1989 Buck Blade Material

[Hollow Point]

Hello...I know that Buck now mainly uses the 420HC steel for the majority of their stock knives, but what where they using around 1989, and how good did the blade hold an edge?

 

[David Martin]

They were using 425M at that time. As 420hc was not phased in until 92.
425 holds an edge and fits between 440C and 420hc.
Welcome to the Buck Forum.
DM

 

[Lesknife]

I have a 1986 301 2 spring, black delrin handle, ns bolsters with flat ground blades that I think are 425m and it holds a decent edge maybe a bit better than 420hc but it doesn’t slice as well as my 2015 301 with 420hc hollow ground blades. I’m not positively sure if the 1986 model is 425m so correct me if I’m wrong. However it is a good tough user and has served well. It was my first Buck knife and started my interest in Buck Knives and led to my first 110 model in Damascus Stag 1989 and what a knife it has been!

 

[RAZORBLADES]

I also believe they were using 425 M ,I have a buck 119 made in 1989 that sharpens up and cuts so nice,it's one of my favorites.I should add that I re profile my edge to a convex grind style on these big blades,It works well for me no matter what I'm cutting.

 

[Smitty0315]

I have a 1986 301 2 spring, black delrin handle, ns bolsters with flat ground blades that I think are 425m and it holds a decent edge maybe a bit better than 420hc but it doesn’t slice as well as my 2015 301 with 420hc hollow ground blades. I’m not positively sure if the 1986 model is 425m so correct me if I’m wrong. However it is a good tough user and has served well. It was my first Buck knife and started my interest in Buck Knives and led to my first 110 model in Damascus Stag 1989 and what a knife it has been!

Buck Knives used 425M from 1982-1992, with a few exceptions during the transition.