Spyderco's AUS-6 - Very impressive!

[Jeff/1911]

NOTE: Also posted on the BF Spyderco page

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Hi Folks,



For quite awhile now, I've paid far more attention to the so-called "Premium" steels: VG-10, S30V...etc. I know that Sal has said in the past how AUS-6 and AUS-8 were the sort-of past premiums (not his words), and still very servicable user steels - and now I have seen it to be true, firsthand!



My friend at work saw my many Spydies, and decide he had to have one. So, he bought a plain edge S/S Delica about six months ago and has happily flicked the days away since...cutting whatever came along in his workday (mostly light "office" tasks). Anyway, yesterday he asked me if I would sharpen it for him on our shop-owned 204 Sharpmaker and I happily agreed to do so.



Before sharpening, I tested it's edge w/ paper cutting, and arm hair shaving as well as visually examinating the edge. It had not rolled or visually dulled at all (no shiny areas), would still "saw through" paper and would no longer shave - it would do this easily when new w/ it's factory edge.



I did the "usual" 20 strokes on both grey and white rods, corners and flats and he has a "new" knife! It is absolutely razor sharp, after what I consider a very "light" sharpening job...and this is the first time in 6 months it's been touched up.



So for anyone who says that AUS-6 won't hold much of an edge, I say "Hogwash"! It not only sharpens easily, but gets really quite "silly" sharp. The hairs on my forearm appear to just jump out of the way when they see that sharp AUS-6 blade coming! It SCARES them right off my arm...hee, hee.



Anyway, my pal sure is happy. I washed the knife with hot soapy water, dried it with compressed air and heat gunnery then added a couple of drops of Militec-1 to the pivot area. He says it is "better than new"...and THAT is really saying something!



Respectfully, Jeff/1911.

[Jim2]

Cool to hear. I have a SS CE Edura with AUS6. I love the knife but all this talk of VG-10 made me think I made a bad choice.

[chux]

I agree, Spydie 6A is more than adequate and takes a lot of punishment without complaints. Not quite so sure about my CRKT 6A, it doesn't seem to like being sharp. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."

[CKE]

I think a lot of folks get caught up in the latest &quot;new steel&quot; and jump all over it. If you know how to properly sharpen a knife I think you will find most steels adequate. Is it really worth the extra cash for the latest super steel? Some may think so, I really like the S30V in my Dodo but it will be more harder to sharpen then the Aus in my SPOT. Will last a lot longer though. There is always a toss up. But Spyderco does do a good job with their Aus-6 and 8. Never had a complaint about any of their steels.

"everything else is just a jeep"

[vampyrewolf]

it's funny... currently my *sharpest* knife is a custom in 1084... flat ground warncliff

<img src="http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett/spyderco/spyder5.gif"><br>Mei Fides, Mei Victus<br>Coffee Before Conciousness<br> Vampyrewolf@yahoo.com

[Alan2112]

I'm extreamly fond of 6A &amp; 8A steels, especially as they are made by &lt;img src=&quot;spyder.gif&quot; width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0&gt;co, Kershaw, CS, AM, and Beretta! I don't feel one bit handycapped. RKBA!

Edited by - Alan2112 on 1/30/2004 11:23:37 PM

[druid]

what about aus 10 is it better then 6 or 8 and is 6 better then 8 rihgt...........

[Alan2112]

I find that 10A performs similar to VG-10, it is a little step up from 8A.

[sc_rebel1957]

I agree 100% the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 6A is the most consistant I've ever seen, all our worries about it being a price point steel are totally senseless.
I have 2 SS Delica PE in it and would have no qualms about buying more.
The whole crew at <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> is doing a 1st rate job and special atta way to go to the heat treat department is deserved.
Q/C is again the best in the business. Ron

[sal]

Spyderco's AUS-6 (8 &amp; 10) is carefully heat teated and cryogenically treated, but QC isn't all of it.

Much of the credit needs to go to Aichi Foundry. We use only genuine Aichi AUS steels. Aichi developed AUS steels and their steels are very refined which makes for better performance from the same ingredients.

I'm sorry to say these days there are &quot;knock-off&quot; steels just like &quot;knock-of&quot; anything else. The quality of the steel does make a difference. Grinds and edge angles are also critical to performance.

I'm sure the knives made in Seki are being made with Aichi's AUS steels (Kershaw, CS, Am &amp; Berreta mentioned).

Our Salsa, which is made in Taiwan by a selected maker is using Japanese steels, which is our requirement. The ATS-34 is made by Hitachi and the AUS-8 is made by Aichi. Since one of every 200 (approx) pieces is edge and goniometer tested, we have the interest and the ability to &quot;keep everybody honest&quot;. Our &quot;niche&quot; is reliable high performance and that is not achieved by accident.

There are so many ways to &quot;confuse&quot; the public nowadays into &quot;believing&quot;. Hard to know who or what to trust. That's where certain brand names really show their value.

sal

[4077th]

My Jester just cuts and cuts and cuts. Handy little knife. A fine example of Spyderco's success with AUS-6.

Jesters also make wonderful gifts, especially now with the Photon combo.

[dynaryder]

Sal: why do the SS and FRN Endura/Delica use different steels? I can understand keeping the price down on the SS,but doesn't having two different sets or blades(1 AUS,1 VG) increase cost? Wouldn't using the same blades for both reduce costs,or is VG-10 really that more expensive?

[sal]

Hi Dynaryder. VG-10 would raise the price considerably. Vg-10 costs more to buy and more to process.

Most of the ELUs that purchase the FRN models are looking for hi-speed / low drag easy to carry high performance cutting tools.

Most of the ELUs that purchase the SS versians are looking for an indestructable, tough, take abuse knife that is less expensive than our Police model.

We believe the models as they are serve those customers.

sal

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha!
Chux said it perfectly, as my CRKT's &quot;AUS-6&quot; doesn't even come close to that of Spydeco's.(Which is why I gave most of my CRKT's away.)

Although my dad broke his SS Delica tip off years ago, (it now looks like a SS Salt) the edge still holds up very well and he doesn't sharpen it often. He carries it for &quot;heavy duty&quot; tasks as he is a mechanic, but in his pocket ALWAYS is the Micarta PE Calypso Jr. I gave him for lighter tasks.

did some testing w/ his SS Delica and a CRKT Stiff Kiss while doing some night dives. The CRKT never failed to have rust on it after the dive. This could be attributed to the bead blast though. But to keep it fair, they both had some &quot;dry land' testing and the CRKT Stiff KISS drop point required much more maintenance than the SS Delica ever did. In fact, I don't think my dad does anything to his SS Delica aside form some sharpening here and there, and it's holding up VERY well! He DOES however baby the Calypso Jr...heh,heh!

God will put you over...if you let Him! Mark 11:23!

[Jim2]

I did a little research and found that a lot of web sites are comparing AUS6 to 440A. They go on to describe 440A as low grade steel found on cheaper knives. I find it hard to belive that a company like Spyderco would use cheap steel. What is the general opinion? Also,if Sal could comment on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Shards of Narsil]

I've not heard that about 440. Good knives made from that steel, supposedly easier to sharpen than S30V.

Actually what makes a steel premium as opposed to not? If the Seki AUS-10s are like the VG-10s, what is the real difference?

Quality shows, no matter the mix, within reason. I've always liked knives that are made in Japan. They just tell you it's high carbon stainless steel but it just cuts cleaner than anything else I know that travels under that label.