Question on AUS-6 vs 1095 Carbon, vs Carbon V???

H

hicomp2

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Dec 10, 2005
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Which steel is the best, and how do these compare to each other? I just picked up a Spyderco Endura last weekend (I love it!!!), and I'm wondering how it's AUS-6 SS compares to the Ka-Bar Warthog Impact (1095 Carbon), which I just ordered on E-Bay this AM. I'm also wondering how both of these knives steel compare to my old Cold Steel SRK Carbon V blade??? I have been into knives for awhile, but have no knowledge of how steel hardness is compared/rated. Thanks in advance for the answer!!!
 
AUS-6 is probably the worst of three. I don't know how 1095 and Carbon V compare, but it's probably tied to the answer of the question: What are you using it for?
 
Oh, no particular specific use in mind. I'm just wondering about quality and durability. I have had the CS SRK since the early 1990's. The 1095, I think my USMC Ka-Bar is made out of this, and I see that the Warthog is. The Spyderco is going to be my new pocket knife, replacing the Buck Alpha I lost last Spring...:mad: ! I don't know what the Buck Alpha was made out of, but is must have been a SS, it seems to feel/look like the AUS-6 on the Spyderco. Spyderco will end up as Pocket carry for work. The Warthog Impact (1095 Carbon) I just ordered, that will ride under my car seat, so if I go hiking (on trails where I may encounter others) after work or on my lunch break (I travel quite a bit), I have a small belt knife to strap on. This knife looks small, 8 inches or so O/A length. If I run into someone on a busy trail, I dont want to scare them...LOL! If I was out in the deep woods, away from my fellow man, I would take one of my Bowies or a Hatchet. But on a trail in southern Maine I WILL run into people, and one must take steps not to upset the Granola crunchers out there...LOL!!!! So I figured the Ka-Bar Warthog with it's 3 5/8 blade is not too scary looking. I'm just wondering out of the three (Warthog, SRK, Spyderco Endura) which had the BEST overall steel?, Ease of sharpening, edge retention, strength, etc.
 
Unless I missed something, the Spyderco Endura was upgraded to VG-10 stainless a while ago. My Delica was VG-10 and it was about 1 yr old. Unless you have the SS handle model w/ a different steel than the FRN version.
 
I just picked this up last Sat. It says AUS-6 STAINLESS on the blade. It may be an older model that didn't sell. ??? It is VERY sharp. I did understand from the Spyderco forum that this model was recently upgraded and a better SS steel was out now, but this appears to be pretty good, but then again, I know 0 about steel.
 
AUS-6 is considered a lower-end steel because it is 'soft' and 'hard to sharpen'. Do a search for the Steel FAQ and read up about it.
 
AUS-6 is reasonably tough (less likely to break) for a stainless steel. Part of what makes it tough is that it is not real hard (it will get dull faster than a harder blade). The other two steels are non-stainless and therefore tend to be tougher than stainless. They will probably hold an edge better than AUS-6. I would guess that the Carbon-V might be a little harder than the 1095 while the 1095 is tougher than the Carbon-V. They wouldn't be very far apart in performance. In the broad spectrum of knife steels you have three knives that are optimized a bit more for toughness than long edge holding. They would all hold their edges better than nameless imports, but not as well as many premium blades. On the other hand you are less likely to break the points on these knives than on many harder premium knives. These three will probably serve you well.

If you don't have one already it is now time to buy a sharpener if you want maximum performance.
 
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