent edge, and its really easy to re-sharpen, and if you know what you're doing you can give it that "razor" touch.

 

[knarfeng]

Aus8a is the heat treated version of aus8. Has anyone ever seen 440B steel by the way? I've only seen 440A and 440C.

What's with the bringing up old threads on Aus-8 in two forums dude? If you look at the post date before yours, it's around 2003. The person you are replying too is probably no longer waiting for a reply.

What singularity said. 10-year old thread. Why?

And you have it backward. AUS8a is the annealed (soft, non-heat treated) form of AUS8. IIRC Randal uses 440B.