Is AUS 10 Steel Better Than VG10
Do you need a superb quality knife in the upper midrange budget? I love the AUS-10 and VG 10 steel-made knives in this budget segment. If you are looking forward to buying only one knife, then you must want to know the quality differences between the AUS -10 Steel vs VG10.
While comparing AUS-10 steel with VG10, both have similar hardness, but the AUS-10 comes with better toughness and also is less expensive. But the VG10 steel has excellent edge retention, wear & rust resistance, and requires less frequent sharpening & maintenance.
However, if you can not decide which one will make a better knife, continue reading this article till the end to find out.
Quick comparison chart
| Basis for comparison | AUS – 10 | VG10 |
| Chemical compounds | Carbon 1.10%; Chromium 14.50%; Molybdenum 0.31%; Vanadium 0.27%; Nickel 0.49%; Phosphorus 0.04%; Manganese 0.50%; Silicone 1.00%; Sulfur 0.03% | Carbon 1.05%; Chromium 15.50%; Molybdenum 1.20%; Vanadium 0.30%; Cobalt 1.50%; Manganese 0.50%; Phosphorus 0.30% |
| Hardness | 58-60 HRC | 56-60 HRC |
| Toughness | Better | Good |
| Wear resistance | Average | Superior |
| Rust resistance | Mediocre | Outstanding |
| Edge retention | Good | Excellent |
| Sharpening frequency | More | Less |
| Maintenance | Require more maintenance | Require less maintenance |
| Cost | Affordable | Costly |
Key differences
Both AUS-10 and VG10 have more than 13% chromium, making them stainless steel. But they share a lot of distinct features.
Let me walk you through the top 5 differences between AUS-10 steel and VG10 steel:
Hardness & toughness
AUS-10 and VG10 have almost the same hardness with proper heat treatment. Both of them have a maximum of 60HRC Rockwell ratings. But VG10 has slightly better hardness. Nonetheless, AUS-10 stays ahead of VG10 in terms of toughness. A perfect blend of carbon with molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium enables these steels to cut through easily.
Rust resistance
A combination of chromium, nickel, and vanadium makes AUS-10 steel resistant to rust. But a higher amount of chromium in VG10 makes this steel more resistant to rust and also to wear. However, none of them are rustproof. You can use them in a humid environment, but you must take care of them well.
Edge retention
Once again, VG10 outperforms the AUS-10 steel. The better hardness in VG10 enables it to have excellent edge retention. The near-perfect formation of hard carbides helps the VG10 steel to retain sharpness over a long time.
Sharpening frequency
You need to sharpen the AUS-10 steel knives more frequently. That’s because it has less edge retention capability compared to the VG10 stainless steel. It also means that the AUS-10 requires more maintenance to perform well in the long run.
Cost
Although none of these stainless steels are too expensive, VG10 will cost slightly higher than the AUS-10. This is due to the better quality features that the VG10 offers.
AUS – 10 Steel: Overview
AUS-10 is the best steel from the Japanese AUS series. It is mid-level steel that makes excellent quality knives within an affordable budget. A high amount of carbon with vanadium and chromium alloy makes it better than others in the AUS series.
VG 10 Steel: Overview
VG 10 is another Japanese steel that comes with premium features. The G in its name stands for “Gold,” meaning it is gold standard stainless steel. Carbon with a high amount of chromium makes it one of the best. Check the link below for an expert opinion about vg0 steel.
Conclusion
Now I guess you do not have any confusion to select between the AUS -10 Steel vs VG10 steel for your next knife. Overall, the VG10 is a better quality knife steel, but if you want better toughness, go for AUS-10 steel.
Read More comparisons:
- AUS 8 vs VG 10: The Battle of Best Japanese Stainless Steel
- Nitro V Steel vs VG10 | in-depth comparison
My favorite knives in each category
Regardless of which one is better, if you pick the wrong knives, you will never get a satisfactory performance. If you want a good quality AUS-10 or VG10 knives, I recommend you buy one of the following:
- Kubey KB281 Folding Pocket Knife (AUS-10 steel)
Kubey is one of the major AUS-10 steel knife manufacturers, and this is undoubtedly an excellent option. It has excellent rust resistance and edge retention. Although it’s slightly expensive, the CNC titanium handle and the comfort make it worth the price.
- Spyderco Dragonfly Signature Knife (VG10 Steel)
This VG10 steel-made knife is an excellent folding knife in this category. Its edge is quite sharp and has superb edge retention. Plus, the G-10 handle is non-slippery and pretty comfortable to hold. You can not go wrong with the sturdiness and ergonomics of this Spyderco VG10 knife.
