Steel AUS 8

AUS 8 steel is martensitic stainless steel, which is slightly below the classic 440C steel and has a carbon-chrome ratio of 0.57/13% in austenite, which forms at a temperature of 1100°C. Its hardness is at the level of 62 to 63HRC when quenched in oil and subsequently tempered at 150°C. Practical experience with its application can be found with companies such as Spyderco, Cold Steel, CRKT, and individual knife makers – A. G. Russell. These include knives like the Deerhunter (Russell), Kalypso Jr. (Spyderco), the large and small Voyager (Cold Steel), and M16 (CRKT), which were evaluated for corrosion resistance and durability compared to steels VG-10 and D2.

For the Deerhunter knives (comparable properties) and lower cutting abilities than D2, VG-10, and CPM-10V steel in the Calypso Jr. tests when cutting ropes, wood, and layered material. Voyagers made from AUS8 steel by Cold Steel, in both medium comparisons with blades from U2 steel, and especially the large Voyager in cutting tests, demonstrated very good results (the large Voyager by Cold Steel won several demonstration tests at knife exhibitions!).

Finally, AUS 8 steel can be directly classified among steels 12C27 and 13C26, or 8C13CrMoV, mainly considering the alloy ratio of carbon/chrome and the austenitizing temperature of 1100°C. However, the hardness and corrosion resistance are slightly better. The content of carbides in the structural volume is higher, which results in their micro-chipping during the cutting process. This manifests as a decrease in edge stability. The wear resistance is good for an AUS 8 blade. The steel is rated only as a cutting tool, which is not always its only use, but it is among the main uses.

A noteworthy advantage of AUS 8 steel is easy sharpening and relatively good edge stability, which is determined by the carbide content in the steel structure.