Best All Purpose Steel - Carbon V or AUS 8A

Mississippi_Dave

Mississippi_Dave

Joined
Jun 7, 2000
Messages
298
Am thinking of getting a CS Master Hunter and was wondering which version would best for general purpose hunting knife. Which steel holds an edge the best and holds up to elements best.


Newbie Q. : Carbon V as in 'Vee' or '5'?

Thanks

------------------
"Build a Man a Fire .. Keep him Warm for a Day.
Set a Man on Fire ... Keep Him Warm the Rest of His Life."
 
Buy a Marine Tuf Cloth and the Carbon Vee model. Carbon V will hold an edge a fair bit better than 8a which as an average stainless steel. Hope it helps.

If you cannot look after your knife then 8a would be a better bet over all.

All a question of your ability.

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
 
Carbon V is a superb steel - except it rusts like crazy. Tuff cloth doesn't help that much. If you can maintain the knife pretty well in the field: Carbon V. If you will be leaving the knife wet or dirty for even a few hours, try Infi instead.
 
I don't know why, but the General makes sense to me
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 01-04-2001).]
 
Hehehehehehehehe!

I am not a total dolt!

Well not always
wink.gif


HJK, I guess that INFI steel would be outside the budget of this gentleman. No offence but the knife in question is half the cost of a similar Basic 9. At least half the price more like one third depending on where you go. It is better but not 3 times better. Buy a Carbon Vee and a decent folder and a Leatherman Super Tool for the same cash.

Or go the whole hog and get a Busse BM E.

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

[This message has been edited by The General (edited 01-04-2001).]
 
I have many Cold Steel knives in both Carbon V, and AUS-8A, and I can cut myself just as quickly and deeply with either steel.
biggrin.gif
.

BOTH are razor-sharp.
BOTH hold an edge well.
BOTH are easy to re-sharpen. (It would be wise of you to invest in a Spyderco Sharpmaker.).

The Carbon V will rust if not cared for.

If I were you, I'd opt for the AUS-8A steel.

------------------
Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
That sounds right Too...

Any properly tempered steel with correct edged geometry will function very well. The tradeoffs here are edge holding and ultimate sharpness which also Rusts, vs softer steel with less ability to take a super acute edge but which will Not rust so readily.

I prefer carbon steels. Stain resistant (high chromium) steels have their merits too...

Both will work well as knives. Both will cut well. One will rust. The other will not hold an edge as sharp, or as long, but will not require rust prevention. It's up to you...

Paracelsus

 
Carbon "5"
Somewhere/somewhen CS said because it contains 5 elements.
Happy sharpening
smile.gif


------------------
D.T. UTZINGER
 
Dave,

By all means, buy the Carbon 5. It's performance level is higher in every category except rust resistance. There seems to be a disconnect with hunters concerning their guns and knives. Most hunters still use guns that are blued and will readily rust. They remember to coat them with oil regularly. For some reason, they don't think that they can do the same in a knife. Perhaps they think that since they are dealing with body fluids, that they must have stainless. Simply wipe the blade off and oil it up when you get home. Or better yet, carry a Tuf-Cloth and do it in the field. I say all of this knowing that I used a set of AUS-8 blades this season to gut 3 deer. (The Outdoor Edge Kodi-Pak) I bought the set because I love the concept and design of the blades. If they came in 1095 or a similar carbon steel I would have purchased that over the AUS-8. Be sure to let us know what you decide.

Jim McCullough

edited for spelling

------------------


Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes

[This message has been edited by HUNTER3897 (edited 01-05-2001).]
 
General,
No offence taken. Actually, you make a good point. Many relatively inexpensive knives will do a fine job even if they are not made out of the latest and greatest materials. Until i got my Trailmaster in carbon V [five] my steady was an old Gerber Magnum Hunter made of 440a or something similar. It was less than $50 when I bought it. Never a spot of rust, held a very good edge and tough as anything. I managed just fine, but the TM woke me up to the advantages of better knives, and the sheer pleasure of being a knife knut. I do think the Busses are worth the price, if you intend to keep it and use it for a long time, and take an inordinate amount of pride in it. But that's just my own, admittedly somewhat foolish, point of view. Hell, I don't have too many obsessions, collections or luxuries. A knife or two doesn't seem to be too outrageous - except to my better half
smile.gif
.
 
Carbon V will hold an edge better than AUS8 and is easier to sharpen. It will discolour like all carbon steels when in contact with acids, and will rust if you store it wet. Just wipe it off and use your favorite rust preventive, or keep it dry. AUS8 would be better if you're around salt water.
 
HJK I agree 100% I also think a BM E or Busse model is worth it. Just as I think my Classic MM Sebi was worth every penny! I am trying to see things from others point of view. My posting style in the past has been a bit... third person, cold, arrogant and impersonal. I have also been accused of not looking fairly at others point of view. Well I hope my new style is more straight forward and less wordy, I get carried away sometimes!

Oh, its Carbon 5? Well I never! I am in error? Must be a mistake! Are you sure?
wink.gif


I think Carbon vee sounds better then, thats my excuse!

Speak to you soon!

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

[This message has been edited by The General (edited 01-05-2001).]
 
When I bought my CS Master Hunter, I grappled with the same decision. Ended up with the AUS-8. And you know, it's pretty damn good stuff!

I love carbon blades but I like to have a few stainless knives around as well. Variety is the spice of life! Get one of each.
biggrin.gif


------------------
Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Having used an F-1 alongside my buddy, who was using a CS American Hunter in Carbon V, to skin a bear last year, I found that the two steels compared very favorably in edge holding. I had to sharpen the CS blade a couple of times while the VG-10 was still very sharp at the end. That may be because my friend was cutting fur, which will take an edge off anything very fast, while I was working 'inside-out' (the blade inverted, sliding under the hide to split it). VG-10 comes as close to a good carbon steel in edge holding as any stainless in my experience. Left in a damp sheath, though, even VG-10 can develop rust spots. I would venture that AUS8 does not hold an edge as well as VG-10, but it is easier to sharpen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top