AUS10

[RugerNurse]

What is this steel like? Don’t know anything besides AUS 8. The freerein knives from Demko use it. Just curious.

 

[jux t]

What is this steel like? Don’t know anything besides AUS 8. The freerein knives from Demko use it. Just curious.

Like VG10, in my experience usually ran a little harder and is a little less corrosion resistant generally.

 

[Deino]

The 8 in AUS8 is the average carbon amount, of 0.8%. AUS10 has average of 1.0%.

Probably lowest chrome of the 1% Carbon stainless (440C, 154CM, VG10, N690, etc). Any less chrome and it might not be stainless anymore. On the other flip side, it has slightly better edge stability than the other similar steels without getting into expensive PM.

Demko seems to love that steel since his time with Cold Steel, which fit their needs well.

 

[knarfeng]

What is this steel like? Don’t know anything besides AUS 8. The freerein knives from Demko use it. Just curious.

Roughly equivalent in edge retention to VG10, ATS-34, or 154CM when I tested them cutting manila rope. That's a tad bit above 440C and a step below S30V.

 

[beeinak]

I haven’t done much with them, but my 4 Max Scout and Mini Pendleton sure take a great edge.

 

[Alone]

I haven’t done much with them, but my 4 Max Scout and Mini Pendleton sure take a great edge.

I've posted this here before; I believe that my 4MAX Scout is the sharpest knife that I've ever received from a Manufacturer.

And I agree with you. My AUS10 blades take a very nice edge, even with my remedial sharpening skills/methods.

 

[RugerNurse]

Is it tough? I assume he wouldn’t put it on a fixed blade if he was worried about chipping?

 

[The Mastiff]

I wouldn't consider it a tough steel. I look at Aus 10 steel as a sort of modified 440C. It has mods that effectively make it a bit better than 440c in resisting chipping but that for sure doesn't put it into a tough category even when compared to other stainless steels. It's in roughly the same class as 440C when it comes to wear resistance. It's mods also make it a bit less corrosion resistant than 440c but it is still what I consider pretty good. All in all it's not a bad budget steel and I'd take it over 440c any day but there are so many I like better. It has been around a long time. I recall Cold Steel and Junglee first using it in maybe the late 80's?

 

[Deino]

It will do just fine. The Free Rein has nearly 5mm thick blade, similar to many camp knives in 440C, like the Joker Nomad that many here abuse the heck out of, chopping wood and what not.

The biggest different between it and 440C is the 4-5% less chromium, which is significant imo. Despite the supposed weaker rust resistance, I used my Cold Steel folder in AUS10 for a week long in rain and water during the summer and it didn't stain.

 

[Greggy]

My CS Voyager has performed well over the years. AUS10 is very easy to sharpen and strop. Count me as a fan.

 

[ace]

AUS-10 is actually a pretty tough steel for a stainless. It is in the same class as AEB-H or 19c27.

It is significantly tougher than 440C or VG10.