Why S30v Is Better Than AUS8 Steel?
Whether you’re a knife aficionado, a collector, or simply hunting for the perfect blade, deciding on steel can be challenging. S30v steel and AUS8 steel are two of the most common steels on the market. So, what is the distinction between these two steel sheets? Let us investigate.
An in-depth comparison between the steels shows that the S30V comes with more hardness than the AUS 8. Plus, S30V steel has better wear resistance and edge retention. But the AUS 8 steel has better toughness and welding ability and costs less.
However, if you are seriously considering buying a knife, you should read the detailed analysis of the differences. Continue scrolling to know everything about the differences between AUS 8 and S30V steel.
Quick comparison chart
| Basis for comparison | AUS 8 | S30V |
| Chemical compounds | Carbon 0.75%; Chromium 14.50%; Molybdenum 0.30%; Vanadium 0.26%; Manganese 0.50%; Nickel 0.49%; Silicone 1.00%; Phosphorus 0.03%; Sulfur 0.03% | Carbon 1.45%; Chromium 14.00%; Vanadium 4.00%: Molybdenum 2.00%; Nitrogen 0.20%; Tungsten 0.40%; Manganese 0.50%; Silicone 1.00%; Phosphorus 0.04%; Sulfur 0.03% |
| Hardness | 58-59 HRC | 58-61 HRC |
| Toughness | Excellent toughness | Less toughness |
| Wear resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Edge retention | Average | Superior |
| Ease of sharpening | Easy to sharpen | Tough to sharpen |
| Welding | Excellent | Good |
| Maintenance | More maintenance | Less maintenance |
| Cost | Less costly | Expensive |
Key Differences Between S30v and AUS8
You can see from the above table that there’s a considerable difference in chemical compounds between the S30V and AUS 8 steel. As a result, they share a lot of distinguishable features.
Let’s have a look at the top 5 differences between the AUS 8 Steel and S30V:
Hardness & toughness
The S30V steel has a higher Rockwell rating than the Japanese AUS 8, which makes it harder. I have seen stronger steels, but still, these are pretty good. However, less hardness makes the AUS8 super tough. The chromium gives the steel tensile strength, and silicone helps to endure stress to a good extent.
Wear resistance
Although the chromium amount is almost the same, the higher amount of carbon and Vanadium makes the S30V more resistant to wear than the AUS 8. However, both steels require proper maintenance to stay in good condition for a long time.
Edge retention
As the S30V comes with a greater hardness, it has better edge retention than the AUS 8. The perfect combination of vanadium, tungsten, carbon, and manganese enables the S30V to stay sharp and cut through everything quickly, even after long usage.
Ease of sharpening
You must have guessed already that the S30V will be harder to sharpen compared to AUS 8 due to the harder characteristic. Not to worry, as the S30V has a fine grain structure which makes the steel a little bit easier to sharpen.
Welding ability
Nickel in AUS 8 gives it a better welding ability than the stainless S30V. The S30V is also good at welding but not as good as the Japanese AUS 8.
Thoughts From Experience
The S30V steel is superior to the Japanese AUS-8 steel. In numerous ways, AUS-8 is slightly inferior to 440C steel. AUS-10 steel is extremely close to 440C steel. S30V is produced by only one steel mill, CPM, at the request of knife producers. High carbon content and Vanadium addition for improved abrasion resistance or edge holding. When it was first introduced, The Knife Center ranked it as the greatest knife steel available, and several other top knife experts agreed. It is not cheap steel; in fact, it is quite expensive in comparison to many other steels.
When heat treated to 60RC, it is at its finest. Many sportsmen I know sharpen their S30V knives before going hunting, field dress and skin 2-3 animals or 2 deer and one elk, then re-sharpen the knife when they arrive home. As long as the heat treatment is done correctly, it will keep an extremely sharp edge considerably longer than most knife steels used today.
AUS 8 Steel: Overview
AUS 8 steel is an affordable option from the Japanese AUS steel lineup. It’s quite a popular steel for making pocket knives or cutting utensils. The steel has an excellent balance between edge retention and corrosion resistance.
S30V Steel: Overview
S30V is powder metallurgy stainless steel and is often compared with premium steel for its superior performance. It comes with stable performance and can outperform any steel with proper heat treatment.
Conclusion
Lastly, I will say S30V offers better real-life performance when compared between AUS 8 vs S30V. You can use it for a long time due to the excellent edge retention. But if you need better toughness and welding ability, it will be better to go with the AUS 8.
Like to read more comparison articles:
- M4 Steel vs S30V: Who Wins the Battle and Makes Better Knives?
- 8Cr13Mov vs AUS8 Steel | Which steel should you pick?
My Favorite Knives in Each Category
It’s crucial to choose the right knives to get the best services from AUS-8 or S30V steel knives. Here are my favorite knives from each of the categories:
- Ontario Knife OKC Rat Ii Sp-Black Folding Knife (AUS-8)
This is one of the best and most affordable AUS-8 steel knives. It is an everyday carry folding knife, and the nylon handle has a convenient grip. If you like a light knife for the expedition, survival training, or camping, then Ontario Knife’s RAT II is undoubtedly a great choice.
- Buck Knives 841 Sprint Pro (S30V)
It is one of the best S30V steel knives available on the market. If you have been using pocket knives for a long time, I need not tell you how good Buck Knives are. It may cost a little higher, but it has excellent features such as a ball-bearing flipper, reversible pocket clip, and liner lock.
