Cold Steel - Aus 8A Stainless VS. Carpenters CTS XHP Alloy?

S

SniperElite

Joined
Mar 17, 2015
Messages
36
I am looking at picking up one of the Cold Steel Recon 1 or Code 4 knives and was wondering if anyone has done extensive testing on the difference between the new Carpenters CTS XHP Alloy and Aus 8A Stainless? Is the Carpenters CTS XHP Alloy really worth from what I can see, about 2 times the cost of the Aus 8A Stainless version of the knife?
 
Depends on what you want/need from the steel. XHP will give significantly better edge retention, much better corrosion resistance and better transverse toughness. If you're familiar with S30V, that's a decent comparison as XHP gives similar performance in my experience. Personally, I think it's more than worth it.
 
Considering this for an EDC work blade and looking between the steels primarily for edge retention.

Insipid Moniker said:
Depends on what you want/need from the steel. XHP will give significantly better edge retention, much better corrosion resistance and better transverse toughness. If you're familiar with S30V, that's a decent comparison as XHP gives similar performance in my experience. Personally, I think it's more than worth it.
Click to expand...
 
Your money obviously isn't mine to spend, but my opinion is that CTS XHP is easily worth the difference in price. Between the improved corrosion resistance and the step up in edge retention, you get a massive upgrade in terms of ease of maintenance and ownership. With the XHP, you simply won't need to think about the knife as much. You'll sharpen it less frequently, and concerns with spotting will vanish unless you're in situations that are currently wrecking AUS-8.
 
There is a big difference in edge retention. I liked it as much as s30v, s35vn and cpm 154. At 60-61 RC. I would not get an AUS 8 model again unless it was the finnwolf.
 
It's funny to me that everyone has begged Cold steel to upgrade the lowly AUS8 for YEARS, yet once they upgrade to a steel that's probably 10 fold in performance the only thing anyone sees is the bottom line.
 
Jason B. said:
It's funny to me that everyone has begged Cold steel to upgrade the lowly AUS8 for YEARS, yet once they upgrade to a steel that's probably 10 fold in performance the only thing anyone sees is the bottom line.
Click to expand...

Is that really surprising? ;)
 
I definitely think the just in price is worth it. I have the Recon 1 and American Lawman in CTS-XHP and LOVE them both. It is a fantastic steel. My old Aus 8 Lawman is now relegated to my emergency pack as a back up blade that will hopefully never get used.
 
i have a AL in aus8 and am definately putting a AL in xhp on my Christmas wish list. I love the AL design and to be able to get one in a really good steel is too good to pass up.
Bob
 
Cold Steel's AUS8 is no slouch, mind you. They have that heat treat down to an art. I'm very excited for when they decide to release the Hold Out 1 in XHP, along with the Talwar. Those are going to be some serious slabs of incredible steel with perfect lockup for a great price.

I have very little experience with XHP, honestly, but the difference is really just night and day if the available data is anything to go by. From what I'm looking at, it should be about twice as good at fine edge retention. AUS8 is a pretty soft steel by comparison to most of the "good" steels, so even a non-knife-person will be likely to notice a stark difference in performance between XHP and AUS8.
 
I very much appreciate all of your responses. I have no issues with the cost of the better steel. I was asking if the price was justified for the performance gain. Do you have a link for this brother? Thanks again!

Ankerson said:
I just looked at the Code 4 for example, there is this HUGE monstrous $12 difference in price going to XHP. LOL :D
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
rmbonham said:
AUS 8A was the super steel of the 90's. It's not the 90's any more.
Click to expand...

It's not, but that doesn't mean that suddenly AUS 8A is suddenly bad, it just doesn't look as good compared to the current supersteels. AUS 8, VG10, and 154CM still cut fine for me.

I'll be picking up several AUS 8 Cold Steel folders at clearance prices as the vendors phase them out.
 
SniperElite said:
I very much appreciate all of your responses. I have no issues with the cost of the better steel. I was asking if the price was justified for the performance gain. Do you have a link for this brother? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Look at Knife Center, in stock too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top