CS SRK (AUS8A) or Timberline Lightfoot Zambezi (440C)

8

8mmMauser

Joined
Aug 25, 2005
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I am looking at getting a new, all-purpose sort of knife. These two knives both seem appealing to me, but I am not quite sure which one to purchase. I had an SRK before in Carbon V, and it was quite nice, but unfortunately I lost it. :(

I have heard some pretty good stuff about the Zambezi, but I would certainly like to hear more about it. It has been suggested that the blade might be a bit thick for some uses, and that the edge would need to be reprofiled. Is this true?

I guess for the most part I don't really have any specific questions now, but rather I am just looking for thoughts on the two knives. I guess my one question would be, will I see much of a difference in performance between the two steels? I think I wouldn't, but I'd just like to be sure.

Thanks.

ETA: I thought of one other thing. For reference, I can get the SRK for about $60 and the Zambezi for about $100.
 
I have a SRK in Carbon V, which I dearly love.

I wouldn't accept one in AUS-8 as a gift. My small Voyager in AUS-8 is enough to prevent me from ever buying ANYTHING made from that krap again.

There's another carbon steel coming online from CS that is supposed to be as good as Carbon V. I would wait for that, or look for a Carbon V SRK on ebay, or buy an Ontario "Rat 7" in D2.

Just my opinion, for however much, or little, it's worth!:D
 
Aus8 is a fine steel , if it's not working for you then the steel did not get the proper HT.
Properly done Aus8 will take a super sharp , working edge.

Why did I post this ?

I'm trying my best to squash bad rumors and hearsay on here that somehow , grow into "fact".



I have heard some pretty good stuff about the Zambezi, but I would certainly like to hear more about it. It has been suggested that the blade might be a bit thick for some uses, and that the edge would need to be reprofiled. Is this true?
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That would depend on what you plan on using the knife for.
 
The AUS8 on the Boker Trance was very good. Took a sharper edge than S30V actually, but couldn't hold its edge as long, of course.
 
spyken said:
The AUS8 on the Boker Trance was very good. Took a sharper edge than S30V actually, but couldn't hold its edge as long, of course.
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Right, and that is the trade off.

Irritates me that some folks on here think proven steels like good old 440C and Aus-8 are worthless.

I think I would go with the Timberline over the SRK , just IMO , I like the looks.
 
there's nothing wrong with properly HT aus-8. its been around for a long time! and its still being used extensively in knife making!,,,VWB.
 
I would go with an SRK. Cold Steel is selling some carbon V factory seconds on their Christmas sale flyer.
 
rebeltf said:
Aus8 is a fine steel , if it's not working for you then the steel did not get the proper HT.
Properly done Aus8 will take a super sharp , working edge.
..
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You bet it will take a razor sharp edge! And it's extremely quick and easy to get that edge.

BUT Use it to cut your steak at dinner, and it's dull again. :thumbdn::thumbdn:

For my taste, that qualifies as KRAP steel!:barf:
 
I have several pounds of aus 8 and have never got hold of a bad one. I am not a big fan of any stainless blade but 8a is one of my favorite ss materials and all of them seem to hold a shaving edge through use. Perhaps your experience with the material was with cheap asian imports.
 
sdt11670 said:
I have several pounds of aus 8 and have never got hold of a bad one. I am not a big fan of any stainless blade but 8a is one of my favorite ss materials and all of them seem to hold a shaving edge through use. Perhaps your experience with the material was with cheap asian imports.
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Quite possibly so. But when you've neen burned as bad as I have by AUS steel, you're EXTREMELY reluctant to ever spend any money on it again.:(
 
Ben Dover said:
Quite possibly so. But when you've neen burned as bad as I have by AUS steel, you're EXTREMELY reluctant to ever spend any money on it again.:(
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AUS 8 is one of the baddest a$$ed steels ever made. It takes about as fine an edge as any steel ever will. By the time it dull, you will have sliced through most anything like butter.

Heck I cut through a rib cage and field dressed a 6 point buck with a lowly 425 Mod from Buck and it would still pop hairs. What are you cutting, bricko blocks?
 
Not trying to start anything here but I am in question as to whether Ben Dover has actually used a knife made of Aus8.

Is it possible you used one that did not recieve a proper HT and therefore did not take the usual razor sharp edge that Aus8 will take with a proper honing ?

Long story short , Aus8 would not have been used as much as it was ( and still is used) if it were not a great steel.


Sorry to take this thread OT but , the misinformation and rumors that sometimes happens on here get old after a while.
 
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