The steel actually looks pretty good on this chart

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
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I am nowhere near a knife steel authority and I usually get my info from reading as many sources as possible. On the other hand there are so many opinions about AUS 8 and AUS 8A steel that it could make your head spin. I came across this chart and it seems to follow the general consensus of different steels, that I have read about across the web. So when all the huff and puff blows away, AUS 8A looks like a pretty decent steel, considering the reasonable cost of most Cold Steel products using it. No it's not a ''super'' steel. But it's not junk either and we're not paying super steel prices for say, a Voyager. My point is... AUS 8A looks better than the impression that I had formed from critical comments made about it, that I have read.
http://www.midwayusa.com/technicalnotes/application_pages/knife_steel_and_handle_material_chart.htm
 
In my experience not all 8A is the same.
We've been using the same 8A for a looong time, and with good reason :)

We're always exploring and experimenting. Things may change in the future, but 8A has served us well and we are very pleased with it's performance
 
I don't really know what to say about it, except I have a decent amount of experience with it, and I really like it. Does the job and does it well.
 
Haven't had the pleasure of using Cold Steel's blend of the steel in question but have had S30V, VG-10, 440C, "mystery Chinese" and SAK's stainless over the years.

After lurking and spending many years on the forums though, I've learned enough---and have confirmed for myself---that the "Holy Trinity of Knife Performance" is what its all about to determine how good a blade will cut.

1. Edge geometry and grind angle/type

2. Heat treatment

3. Steel type for intended use

Each factor alone can be discussed as an entire thread.

Remember that one favorite knife among all others in the kitchen that you always wanted to use because it was cut well and was sharp for a long for a long time? It's a sure bet that it's not made of any high-end grade steel. This is why steel type in relation to it's intended use is at the bottom of the list. Ideally, a balanced-out triangle of these factors will produce a superb knife in spite of not being a nuvo-supersteel.
 
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I like my Voyager, Recon, and Code4 very much but an upgrade in steel would make them world beaters.

Do it ColdSteel! You can even keep Aus8 in the standard line and either offer limited sprints or a permanent higher end version altogether!

Aus8 can be adequate, but imagine a steel like S30v on these knives. It's over!
 
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