420hc ?

B

boissu

Joined
Jun 9, 2002
Messages
31
Hello my friends,

Please, could you help me?

1. What are the specifications of 420HC steel?(composition, hardness)
2. Is the 420HC the same 425M?
3. Why this steel is applied by BUCK? I mean, this is not a usual steel like 440, ATS34 or AUS.
4. Has 420HC a good performance?

Thank you.

Claudio.
 
B,

I'm by no means an expert and I can't tell you what all is in 420HC. However, what I can tell you is that at least several production knife companies use 420HC steel. It is quite common because of several factors, among which are: the ability to machine it quickly into a cost effective product for the end user, and; the fact that when properly heat treated, it performs admirably.

Proper heat treatment is the key, and this is where Buck knives have an edge on a lot of their competition. Buck has their blades heat treated by Mr. Paul Bos, who is widely regarded as one of the masters of this skill / profession.

420HC by Buck is a winner, it cuts very well and is easy to resharpen when it dulls.

I have quite a few knives, some of which are highly regarded as "wonder steels" go. They mostly sit in my pistol safe. The users go in my pockets. If I emptied my pockets right now, you'd find two Bucks in 420HC and a Victorinox SAK.

Mike
 
Sarge, funny isn't it but it seems the more you know about
knives the less you are inclined to use the hi tech wonder steels.

I don't care a fig for Ats -34 (terrible stuff) and much of the other
gee whiz stuff as being way to hard to sharpen and maintain. I
don't mind a few extra licks on the stone more often to keep the
low tech stainless sharp than trying to buy "hold an edge forever
steels".

I don't care what kind of steel is in the blade if it ain't sharp it won't
cut. Easy to maintain steels are sharp way more often. :D :D
 
Hey Boissu,
It's late here in New Jersey and I can't find the specs on 420HC without waking the wife and kids. (if you really need them ,respond and I'll get them for you in the morning)
420HC is a strange steel. I also think the heat treat might play a big part in tis steel.
If you look at the specs of 420HC it SHOULD really suck. The carbon content is very low.
A lot of people think that the HC means high carbon. Actually the HC stands for high chromium.
I use a Buck 110 at work. I work in a chemical plant. My knives are subjected to the worst working conditions you could imagine. Extreme heat, extreme cold,caustics,acids,salts,dust, and unbelievably high humidity.
None of these conditions effect 420HC AT ALL. My standard 110 has not one speck of stain, rust, or corosion.
420HC is quite simple to sharpen, especially since EDGE 2K starts you out with a very good primary edge angle. I get mine more than shaving sharp using only bench stones.
The only downside to this steel is its edge holding ability. It does hold an edge longer than you would think it would(after viewing the specs), but it really doesn't compare to the higher end steels.
Don't let anybody sway your steel choice by saying the higher end steels are hard to sharpen. I use a fine DMT stone and a hard Arkansas. I've used this combo on ATS-34, BG-42, and s30V. They are NOT hard to sharpen.
Also, keep in mind when buying a Buck knife, the great warrantee and customer service. And, if you are into the 110's, don't overlook Pete's custom shop where you can get 110's in 420Hc, ATS-34 ,or BG-42.

Later,
Alex
 
Claudio,

1. What are the specifications of 420HC steel?(composition, hardness)
2. Is the 420HC the same 425M?

This Allegheny Ludlum Technical Data Sheet will help you with your first two questions as it presents the specifications for both 420HC and 425M. Note that the data sheet uses "HC" to mean "higher carbon" and not"high carbon". The term "high carbon" is usually reserved for steels with .5% or greater carbon content.


3. Why this steel is applied by BUCK? I mean, this is not a usual steel like 440, ATS34 or AUS.
Buck Knives changed from 425M to 420HC in 1994. They use it because they can acquire it in large rolls and produce their knife blades from it using the relatively economical "fine blanking" process. Their excellent heat treatment and Edge 2000 results in much higher results than the steel specifications of 420HC alone seem to indicate are possible.
They do offer ATS-34 and BG-42 on occasional production models and also for 110s available from PCKS. These premium steels are not available in roll form, only in plates, and due to their greater hardness blades produced from them must be cut by laser. Blades using these premium steels are more expensive both to acquire and to process.


4. Has 420HC a good performance?
420HC's performance has been well covered by sgtmike88, tightwad and oneslowbird above. I think that oneslowbird's daily hard use of his 110 with 420HC in a hostile, corrosive environment is eloquent testimony and his remarks about Buck's warranty and customer service mirror the experience of many of us.

IMHO a Buck knive with 420HC, for the money, is hard to beat.
 
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