Feedback on AUS8 Endura?

[mrbentheman]

Anyone else have one of these? I just got one and love it. I had an Endura many (ok I'm 23 and I think it was 8 years LOL) years ago and it was serrated, forgot how much I loved this knife! So, this one I have now is plain edged and has an AUS8 blade. I'm just wanting to know how good of a steel this is, is it easy to sharpen, holds a good edge, blah, blah, blah.



All of Gods' creatures have knives.

[dsvirsky]

AUS-8 is a good user steel. Reasonably stain resistant, it sharpens easily and takes a great, polished edge. Maybe not as good at edge holding as ATS-34 or VG-10 (let alone any of the new super-steels), but it'll do the job.

[Toolin]

I thought the Endura only had ATS-55 or AUS-6 Steel. Hmmm...

[Joe Talmadge]

Well, to keep things confusing:

The old enduras were Gin-1 (called G2 at the time)

The endura 98s are ATS-55.

I haven't heard of an AUS-8 endura, but one could have snuck under my radar.

My experience with my ATS-55 endura has been just fine. It's held an edge okay for me, and take a pretty good edge. No toughness problems, no strength problems. The consensus seems to be that ATS-55 doesn't quite hold an edge like ATS-34, and that it definitely rusts faster than ATS-34. I have a guess on why that is, on the spyderco forum on bladeforums.

While I'm not convinced there is an 8A endura, 8A is weaker than ATS-55 and I don't believe it holds an edge as well, just based on informal observation (I haven't done head-to-head tests). 8A will be tougher than ATS-55, more rust resistant, and take a finer edge. One thing about 8A, it just takes an absolutely outrageous edge, which is why I like it even though edge holding is a notch or two below the top class of stainless steels. Among my stainless steel knives, the blades with vanadium in them, like 8A and VG-10, are uniformly the ones I can get sharpest.



Joe

[Alan2112]

I have an 8A Endura, with 50/50 edge. If I had to do it over I would have gotten the full Spyder edge. This one has been through the mill, 8A is easy to sharpen, and keeps it for quite awhile. I love the old shape with the molded clip, it fills better in my hand then anything except my AFCK, and Calypso Jr. RKBA!

[sal]

Hi Alan & Joe. We made AUS-8 (8A) Enduras for about 2 years before changing to ATS. We were having trouble getting GIN I at the time.

The current change to the Endura is flat ground on what is now hollow ground (not flat ground to the spine like the Calypso jr). This will increase tip stength.

Later this summer, the Endura and Delica will be going to VG-10.

sal

[vampyrewolf]

Never thought the Delica could be improved, but I now have to buy another one... my wallet hates you Sal, but I love yah.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[Tom Percy]

Yea VampyreWolf, I know what you mean. I didn't think they could improve the Endura either, now I'll have to get another one......

[mundele]

VG-10 for the delica and endura!!! That's great. I love VG-10. Will this also be used on the blue delicas? I was thinking of getting a blue one, but if I could get one with VG-10 I'd wait...

[Toolin]

****, now I have to buy another Delica. Ohh, maybe I will get it in SS!!!

[vampyrewolf]

when is projected release date and price for the upgraded Delica? I want one even more now that I just figured out how much my next check will be.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[stu]

Sal,

Will the SS Delica and Endura also go to VG-10?

Thank you for your time.

stu

[James Y]

I have an old AUS-8, 50/50 Endura. I like the thinner edge grind on the newer ATS-55 versions, but I liked the better stain resistance of the AUS-8 version.

I have not yet bought a knife in the VG-10 steel, though I have heard it is excellent. How does VG-10 compare with AUS-8 or ATS-55 in stain resistance? (If its resistance is better, dang it, I'll have to buy a 4th Endura when the new ones come out!
Jim

[Jeff/1911]

Sal,

This is wonderful news. Thank you for letting us know of your plans for the upgraded steel. Will any other currently ATS-55 equipped models be changed to VG-10?

Jeff/1911.

[The Stare]

A couple more questions for Sal, in case he happens to get back to this thread.

1) Roughly how many Enduras would have been sold during the 2-year speel when you were using AUS8 for the blade steel?
2) Can you tell us if there will be a significant price increase when the VG-10 Enduras and Delicas hit the dealers?

Thanks,

Stare

[scolby]

Sal, thanks for the information.

Two questions, will the Endura and/or Delica in stainless also get the flat grind w/ VG-10, or will this only be on the FRN models?

Also, what are the chances of another blue FRN run on the Delica?

"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[sam the man..]

Well, you can put any kinda steel on the Endura.. Its still a winner! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[Alan2112]

With that bit of news, I see a new Endura in my future!!!