I have many AUS8A knives made by Cold Steel. I kept reading how great AUS10A was, so I bought a couple of them, one plain edge and one serrated. Now I've been using the knives (Spartan) for some time for home chores and I can't honestly tell much of a difference between the three (AUS8A, CTS-BD1 and AUS10A). Am I supposed to notice a marked difference? I've always thought some knife reviewers have been rather jaded in their reviews of AUS8A and overenthusiastic about better steels. The two knives I have used have been the 6-inch Ti-Lite (for defense) and a 4-inch Broken Skull XHP for actual cutting.
All have been very good knives, but frankly, I can't tell much difference in the three Spartans I have. Cedric and Ada (on YouTube) says he's able to cut rope 65 times before being unable to slice paper with an AUS8A knife, but with AUS10A he can get about 125 cuts. That sounds rather dramatic. Serrated blades aren't tested, though I have an ancient Voyager serrated blade that is still going strong after years of use. I can see some wearing, or rounding of the scallops, but using my thumb the thing feels sharp as ever, and it was somewhat worn when I got it.
And a few years ago I used a Cold Steel 440A Night Force plain edge that had a vicious edge on it (but then, I kept it that way). Don't know what I did with it, but I have a serrated version in my box. The scallops are bigger with thicker teeth, so it hasn't worn at all, yet it can cut through heavy leather with no problem at all: 440A! I have some non-CS 440A knives I can't get sharp, period. They came dull and they're still dull. Nothing I can do changes that. I figured if Cold Steel made theirs viciously sharp, other knife companies could too. But sadly, no.
Regarding BD1 steel, I haven’t used it enough to form an opinion, but one reviewer scores it:
What steel do you like? And which has worked best for you? And have any of you been able to tell any difference between XHP and CPM-S35VN? And which of these steels have you not had good luck with?
All have been very good knives, but frankly, I can't tell much difference in the three Spartans I have. Cedric and Ada (on YouTube) says he's able to cut rope 65 times before being unable to slice paper with an AUS8A knife, but with AUS10A he can get about 125 cuts. That sounds rather dramatic. Serrated blades aren't tested, though I have an ancient Voyager serrated blade that is still going strong after years of use. I can see some wearing, or rounding of the scallops, but using my thumb the thing feels sharp as ever, and it was somewhat worn when I got it.
And a few years ago I used a Cold Steel 440A Night Force plain edge that had a vicious edge on it (but then, I kept it that way). Don't know what I did with it, but I have a serrated version in my box. The scallops are bigger with thicker teeth, so it hasn't worn at all, yet it can cut through heavy leather with no problem at all: 440A! I have some non-CS 440A knives I can't get sharp, period. They came dull and they're still dull. Nothing I can do changes that. I figured if Cold Steel made theirs viciously sharp, other knife companies could too. But sadly, no.
Regarding BD1 steel, I haven’t used it enough to form an opinion, but one reviewer scores it:
CTS BD1 VS VG10
| CTS BD1 | VG 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| EDGE RETENTION | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| EASE OF SHARPNESS | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| CORROSION RESISTANCE | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| TOUGHNESS | 5/10 | 4/10 |
CTS BD1 VS S30V
| CTS BD1 | S30V | |
|---|---|---|
| EDGE RETENTION | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| EASE OF SHARPNESS | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| CORROSION RESISTANCE | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| TOUGHNESS | 5/10 | 6/10 |
What steel do you like? And which has worked best for you? And have any of you been able to tell any difference between XHP and CPM-S35VN? And which of these steels have you not had good luck with?
