We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Any products or services put forward appear in no particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
AUS-10 is a stainless blade steel from Aichi’s steel family. It is worth considering as part of a well-designed knife, with attention to the grind, heat treatment and maintenance you expect. Similar-looking names need a little care: Cold Steel also uses AUS-10A, but the sources here do not establish what that suffix means.
What Is AUS-10?
Aichi lists AUS-10 among its blade steels. Our chemistry snapshot uses Spyderco’s knife-maker reference, not a certificate for a particular blade. Values and ranges retain that source’s meaning; they should not be treated as proof of finished-knife hardness or cutting performance.
What About AUS-10A?
Cold Steel uses AUS-10A in its steel guide and on the AD-15 Lite. Those pages establish the commercial name, but do not explain the A suffix or provide an exact specification showing whether it differs from AUS-10. We therefore cover the naming question here without calling the suffix “annealed,” claiming a new alloy or applying the AUS-10 chemistry table to every AUS-10A knife.
Choosing Between Finished Knives
Compare the edge geometry, blade size and maker’s treatment information before judging by the alloy name. A thin blade intended for slicing and a thicker outdoor blade can feel quite different in use. Without a matched performance rating here, a specific claim that AUS-10 beats another grade needs evidence beyond its carbon content.
Sharpening and Corrosion Care
Choose an abrasive and grit that remove metal effectively for the work in front of you. Routine touch-ups need less shaping than repairing chips or changing the bevel. Clean and dry the knife after use, especially around salt or acidic residue; stainless is not a promise that every environment is harmless.
When Does AUS-10 Make Sense?
AUS-10 is a reasonable material to consider when you like the complete knife and the maker clearly identifies it. Compare fit, cutting geometry and maintenance alongside the price. If a listing says AUS-10A, use the maker’s information for that exact model rather than assuming a specification from the shorter name.
Composition
Our composition guide explains what alloy values can and cannot tell you.
AUS-10: Spyderco knife-maker reference for AUS-10; 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-10 |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95–1.1% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13–14.5% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.1–0.31% |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.1–0.27% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.49% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5% |
| Silicon (Si) | 1% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03% |
Compare Two Knife Steels
Sources and Update Notes
This steel is not included in the numerical ratings used by our comparison tool.
