420 Stainless Steel question

A

A.C

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
45
Hi everyone
i have a question on 420 stainless steel compared to standard stainless and high carbon.
ive been learning alot about steels and knives from this forum and its benefited me quiet a bit.
as far as 420 i hardly know anything about that kind of steel. is it better than stainless steel and how is it compared to high carbon. does it hold an edge well and also is there a chance that i could strike a spark with 420 stainless steel.
i have been looking at some catalog. http://www.budkww.com and they advertise knives with rather good prices. i want to get some knives but i dont want to get anything i dont know about. thus my quiry about 420 stainless steel. they do have a nice collection of knives and other stuff.
thanks for you help.
 
A.C.,

"...some rather good prices??" Some of the knives sold from the BudK Catalog are decent but come on now - a 15" Bowie for $12.95 or 2 for $24.00? Just remember - "You get what you pay for!"
Order a few from that catalog but also order a Buck, Schrade, Case, or other manufacturer and then make the comparison. Good luck with your collecting!
 
420 will cut, but will wear your sharpener out. Plus, you have to consider how well the construction of the knife will stand up to the rigors of use. From my own experience, if you buy a new knife that cost you 10.00, you got a knife that isn't worth what you paid for it. Like was said to me when I first wanted to start buying knives, "buy the best you can afford". Plain and simple. If you are wanting to build a good collection, hit garage sales, estate sales, flea markets and auctions. Buy a good book on knives and collecting them and if you are vigilant in your passion, you will eventually end up with a very special collection. One you can be proud of. I built a very nice collection in just a few short years with some very nice and valuable used knives that cost me a small fraction of what they were really worth. If you're looking for a few good knives to carry and put in your various outdoor and survival kits, get the best you can find and afford. Don't cut corners on the one tool that you will be betting your life on.
 
420 is trash. Go read Joe Talmadge's steel faq, linked through the knowledge base on the bladeforums front page.
 
hi everyone
thanks for the posts. i really appreciate it. this catalogue actually came to me in a junk mail bundle so go figure that the products therein are no better than junk. when i did see the pricies i thoughy they were pretty good but i literally started laughing once i went on through the pages and saw the knives. common sense plays a key role here when you look at the stuff and just see that its plain junk. the reason i ask about 420 is that ive never heard of it and they make it out to be some sort of good steel such as HC or D2. i just feel bad that those who dont know anything about this is getting into suckered to buy knives that are not worth anything.
I love BKandT they are excellent. i just havent had the opp to go and buy them as i am a student and money doesnt come as easy my way to buy those. all though the nights ive spent fantasizing over them while camping :D ohhhh. at the momment im just looking for something really good. i saw that wilderness knife on that thread not long ago and i practically fell in love with it. Http://www.anzaknives.com has a good page but somewhat flat.
thier knives are good. ive seen them in person, held them and also felt the edge. its made from a file that has grooves. the steel is High carbon and its full tang. very beutiful knives. at least the one i had my eye on. the page doesnt do justice to what they had at the local gunshow not long ago.
well im looking for a folder and im tempted to buy one from cutco. http://www.cutco.com thier folders seem alright. but im not too sure yet about them. i sold some a few months back and thier awsome knives. i bought some myself. and theyre still as sharp to this day. i just want something with heft and feel and a decent edge holding capacity that i can have fun with on a camping trip or even while just hiking around. im sorry if im picky.
thanks guys. your advice is always appreciated and valued.
 
See Jo Talmadge FAQ here, http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqsteel.shtml
Actually knives made from 420 probably far far outnumber all of the production and custom knives combined discussed on this forum, the forks, spoons, and those serrated butter/steak knives in most of our kitchen drawers are made of 420, so is the cutlery you get in the local cafeteria, Dennys, etc. Why? Because it is very very cheap and very very easy to machine. As some one said "you get what you pay for"
Martin
 
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