I just cant get into AUS steel!

AUS-8 is similar to 8Cr13MoV (Byrd lineup), so I think it's okay. I have a CRKT M21 with an AUS-8 blade that I'm pretty happy with.
 
Michael Lovett said:
I have never seen a knife in AUS 10. Who makes one?

M Lovett
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Mine is a Junglee Marshall. I bought it solely because I wanted to try the steel. The hardness of my blade is 58HRC. In manila rope cutting, it performed noticeably better than AUS8 hardened to 59HRC, not quite as well as VG10 hardened to 59HRC.

AUS10 is a bit more common in Japan, although now a lot of Japanese makers have switched to VG10. The Junglee blade is marked Seki, Japan.
 
AUS8 takes a nice edge, but I prefer edge retention somewhere around S30V.
 
I have a few knives that use AUS8. For the price, it's a good steel. Fine grained and can take a very sharp edge. However, the edge doesn't last nearly as long as the edge on some of my more expensive knives. When it comes down to it, it's really about personal preference. For me, I like knives with edges that last forever, even if it means they take that much longer to sharpen. Cheers.
 
It's not just about the steel - correct handling and treatment make all the difference. Also, some steels are more forgiving than others so have fewer negative feedbacks.
 
I'm a steel snob. If it isn't VG-10 or "better" I don't like it. :D

Properly treated AUS8 can get very sharp (spyderco does a good job) but it's edge retention is lacking for me.
 
I'm not sure that AUS 6 is not a good choice for a larger fixed blade if one wants a big blade, but do not want carbon steel because of concerns about corrosion. What you give up in wear-resistance with AUS 6, you gain in toughness.

The SOG Seal knife that made it through navy testing and was selected was AUS 6. The same goes for 420HC, which has been used by Paul Bos for the Buck-Strider knife. It won't hold an edge like VG-10 but will take more abuse.
 
IME, AUS8 steel is slightly better than 440A and 420HC, but still a poor choice for edge retention.

Why use AUS steels when things like ZDP 189, VG10, S90V, S30V, D-2, M-4 and etc are available???
 
Ben Dover said:
IME, AUS8 steel is slightly better than 440A and 420HC, but still a poor choice for edge retention.

Why use AUS steels when things like ZDP 189, VG10, S90V, S30V, D-2, M-4 and etc are available???
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Every steel you mentioned there is going to be more expensive, more difficult to shape/mold/ht, and less forgiving then AUS.

The thing about AUS steels (6-10) is that they are more, what's the right word, ductile. That's it. They're more ductile then other steels. S30V won't bend very far before it breaks. Most of the super steels are brittle enough that they are true "knife" steels, and not meant for anything other then outstanding edge retention and hardness.

AUS steels (from what I've read and experienced) can take a whole lot more abuse (prying, pounding, twisting, cutting things you know you're not supposed to cut) then some of my other knifes. I would cringe and flinch if I ever needed to cut wire with my CF Military. With my M21, it's no problem. Maybe a little deformation, but nothing I can't bring back with some sharpening.
 
i cant get into the aus either :grumpy:...love some sogs but they use mostly aus 8,:thumbdn:,,,
 
Peregrin said:
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.
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Sharpest knife I've ever owned out of the box---hairs on my forearm pop off and the edge makes this 'ping' sound when it cuts. Out of the box it is the scariest sharp thing I have ever seen. I was absolutely amazed the first time I ever used it on a deer--it was almost effortless.

A neighborhood dog stole mine off the tailgate of my truck after I had finished using it on a deer. I missed it so much that I bought another one, and it was just as sharp as the first one.

There's just something about this knife that I love. I wouldn't care if it were made from 420.
 
I've had very good experience with Japanese made knives using the AUS steels.

Spyderco and Kershaws AUS6 seems to be a step up from 420HC. Japanese AUS6 seems to be very similar to Sandvik 12C27.

Browining and Cold Steel AUS8 is good stuff too, not as rust resistant as AUS6 but slightly better edge holding.

I have not used AUS10 as such, but I am told it is the same or very similar to MBS26 which is indeed a very good steel with a nice balance of edge holding and stain resistance similar in my experience to well heat treated 440C.
 
elkins45 said:
Sharpest knife I've ever owned out of the box---hairs on my forearm pop off and the edge makes this 'ping' sound when it cuts. Out of the box it is the scariest sharp thing I have ever seen. I was absolutely amazed the first time I ever used it on a deer--it was almost effortless.

A neighborhood dog stole mine off the tailgate of my truck after I had finished using it on a deer. I missed it so much that I bought another one, and it was just as sharp as the first one.

There's just something about this knife that I love. I wouldn't care if it were made from 420.
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I think the great hollow grind & the high quality of manufacture of this knife both have a lot to do with its fantastic edge.

IIRC it's made by Moki of Japan.
 
frank k said:
I have not used AUS10 as such, but I am told it is the same or very similar to MBS26 which is indeed a very good steel with a nice balance of edge holding and stain resistance similar in my experience to well heat treated 440C.
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AUS6 is generally equivalent to 440A; AUS8 to 440B; and AUS10 to 440C.
 
rifon2 said:
AUS6 is generally equivalent to 440A; AUS8 to 440B; and AUS10 to 440C.
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I thought it was AUS 4,6,8 were equivalent to 440 A,B,C.

Seems like I either read that in Joe Talmadge's steel FAQ or on Bob Engnath's old web page, but it might have been somewhere else.

EDIT: turns out I was wrong and rifon2 was right. AUS 8 has .75% carbon, which is similar to 440 B.
 
akadave2 said:
I mean, it seems like such cheapo steel. Ive seen some really good designs made with this stuff. Am I missing out?
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Can you be more specific? What knives are you unhappy with? What seems to be the problems you're having with AUS8? How do these problems relate to other steels you've used? Have you tried 420HC, AUS6, 440A? How about some of the premium steels?

To just leave a message saying you're unhappy with the steel without saying why isn't giving us much to respond to.

Me, I've used many Cold Steel knives and never had a problem. The knives come sharp and sharpen up just fine when they've dulled. Even with a dull knife, I find I can still cut most of what I need to cut (with the exception of wood). Using a serrated Vaquero, I cut up quite a bit of carpet in my wife's rental apartment. Amazing how fast the plain edges sharpen up, too. It's a decent blade steel, especially for the cost.
 
I'm not real crazy about AUS 8 steel either but it does a pretty good job on my Spyderco Salsa. I imagine that the heat treatment makes all the difference in the world!
 
It's not the latest or greatest, but it's quite good. My AUS-8 knives (Al Mar Eagle Talon, Kershaw Sapphire, Kershaw Steven Seagal) all came with fantastic edges- I mean really really really scare the hair off your arm edges - and have held them fairly well. I think the 13whatever Sandvik in my Junkyard Dog and Needs Work have held their edges slightly better. However, the Sandvik blades have rusted a little bit, while the AUS blades haven't had that problem.
Bottom line- there are some really killer designs out there in AUS-8- give it a try. It's a very good all around steel.
 
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