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S35VN vs AUS 10A?
- Thread starter PeteCress
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I didn't understand what you were asking. Can you explain a little more?
I guess you have two cold steel knives of the same model and you're asking what's the difference between the two steels when it comes to edge holding? Am I right?
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S35VN will hold a cutting edge quite a bit longer. And it appreciates being sharpened on a diamond stone. You can sharpen it with Aluminum oxide stones, but diamond gives you better results.
AUS 10 is completely sharpenable with aluminum oxide stones.
As said, sharpen S35VN with diamonds and AUS10 can be sharpened even with normal stones.
S35VN will hold the edge longer.
AUS10 should be bit tougher.
S35VN will chip while AUS10 will roll before chipping.
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Honestly most people will only notice two things in usage, unless they are a minority of hard users.
1) Sharpen-ability
2) Corrosion Resistance
You probably will not notice the difference between the two steels in actual use unless you are really putting the knives to work. They are different. S35VN has a better grain structure and will have it’s edge last longer as long as the heat treatment is good. Both will be easy to sharpen but AUS10A will be easier. AUS10A may lose it’s fine edge much sooner than S35VN but it will not be a huge difference, if you has AUS10A and compared the fine edge to something like Maxamet you would notice a difference. I prefer S35VN because it is a powder metallurgy steel but it’s performance depends on how theyve cooked it in the heat treatment.
1) Sharpen-ability
2) Corrosion Resistance
You probably will not notice the difference between the two steels in actual use unless you are really putting the knives to work. They are different. S35VN has a better grain structure and will have it’s edge last longer as long as the heat treatment is good. Both will be easy to sharpen but AUS10A will be easier. AUS10A may lose it’s fine edge much sooner than S35VN but it will not be a huge difference, if you has AUS10A and compared the fine edge to something like Maxamet you would notice a difference. I prefer S35VN because it is a powder metallurgy steel but it’s performance depends on how theyve cooked it in the heat treatment.
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Yes. And whatever else besides edge retention.... corrosion resistance, sharpening difficulty, breakage, and so-forth.
The S35VN knife cost 3x more than the AUS10A, and I am wobdering if I threw some money away on the more expensive knife.
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No, although you need to compare costs to other knives and then see if it's worth it to you. The S35VN is going to be a more well rounded steel than AUS10A, so if you have two of the same model, the S35VN for the most part will be the superior option. AUS10A is tougher though.
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If one is three times more expensive than the other and they are the same model, you should definitely go with the cheaper one. It's always good to think like this: is this one knife better than three identical ones? Of course there are differences between these two steels. But as a daily user, the edge retention is the most noticeable difference and believe me, it's not that important (I'm talking about these two steels). In fact, I don't think you will observe enough of a difference to think it is important. You can buy two of the aus10 and use them by rotating them (So it holds edge longer
)and buy a nice whetstone with the remaining money, and if you ask me, you can buy one of the aus10 and buy a whetstone with the remaining money and have a nice meal
. But since collecting is not a rational business, I can't help but echo bf's motto: buy both.
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To add to this, if you already have both you can now have the cheaper one be a beater and the S35VN be preserved for fine cutting tasks or daily edc stuff.If one is three times more expensive than the other and they are the same model, you should definitely go with the cheaper one. It's always good to think like this: is this one knife better than three identical ones? Of course there are differences between these two steels. But as a daily user, the edge retention is the most noticeable difference and believe me, it's not that important (I'm talking about these two steels). In fact, I don't think you will observe enough of a difference to think it is important. You can buy two of the aus10 and use them by rotating them (So it holds edge longer
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That is kind of a huge difference for just a change in steel from AUS 10A and S35VN. You sure they're manufactured in the same facility? Sometimes the upgraded models are manufacture somewhere else or by someone else, I'm not too knowledgeable on Cold Steel's knives though.
Either way, I think you'll be happy with the S35VN. It used to be what magnacut is to us currently, the hot shit! I've liked the S30V type steels for a long time. They cut and cut pretty dang good and you probably wont find yourself needing higher edge retention.
Either way, I think you'll be happy with the S35VN. It used to be what magnacut is to us currently, the hot shit! I've liked the S30V type steels for a long time. They cut and cut pretty dang good and you probably wont find yourself needing higher edge retention.
Chronovore
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Heat treatment matters for how much difference you'll see in edge retention but S35VN should be better. S35VN is also a huge step up in corrosion resistance. While not as bad as D2, AUS-10 is weak enough on corrosion resistance that it will be an issue for more people in more situations than a lot of other budget steels that can offer similar edge retention.
That said, I feel like 154CM, N690, VG-10, and 10Cr15CoMov are just better choices. I'd also be happy to choose 14C28N or 9Cr18Mov with a good heat treatment over AUS-10.
Really thinking about it, what does AUS-10 bring to the table that other steels don't? What does it do better? I mean, it's AUS-8 with a little more carbon... I'd be okay if I never saw it used in another knife.
That said, I feel like 154CM, N690, VG-10, and 10Cr15CoMov are just better choices. I'd also be happy to choose 14C28N or 9Cr18Mov with a good heat treatment over AUS-10.
