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Problem sharpening an Aus8 blade

I'll add one last thought or two - always use careful observation to supplement when you're counting strokes/side. Very easy to leave unfinished business or do more work than needed. And, not all Aus8 is equal. Not sure what RC it can be brought up to, but the Aus8 used on one of my Al Mar knives is nothing like the Aus8 on my CS knives. The Al Mar stuff is far tougher, grinds a lot slower, and looses its burr with less fussing.
 
Good point that not all steels of the same type are equal. Problem is, I really don't know what quality of Aus8 SOG was using 5 years ago when I bought this blade. I have to think they probably didn't use REALLY cheap stuff, as this blade was fairly spendy even then. But I'd bet it wasn't up to Al Mar quality either.
 
I have a Cold Steel SRK (AUS-8) that was modified into a full convex grind By Bark River (the knife was wearisome to sharpen with the old saber grind, took forever and i never got it as sharp as I wanted). It came back sharp but i fine-tuned the edge on sandpaper/mousepad till it was mirror bright. I find that the edge is very durable, and it mows arm hair off the same as some very sharp carbon steel Moras that I took down to a 2000 grit polish. It can be a good basic steel, and I'd be happy to own a lot more AUS-8 knives if they all performed like this. Don't have another to compare it to.
 
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