how bad is aus 4

[daryl douthat]

I thought that I posted this already but can't find it. If this is the second time, I apologize. Anyway the question it: how bad is aus 4 compared to aus 6 and aus 8?

I prefer aus 8, can live with aus 6 , and don't know about aus 4. The reason for the question is that I like the CRKT Alaska Bwana design very much but it is now in AUS 4. If that steel is as different from aus 6 as aus 6 is from aus 8, a knife in aus 4 would not be useful to me, no matter how low the price.

 

[Way-O]

The difference could be greater. I haven't tested AUS steels side by side, or ever bought a knife made of AUS-4. But it's a low carbon steel, read: butterknife material.

 

[ralph.merlino]

I would stay away from AUS-4 it's not very good steel about the same as 420HC I would never buy a knife made out of eather steel

 

[Stormdrane]

I've used it and it's fine as long as you don't mind sharpening it more often than the higher grade steels.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

it's not very good steel about the same as 420HC l

I think you mean 420J2. 420HC (high carbon) is not too bad.

 

[Paul1967]

From what I have heard it is in the same quality range as 420j2 steel. Aus 6 is as low as I will go.

 

[Temper]

If all you want to do is take the skin off your rice pudding, its fine.

 

[ric0shay]

might be good around water?

I wouldn't get it myself though


Rick

 

[M249MachineGun]

I have a CRKT M16-03Z (AUS-4 Blade, Zytel Handle) and I am not very happy with it.

I thought it had AUS-6, but I was mistaken.

Today, I examined it, and I found reddish orange RUST MARKS on the blade! What good is a low-end stainless steel if it rusts?! I should have spent the money on a Spyderco.

 

[Planterz]

Today, I examined it, and I found reddish orange RUST MARKS on the blade! What good is a low-end stainless steel if it rusts?! I should have spent the money on a Spyderco.

Is the blade beadblasted (uniform dull grey finish)? If so, that'd explain the rust. Bead blasting basically gives the blade millions of microscopic divots where moisture can sit and rust away your blade. Even on a high-chromium steel like AUS-4.

 

[M Wadel]

if the knife is very cheap it could be a good deal, sometimes you dont need killer steel

 

[txgolfer45]

I would stay away from AUS-4 it's not very good steel about the same as 420HC I would never buy a knife made out of eather steel

Buck makes many models with 420HC steel. Personally, the Buck 110 and Alpha Hunter folder work well and sharpen up easily.

Scott