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AUS-6 is a stainless steel name you may encounter on older knives. If you already own one, the condition of the edge and the knife’s design are more useful starting points than the steel’s age. The exact designation matters: current references to AUS-6M should not automatically be applied to AUS-6.
What Is AUS-6?
The composition below is Spyderco’s reference for AUS-6. Aichi’s current blade-steel page lists AUS-6M, which is a different designation; it does not establish that every specification or production claim applies to AUS-6. We keep the names separate rather than filling gaps with a neighboring grade.
What to Check on an AUS-6 Knife
For a used knife, inspect the remaining blade shape and the edge for damage or heavy sharpening. For a new listing, check that the maker actually identifies AUS-6. The chemistry table alone cannot tell you how long a particular blade will hold its edge or whether its heat treatment suits the design.
Sharpening and Stainless Care
A light touch-up and a damaged-edge repair call for different amounts of metal removal. Follow the existing bevel for maintenance and check for a remaining burr before deciding the steel will not take an edge. Stainless still benefits from cleaning and drying, particularly after salt water or acidic food.
Is an AUS-6 Knife Worth Keeping?
If the knife cuts well for your tasks, fits your hand and is straightforward to maintain, the designation alone is not a reason to replace it. If edge maintenance is your main frustration, compare documented performance and the complete design of an alternative, rather than assuming every newer steel solves the same problem.
Composition
Our composition guide explains what alloy values can and cannot tell you.
AUS-6: Spyderco knife-maker reference for AUS-6; source ranges and reported single values, not a universal grade specification. Single figures are reproduced as listed; the source does not identify whether each is a typical value or a limit. Spyderco steel chart ↗.
| Element | AUS-6 |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.55–0.65% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13–14.5% |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.1–0.25% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.49% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1% |
| Silicon (Si) | 1% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03% |
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Sources and Update Notes
This steel is not included in the numerical ratings used by our comparison tool.