Really thinking about it, what does AUS-10 bring to the table that other steels don't? What does it do better? I mean, it's AUS-8 with a little more carbon... I'd be okay if I never saw it used in another knife.
Not to nitpick, but AUS10 does develop some spotting during summer if you sweat a lot, which I experienced myself and there's plenty of evidence in FB Cold Steel group that I'm far from isolated casee.
I personally don't find that as huge issue, but I see why someone might.
Both, AUS10 and S35VN will hold edge more than enough for most people's EDC needs if heat treated correctly.
I'm currently using S35VN Recon1 as EDC. It's DLC coated, but there's plenty of schratches from use and coating is slowly getting worn off, but it never had any corrosion. And I do notice the edge lasting longer than it did with AUS10, altough AUS10 was hollow grind tanto and S35VN is saber grind spear point.
I used both for some things that could be kinda classified as abuse. But that experience is everything but scientific.
AUS10 would only roll very sligtly just at the apex of the edge after I hit steel while cutting.
The same happened with S35VN few times and I found no damage. But, it was long time apart, and too many variables are different. Like hardness of what I hit compared to hardness of my blade, edge geometry and how much force I used.
I think if I ever damage S35VN - it will most likely chip on me.
AUS10 model probably is better buy for most people. I am however happy with S35VN.
Why?
It offers better overall experience. Altough S35VN is nothing really special anymore (because, MagnaCut and stuff...) it still does have some of that "wow factor". And as a knife enthusiast - I appreciate it. Also, while maybe not "3x better" on paper, S35VN version still is better, and you'll spend quite some time wondering how would better version perform. It all comes to personal preferences and to what will an individual find worthy of price tag or not...
In my experience with Cold Steel knives (assuming we are talking folders here) the AUS10 versions usually come with Givory scales while the S35v versions have G10 scales. Some S35v models also have a titanium clip vs. an aluminum or steel clip on the Aus10 versions. This adds to the difference in cost although I’m not sure how much. The AUS10 versions generally are such a bargain that if I start with the S35v version of a knife, I eventually buy the AuS10 version as well just as a back up. Especially if I find it on sale. A 4Max Scout or an SR1 Lite for example on sale is such an incredible bargain, that I consider it criminal not to buy one just to have it.
Not thrown away. You have 2 knives that have different jobs. S35vn is one of the most well-rounded knife steels out there. It's probably the easiest of the super steels to sharpen(imo).I would use the aus10a for edc and keep the S35vn for special occasions.
If you use the
S35VN for special occasions?
Chronovore
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S35VN is a good everyday steel. Versus AUS-10, corrosion resistance is probably the clearest victory. Really, it just seems better across the board, subject to heat treatment of course.
Cost is the only downside. A knife costing three times as much in S35VN versus AUS-10 feels a little nuts but it will cost more. On the budget level, Kubey is probably the most prolific user of AUS-10 and a lot of those knives are around $50. That feels okay although what I said a few months ago still stands. I'd honestly prefer N690, VG-10, 154CM, or any of the other budget stainless being used at that level. Like Chinese D2, the edge retention isn't enough better that I care (or would even notice).
I think bean counters Like to sit around and argue numbers on a spread sheet, in the real world, if you actually use the steel you'll get some actual data on matters of steel properties, even then--use more, discuss less
Thats where real findings emerge
tony281sc2
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S35VN is one of my favorite steels. I have/use several ZTs in that steel. I find it to be a bit tougher than my S30V knives. Holds an edge long enough for me… Never any problems with corrosion. I don’t have any experience with Aus10a, but I would imagine you’d be sharpening it twice as much.
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I have used s35vn quite a bit at work and for outdoor activities. I’ve also used some other premium knife steels like s30v, cpm 154, 20cv and 3v. And some standard steels like 420hc, 1095 440a, 425m 9cr18mov and similar. however I have not used AUS 10A.
What I can say is that it will depend on what you are using your knife for and what materials you are cutting. The standard type steels will handle clean, medium and light materials well enough but when you get to tough, dirty or contaminated stuff like poly rope or twine on hay bales, reenforced rubber belting, pallet strapping and plastic wrap you will notice a difference and if you use it hard. That’s where wear resistance and toughness comes into play given it has optimal heat treatment considerations. If you’re using it in tough conditions I would recommend going with the s35vn but if not then the AUS 10a would probably be sufficient for fairly clean lighter materials that are less abrasive.
Also generally speaking if a knife steel is more wear resistant and harder then it will be more difficult and take longer with conventional type stones to sharpen and require a diamond stone or plate to work well.
What I can say is that it will depend on what you are using your knife for and what materials you are cutting. The standard type steels will handle clean, medium and light materials well enough but when you get to tough, dirty or contaminated stuff like poly rope or twine on hay bales, reenforced rubber belting, pallet strapping and plastic wrap you will notice a difference and if you use it hard. That’s where wear resistance and toughness comes into play given it has optimal heat treatment considerations. If you’re using it in tough conditions I would recommend going with the s35vn but if not then the AUS 10a would probably be sufficient for fairly clean lighter materials that are less abrasive.
Also generally speaking if a knife steel is more wear resistant and harder then it will be more difficult and take longer with conventional type stones to sharpen and require a diamond stone or plate to work well.