When it comes to knife steel, there are many factors to consider, including edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Two popular choices for knife steel are 7Cr17MoV and AUS10. In this article, we will explore the compositions and characteristics of these steels, and discuss which one may be better for specific use cases.

Here is the short answer:

7Cr17MoV is going to be a more corrosion-resistant steel and is also easier to sharpen. AUS-10 is tougher and is going to hold an edge longer than 7Cr17MoV.

Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each steel like their composition, their best uses, what makes them good, and how the steels compare in-depth.

Deep dive on 7Cr17MoV

7Cr17MoV is a stainless steel that is widely used in the production of budget tier knives. 7Cr17MoV is a less expensive Chinese steel that is lacking in most areas of knife steel, however, is good at keeping away corrosion. Its steel composition is the following:

– 0.75% carbon

– 17% chromium

– 1.3% molybdenum

– 0.6% vanadium

– 0.1% manganese

– 0.1% silicon

These elements work together to create a steel that offers good corrosion resistance. 7Cr17MoV is easy to sharpen, making it a popular choice for knives that require frequent touch-ups.

Deep dive on AUS-10

AUS-10 is a high-performance steel that is frequently used in Japanese knives. AUS-10 is not the most durable of knife steels so it is popular for kitchen knives and EDC knives. Its composition includes:

– 1.1% carbon

– 14% chromium

– 0.1% vanadium

– 0.5% molybdenum

– 0.2% phosphorus

– 0.2% sulfur

AUS-10 offers excellent edge retention and toughness, and is known for holding an edge for a long time. However, it can be more difficult to sharpen than 7Cr17MoV. AUS-10 is also more corrosion-resistant than 7Cr17MoV, but may be more prone to chipping due to its high carbon content.

7Cr17MoV versus AUS10 

When considering which steel is better, it is important to consider the specific use case.

If ease of sharpening is a priority, 7Cr17MoV is the better choice. Its composition makes it easy to sharpen and maintain, making it a great choice for knives that will be used frequently. It is also less prone to chipping than AUS-10.

However, if edge retention and toughness are the most important factors, AUS-10 is the better choice. Its high carbon content gives it excellent edge retention, and its toughness makes it a reliable choice for heavy-duty cutting tasks.

Best knives in each steel

Now that we have looked closely at each steel and how they compare in-depth, we can look at what we at Blade Fun have found to be the best knives in each steel.

Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)

The Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point is a skeletonized fixed-blade hunting knife that is very versatile. This knife has an orange handle to ensure you never lose it in the field, has a 3.75-inch drop point blade, has an overall length of 8.5 inches, and weighs 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable lightweight hunting knife, this might be the knife for you.

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Cold Steel AD-10 (AUS-10)

The Cold Steel AD-10 is a reliable folding knife that is exceptional for EDC. This knife has a 3.5-inch blade, a 5.3-inch GFN handle, and weighs 6.4 ounces. If you want a budget friendly high quality knife with a good steel this is a knife you should look at. 

Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)

Conclusion

In conclusion, 7Cr17MoV and AUS-10 are both popular choices for knife steel that offer a great balance of characteristics. 7Cr17MoV offers good corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, while AUS-10 offers excellent edge retention and toughness.