I just cant get into AUS steel!

akadave2

akadave2

Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
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I mean, it seems like such cheapo steel. Ive seen some really good designs made with this stuff. Am I missing out?
 
I think some of the knives made from AUS-8 are decent cutters for the money. I find the discontinued Spyderco Lum Tanto fixed blade made from AUS-8 to be a real winner.

The lower quality AUS steel doesn't do much for me.
 
I've never gotten into AUS6 and 4 but properly heat treated AUS8 and AUS10 has worked really well for me. I've had several AUS8 knives that were great cutters. They may not have held a razor edge as long as D2 or 154CM but for the majority of knife users I think it'd work just fine. It also was easy to sharpen, and quick touch up on my sharpmaker would bring back its edge. I'm not saying you should rush out and buy a AUS8 or 10 knife but I wouldn't let it stop you from trying a knife if the design and craftsmanship met your expectations. You might be pleasantly surprised by it's performance especially if the knife is made from a reputable manufacturer that does a good job with the heat treat.
 
I've been pretty happy with my CLB Bokers in AUS8. So far I've got the Wharcom, Trance, and Keycom, not the last word in edge retention, but they sharpen up easily, and they hold a decent edge for quite awhile. For the money (not much), might be worth giveing one of CLB's Bokers a try.
 
My Beretta Loveless hunter in AUS8 is my favorite fixed blade knife. I can do 3-4 deer with it before it needs a touch up, so that's plenty good enough for me.
 
My Rajah I is AUS-8 and is a nice little chopper. You could do much worse in steel...
 
elkins45 said:
My Beretta Loveless hunter in AUS8 is my favorite fixed blade knife. I can do 3-4 deer with it before it needs a touch up, so that's plenty good enough for me.
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I've got a Baretta Loveless hunter too. It gets screaming sharp for me and was that way out of the box. Although I prefer the better grades of stainless steel I won't rule out a knife just because it is AUS8.
 
I really like AUS8 I don't think it is cheap at all. Proper heat treating makes a world of difference. I am also a 440C fan as well.
 
greater said:
I really like AUS8 I don't think it is cheap at all. Proper heat treating makes a world of difference. I am also a 440C fan as well.
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I agree(I have a AL Mar Falcon in Aus8) it is the heat treatment given to the blade.
Razor sharp and it keeps its edge.
 
AUS8 should be fine for 95% of knife users out there. Don't get caught up in the hype of the newest steels, you may be denying yourself a knife that you'll really like. Ask yourself if you like the entire design of a knife and if so, don't worry that it's AUS8. The only time I'd be concerned is if the knife cost more than around $80 with some exceptions like the Cold Steel Rajah II, which is an incredible knife deal.
 
its a good knife steel to keep around the house. it doesnt hold and edge REALLY long but it sharpens up super fast... 5-6 strokes fast.
 
Like others have said, I've had great performance out of the AUS-8 from my Boker CLBs and Al Mar knives. I really polish the edge and have been quite happy.
 
I have blades in both AUS8 and AUS10. Both give excellent performance.

The AUS8 takes a nice edge with little problem and holds it for a goodly amount of time.

The AUS10 behaves as one would expect a 1%C stainless steel to perform. The edge retention is on the order of VG10, 440C, or 154CM.

I have little interest in AUS6 or AUS4 and have not tried them.
 
AUS8 in my Voyagers is excellent -- easy to sharpen, fine-grained, rust/stain resistant, good edge-holding.
 
Spyderco used to use some AUS-10. I think AUS-8 is great for a user because its very easy to sharpen and takes an incredible edge.
 
I guess I will give it a try. I have liked some of the CRKT designs for a while and Al-Mar too besides the garish logo.
 
The AUS8 blade on my Boker Trance is "ok." The VG-10 on my Delica 4 definitely held its edge longer and took a better edge on re-sharpening. The 154CM on my Camillus CUDA EDC likewise held a better edge, longer. (Haven't re-sharpened that one yet.) The 154CM on my Benchmade Mini-Grip: Hard to say. I haven't been EDCing it all that long. (It does have two or three spots where it looks like the edge folded. Probably from cutting that heavy plastic strapping on some pallet loads of brick pavers :p. Perhaps there was some stone grit embedded in the strapping?)

I wouldn't let AUS8 stop me if I otherwise liked the knife and it wasn't a real expensive one. I don't regret the Boker Trance, for example.
 
Michael Lovett said:
I have never seen a knife in AUS 10. Who makes one?

M Lovett
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Bruceter said:
IIRC, the AG Russell Hunters Scalpel is AUS-10. Can't think of any other current production knives that use it right off the top of my head though.

Bruceter
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Right, the AG Russell Hunters Scalpel is AUS10.
Just bought a couple of them. Great little knife especially at the price.

I have a few Hattori Junglee folders that also have AUS10 blades.
It takes a screaming sharp edge like AUS8 and holds it longer.

My only issue with AUS8, properly heat treated or otherwise, is that it just
doesn't hold its edge as long as I would like.
 
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