Fair question, but for most Busse fans around here, INFI really is at a whole different level.
On the other hand, for most users, they really are both quite good.
I am sure others will chime in with their two cents. But, here is mine:
1. Toughness, (prying, heavy use, chopping?) - A2 is VERY tough and quite worthy as a tough blade in many lengths up to a point. But, INFI really is in a whole different league of toughness and great for pretty much ANY length or size blade. A2 is tough enough for most people on most knives, but A2 is generally not considered a first choice for large choppers and longer.
Bottom line: INFI is EASILY tougher!
2. Hardness, (edge holding ability?) - Again, A2 holds an edge fairly well and quite well for a knife with it's level of toughness. I think INFI has just a very slight advantage over A2 here. But, toughness vs. hardness is always the balance. I find in many cases there are quite a few exotic stainless blades right now hardened to higher hardness levels that hold an edge even longer. But, hardness levels have to be considered and are a factor that has to be considered when comparing and those high hardness exotic steels are NOT tough. They tend to be brittle.
However, for all I know, if you hardened INFI to 64 or similar levels, it might do even better at edge holding and still tougher (?????). INFI is generally not hardened as high as it could be hardened and there is a good reason. INFI is designed to be extreme use steel and UBER tough. So, there is a PROPER balance of toughness with hardness. Hardness levels are a factor in edge holding, but also for toughness. Balance is important. At it's common hardness, INFI holds an edge well compared to most knife steels. For me, that is good enough.
3. Ease of sharpening? - This has been strange for me. I find INFI is reasonable to sharpen and not too hard to get a good edge. It is not the easiest to sharpen, but not nearly as bad as many hard stainless steels. ATS-34, 154CM, S30V, D2 and many other more exotic type knife steels are all harder to sharpen IMO. That said, I find many of the simple non-stainless steels a bit easier than INFI to sharpen.
A2 is a bit easier for me to sharpen compared to INFI. But, not a huge difference.
What is weird though is that INFI is a PITA to grind on when trying to reprofile or similar. So, you would think it would be WAY harder to sharpen. Yet, I don't consider it too terribly hard to sharpen, just VERY hard to grind on (??????). Bottom line: A2 is still a bit easier to sharpen. INFI isn't bad. Other steels are easier than A2 and many steels are worse than both.
4. Corrosion resistance (how easy or hard to resist rust?) - INFI is WAY more corrosion resistant (EXCEPT for "De-CARB" blades!!!!.... long story. But, generally only related to "Competition Edge" blades.
). There are still some people who almost swear INFI is rust-proof. But, it is not. INFI will rust. But, (not including the "De-CARB" blades that rust WAY easier than the most highly prone to rust 10XX steels I have EVER seen.
, regular INFI is WAY more resistant to rust than other non-stainless steels. However, A2 is actually quite good for a non-stainless. A2 has between 4.75% - 5.5% chromium which makes it significantly higher in chromium than most non-stainless steels. However, A2 patinas very easily when cutting food especially. Blues, grays, and yellow color patinas will form very readily with use of A2. But, I would say A2 does NOT rust very easily (* For a "Non"-stainless steel). And I would distinguish patina as a different characteristic from rust - even if similar.
However, there is a lot of chemistry involved to compare INFI to other non-stainless steels. Much of which I can't explain. Still, INFI has around 8.25% chromium which is VERY high for non-stainless and a significant factor aiding in corrosion resistance. The general rule of thumb is that you have to have greater than 10%-13% (depends???) of chromium to have stainless steel. Carbon content is a factor as well. INFI actually has pretty low carbon content compared to similar knife steels at about 0.5%. This also aids in corrosion resistance. However, INFI is made with some secret process and/or blend of Nitrogen which is currently very unique for knife steels and offers some amazing properties. Vanadium content and additions of other elements are also credited to aiding in INFI's HIGH level of corrosion content. In case you missed: A2 is pretty darn good at corrosion resistance for a non-stainless steel. But, INFI (as long as not a de-carb blade) is WAY more corrosion resistant and almost stainless in use.
5. Cost (was it a factor in switching?) - ??? - Was it a factor for who????
INFI obviously costs more than A2. However, Jerry's business model and success is obviously largely related to distinguishing his product from other products on the market... along with some other commendable marketing techniques that seem to be working quite well. "Toughness" for the types of knives Jerry makes is a HUGE factor in his success. So, even if INFI costs more, the toughness factor and "Mystique" associated with INFI and the Busse brand is HUGE! So, although INFI costs more, Jerry no doubt gambled a winning move by charging more for a unique UBER tough knife steel than using a much more common steel that other makers use. (*Even if Jerry's heat treat could probably get more out of A2 or other knife steels than a heat-treatment by other makers!) But, in all fairness, since nobody other than Jerry can buy raw INFI, nobody really knows how much INFI costs raw. It is safe to assume that INFI has a higher associated cost when grinding on. So, part of the reason INFI costs so much more for satin LE finishes. But, I still don't think the up-charge for satin is worth as much as the cost - my opinion (before certain people get up in arms). I WANT satin, but I am not willing to pay $200 - $330 more for satin over CG. But, that is a problem I will apparently have to face. I won't get satin INFI as others obviously ARE willing to pay for it.
Hope that helps.
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:thumbup:
. Infi is much less prone to this even with my alien-sweaty-skin, although I have had the occasional little rust spot. I don't worry about my satin Busses but A2 I make sure to keep coated.
