which stainless steel?

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
430
Hi all,

I am going to buy an A. G. Russell Deer Hunter, but I don't know much about stainless steels.

The knife has been produced in AUS8A, but now may also be ordered in VG-10, which they compare favorably to ATS-34, or D2, which is "not completely stainless."

Sorry, but none of that makes much sense to me. Is VG-10 really worth $20 more than AUS8A? How "un-stainless" is D2? Is there a palpable difference in edge holding between the three?

The knife will process game, cut food and wood (as in fire starting) in use for me.

Here's the catalog page:

http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/agdh-8a.html

Scott
 
Hi Scott,

I like D2 the most from the choices. From my experience, a properly heat treated D2 will peform better compared to those 2. How unstainless is it ? Well, mine never rusts. May be a little discoloration (nothing a good cleaning can't remove) if I don't clean it for weeks. Oh, I use mine for cooking. Cutting meat, lemon, lime, and other acidic stuff.
 
Here's my take- VG-10 and D-2 seem to be the latest "best thing yet" fad, as was ATS-34, then CPM-440V. Both are have their good and bad points. But I have the smaller Bird and Trout version in AUS-8, and have only sharpened it once in the past 8 months. The blade is very, very thin, don't expect to do a lot of heavy chopping or prying, this one is for cutting only. But because it is so thin, it cuts incredibly well. For this reason, you probably won't notice a difference between the three as far as cutting ability. I don't see that paying a hefty premium for the "latest and bestest" is really worth it in a $50 knife.
Something else to consider, D-2 and VG-10 blades are quite a bit harder than AUS-8, and I've heard that when used in very thin applications they tend to chip out the edge easily.
 
I really like VG-10. Chipping has never been a problem, even with blades that have been very thin. I also find that VG-10 is easy to sharpen and it holds an edge.

AUS-8A is a very good steel as well and you could do a whole lot worse. I have always found it very easy to sharpen and it holds an edge pretty well.

Personally, I would pay the extra $20 for the VG-10, because of my high regard for this steel.
 
VG-10 is a lot like AUS-10. It can be hardened to Rc 60 vs Rc 58 for AUS-8. It will hold an edge significantly longer than AUS-8 and the edge will resist rolling over or rippling better than AUS-8. It is an excellent choice for a hunting knife. I have been waiting specifically for the VG-10 and D2 versions of the Deer Hunter to come out for close to two years. I wouldn't think of getting an AUS-8 version if I could get a VG-10 version for a moderate premium.

By the way, VG-10 is like AUS-8 in taking a razor edge relatively easily. It is a lot easier to sharpen than ATS-34. I wouldn't buy the knife with an ATS-34 blade.
 
My experiences with VG-10 (Al Mar SERE and Fallkniven) has been very positive. I had some problems with the SERE chipping, but remember, it is a thin grind and I was doing hard work with it. I would not hesitate and go with the VG-10.
 
I have knives in each of the mentioned steels and I prefer D2 over the rest. The D2 blades I have will hold an edge longer than the others and when they need sharpening, and I don't get them too dull, I can just use a strop with some green compound for a few strokes and I'm back in business. My second choice would be VG10. It takes a great edge and if the heat treat and temper is done right, will usually hold an edge better than the AUS8 and the ATS34. I saw one time where someone had posted a comment that he noticed that VG10 really had a "bite" to it and would cut you quicker than any other steel that he had seen. I agree with that, if you are feeling of an edge on this steel, it will "bite" easier than any other steel that I have used, except possibly CPM440V (S60V), that I have in a custom/handmade.
 
vg-10 is good, but d-2 while it is not stainless, of course no steel is stainless (when it comes right down to it), when properly heat treated is fairly rust resisitant! nothing wrong with ats-34 either, d-2, properly heat treated, will hold a much better edge. cpm440v is good, has better overall characteristics than ats-34 (edge holding ect.).

If edge holding is not that big of an issue than there is nothing wrong with aus-8.


oh by the way ag russells knife blades are heat treated fairly well, and if you buy something your not happy with they give no problems on returning (as far as im aware).
 
I think you'd be happy with either the VG-10 or D2.., both perform very well with the proper heat treat..., so I'd pay the premium and move up a notch from AUS-8 (which isn't bad either)...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Back
Top