CRKT with AUS4 (omg)

offsetlover

offsetlover

Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
3,222
Ok so i bought a CRKT M16-10KZ knife from wallmart about 2 weeks ago. I have heard horrible reviews about AUS4. I did some testing of this knife for myself. Personally, i dont see anything wrong with AUS4. it wasn't the sharpest knife out of the pack, but it more than did the stuff i needed it to do. I worked out in the yard with it and it handled prunning easily. It also cut paper easily (for a "working sharp" edge anyway). After 2 weeks of normal use, i would say that the steel has done quite well. Ive only touched up the edge once.

a couple other notes on the knife.
finish is good and holds up nicely
locks well.

any comments ppls?
 
Most of the disparaging comments about such steels are based on common conception, usually founded on misinformation by knifemakers promoting their steels. In reality while there is a difference between steels at 55/56 HRC vs those 58/59 HRC, this is no different than the difference between the latter steels and knives at 62/63 HRC which the same makers will argue is not significant.

In short, yes there is a difference between AUS-4 and steels like 13C26, but it isn't so insanely massive that one knife is unusable. One thing to keep in mind is that the lower cost knives often have really poor initial edges so you have to sharpen them at least 1-2 times before the results are representative.

-Cliff
 
I have a couple of different size M16's and they are fine.
For what they cost they are value for money.
You could pay alot more for similar quality or worse knives.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
One thing to keep in mind is that the lower cost knives often have really poor initial edges so you have to sharpen them at least 1-2 times before the results are representative.
Click to expand...

The exceptions to that statement have been knives from CRKT and Boker. I've had some priced-to-own knives in AUS-6M from CRKT and have a coveted Boker SubCOM in 420JS that were surprizingly sharp out of the box considering the softness of the steels and the price of the knives.

Offsetlover,

Thanks for the review! A lot of folks like to complain about AUS-4 and Wal-Mart, but AUS-4 works and Wal-Mart's push for low-priced knives makes it possible for lots more people to enjoy the work of Kit Carson, Ken Onion, and Sal Glesser than otherwise. I'm guessing you're a fellow fan of Onion's work by your name.
 
thombrogan said:
And I have! :o
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I think we all have :)
I have been lucky with the knives I have bought, most would be considered cheapies by many here but they do what I ask of them and I have not spent that much that I have lost my marriage.:)
I have several CRKT, Kershaws and Ka-Bar knives all been good for what they cost.
I can afford to lose any of them and not stress about replacing them.

Cheers ;)
 
thombrogan said:
I've had some priced-to-own knives in AUS-6M from CRKT and have a coveted Boker SubCOM in 420JS that were surprizingly sharp out of the box considering the softness of the steels and the price of the knives.
Click to expand...

Yeah, initial sharpness varies a lot. Unfortunately a lot of people use it to judge the quality of the steel/knife. Manufacturers should put Spyderco-level effort into sharpening, it really makes a massive difference to a lot of people.

-Cliff
 
Cliff

I hear ya. The knife has done well so far, thus I'm content. It would be nice to see every factory knife come razor sharp, but sadly they dont.

thombrogan

Yes i am a fan of Mr. Onion's work. I've been watching the offset for years now, and i may finally have the money to get it.
 
Danno4017 said:
I think we all have :)
I have been lucky with the knives I have bought, most would be considered cheapies by many here but they do what I ask of them and I have not spent that much that I have lost my marriage.:)
I have several CRKT, Kershaws and Ka-Bar knives all been good for what they cost.
I can afford to lose any of them and not stress about replacing them.

Cheers ;)
Click to expand...

yes yes. if they work then its good
 
I remember a quote from the late Butch Winter that goes something like "if its good enough to make a knife from, its good steel." While I dont completely agree, I wouldnt hesitate about getting a knife design I liked if the steel was AUS 4. I can sharpen a knife, and my lowly Kershaw Vapor holds an edge that will shave through a good deal of cardboard cutting. That one time scraping cast iron was a bad idea though, but I doubt anything else would have been better.
 
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