AUS-8 & AUS-10 Spyders: An overlooked Era to be sure

[JD Spydo]

One Era of Spyders you just don't hear much about are the ones from the AUS-8/AUS-10 era. You don't hear too much about many of those models being "holy grail" or highly sought after collector pieces that many people fight over.

I think it's more than fair to say that many of those models truly were designated for hard use and I would say the vast majority of them did get used hard and got used a lot. I know that most of the Catchermans, Caly Jr and Salsa models really got used a lot because you just don't see that many around NIB or in mint condition.

So how many of you all have collector pieces in either one of those blade steels? Any out of that lot you consider "holy grail" pieces? Also how do you all compare that era of Spyders to like the ATS-55 era or the 440V era?

And where would you all rank those Spyders quality wise compared to some of the models that came later?

[The Deacon]

AUS-10 didn't really get much exposure. Only Spyderco folder I recall that used it was the Native II. I never used mine, but not because of the steel, just because it was a brick compared to the Native Lightweight. AUS-8 isn't bad at all, but again I'm hard pressed to think of a model in AUS-8 I've actually carried and used. With rare exception, at least where older models are concerned, I think steel is fairly low down on the list of things that make a Spyderco "collectible". The exceptions would be when a given steel was used only briefly, as in the VG-10, and to a lesser extent CPM-S30V versions of the Chinook I.

[ruggedscotsman]

I have an AUS-8 SS calypso Jr that has seen hard use and edc for more than a decade. The tip snapped and I had to re-grind the edge to match, but its still as tough and smooth as the first day. Very tough little knife that is quite attractive.

[suedeface]

While surely not a holy grail knife, I have an old AUS-8 dragonfly PE that I got back in about 2001 or so. While the newer dragonfly's are much improved, that older style one is still one of my most cherished spyderco's. I love the pinned construction, integral clip, light weight, and really like the fact that it doesn't have the little spyder etched on the blade (I despise any etching on a blade, maybe I'm one of the few) I actually really like the AUS-8 blade, as I tend to prefer a bit softer steel that takes a really keen edge. As far as I can tell, even after quite a bit of use, the lock-up on this era of dragonfly's seems to have a lot less play in it than the newer models. I don't carry this model much anymore, but it is still one of my favorites.

[JD Spydo]

AUS-10 didn't really get much exposure. Only Spyderco folder I recall that used it was the Native II. I never used mine, but not because of the steel, just because it was a brick compared to the Native Lightweight. AUS-8 isn't bad at all, but again I'm hard pressed to think of a model in AUS-8 I've actually carried and used. With rare exception, at least where older models are concerned, I think steel is fairly low down on the list of things that make a Spyderco "collectible". The exceptions would be when a given steel was used only briefly, as in the VG-10, and to a lesser extent CPM-S30V versions of the Chinook I.

Well Deac that interesting what you say because come to think of it I myself have never had a folder that I've EDCed with the exception of carrying a stainless Native with AUS-10 for a very short time ( about a month) of either blade steel. I had a really beat up older Jess Horn model ( with the FRN handle) that I had as a workbench knife that I used in the shop briefly with an AUS-8 blade but a buddy liked and wanted the knife so I gave it to him.

Now I have used 2 of my AUS-8 Catcherman models a lot>> and mean I have logged many hours of use on both my full SE Catcherman and my combo edged AUS-8 version as well. I do find the steel desirable because of it's relative ease of sharpening and it does take on a very toothy good working edge for culinary use especially.

The more I think about it the Jess Horn models made in AUS-8 are probably the only "grail" knives out of that era that I can think of. Like I said most of the AUS-8 models were similar to the current H-1 line of blades>> in other words they were geared for hard use and most of them did indeed get used. And for that reason many of those models are going to be hard to find in mint condition and thus will be collectible in due time.

I personally really liked some of the Caly juniors in AUS-8 and particularly the stainless Caly Junior.

[phillipsted]

I've got a couple of knives in AUS8 - a Caly Jr., original Catcherman, a C26 SnapIt, an Endura Gen1, and probably a couple of others... Certainly many good knives were created in this steel.

I always found the steel easy to sharpen and it takes a good edge. The edge retention, however, wasn't the best. I'd lose the working edge in a matter of days of normal EDC use.

