5160 edge retention

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Navod

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I recently purchased a buck 110 in 5160. I called the factory rep to see what hardness they ran the 5160 at for the 110 and I was told 58-60. If 420 hc is run at 58,how would the edge retention be compared to 5160?
 
Duane will be here shortly to inform you on 5160. Good day sir.
 
Navod said:
I recently purchased a buck 110 in 5160. I called the factory rep to see what hardness they ran the 5160 at for the 110 and I was told 58-60. If 420 hc is run at 58,how would the edge retention be compared to 5160?
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420HC will probably have a little better edge retention if you leave the edge a little more obtuse and coarsely sharpened and you primarily use draw cutting.

5160 will probably be better if taken a little more acute with a more polished edge and primarily use the equivalent of a push cut.

Neither one rate that high in any kind of edge retention at the listed hardnesses, especially with mediocre heat treatment found in any mass production setting.

The listed hardness for 5160 you'd normally see in a big chopper or hatchet rather than a small folder. It doesn't make sense to me but to each their own. For instance, Sal Glesser said he's about to produce a 52100 military at probably 62-63. It'll probably be very good for those who polish their edges and naturally push cut. If he said he was producing the same knife in the same steel at 58 RC I doubt anyone would want it for any real use.
 
is that 52-100 for the military only or pm2 as well? I hadn't heard about it.

bodog said:
420HC will probably have a little better edge retention if you leave the edge a little more obtuse and coarsely sharpened and you primarily use draw cutting.

5160 will probably be better if taken a little more acute with a more polished edge and primarily use the equivalent of a push cut.

Neither one rate that high in any kind of edge retention at the listed hardnesses, especially with mediocre heat treatment found in any mass production setting.

The listed hardness for 5160 you'd normally see in a big chopper or hatchet rather than a small folder. It doesn't make sense to me but to each their own. For instance, Sal Glesser said he's about to produce a 52100 military at probably 62-63. It'll probably be very good for those who polish their edges and naturally push cut. If he said he was producing the same knife in the same steel at 58 RC I doubt anyone would want it for any real use.
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I like the compression lock over the liner lock but if it come out in the pm2 I would give it a hard look.
 
Duane, where are you? There's a 5160 steel question that needs answering;)
 
bodog said:
420HC will probably have a little better edge retention if you leave the edge a little more obtuse and coarsely sharpened and you primarily use draw cutting.

5160 will probably be better if taken a little more acute with a more polished edge and primarily use the equivalent of a push cut.

Neither one rate that high...
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This is spot on, indeed you probably wouldn't be able to tell the two apart regardless of how you sharpen, assuming you sharpened both the same, the margins would be really close unless corrosion of the edge begins to play a role. If you choose 5160 over 420HC, it's likely for aesthetics (you like a patina) or collectability more than performance in edge-retention. My $0.02
 
Cobalt said:
Duane, where are you? There's a 5160 steel question that needs answering;)
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I mostly love this place. Great sense of humor from most of you here.

Bodog got it mostly right in post number 4. His hinting at the buck having a mediocre heat treat is dead wrong though. Bos heat treat is hard to beat and it brings a lowly 420HC to a level better than some "premium" steels. Their 420HC will out do any AUS8 out there currently and will top most knives in 440C with that mediocre heat treat he mentioned. Their Bos 5160 is an upgrade also when compared to "better" steels. So it's not really fair to compare other brands to their 5160, even "better" steels.

Other than that I will not answer the question. From what I have read it's a horrible steel not worth buying. Read it right here a few times. We all know you never disagre with the Internet as it seems it is ALWAYS right.
 
chiral.grolim said:
This is spot on, indeed you probably wouldn't be able to tell the two apart regardless of how you sharpen, assuming you sharpened both the same, the margins would be really close unless corrosion of the edge begins to play a role. If you choose 5160 over 420HC, it's likely for aesthetics (you like a patina) or collectability more than performance in edge-retention. My $0.02
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Agreed. :thumbup:

Personally if I wanted another 110 I would go with the custom shop and get the S30V option, but that's my opinion on the matter.

I think that limited edition BPS had done awhile back in CPM 154 makes a lot more since taking into consideration the 110 is a folder, they actually had the right idea. :thumbup:
 
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Oh, I don't know, I think I'd rather have anything that is not crucible particle board steel. So I would probably take 5160 over S30V.

As for 5160, it is a tough springy steel that will forgive the user for doing stupid things. Certainly tougher than any stainless that could be used in a folder.

Duane here is my HI Ang Khola from around 1996-8 time period I got new and used it to chop lots of hard wood. The edge has never been reprofiled just steeled. Certainly a tough steel.

kuk2.jpg
 
Cobalt said:
Oh, I don't know, I think I'd rather have anything that is not crucible particle board steel. So I would probably take 5160 over S30V.

As for 5160, it is a tough springy steel that will forgive the user for doing stupid things. Certainly tougher than any stainless that could be used in a folder.

Duane here is my HI Ang Khola from around 1996-8 time period I got new and used it to chop lots of hard wood. The edge has never been reprofiled just steeled. Certainly a tough steel.

kuk2.jpg
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I know what they are, I have 14 of them. ;)

A lot of mine are on their Website... My photos.....
 
Oh come on cobalt, particle steels have been around long enough to dispel the naysayers.

Reminds me of old timers hating on semi autos because they had wheel guns their entire lives.


Technology advancing is a good thing and has to start somewhere, give it a chance.


I need to try out a HI..
 
oh, I know, I have tons of S30V. But I love playing the devils advocate.
 
I figured as much, knife nuts have a moral obligation to like steel..all kinds of steel:D
Cobalt said:
oh, I know, I have tons of S30V. But I love playing the devils advocate.
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shinyedges said:
Oh come on cobalt, particle steels have been around long enough to dispel the naysayers.

Reminds me of old timers hating on semi autos because they had wheel guns their entire lives.


Technology advancing is a good thing and has to start somewhere, give it a chance.


I need to try out a HI..
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And for wear resistance the particle metallurgy process just allows for steels that kick the crud out of everything else out there.
 
Cobalt said:
I know you know very well. But Duane may not. It was for his edification.:D
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Oh yeah. All of my hard use dedicated chopping tools are all S30V. It is actually better the longer the blade. A 9" S30V chopper will not only bend 90 but it's so long it can go two full twists. 720 degree bend and S30V pops right back to shape, just need a blade long enough in it to do it.

You noobs have no clue 👻
 
That is benefit of modern particle steels.. got to love technology ;)

Are kids will be using mini hand held solar powered light sabers and visit actual steels in museums like dinosaur bones.
Insipid Moniker said:
And for wear resistance the particle metallurgy process just allows for steels that kick the crud out of everything else out there.
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