How "inferior" is AUS6M?

[e_utopia]

Zut, AUS6A is not 440A, it is a separate steel, even if its performance is similar to 440A (I don't own any 440A, so I can't say).*

--JB

*Yes, I know this rhymes. It was unintentional.

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 04-19-2000).]

 

[storyville]

Follow-up to E-Utopia,

The AUS and 440 series steels are indeed not the same. From the Spyderco chart:

Carbon Chromium
AUS6 .55-.65 13.0-14.5
AUS8 .70-.75 13.0-14.5
AUS10 .95-1.10 13.0-14.5

440A .60-.75 16.0-18.0
440B .75-.95 16.0-18.0
440C .95-1.20 16.0-18.0

ATS34 1.05 14.00


There are other alloying elements; please see the Spydie chart at www.spyderco.com for more info. The AUS steels cost less, but some (like Cold Steel) find their performance sufficient (or, in CS's case, "unrivalled"!). Spyderco uses it in their new SpyderCard. The most expensive knife with it, I believe, is the CS stainless Trail Master bowie.

RE: how "inferior" -- I suppose it depends on what you want it for AND how much you spend for it. Heat treat, like always, matters.

.02 --
Glen


PS I'm not sure why the numbers are jumbled together like they are, and I don't know how to space them accordingly -- apologies! GMM


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“A man is only as sharp as his Sebenza.” -- Fred Washington, Uncle of Our Country, at Valley Forge, 1776

[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 04-20-2000).]

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Glen :

I'm not sure why the numbers are jumbled together like they are, and I don't know how to space them accordingly

HTML ignores spaces in formats, you need to use a table :

<table border=1>
<tr><th>Steel</th><th>Carbon</th><th>Chromium</th></tr>
<tr><td>AUS6</td><td>0.55-0.65</td><td>13.0-14.5</td></tr>
<TR><Td>AUS8</td><td>0.70-0.75</td><td>13.0-14.5</td></tr>
<TR><Td>AUS10</td><td>0.95-1.10</td><td>13.0-14.5</td></tr>
<TR><Td>440A</td><td>0.60-0.75</td><td>16.0-18.0</td></tr>
<TR><Td>440B</td><td>0.75-0.95</td><td>16.0-18.0</td></tr>
<TR><Td>440C</td><td>0.95-1.20</td><td>16.0-18.0</td></tr>
<TR><Td>ATS34</td><td>1.05</td><td>14.00</th></tr></table>

-Cliff


[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 04-20-2000).]

 

[Jeff Clark]

The AUS steels contain vanadium for fine grain structure while the 440 A/B/C don't (I've seem some hints of traces of vanadium in 440A). If you get 440 steels I recommend that it is cryo treated to refine the grain structure.

 

Yes I know, I do have about 25 different compositions of the "same" steel from different manufacturers and different years.
Not taking care of the fact, that these are just "paper-data", prone to be changed every melting lot....
As I said: everybody is right.

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D.T. UTZINGER

 

[misque]

I'm personally not overly happy with the performance of AUS6M as far as edge retention goes, BUT, for a knife that will be used purely in a defensive format and not utility use, I would think this steel would be perfectly alright. After all, it only has to stay sharp long enough to save your bacon. After that, the thing can be resharpened. I believe this is the thinking behind the hardness levels of the Ontario Bagwell Bowies. Hard enough to take a razor edge and yet soft enough to be able to withstand shock that might be encountered in a combat scenario.
Cliff, do you know how ductile this steel is at the usual Rc55-57 hardness?
Would it, in your opinion, make a good purely defensive type knife steel?

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu