AUS-8 Stainless Steel VS 440

[Steelhead]

Do any of you knife aficionados have knives made from AUS-8 Steel.

Hows it for sharoening,holding an edge and stength etc.

Hows it compare to 440 steel?

Thanks

[Lin Rhea]

Steelhead,
           Dont be discouraged. Most of the trad guys use the simple steels suitable for forging. I would suggest you ask this question on one of the big knife forums. But dont leave us completely. We're glad to have you.

   Somebody who knows might speak up yet. Lin

[Steelhead]

Thanks Lin.

I have had to sale some very nice knives recently to buy some Christmas presents.

So I am looking to replace them with a new less expensive knife and saw some descent knives at Bass Pro that were in the 70$ range.One was AUS-8 Stainless and a few were 440 stainless steel.

A Boker,SOG Team Leader and Buck.The SOG was AUS-8.I believe the other ones were 440.

Just curious about the steel used and quality before I buy something.

I dont build knives but enjoy seeing the great knives built by members here on T-Gang and have bought a few built by members here and really liked the quality and crafsmanship and the fact that they are members of this site.

Good day!

[ermont]

AUS-8 is comparable to 440C. AUS-10 is comparable to 154CM and ATS-34.If it is heat-treated correctly, 440C will do anything you want or need.

[Frisky]

AUS-8 is excellent Japanese steel. Properly heat treated, it holds a keen edge well. Spyderco folders used it a lot. My Spyderco Endura in AUS-8 took an effort to get sharp but maintains the edge well. 440 comes in various configurations. 440A, 440B and 440C, from less to more carbon. As stated above, 440C is excellent and Randall uses 440B. When a manufacturer mentions 440 steel, they usually mean 440A, as they'd let you know it if they used the others. 440A is about the minimum for quality edge holding in a knife used often. Heat treatment means everything in knife steels. A properly heat treated blade in 440A  is much better than a poor heat treatment in 440C.

Joe

[hvyhitter]

What frisky said......google stainless knife steel and you will get the complete rundown on several sites...........