AUS-8

AUS -8 is a corrosion-resistant steel developed by a Japanese company (Aichi Steel Works). It is a real workhorse in the world of knives -with maximum performance.

Good corrosion resistance, high resistance to fracture, easy processing and, above all, inexpensive. Knives made of this steel are easy to sharpen and require little maintenance. No wonder it is so popular in the knife industry.

Consider this: AUS -8 has been one of the most popular steels for kitchen knives for several decades. More than 40 percent of the world's commercially produced knives are made from this steel or its closest relatives. How many products have stood the test of time?
Not without a spoonful of tar. However, it is not so much about AUS -8 itself, but about its analogs.

As with many well-known brands, AUS -8 steel can be counterfeited. If you see a proud AUS -8 steel logo on a knife from a dubious manufacturer or on a cheap Chinese clone, in most cases you are dealing with a cheap steel analog and should not expect much from the knife.

At the same time, you can be very happy with AUS -8 from well-known, reputable manufacturers like Cold Steel, Ontario, Kizlyar Supreme.

Let us take a look at the features of real AUS -8 in good hands.

AUS-8 can be hardened from 55 to 61 HRC, and a hardness of 58-59 HRC is optimal for knives. It turns out that AUS -8 likes to follow a precise process.
We use a single-stage nitrogen furnace with programmable temperature control for hardening.
Precise quenching and multi-stage tempering allow us to maximize the properties of the steel. The result is a blade with a hardness of 58 HRC that is impact resistant and retains its sharpness for a long time.

That's why we choose AUS -8 steel for work knives, machetes and survival knives that are guaranteed to last in harsh conditions.

If you need a knife that is unpretentious, can withstand any kind of stress, is easy to sharpen in the field and works for every ruble you invest in it, AUS -8 is your choice.

ADVANTAGES:
Budget friendly with excellent performance characteristics
Good corrosion resistance
High strength and notched impact resistance
Easy to sharpen on site
One of the best for kitchen knives

DISADVANTAGES:
Conditional, as they are only visible in comparison to more expensive steels
Less aggressive cutting compared to high carbon steels.
Shrinkage faster than high grade steels, but easier to smooth.

Caution with inferior analog products

AUS-8 steel is undoubtedly the best steel in the budget knife segment, which is why we use it for our blades