AUS-8

Steel AUS-8 is a popular material used for making knives, especially in the pocket knife and kitchen knife segments. It is a high-quality alloy that provides good strength and durability of the knife, while being relatively easy to sharpen. Steel AUS-8 was developed by the Japanese company Aichi Steel Corporation, which specializes in producing high-carbon steels and alloys for the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. The composition of steel AUS-8 includes carbon, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium, making it resistant to corrosion and wear.

Knives made from steel AUS-8 are well-regarded by users for their durability, hardness, and flexibility. This steel has a hardness of about 58-59 HRC, meaning it is hard enough to retain sharpness but flexible enough not to crack during cutting. Besides good mechanical properties, knives made from steel AUS-8 are also easy to sharpen, which is very important for any kitchen or outdoor enthusiast. This steel does not require special skills or tools for sharpening, making knives made from it popular among beginner cooks and knife lovers.

Knives made from steel AUS-8 are a good choice for those looking for high-quality and durable knives. This steel features good strength and flexibility while being easy to sharpen. Therefore, knives made from this steel are suitable both in the kitchen and during outdoor trips.

How to sharpen knives made from steel AUS-8?

Sharpening knives made from steel AUS-8 is not fundamentally different from sharpening knives made from other materials. However, there are some tips that can help maintain the knife's sharpness and extend its lifespan.

• Choose the right tools. It is best to use a water stone with the appropriate grit - for knives made from steel AUS-8, stones with grit 1000-2000 are recommended. For polishing the knife, use a leather strop or polishing paste.
• Set the sharpening angle. The sharpening angle depends on the knife's purpose - kitchen knives usually have an angle between 15-20 degrees, while outdoor knives may have a larger angle, even up to 25 degrees.
• Wipe the knife blade on leather or a strop. Before sharpening, it is good to wipe the blade on leather or a strop to remove food residues or dirt.
• Using the sharpening stone, start from the top of the knife and slide it along the stone, maintaining a constant sharpening angle. Move the knife slowly to avoid damaging the blade. Then turn the knife and repeat the action on the underside of the blade. Finish sharpening on a stone with finer grit.
• After sharpening on the stone, it is worth smoothing the blade. This can be done using a leather strop or polishing paste. Wipe the blade on leather or apply polishing paste and wipe the knife on it.

Sharpening knives made from steel AUS-8 is not difficult but requires patience and precision. Regular sharpening keeps the knife sharp and extends its lifespan.

Why choose knives made from steel AUS-8?

When choosing knives made from steel AUS-8, it is worth considering many factors that make them a good choice for knife enthusiasts. Below are some reasons why you should choose knives made from steel AUS-8:

• High quality and durability: Steel AUS-8 is a high-quality alloy that provides good strength and durability of the knife. Thanks to the content of elements such as chromium, manganese, and molybdenum, this steel is resistant to corrosion and wear.
• Strength and hardness: Knives made from steel AUS-8 have good strength and hardness, meaning they are resistant to damage and retain sharpness longer than knives made from other materials.
• Flexibility: Steel AUS-8 is flexible enough not to crack during cutting, which is important for knives intended for food processing or fieldwork.
• Ease of sharpening: Steel AUS-8 is relatively easy to sharpen, meaning knives made from this steel are easy to maintain in good condition. They do not require specialized skills or tools for sharpening.
• High value for price: Knives made from steel AUS-8 are available in various price ranges, so everyone can find something for themselves. Compared to knives made from other materials, knives made from steel AUS-8 offer high quality at a relatively low price.

Kitchen knives made from steel AUS-8 are a good choice for knife lovers who value durability, strength, and ease of sharpening. This steel has good mechanical properties, making knives made from it popular among users worldwide.

What types of Japanese knives are most often made from steel AUS-8?

Steel AUS-8 is a relatively new steel that appeared on the market in the 1980s. It was developed by the Japanese company Aichi Steel Corporation and is considered one of the best stainless steels for knife production. Many Japanese knives are made from steel AUS-8 due to its high quality and durability. The most common Japanese knives made from steel AUS-8 are:

1. Santoku: Santoku is a versatile kitchen knife very popular in Japanese cuisine. It is used for slicing, chopping, and mincing various food products.
2. Nakiri: a vegetable knife particularly popular in Japanese cuisine. It is used for cutting and shredding various types of vegetables such as carrots, onions, or cabbage.
3. Gyuto: the Japanese version of the classic kitchen knife, also known as the chef's knife. It is used for cutting meat, fish, and other food products.
4. Sashimi: a long, thin knife for slicing raw fish, especially popular in Japanese cuisine. It is used to cut fish into thin slices served on sushi or as a standalone dish.
5. Deba: a fish-cutting knife often used in Japanese cuisine. It is used for filleting fish and removing skin and bones.

All these Japanese knives are made from steel AUS-8 due to its high quality, durability, and ease of sharpening. This steel is valued by many knife manufacturers for its strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance, making it an ideal choice for producing high-quality knives.

Also check other types and kinds of Japanese knives:

Masamoto Knives Masashi Yamamoto Knives Masahiro Knives Masutani Knives Sujihiki Kiritsuke Petty/Paring Honesuki Skinning Knife Bread Knife Slicing / Sashimi Knife Fish Dressing Knife Sushi Knives Aogami #2 Aogami Super AUS-10