AUS-8
Sharpening, Cleaning and More
Things to Consider
In the knife world, the term 'AUS-8' may likely evoke a sense of familiarity among most casual users and avid collectors. AUS-8, a high carbon Japanese stainless steel, has garnered much praise for its balance between toughness, durability, and resistance to wear. Known for its versatility, AUS-8 is widely used in the construction of kitchen knives by brands such as Sakai Takayuki, being a favorite steel for its enhancing and flexible characteristics in the realm of knife sharpening.
Caring for AUS-8 steel knives involves the following steps:
Cleaning: Clean your AUS-8 knife promptly after use with a mild dish soap and warm water to remove any corrosive substances like acids from food. It's more rust-resistant than Aogami steel but maintaining cleanliness is still key.
Drying: Dry the knife immediately with a soft towel to prevent any water spots or potential rust, which can occur if chlorides are present.
Protection: While AUS-8 has decent resistance to corrosion, applying a thin coat of knife oil can add an extra layer of protection, especially if you live in an environment with high humidity or saline air.
Sharpening: AUS-8 is known for being easier to sharpen than harder steels. Use a fine-grit whetstone, ceramic rod, or a diamond sharpener to maintain the edge. Regular honing with a honing steel can also keep the knife sharp between more thorough sharpening sessions.
Storage: Store your AUS-8 knife in a knife block, sheath, or dedicated drawer slot away from other metal tools to avoid scratches or dents on the cutting edge. Unlike Aogami, the stainless nature of AUS-8 means it's less prone to react with moisture, but you should still store it in a dry environment.
Usage: Although tougher than some other steels, AUS-8 knives should still be used with care on cutting boards made of wood or plastic and not on hard surfaces like glass, which can dull the cutting edge.
Regular care and maintenance of your AUS-8 knife will sustain its performance in the kitchen. Its stainless nature makes maintenance more forgiving than carbon steels like Aogami, but good practices will still ensure a prolonged life for your knife.
AUS-8 Hardnes and Durability
The hardness of knife steel, measured via the Rockwell Scale (HRC), greatly influences not only the knife’s performance but also its sharpness potential. With AUS-8 typically hardened to 58-59 HRC, this metal finds itself in a sweet spot in regards to sharpening.
AUS-8's hardness level offers a great balance between maintaining a sharp edge and ease of sharpening. While harder steel might stay sharp longer, it can be difficult and time-consuming to sharpen. On the other hand, softer steel may be easier to sharpen, but may require frequent re-sharpening. AUS-8 gamely navigates this limitation, providing an excellent middle ground that delightfully embraces both worlds.
Its versatility allows knife owners to achieve a very sharp edge without needing advanced sharpening skills or tools. For those learning the art of knife sharpening, an AUS-8 blade serves as an indulging companion, responding well to a variety of sharpening techniques.
Resilience and Strength
The fundamental charm that makes AUS-8 a joy to sharpen isn't only its hardness or its responsiveness to being honed. AUS-8 employs a fine, uniform grain structure, proving to be a significant advantage when it comes to knife sharpening.
The uniform grain in the steel can take and hold a fantastically keen edge. Its uniformity contributes to a smoother, cleaner cut, increasing the general performance of the knife.
Moreover, this particular Japanese stainless steel holds an admirable resistance to wear. This elevated durability benefits the longevity of the sharp edge, thus extending the time frame between sharpening sessions, despite vigorous usage.
Paying Homage to AUS-8
From professional chefs to everyday cooking enthusiasts, the ease of sharpening, coupled with the edge performance of AUS-8 steel, makes it a go-to choice for a diverse range of culinary knives. Its dependability, toughness, and versatile sharpness potential make it a staple in the knife industry.
Embedded deeply in the roots of Japanese blade forging, AUS-8 continues to carve its worldwide popularity through the dance of the sharpening stone against hardened steel. The essence of AUS-8 is its ability to capture the user's needs in simplifying the sharpening process without sacrificing performance - a resilient performer who remains true through countless sharpening journeys.
Remember, an understanding of your blade's steel like AUS-8 unlocks an even deeper appreciation for the art of knife sharpening, potentially turning every sharpening session into a joyful performance of blade against stone.
Just Knives - Knife Sharpening Melbourne