Gen. Opinion of AUS-6 Vapor II ?

WayLander

WayLander

Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
224
Hello friends, WayLander here.

Short story quick: I'm in the market for an inexpensive one-hander, thumbstuds. Store-stocking work; boxes and tape, some cordage and such. Everything I've got right on-hand is assisted opening; Blackout, leeks, etc. (No, don't suggest removing a torsion bar or two, ye sacrilegious ones!). I'm a bit leary about flashing those around at work, so I was looking at the Kershaw Vapor II, carried locally, pretty cheap. But I was wondering about AUS-6 blades. I once had a Gerber AR3 with AUS-8, and I could never get the darned thing to take (nevermind hold) an edge, with any amount of honing or stropping. Darned thing seemed like it was made of composite plastic or something.

Assuming that I handle one at the store and can tolerate the "action" and general feel of the model, do you think I'll get decent use out of it? Was the Gerber just a strangely profiled edge? Are AUS-6 and AUS-8 even the same kinda animals?

I don't need a metallurgy lesson here, or a drawn out debate about why Spyderco's are better than Porsches. Just a few sentences here and there would be nice. I'm looking for a beater, that I might lend to a co-worker once or twice, ya know? Not a Sebenza...

TIA,
WayLander

P.S. Other suggestions welcome, I narrowed in on this one only due to it looking about the right size and price etc. (Okay, and the only one available w/o shipping).
 
I have an AUS6 Vapor that I use for traveling when I must fly (stored in unlocked check baggage). It's ok for that occasional use, but the AUS8 on a couple Cold Steel small Voyagers holds an edge much better. For frequent use like being a stock clerk, I think I'd want better edge holding than AUS6. I'd look to a Camillus EDC in 154CM or perhaps a Benchmade Griptillian. Both are about the same size and still pretty affordable, but should hold an edge much better.

John
 
Thanks for the reply jmxcpter. Actually, I owned a Camillus EDC in 154CM for a short time. Hated the feel in-hand, too dinky, and the entire pivot screw assembly shredded itself into filings within 2 weeks; I returned that one for a full factory refund, no questions asked, happy to say.

As far as "holding an edge", I'm not worried about it "holding" it. I sharpen my edc's after any day's work. My question is about "taking an edge".

Okay, one point "against" AUS-6. Warning heeded. Thanks! Any other takers?

WayLander
 
Unfortunately, I haven't got any new news for you. The Vapour II was my favourite EDC as well, largely because it had the slickest opening of anything in its price class. But the AUS6 steel left much to be desired. I found it could readily take an edge, but won't hold it very long. Thats why I'm now carrying a Spyderco Goddard folder with VG10 steel. I wish Kershaw would make the Vapour series with a "premium" steel like at least ATS34 / 154CM or BG42.

The other thing I didn't like was that the blade was ground with the edge quite thick. I reprofiled the edge after a couple of resharpenings, and ground a convex edge on it, ie.- thinned the edge significantly.

The handle profile works well for me, but if you didn't like the Camillus EDC, you might also find this one a little on the thin side. You gotta remember both of these knives were designed by the same guy - Darrel Ralph, so they have the same design parentage.

Cheers. Jason.
 
Jason, the Vapor line was designed by Ken Onion, not Darrell Ralph. The similarity between the Vapor and the DR designed Camillus EDC is interesting though.

Ken Onion's/Kershaw's Vapor line is a rather well built knife for the money. Very smooth, and the frame lock's lockup is top-notch.

That said, I can only echo what has been said above about the AUS-6. Not very great, but what do you expect for the $25 price tag? My Vapor takes an excellent edge very easily, but predictably doesn't hold it well. Also, the blade is beadblasted, which acts like a magnet for rust. My Vapor discolored and developed rust spots very easily.

For a $25 beater though, it's hard to beat.
 
Thanks Jason. I'll be sure to pay special attention to the factory edge profile and the handle profile when I handle it in-store. To date, I've only seen pictures; even the store display "rack" is just a color cardboard life-size "photograph" of a display-rack. I was there after-hours, so, no clerk.

Thanks Planterz. All of what I'd expect for the price range too, except for the positive note about the lock-up. I'll call that a point "for".

Still listening,
WayLander
 
i just picked one of these up the other week, and it is really nice. more than you could ever expect from a $20 knife. i haven't cut very much with it, but it's still razor sharp after a few boxes, an apple or two, etc...

absolutely worth the money, would make a fine box-cutter/work knife. it feels good in my average-size hands (i fit a size large Mechanix glove, for whatever that's worth), and the holes seem to provide some decent texture/grip. it's got super-smooth pivot-action, and mine displays no blade-play.

i agree with whoever mentioned the thick factory edge, but it's still a nice cutter; pulling the inclusive angle back to 30 degreess shouldn't take too long, and would really do well for the Vapor.

abe m.
 
Just got a Vapor And Vapor II a while ago. Both have been in EDC rotation heavily since. They ain't Benchmades, but , the only thing I have found to complain about,is the Vapor(smaller of the two), is a little hard to deploy.I have no doubt that this will correct itself in time as knife was NIB.As far as edge holding,have not had to touch up either blade. Both holding up like champs! :)
 
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