Spyderco MeerKat 440C or AUS-6 Plain edge

pahl

pahl

Joined
Feb 23, 2002
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I'm looking at getting a MeerKat. I see on SMKW they list them in 440C and AUS-6 for the plain edge models.

What one is better?

Thanks,
 
AUS 6 is very comparable to 440A, and 440C is better than 440A.
Still, I've tested the AUS 6 offerings from Spyderco and they're damn sharp anyways.
 
Well it looks like I just bought a plain edge one in 440C over on the "Exchange" side of the forums.

Can't wait to get it :)

Thanks for your reply,
Pahl
 
Both steels are good, for thier use. Neither is as good as ATS-55 or VG-10 for toughness, but they take a damn fine edge.

I've had my Nav PE 'kat in 6A for about 3 weeks, and despite daily use, it still slices and shaves very well. I've only stropped the edge on the side of the 303MF case.

440C and Aus are steels more or less for light duty, but I could be wrong.
 
Calyth my friend we reach a differnt opinion of these 2 steels.
I find 6A a much better quality steel than 44OC, either that or I haven't ran into the same 440 series you have.
For me 6A takes a keener edge and holds it far longer.
While comparable in Rc values the higher carbon content of the 6A seems to work much better for it's intended purpose in the Meerkat, now if I were to pick a knife to chop with such as in a longer thick fixed blade the 440-C is more forgiving of hard blows.
Alot depends on the heat treament I'm sure and I sure aint the worlds biggest 6A fan by any means.
But Spyderco gets it to work much better than say CRKT, again it's JUST my opinion and you know what they say about opinions and rear end exits everybody has 1. Ron :D
 
All good, just different. Comparisons could be made, but there are differences.

AUS-6 is a stainless steel made by Aichi in Japan. The carbon content is similar to 440A (440A usually has a little more carbon) 440A is probably closer to AUS8 in carbon. Heat treat is important. Also, there are sometimes different foundries making steels with the same chemistry, but not the same degree of refinement.

In chemistry;

440A has a little moly AUS-6 has none (AUS-8 does have a little moly, but not as much as 440A).

AUS-6 has some vanadium, 440A has none. better in abrasion resistance.

440A has way more chrome and will be better in corrosion resistance

These are minor diffeences, but they do create minor differences in the end result.

Similar in "general" performance, yes. one better??

sal
 
Just received a PlainEdge Meerkat for Christmas. It has the 440C steel and made in Golden, CO. It is a pretty nifty little knife. I am an "appreciator" of the Dragonfly and this is a cool change of pace in a similar sized knife. Sal's steel comments are interesting, as I always thought AUS-8 ranked higher and 440A was somehow an inferior steel (based soley on what I have read). I am a big fan of Spyderco's AUS-8 (used on my favorite Calypso Jr. Micarta folders). I didn't realize that AUS-8 ranked pretty low on the evolutionary scale as it has proven to be ideal for my uses and I have no complaints with it. I have not carried a blade of 440C in at least a decade, as it has seemed to fallen from popularity. I am eager to see how it performs as an everyday steel. As time goes on, a characteristic I appreciate more and more is ease of sharpening. I just don't seem to have the patience or desire to spend a lot of time working to get an edge back on my knives. I wonder how VG-10 rates to AUS-8 as I really like VG-10 in practical experience and find it performs much like AUS-8 in my experience.
 
I have both the AUS6 and 440C PE meerkats. The 440C holds an edge about 50% longer...cuts 50% more cardboard and retains its edge. The AUS6 is easier to sharpen and seems to take a finer edge though.
 
I'm sorry if I gave the impression that AUS-8 was somehow inferior, not the case. AUS-8 has an almost perfect homogenous structure so it will get very sharp. It holds its own in corrosion resistance as well. It is a step up from AUS-6.

The 440 that I described above was 440A, not 440C. 440C has 40% more carbon than 440A, with the other elements being the same. 440C will hold an edge beter than AUS-6 by the 50% mentioned and it is also superior in corrosion resistance to any of the AUS steels, and most other stainless steels as well.

sal
 
Ron, my comment about 440C is largely academic. I've heard of comments about 440C, and I've seen the chemical comparison to make the comment that 440C is "better". 440C, as described by Sal, should hold the edge better than AUS 6.
 
Just another mention. The 440C was made at Golden, while AUS-6 is Seki City - Japan.
The Golden models are discontinued, so I'd go for one.
I have an AUS-6 Meerkat. Performs quite well, though I managed to bend its tip on a coconut :(
 
I based my opinion on my experince with the 440 series from past knives I've had, some of which were the El cheapos versions floating around the market.
Having no experince with how the Spyderco version of 440-C steel would work maybe I was wrong, but I'll take the AUS-6A still over the Swat versions of S/W folders which I can't make cut anything and hold an edge for any lenght of time.
440 has been around forever and maybe I should give it another look
I'm sure it's cheaper. Ron
 
Ron, most 440 cheapo uses 440A steel. It's kinda on par with AUS6 and it's kinda not.
If the blade is 440C, most manufacturers will advertise that. I've heard a comment that 440C had the status of ATS-34 at the time before the ATS got popular.
I've seen the MeerKat 440C and a BM in 440C, both are quite sharp despite the fact that they're display pieces for a while.
 
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