Should any knife cost close to $100 or more with AUS8 or VG-10?

AUS-8, A couple like the SOG Fixed Blades (Agency and the Super SOG Bowie). But I think there are a bunch of great knives in VG-10! Many Spydercos (Street beat/Police/Kiwi). I am a BIG fan of that Particular steel!!!Also I think SOG is building some fine Folders in VG-10 such as the Vulcan and the Arcitech... Just my 2cents...
 
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I would expect a knife that costs $100 to use a bit better steel than AUS8. VG-10, I dunno.

Keep in mind the other factors that determine price. Size, brand name, complexity of design, popularity, retailer, availability, handle materials...
 
Bob W said:
I would expect a knife that costs $100 to use a bit better steel than AUS8. VG-10, I dunno.

Keep in mind the other factors that determine price. Size, brand name, complexity of design, popularity, retailer, availability, handle materials...
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Ok, understood. So let's pose the question differently; what is the most important element about a knife to you with regard to construction and materials, not function or size.
 
even if one steel costs several times more than another, you can still be looking at single digit dollar prices on blade material on a small and medium knife. Labor costs and consumables for higher wear resistance will add to the cost. Also, if you double the time at austenizing temp for really highly alloyed stuff, the bills go up. I don't think either of those steels have a complicated heat treat or are hard to finish.
 
Nothing wrong with VG10, can't speak for AUS8, but I would pay over $100 for a nicely designed knife in VG10.
 
what is the most important element about a knife to you with regard to construction and materials, not function or size.
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I wouldn't say that there's any single element that's "most important." Each time I buy a knife it's based on entirely different criteria. Sometimes I'm a sucker for beautiful materials, sometimes I'm lured by a design's flow, and sometimes I simply cannot say No to a super-duper closeout sale.

And although an abundance in one category can certainly outweigh a shortcoming in another, the knife's feature levels should be somewhat matched. The fit-and-finish could be perfect but if the knife is ugly, I'm not interested. Ditto a knife made from unbreakable cryptonite that has wobbly blades, or a beautifully flowing design made from a flattened soup can.

And I have certain expectations at each price point. For $100, for example, I expect the knife to be aesthetically pleasing and/or unique with quality materials and an above-average build quality. For $20, if the build quality is pretty good and the materials average, then I'm happy.

I hope that makes sense.

It might be easier to respond to your original question if you listed a particular knife for consideration.
 
AUS-8 simply isn't on the same level as VG-10. But to answer the question, I think that some cases, it's okay for AUS8 to be in the $100+ range. VG-10 is perfectly fine. Mcusta and Fallkniven are great examples of knives with VG-10 that are easily worth what they go for on the market as far as I'm concerned. One example of an AUS8 blade on a $100 knife is the Cold Steel Rajah II. Regardless of steel, that knife is a helluva deal.

To make this easier I don't think the following steels should be near the $100 range:
440A
AUS4-6
420HC
GIN1
 
VG10 is an excellent cutlery steel for my needs. If I liked the rest of the design and build quality I would not hold back.

I would be much less likely to spend $100+ for AUS8. I generally prefer steel with a higher carbon content.
 
I would be asking for a higher performing steel than AUS8 if I were in the market for a ~$100 knife.
 
Let's not forget the Tomcat III ;)

SOGTomcat.jpg


babakanoosh45 said:
AUS-8, A couple like the SOG Fixed Blades (Agency and the Super SOG Bowie). But I think there are a bunch of great knives in VG-10! Many Spydercos (Street beat/Police/Kiwi). I am a BIG fan of that Particular steel!!!Also I think SOG is building some fine Folders in VG-10 such as the Vulcan and the Arcitech... Just my 2cents...
Click to expand...
 
Well I paid well over a hundred bucks for a CS Lg. Espada. Build quality is what sold me on it. Solid billet T9 alum. frame with integral bolsters and the locking mechanism used, that and it is very big. To me them using AUS8a is worth it just for the quality of the over all knife. I also just bought another Recon 1, the drop point version with AUS8a steel and paid about 1/6th the price of the Espada. Recon is an excellant over all knife too with a very nice build quality to it. To me the build quality of the knife says more than the steel used.

For instance I don't care for S30V that much. I have had the edge chip even when sharpening it. My favorite steel's are ats34 and 01. But when it comes right down to it the knife has to be visually appealing to me and it has to have a good build design behind it. Has to be a useful design though. Keepem sharp
 
Yes, it should, if it's large and complex enough. There's quite a difference between a 2.5" folder made of VG-10 and a 8" long 1/4" thick chopper knife made of VG-10.
 
My only exposure to VG10 is my Al Mar Sere 2K and a few Fallknivens. My most used VG10 knife is a Fallkniven kitchen knife. It cuts great. Takes a good edge and holds it. I'm pretty happy with this stuff.
 
There are some other factors to consider.

There may be proprietary issues around some steels. Perhaps, they cannot be marketed the same outside a particular country, like Japan. My understanding is that some of the blade steels used in Fallkniven (like VG10 and the super-steel, 3G) fall in this category.

Also, some steels not considered exotic may still be hard to obtain in a form easy to work with. For example, the BRKT Boone II I have is made from 52100 - nothing terribly exotic, but from what I've read it can be difficult to get hold of in easy to fashion billets (read it on another group, so it must be true).

Having a wide range of customization options will add to the price of any mass-produced or semi-custom consumer item you purchase. On either of the knives I've mentioned, the Cocobolo is going to be more expensive than any base handle material. By the time you get into exotic horn, bone, tortoise shell, and other like materials, you're quickly in the realm of custom knife prices.

For $100, you can get a good fixed-blade knife made from a serviceable tool steel or SS. Double the price, and you could get a better grade steel, maybe something more difficult to work with or a bit more exotic. For $300, I expect an exquisitely made knife of the best materials, all around. But, for the same amount or even double (!), you could just as easily get a custom knife in an unusual pattern and knock-out bone handle with a 440C blade.
 
I really like both of those steels and yes if the quality is there I would go for it. Yes VG-10 is better, but to me and the more common users the difference isn't that great. If your a Jeff Randall type or you going to be dressing out really large game bigger then dear you definately need to go with VG-10.
 
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