420J2 steel?

R

ryosuke

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
359
Anybody konw about the 420J2 steel? I am very attracted to the "caledonian edje" from Cold steel. The blade is made of 420J2. Is this a good steel for knives? Please tell me.:confused:
 
420j2 generally has very poor edge holding ability. It resists corrosion, chipping and fracturing well in my experience, but the edge rolls very easily. It is a very easy steel to sharpen though, so while the edge may roll more frequently than say, VG-10, a few strokes on a steel rod will easily re-align things back to working conditions.

If you're referring to the 400$ model, which is the only one I can find on their site, personally I think you could spend your money better elsewhere. I'm sure you could find a knifemaker on these forums that could produce a similar knife of very fine steel for you.
 
I wouldn't intentionally buy a knife with 420j2. Other than ease of sharpening it really has little going for it. It sands out easily when you get frequent scratches and marks due to it's softness.

It is used in some laminated blades as the outside steel which requires toughness ( non brittle), rust resistance, etc. I've seen frames and liners made out of 420 though I'm not sure it's the j2 version of 420. Joe
 
420J is probably worst material for blade that has it's own specifications (unlike some flea market chinese/pakistan rubbish made probably from dirt painted with silver stain)

If you really mean this run away and scream, because it's awfully lot.

If you tell us what you want (length, use, style) I think you will get good advice.
 
wow . 400$ , for that.. somebody is got a nice nest egg me thinks.
looks a ,, little bit ,, over prices??.
as the other folks said , there isplenty of good knife makers who would make you a nice folding knife for that,,
 
I have a ODA with the CS 420. And being honest the steel does everything I want it to. Easy to sharpen to hair popping sharp, it chops, prys and has done most of what's on the CS DVD. (Including stabbing through the side of a aluminium caravan). Maybe doesn't hold an edge like VG10 but a lot more user friendly!!!!
 
Vivi said:
420j2 generally has very poor edge holding ability.
Click to expand...

For knives this tends to depend on what is being cut and how. 420J2 has a maximum hardness of 54/56 HRC with a low wear resistance but as you noted is very corrosion and chip resistant. I have some very nice carbon steel knives which if I use on acidic fruits and vegetables in the kitchen they will blunt faster than 420J2 because corrosion will be the critical factor. In general though it would take fairly extreme demands on corrosion and toughness to have 12C27m be unsuitable and it is stronger with more wear resistance than 420J2 so does better carving woods, slicing cardboard, etc. .

-Cliff
 
I have a knife in 420J2 and like it for the collection because it has a match striker on it and what knife guy doesn't need that.
Any how I was not impressed at all using it to field dress a whitetail deer but it did work just need some touch ups as I went and as far as corrosion it spent a few days out side in the snow, "oops" and didn't get a spot on it.
So in my opinion and it's just that, the steel is bad for cutting and good for looking.

Helle
 
I've got a hibbin alaskan guide knife that is made with 420j2. It skinned and butchered three whitetails and an elk before needing to be sharpened. And then, just a few strokes on a set of ceramic crock sticks brought it back. That being said, like everyone else has said, 420j2 is typically considered an inferior steel for cutlery. You can find some very fine knifes made from "better" steel for less money most anywhere, including in the makers forum.
 
I think we need to back up a bit. Isn't this knife a San Mai or whatever the heck CS calls it? Don't they use an AUS8 with 420 laminate?
 
I'm sorry but that knife just does not make rational sense to me.

It's for stabbing only, so who cars what the steel is? Further, It's probably made in either seki City Japan or Taiwan and between $30 and $40 at the VERY most Further still there's no guard at all, hmm not good for a stabbing knife.

This knife is nothing but a result of catalog writers given the task of selling $40 knives for $400.
 
Larrin said:
I don't know of any time that 420 would be used in the middle of a laminate, maybe on the outsides.
Click to expand...

yeah, that is what i meant i was thinking about it in reverse or something
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top