8CR13MOV Stainless Steel - Many knife enthusiasts will have heard that 8CR13MoV stainless is the equivalent of AUS8A. And it’s true. For everyday use, even a serious knife enthusiast would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a well-made 8CR13MoV blade and a well-made AUS8A blade. Yet there are slight differences in the steel formula. While most other components are relatively equal, 8CR13MoV has slightly more carbon for hardness and wear resistance and slightly less nickel.

The key to blade performance for both of these steels is manufacturing quality. That’s where Kershaw’s expertise comes in. Kershaw precision heat-treats 8CR13MoV steel to bring out its best high-performance characteristics—the ability to take and hold an edge, strength, and hardness. 8CR13MoV is top-of the-line Chinese steel and, we believe along with Kershaw, offers our customers an excellent value.