420hc

It is a low carbide and very corrosion resistant stainless alloy. It works well when you want a steel which can take a highly polished edge. It will be readily outperformed significantly by the higher carbide stainless steels like VG-10 for extended cutting at a lower sharpness, especially in slicing.

-Cliff
 
I found it goes dull way to fast, your spending equal amount of time sharpening the knife as using it. I will not buy any 420 steel knives is IMO.
 
I have some Buck Knives with this steel, and also some with the upgraded steel. 420HC is easier to get sharp but it also gets dull sooner...
You can pay more now for better steel or you can spend less money and more time sharpening. I really like my 420HC blades, but this year I used my ATS-34 Alpha, 119 special and a few other 420HC buck knives to butcher our deer this year. The ATS-34 did stay sharper longer, enough to warrant the higher price tag??? I will have to think on that!
Buck Knives 420HC is good steel, heat treated perfectly, it isnt like other companies 420 IMHO.
It also depends on a persons budget I guess. If ou have the extra buy the upgraded steel you wont be sorry. If money is tight, you cant go wrong with Bucks 420HC either. Also what do you plan on cutting with it? That will also make a difference.
 
enderwiggin said:
Supposedly it's comparable to 440a.
Click to expand...

440A is a relatively high carbide stainless steel in comparison, they are however similar in hardness.

SpearZ said:
I found it goes dull way to fast ...
Click to expand...

This is in reference to Buck's 420HC? Any details on the cutting, what finish were you useing, which angle, what materials cuts? What steel have you found acceptable performance with in a similar knife?

-Cliff
 
I like 420HC the way Buck does it. It helps make the classic 110 affordable, it's a tough, corrosion resistant steel that is easy to resharpen and takes a scarey edge. OK, so if I'm going to cut 1000 pieces of hemp I'd be better off with ATS-34 or VG-10 or BG-42, but for day-to-day chores it is just fine. And I don't worry (overmuch) if I lend it to my best buddy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top