Carbon V vs. AUS 8a Cold Steel Kobun

R

rfleming

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
52
Hi all,

Was curious if any one had an opinion on this one...

For whatever strange reason I want an Cold Steel Kobun...Handled my friends in 420 Sub Zero Quench...and aside from the steel used I liked it and read of many others that do as well.

While I would never buy the 420 version, as I have heard terrible things about 420, I figure at the very least there are better steel options available.

Now I have to say I like Carbon V, whatever high carbon steel it might really be, all the blades in Carbon V I have had/used fared admirably. My concern was that I plan on carrying IWB all the time with this knife and was worried about corrosion as I tend to sweat alot in the hot weather. I know typically that with a light application of oil or tough cloth there shouldn't be a problem but was looking for opinions. I have not used a Cold Steel AUS 8a blade in a while and if I remember from my voyager it was a good steel but did not have great edge retention so frequent sharpenings were the norm. It should be noted however I don't intend this knife to be a frequent user...just a frequent companion.

Opinions appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this.

P.s. and on a vanity note I HATE the black coating on the blade...tempted to buy the carbon V one, have Jay Maines (Sunrise River Customs) polish the blade and re-do the handle...just a thought on how to turn a $60 knif into a $150 one ;)

-Robert Fleming
 
Myself, I would leave the coating on a carbon steel blade if I was planning on wearing it IWB. Mabye you can have him put a mirror polish on it. That would resist corrosion well I think, although not as well as the coating. I guess it depends on where you live. I would be crazy to do that here in an NJ summer.
 
I am in the Peoples Republic of Massachsuetts

Gets WICKED humid here quite often...no Florida but you get the idea...

If I did have Jay do up a carbon v one it would have to be mirror polished and blued...but seems like a lot of effort and money...

I may have answered my own question...AUS 8 may be the way to go...It is a good steel...

But I would still like to hear opinions...thanks!

-Robert
 
Jumping in slightly off topic here but I wanted to tell you that Jay is an absolute pleasure to do business with. :)
 
AUS8 is an excellent stain resistant steel. It has a bit of vanadium which adds to the edge holding abilities, and while it may not hold an edge like some of the super exotics, it's relatively easy to sharpen at least on diamond hones. It's also quite tough according to reviews in these forums. I would rate ATS-34 and VG-10 as slightly better but have no complaints with my Voyagers in AUS8.
 
Thanks for the responses.

Yes, although I have not seen his work up close Jay was awsome to deal with via e-mail!

Surfed around looking for an AUS 8a Kobun...called cold steel as it is still on their website as a close out...and called Knife Center as they listed them available as well...no go...

Any one have a suggestion as where to look next...private sources ok too!

Otherwise carbon V it is...how terrible :rolleyes:
 
Rfleming, I just went through this same drill right about the same time you were. I have an AUS 8 Kobun and I like it. I saw the closeouts in the last LTSpecPro catalog they just sent me, so I decided I'd better grab another one or two before they are gone forever. (I remember some Effingham Blackjacks that I didn't buy when they were closing up shop that I still occasionally kick myself over.)

I made a web order and got a call the next day from a CS customer service person who acted like: Why'd you order these AUS 8 Kobuns? We don't have any of those anymore. I felt like asking him why they had them in their catalog and on their web site then, but I figured it would be like lecturing my cat, and just let it go.

Then I got determined to find another new AUS 8 or Carbon V and couldn't. I'm not so "on fire" I would pay some large amount and I don't need anything made of 420 Stainless (no matter how cold the quench gets). If you find a hidden cache let me know.
 
Since a few years you don't have to choose between sharpe or stainless. ATS34 holds fine and is hard enough. ATS55 X.15-TN; 154-CM; d2 and m2 are even better. Aus8 would be to soft if you love a sharpe non serrated knife, that you would use regularly, or would depend on outdoors. Don't go under HRC58.
 
not a big fan of CS anymore but I do know from experience that if the knife you have has a Kraton handle, carrying IWB can really get uncomfortable in hot weather. Kraton tends to rub, and burn, it also gets hot. I had a recon tanto with carbon V and I took off the handle because of this problem. I cord wrapped it and it carried a lot better.
 
If you are interested in a coating that will stand up to moisture exposure look into KG Coatings Gun Kote. It will hold up to the equivelant of 7 years of salt water exposure.


I am coating knifes with this coating for $25 a piece plus return shipping. Many colors are available. You can email me for details at schapman43@highstream.net.
 
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