TedP

[alerin]

A Lum Tanto FB would be a grail for me!

[JD Spydo]

A Lum Tanto FB would be a grail for me!

WOW!!! Talk about being hidden in plain view>> I had totally forgotten that the fixed blade LUM TANTO was indeed made with AUS-8 blade steel. And to my knowledge I believe it was the only fixed blade Spyder made with AUS-8. There was the Vagabond model but I believe it was made with AUS-6 and I know I'm right because that was the main reason I never got one of the Vagabond models.

If they would do a Sprint run of that Fixed Blade LUM TANTO in VG-10 I would even go to one of those ultra-sleezy payday loan places to get the funds to nail one of those down with.

Truly one of my top 5 biggest regrets of my life was to have traded and sold both of the fixed blade LUM TANTO models I once had in my collection.

So far the AUS-8 Spyders I would rank as Super Spyder Classics would be the Lum Tanto FB, Jess Horn models, Caly Jr Stainless, Caly Jr. Micarta and the full SE Catcherman (we've just got to get that one back for sure).

[MarcusH]

So far the AUS-8 Spyders I would rank as Super Spyder Classics would be the Lum Tanto FB, Jess Horn models, Caly Jr Stainless, Caly Jr. Micarta and the full SE Catcherman (we've just got to get that one back for sure).

I would add the first runs of the Tim Zowada and the Howard Viele.

[JD Spydo]

I would add the first runs of the Tim Zowada and the Howard Viele.

Good point "MarcusH" :spyder: It's been such a long time since I've had my hands on either one of those models I almost forgot that both of them got their start with AUS-8. I'm glad I started this thread because there were more AUS-8 Spyders than I originallly thought. There was a time in the mid to late 90s they were launching most of the new models in either ATS-34 or AUS-8.

Many knife companies are still using AUS-8 as their mainline blade steel. I would have liked to have seen Spyderco do at least one of their fixed blade models in AUS-10. Also I think AUS-8 would have been a good pick for many of the kitchen knife models.

[MarcusH]

I got one more in AUS-8:
Some folks might add the aluminium salsas, but I personally like my titanium salsa better, which is ATS-34.

[jujigatame]

I've still got an AUS-8 SE Endura with the molded clip. Don't use it much anymore but it was my daily carry for around 4 years and did a great job. The FRN Horn models were nice. Super pointy and light.

Were the FRN Dyad Jr. models ever done in AUS-8? I remember ATS-55 but not sure if that was the only steel they had.

[alerin]

JD, my memory sucks, but I think they are going to do a sprint run on the Lum Tanto with VG10.

[JD Spydo]

I got one more in AUS-8:
Some folks might add the aluminium salsas, but I personally like my titanium salsa better, which is ATS-34.

Yeah I remember that Titanium version being made with ATS-34. I had 2 of those at one time. I even had the AUS-8 Cranberry Salsa which is pretty tough to find now a days. Also if my memory is correct that Ti version was made in Tiawan and the others in Seki Japan. I really regret trading both of my Ti Salsas. The Salsa blade was just a bit too short for most of the cutting chores I have. I really loved the Lock on the Ti Salsa as well. Those Salsas have really disappeared from the landscape.

[JD Spydo]

I've still got an AUS-8 SE Endura with the molded clip. Don't use it much anymore but it was my daily carry for around 4 years and did a great job. The FRN Horn models were nice. Super pointy and light.

Were the FRN Dyad Jr. models ever done in AUS-8? I remember ATS-55 but not sure if that was the only steel they had.

You probably won't find a bigger Dyad fan than me. You probably would be hard pressed to find a Spyderhead that has owned more Dyads than I have. I've heard all the rumors of VG-10 Dyads, AUS-8 Dyads and I even heard of a prototype model made with ATS-34. And as far as I know they are all in the "RUMOR" category because I've talked to dozens of collectors and I've yet to talk to anyone who has owned anything but ATS-55 models.

So with that being said I have no doubt that there were at one time demo or prototype models of the Dyad possibly made with another blade steel but if they do exist they are as rare as an honest politician.

I did have an AUS-8 Endura at one time and since then I've seen very few of them. I don't think the Endura was made with AUS-8 for very long. I'm not sure if the Delica was ever made with that blade steel. However I've owned a couple of Rescue models with AUS-8.

