What would you rather have AUS 8 or 440C?

psy-ops

psy-ops

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Sep 27, 1999
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I recently was looking at a few knives and I narrowed it down to 2 choices. Both were small utility type blades.

One was 440C and the other was AUS 8. Now, I know there are alot of other factors that are involved in choosing a knife but let's say, all things being equal which steel would you choose?

Thanks,

Chris
 
AUS-8A for a knife with a very fine edge which would want to take and hold a high polish. 440C for a knife with a thicker edge and/or a more coarse finish. One is more for slicing and the other for push cutting. This assumes of course proper heat treatment for both.

-Cliff
 
With out a doubt I would pick the 440C over the 8A if all things are equal...which they never are in the steel world.

The 440C is a high Quality stainless along with about 1.2% high carbon count, Nickel is added for toughness...by far my choice over 8A.

More of an apples to apples compare would be 10A to 440C instead of 8A. In that case I would probably choose the 10A over the 440C for the Vanadium content in 10A which adds toughness and adds an ability to get one heck of a sharp edge because of more grain refinement. 8A has Vanadium also but with a much lower carbon content. The Chromium in 440C helps in stain resistance but in my opinion the lower levels of chromium in 10A still provide plenty enough stain resistance along with a little more added toughness.
 
Mike The Money Maker said:
8A has Vanadium also but with a much lower carbon content.
Click to expand...

After austenization, AUS-8A has a HIGHER amount of carbon in solution than 440C and thus has a greater maximum hardness available after tempering. It isn't the carbon alone that needs to be considered but the effect of the Carbon/Chromium ratio. The very high chromium in 440C will lock up much of the carbon and thus make it harden as a much lower carbon steel. The biggest difference between those two steels is that 440C has a much greater carbide volume. Ref :

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425161

-Cliff
 
Interesting thoughts.

The choice I finally made was AUS 8 because of its softness. I find, I really like AUS 8. I can bring an AUS 8 edge back to razor with an 4000 grit norton waterstone or a hard Arkansas stone in a shorter time than any steel except 1095 or 5160. Granted, I might have to do that every 2 weeks depending on usage.
 
I like both AUS-8 and 440C. They both take a good edge, and both are pretty tough. I have AUS-8 in one of my pocket knives, and it works well for many chores. I am limited to BM's 440C, but have knives from different makers in AUS-8.


John
 
I lean to the AUS-8 ... my experiences with both steels agree with Cliff's post.
 
chrisaloia said:
Interesting thoughts.

The choice I finally made was AUS 8 because of its softness. I find, I really like AUS 8. I can bring an AUS 8 edge back to razor with an 4000 grit norton waterstone or a hard Arkansas stone in a shorter time than any steel except 1095 or 5160. Granted, I might have to do that every 2 weeks depending on usage.
Click to expand...

Glad you picked what makes you happy.:)

MTMM
 
i have a keychain knife with the 8a. For my main edc i personally wouldn't buy either though=P
 
I prefer AUS-8. The ones I have/had hold an edge fine for my needs and I can quickly bring it back to a crazy-sharp edge (tho I prefer it a bit toothy). I can get my 440C pretty sharp, but like AUS-8 better. I don't see any AUS-8 I've experienced have any problems with holding an edge, even when I use it to cut down quite a few heavy cardboard boxes.
 
:thumbup: AUS-8. I have a SOG Field Pup in Aus-8(A?), and I have to wear safety glasses for all the hairs popping off my arm! :D I, for one (in all humbleness), can get AUS-8 sharp like a scalpel, free-hand on a stone. Stays pretty sharp for a while, too.
...Never liked 440C. :thumbdn: for some reason.
 
Both are good, but AUS8 is easier to sharpen in my expereince, not that 440C is all that difficult either...just preference...AUS8 has held an edge a little longer than 440C in the knives I have used over the years...but I think agree with 440C being better for thicker blades and bigger knives...
 
440C - I have never had a problem with this steel but find that 8a looses its edge a little too quickly.
 
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