Recommendation? CTS-BD1 vs AUS8A / How much better ?

[DocJD]

Just received a Vaquero that I expected to be BD1 but is the older steel . How much difference is there really ? I have plenty of the old AUS8 but no experience with the new steel .

 

[Mick_1KRR]

There is nothing wrong with either steel in my opinion, but i find BD1 to be a much more stainless steel that AUS8. Both easily hold an edge well enough for EDC use, BD1 also takes a very good edge and is easy to touch up. I'd take BD1 over AUS8 for the stain resistance alone, i always found AUS8 did start to stain a bit quicker.

 

[Lapedog]

Just received a Vaquero that I expected to be BD1 but is the older steel . How much difference is there really ? I have plenty of the old AUS8 but no experience with the new steel .

In my experience they perform quite similarly. Both are easy to sharpen and take a screaming edge. Aus8 seems to take a finer edge and BD1 takes a vicious toothy edge. I think the Vaquero is serrated often, is yours?

 

[oxman198]

BD1 is significantly better in edge retention. I have voyagers in both that I carry and use daily and when I got my first BD1 voyager I was very surprised at how much longer it held an edge. Check out Cedric and Ada gear and outdoors channel on youtube. He does edge retention tests on both in the form of cutting manilla rope. In his tests the Aus 8 cut 60 or so pieces before no longer slicing paper and the BD1 voyager cut over 110! I would say that is a significant difference. BD1 IMO is very underrated and if I was you I would return it and get the BD1 version. In fact after using my BD1 voyagers its hard for me to stick the Aus8 versions back in the pocket. Just my opinion.

 

[nephron]

Of course everyone has an opinion but I thought this was interesting:

AUS-8
EDGE RETENTION: 3 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 4 EASE OF SHARPENING: 8
AUS-8 steel is Japanese made and extremely similar to 440B steel which is slightly more resistant to rust and corrosion than 440C but less hard. It’s also similarly tough but may not hold its edge as well as some of the more premium steels which carry a greater degree of carbon. Remember, more carbon means more hardness and edge holding. Real easy to sharpen and takes a razor edge.

CTS-BD1
EDGE RETENTION: 4 CORROSION RESISTANCE: 6 EASE OF SHARPENING: 6
Created at Spyderco’s request, CTS-BD1 is a vacuum-melted stainless steel from US based Carpenter that is often likened to AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV with many putting it slightly ahead of those two based on superior edge holding. With slightly more chromium it also achieves better corrosion resistance. CTS-BD1 has mid-sized chromium carbides (hard, wear resisting particles) it takes an edge relatively easily but not on par with the wear resistance of high carbide steels like 154CM.

 

[DocJD]

Thanks for all replies ! I already owned a full serrated XL Vaquero and the one just received is PE .

 

[Mo2]

Bd1 is Alot better than aus8

Here's a cut test

 

[jbmonkey]

ive found in my use and carry in the deep humid south of both and being cold steels.....aus8 rust spots easily. i find aus8 to take a sharper cleaner feeling edge, but doesnt hold it as long as bd1. found both sharpen very easily for touchups and if not having to reprofile of course. both work well as cutlery steels.

 

[berzerker]

Just my totally subjective observation:

All of my CS knives are AUS8, with the exception of my Counter Point - which is BD1. I found the BD1 to feel less “gummy” on my Spyderco Sharpmaker. I emailed Cold Steel with a comment and to ask if they were running the BD1 a bit harder; they told me they were.

 

[DocJD]

Thanks for all your replies ! I now believe that the improvement in the BD1 is worth the trouble of returning the AUS8A and the added expense . I will surely appreciate the additional corrosion resistance and edge retention .