[Donut]

The oldest Spyderco I own is a Delica, Molded Clip, Serrated, AUS-8. It is a grail to me.

[The Mastiff]

I have several knives in Aus 10 including a large A.G.Russell Bowie. The Native 2 PE I have is NIB as it's so rare so when I talk about Aus 10 performance I'm not talking about the Aus 10 Native 2, but one of several others, notably a Junglee Marshall liner lock in PE.

IMO, Aus 10 is in the 440C category wear resistance wise which isn't all that bad. It takes a finer edge, is a bit tougher, and has a little less corrosion resistance. It's cleaner than somw of the 440C knives I've had too, with less inclusions, breakouts, and smaller grains giving a better, sharper edge.

Aus 8 is Aus 8. Some is better, some is notably worse. I'd imagine it has everything to do with the heat treatment. If you have tried a Moki, or Al Mar Aus 10 knife you know how sharp it can get. If you have had it in some less consistent manufacturers you will find it can burr up more than usual, not give as good wear, nor sharp edges. It's very noticible to me. One is pretty darn good, the other is not worth having the way I see it.

I only have one Aus 8 Spyderco. It is in the top area performance wise. It seems to do serrations pretty well, and plain edge even better. It's tougher than many give it credit for, though it isn't up to VG10 standards.

Joe

[JD Spydo]

I have several knives in Aus 10 including a large A.G.Russell Bowie. The Native 2 PE I have is NIB as it's so rare so when I talk about Aus 10 performance I'm not talking about the Aus 10 Native 2, but one of several others, notably a Junglee Marshall liner lock in PE.

IMO, Aus 10 is in the 440C category wear resistance wise which isn't all that bad. It takes a finer edge, is a bit tougher, and has a little less corrosion resistance. It's cleaner than somw of the 440C knives I've had too, with less inclusions, breakouts, and smaller grains giving a better, sharper edge.

Aus 8 is Aus 8. Some is better, some is notably worse. I'd imagine it has everything to do with the heat treatment. If you have tried a Moki, or Al Mar Aus 10 knife you know how sharp it can get. If you have had it in some less consistent manufacturers you will find it can burr up more than usual, not give as good wear, nor sharp edges. It's very noticible to me. One is pretty darn good, the other is not worth having the way I see it.

I only have one Aus 8 Spyderco. It is in the top area performance wise. It seems to do serrations pretty well, and plain edge even better. It's tougher than many give it credit for, though it isn't up to VG10 standards.

Joe

Mastiff I have had the priviledge/pleasure of test driving an Al Mar folder made with AUS-10 and in my opinion they did a great job on heat treatment. But Al Mar is one of 3 other companies that I have about as much respect for as I do Spyderco. The only Moki Knife ( non Spyderco Moki that is) I ever got to play with was one that looked a lot like the old C-27 Jess Horn model. It had ATS-34 blade steel and the owner of the blade told me that it was one helluva folder. I do love the quality of Moki, G-Sakai and Al Mar all 3.

I also thought that the 2 folders of Al Mar's that I owned made from VG-10 were just awesome.

I'm about 90% sure that the Spyderco C-27 Jess Horn was a Moki. I'm wondering at this point if the AUS-8 Jess Horn Spyders were also Moki made???

[JAfromMN]

I carry a delica 1 fs in aus 8 often.

I like the steel very easy to sharpen.

A great steel for a serrated knife.

I love mine

More so because it was a gift. :D

Aus 6 I'm not a big fan of. I got a sweet endura 3 in ss and the aus 6 blade is my only complaint. It works but one day I may get a 4 because it's vg10

[The Mastiff]

I'm about 90% sure that the Spyderco C-27 Jess Horn was a Moki. I'm wondering at this point if the AUS-8 Jess Horn Spyders were also Moki made???

I don't have a listing of which knives are made where but Moki is one of the Japanese factories doing Spydercos. It's possible. I have an Aus 8 Jess Horn too but I know of no way to tell on that model. The only Al Mar I currently have is the ultralight eagle ( almost 3 oz, with a 4 inch blade). It's pretty amazing in it's own way. I'd own more if they had spyder hole blade openers. My old hands are getting pretty clumsy and this works the best for me.

Joe