Ontario Utilitac Aus-8 Steel.

[Tyronethepro]

After some financial planning I have determined that I can't afford the Benchmade Steigerwalt Torrent that I wanted , so I'm looking at an Ontario Utilitac II now. I have a question about the AUS-8 steel, how sharp can you get it and how long does it hold an edge? Can someone give me a comparison between Aus-8 and 154CM steel? Would you recommend this blade or something else? I'm looking for another knife to throw into my EDC rotation that contains a BM551, CRKT Ripple, CRKT Apache II and a Kershaw Scallion. And If not this one, another blade that is 8"+ OAL and at least 4oz.
Thanks Everyone.

 

[dhaines]

If you want a nice EDC thats light and not for heavy use I would look at a CRKT Ken Onion Ripple with IKBS...it is a lot of bang for the buck and has a better steel than AUS 8. Now if you want something heavier duty see if you can get into a spyderco Caly 3.5.

 

[neuron]

I don't have a Utilitac, but I do have an Ontario RAT-1 folder, which also uses AUS-8. Ontario does an excellent job on their AUS-8: it takes a good edge and holds it reasonably well. Its edge-holding is definitely a notch below 154CM for the sorts of things I used the RAT-1 and a BM Grip 551 in 154CM for -- primarily cutting cardboard (a very abrasive material) -- but it's still a very usable steel.

 

[Tostig]

Aus8 was prime steel once but has been overshadowed and ignored since all the fancy steels came out. Ask anyone who has been in the knife world for some time and they tell you that Aus8 is a good , working man's steel.
Edge retention is less than 154CM , it is a very tough steel though and will serve you well.

Tostig

 

[silenthunterstudios]

AUS8 is a good steel, but not the best available these days. I thought the Utilitacs were made with 440C?

 

[shandrydan1]

AUS8 is a good steel, but not the best available these days. I thought the Utilitacs were made with 440C?

The Utilitac II is made with AUS8. Not sure about the original Utilitac.

As far as the original question goes, I as well own and have owned Rat1 knives by Ontario and they were really great knives. I plan on picking up the Utilitac II with the grooved handle at some point, just not sure when.

 

[WvHiker]

I like AUS8. My first Endura was made of it, and I didn't have any trouble getting it nice and sharp. You might have to touch it up every now and again but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another AUS8 knife, especially given the price of an equivalent knife in a premium steel.

 

[Tyronethepro]

If you want a nice EDC thats light and not for heavy use I would look at a CRKT Ken Onion Ripple with IKBS...it is a lot of bang for the buck and has a better steel than AUS 8. Now if you want something heavier duty see if you can get into a spyderco Caly 3.5.

I have a Ripple already, Its an awesome blade, the Acuto+ is very nice steel. My current EDC rotation is a CRKT Ripple (Acuto+), CRKT Apache II (ATS-34), Benchmade 551 (154CM) and a Kershaw Scallion (420HC). Ideally I would like to add a heaver EDC to my lineup, I'll check out the Caly too.
So, basically the Aus-8 is a good steel, but has been overshadowed by super steels?

 

[chad2]

(utilitac I) was made of 440C they have sence then made the (utilitac II) which is now made of aus 8 the reasoning is they want the utilitac to hold up to its name as a utility knife and aus 8 is a step up on the toughness scale and a 1/2 step down on the wear resistance scale. they wanted a tougher knfe

AUS8 is a good steel, but not the best available these days. I thought the Utilitacs were made with 440C?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

AUS8 is actually one of my favorite stainless steels. It brings a lot to the table for a lower-cost steel, and has excellent toughness and ease of sharpening, while having very respectable edge retention. Knives made of it tend to be an excellent value, as AUS8 is in the sweet-spot range on the steel spectrum where price vs. performance is maximized.

 

[Tostig]

AUS8 is actually one of my favorite stainless steels. It brings a lot to the table for a lower-cost steel, and has excellent toughness and ease of sharpening, while having very respectable edge retention. Knives made of it tend to be an excellent value, as AUS8 is in the sweet-spot range on the steel spectrum where price vs. performance is maximized.

Yessir ! I smiled the other day at work when I had to break down some boxes for shipping material , I used my CS Mini Lawman and was pleased that it went thru my entire chore very nicely ( a lot of cardboard!) , I was also suprised that after I was done it wasn't really all that dulled. A few minutes on my stones and it was back to my version of normal.

Tostig