420HC for guards, is it worth it?

Tony Mont

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 15, 2018
Messages
1,489
Good evening!

I've been searching the webs to find some 416ss for guards but I can't find any flat bar stock. I recently found 420HC on the desired dimensions, my question is, how hard is to slot/file this steel?
I once worked with 304ss and drilling and filing on it was a nightmare.

Since there are a billion different 420 steels, here is the chemical composition of this one:
Carbon 0.46 %
Chromium14 %
Manganese0.35 %
Silicium0.3 %
My equipment for slotting guards is a drill press and files.
Is there a better alternative for stainless guards? Keep in mind, the supplier has to be in Europe to avoid customs. I'm looking for 10mm-0.396" thick stock.

Thank you guys!
 
420 will drill, file much easier than 300 series stainless. Another advantage is being able to surface grind it on a magnetic chuck. Bear in mind to get the best out of it’s stain free properties it will need to be heat treated after machining.
 
420 will drill, file much easier than 300 series stainless. Another advantage is being able to surface grind it on a magnetic chuck. Bear in mind to get the best out of it’s stain free properties it will need to be heat treated after machining.
Would the difference without a heat treatment be so noticeable that it will not be worth it compared to mild steel?
 
Would the difference without a heat treatment be so noticeable that it will not be worth it compared to mild steel?

Yes. You need to HT to gain stainless property for 420HC. Just heat it in the forge for 15 minutes and air cool would help.
 
I used this stuff for some budget kitchen knifes and it drills, grinds and polishes very nice.
 
Is 420HC really that much less expensive than AEB-L from AKS? If so, where can I find it cheap?
Without comparing the prices, i think ots about twice as cheap as 14c28n in Europe. I buy it as 1.4034 from eurotechni in France. It's also the only stainless that I was able to find in 1.2 and 1.5 mm here, so I wanted to try it for pairing/petty blades fmas a gift for friends.
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400g and gritless cork with orange compound.
 
My only thoughts are how is it hard is it to finish as a guard. I guess it depends if you want a brushed finish or mirror finish. I've bought SS round pins from Jantz when Nickel Silver was in short supply. I never liked it to be honest. Impossible to get a mirror finish on pins at least for me.
 
Would the difference without a heat treatment be so noticeable that it will not be worth it compared to mild steel?
416 should be heat treated to maximize it's stain resistance as well but no body does. Can't imagine 420 would be much different.
 
Thank you guys for all your input!

I decided to give it a go and test it out once the year changes. Once some time has passed, I will post my conclusions here.
 
That is a reality, shipping cost and customs make the whole endeavour too pricey.
One thing I learnt from online research in Europe is that 416ss is quite rare, no idea why is that.
 
That is a reality, shipping cost and customs make the whole endeavour too pricey.
One thing I learnt from online research in Europe is that 416ss is quite rare, no idea why is that.

416 Stainless Steel is an ASME Americian nomenclature.

There's probably a metric ISO version of it, or something close that they use instead.

416 is not on there, but you get the idea

10 other metric standards, one for every country



Listed here in a table

Good page

Grade specifications for grade 416 stainless steels




416​

S41600​

416S21​

56AM​

1.4005​

X12CrS13​

2380​

SUS 416
 
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