8Cr13MoV and 8CR14MoV

It is equivalent to Japanese AICHI AUS-8 steel, excellent price/performance ratio.

Steel AUS8-A - is a martensitic stainless steel, which is slightly below the classic 440C steel and has a carbon-chromium ratio of 0.57/13% in austenite, which is formed at a temperature of 1100oC. Its hardness is 62 to 63HRC when hardened in oil and then annealed at 150oC. Practical experience with the application can be found in such companies as Spyderco, Cold Steel, CRKT and knife makers of individuals - A. G. Russell. These are the Deerhunter (Russell), Kalypso Jr. (Spyderco), large and small Voyager (Cold Steel) and the aforementioned M16 (CRKT), which were evaluated for corrosion resistance and durability compared to VG-10 and D2 steels. Deerhunter knives (comparable properties) and lower cutting capabilities than D2, VG-10 and CPM-10V steel in Calypso Jr. tests when cutting rope, wood and laminated material. The Voyagers made of AUS8-A steel from Cold Steel, both the medium compared to the U2 blade and especially the large Voyager in cutting tests, have shown very good results (with the large Voyager Cold Steel has won several demonstration tests at knife shows!).

Finally, AUS8-A can be classified directly between 12C27 and 13C26, respectively 8C13CrMoV steels, mainly with regard to the alloy carbon/chromium ratio and the austenitization temperature of 1100oC. However, hardness and corrosion resistance are slightly improved. The content of carbides is higher in the structural volume and this results in their microfracture during the cutting process. This is manifested by a decrease in blade stability. The wear resistance of the AUS8-A blade is good. Steel is only valued as a cutting tool, which is not always the only use. Just change the hardness of the steel (instead of 63 HRC "only" 60 HRC) and the view on the use of steel is immediately a bit different (fy Benchmade).