AUS-8 vs D2
AUS-8 is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen; D2 holds an edge longer. Choose AUS-8 for easy sharpening, D2 for edge retention.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| AUS-8 | D2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steels | Tool steels |
| Hardness | 57–59 HRC | 58–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 3/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 6/10 | 3/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 7/10 | 4/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| Maker | Aichi Steel | Generic (AISI) |
Composition
| Element | AUS-8 | D2 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.75 | 1.5 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 12 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.2 | 1 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.49 | — |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 | 0.4 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Property by property
Edge retention
D2 holds an edge longer: 6/10 against 3/10 for AUS-8, a 3-point gap. Vanadium: 0.2% vs 0.9%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
AUS-8 is tougher: 6/10 against 3/10 for D2, a 3-point gap. Typical hardness: 57–59 vs 58–61 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
AUS-8 resists corrosion better: 7/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 3-point gap. Chromium: 14% vs 12%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
AUS-8 is easier to sharpen: 8/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 4-point gap.
Knives in each steel
AUS-8
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Knife Company RAT 1 AUS-8 | Ontario Knife Company | 3.5" | 5 oz | Liner lock | $62.95 | Blade HQ |
| SOG SEAL Pup Elite | SOG | 4.85" | 5.4 oz | — | $129.95 | Blade HQ |
| CRKT M16-14SF Tanto | CRKT | 3.99" | 5.7 oz | Liner lock | $120 | Blade HQ |
D2
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civivi Elementum C907A | Civivi | 2.96" | 2.89 oz | Liner lock | $59 | Blade HQ |
| QSP Penguin QS130 | QSP | 3.06" | 3.14 oz | Liner lock | — | Blade HQ |
Shop AUS-8 knives Shop D2 knives
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FAQ
Which is better, AUS-8 or D2?
AUS-8 is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen; D2 holds an edge longer. Choose AUS-8 for easy sharpening, D2 for edge retention.
Which is harder, AUS-8 or D2?
AUS-8 is typically run at 57–59 HRC and D2 at 58–61 HRC.
Is AUS-8 or D2 more rust resistant?
AUS-8 (7/10). AUS-8 is a conventional stainless steel; D2 is a tool steel.