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Steel guide

AUS-8 stainless steel, explained

AUS-8 is a stainless steel that balances a keen edge, easy sharpening and good resistance to rust. It is the working steel behind most of the SAMURA range, from everyday chef's knives to cleavers.

Samura knives in AUS-8

Samura Harakiri Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm, Black Handle – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 240 mm

Harakiri Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm, Black Handle

€32,99€23,10 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Pro-S Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 240 mm

Pro-S Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm

€70,99€49,70 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Mo-V Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 240 mm

Mo-V Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm

€61,99€43,40 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Okinawa Stonewash Gyuto Knife 170 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 170 mm

Okinawa Stonewash Gyuto Knife 170 mm

€68,99€48,30 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Mo-V Contemporary Chef Knife 150 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 150 mm

Mo-V Contemporary Chef Knife 150 mm

€63,99€44,80 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Mo-V Stonewash Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 240 mm

Mo-V Stonewash Grand Chef's Knife 240 mm

€71,99€50,40 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Harakiri Serrated Chef's Knife 208 mm, Black Handle – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 208 mm

Harakiri Serrated Chef's Knife 208 mm, Black Handle

€23,99€16,80 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Sultan Pro Chef's Knife 166 mm, Stonewash – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 166 mm

Sultan Pro Chef's Knife 166 mm, Stonewash

€24,99€17,50 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Stark Chef's Knife 182 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 182 mm

Stark Chef's Knife 182 mm

€77,99€54,60 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Kaiju Chef's Knife 209 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 209 mm

Kaiju Chef's Knife 209 mm

€63,99€44,80 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Sultan Pro Pchak Knife 161 mm, Stonewash – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 161 mm

Sultan Pro Pchak Knife 161 mm, Stonewash

€23,99€16,80 with BLACK NOVEMBER

Samura Butcher Contemporary Chef Knife 150 mm – main view BLACK NOVEMBER −30%

AUS-8 · 58–59 HRC · 150 mm

Butcher Contemporary Chef Knife 150 mm

€19,99€14,00 with BLACK NOVEMBER

What AUS-8 is

AUS-8 is a stainless steel with a moderate carbon content and a high share of chromium. Chromium gives it resistance to rust and staining. Small additions of molybdenum and vanadium help keep the grain fine and the steel tough.

In SAMURA knives it is used as a single, solid layer. There is no cladding, so the steel you see on the flanks is the same steel that forms the edge.

Hardness in SAMURA knives

Almost every SAMURA knife in AUS-8 is hardened to 58–59 HRC. A small number are set at 56–58 HRC or 58 HRC.

At 58–59 HRC the steel is firm enough to hold a thin, sharp edge through daily prep. It is also forgiving: the edge is more likely to roll than chip if you meet a hard rind or a careless twist.

Strengths and trade-offs

AUS-8 sits in the middle of the scale. It does not hold an edge as long as harder, higher-carbon steels such as AUS-10 or VG-10. In return, it is quick to bring back to sharp and less prone to chipping.

  • Quick to sharpen on a whetstone
  • Tough edge that tolerates everyday slips
  • Good rust resistance with basic care
  • Needs touching up more often than harder steels

SAMURA series in AUS-8

AUS-8 runs through many SAMURA lines, including Harakiri, Mo-V, Mo-V Stonewash, Bamboo, Arny, Kaiju, Shadow, Pro-S, Butcher and Okinawa.

The steel is shared across these series. What changes is the blade shape, the finish and the handle, so choose by the shape you need and how the knife feels in your hand.

Care and sharpening

Wash and dry the knife by hand straight after use. Store it in a block, on a magnetic strip or in a sheath, never loose in a drawer.

AUS-8 responds well to a medium-grit whetstone followed by a fine one. A few light strokes on a honing rod between sharpenings keep the edge aligned. See our whetstones and sharpening tools.

Questions

AUS-8: common questions

Is AUS-8 a good steel for a home kitchen?

Yes. It holds a sharp edge through normal daily cooking, resists rust with simple care and is easy to resharpen. That balance makes it a practical choice for most home cooks.

Will an AUS-8 knife rust?

It is stainless, so it resists rust well. It can still spot if left wet or in contact with acidic food for a long time. Wash it by hand and dry it right away.

How hard are SAMURA AUS-8 knives?

Nearly all are hardened to 58–59 HRC. A few are set at 56–58 HRC or 58 HRC.

How does AUS-8 compare with AUS-10?

AUS-10 has more carbon and is hardened to 59–61 HRC in SAMURA knives, so it generally holds an edge longer. AUS-8 is easier to sharpen and a little more forgiving of rough use.

How should I sharpen AUS-8?

Use a medium-grit whetstone to set the edge, then a fine grit to refine it. Hone lightly between sessions to keep the edge straight.