Adequate Blade Steel Question

bertl

bertl

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I am not a "steel person", but I do follow the threads discussing the various steels, most recently:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/buck-110-blade-steel-top-down-rating.1551850/

What comes to mind is the question of what is adequate. It's sort of like asking, given speed limits and traffic, "Would a 500 hp Corvette get me to the grocery store any quicker than a VW Beetle?"
I know there is a real difference between various steels, but when it comes to use my guess is that heat treatment, blade geometry, edge treatment and sharpening ability are more important.
Has Buck ever used a steel that isn't adequate for "normal" use?

Bert
 
I have some of the worst steel Buck uses sitting right in front of me. The Buck 373 has 420j2 and it's slightly gummy. It doesn't take or hold a great edge, it's barely adequate, but it does work. It's more of a use-and-abuse type of steel that I can use for anything a slipjoint can handle. It holds up to opening boxes, cutting plastic wrap, cutting food, etc. and doesn't rust easily at all. Just don't expect it to hold up to yards of cardboard. I can take it to the bottom of a plate or coffee mug and have it slicing in a few swipes.

While they are very functional, these knives are definitely not made for the enthusiast. They are made to be pretty, easy to sharpen, and easy to use and care for.

I wouldn't cry if they moved away from 420j2 and used 420HC exclusively.
 
bertl said:
What comes to mind is the question of what is adequate. It's sort of like asking, given speed limits and traffic, "Would a 500 hp Corvette get me to the grocery store any quicker than a VW Beetle?"
I know there is a real difference between various steels, but when it comes to use my guess is that heat treatment, blade geometry, edge treatment and sharpening ability are more important.
Bert
Click to expand...

Your guess is the same as the opinions of the experts.

That's why 420HC is so good when the box from Buck arrives. Not far behind some supposedly SUPER steels and more than adequate for most people's needs.

The mystique of the super steels is like that of the Corvette.

It's not that you get there much faster, but you look good getting there and you have something to brag about.

:D
 
Every USA Buck I have is more than adequate (never owned a420j2 China Buck). They have performed every task I have asked of them and are usually still sharp when I'm done.

One thing about 420hc is that I can put an edge on it that just seems sharper than many other steels. It will treetop hair with ease.
 
Nope, I don't believe Buck themselves have never produced a knife with an inadequate blade steel.

It is said that their 440c blades tended to be a bit thick behind the edge and could be hard to sharpen by the average Joe using the often soft stones of the day, but I've never heard anyone say the steel itself wasn't good.
 
I have used these Buck fixed blades to clean many a whitetail deer; Buck 105 440C, Buck 121 440C, and Buck 118 in 440C, 425MOD, and 420HC and several Buck 110 Folding Hunters in 440C (normally the two dot models). I think all skin, cut, and butcher exactly the same when factory sharp or when brought back to factory sharpness by me or the Buck Spa. The difference in the three lies in keeping the edge - 440C & 425MOD edges last longer, but 420HC takes to touching up much quicker. The trick to 440C is to keep the keen edge - don't lose the edge or you should be willing to work harder to get it back. Short answer - all three are up to the job they were designed for. OH
 
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A fast car will get you out of trouble when you pull out in front of someone by accident. A sharp knife will keep a blade in what you are cutting and not slip onto your finger. Yes, all Buck steel is adequate. Get to know the steel and when you need to sharpen. A dull knife is dangerous.
 
VorpalRain said:
Your guess is the same as the opinions of the experts.

That's why 420HC is so good when the box from Buck arrives. Not far behind some supposedly SUPER steels and more than adequate for most people's needs.

The mystique of the super steels is like that of the Corvette.

It's not that you get there much faster, but you look good getting there and you have something to brag about.

:D
Click to expand...

My Bucks are in S30V except for one and I have noone to "brag" to. I like 440C but it's not used any more, but I believe Buck's 440C is better than today's 420HC. I like harder steels, M390 in a custom is one I'm trying now. S30V is better than both 420Hc and 440C but it's got nothing to do with "mystique"; it's good chemistry, quality steel manfacturing and the Bos heat treat.

When I go away for two weeks with one knife, it's my Buck Mayo with Ti handle and S30V blafe. I know it will hold it's edge and I don't go around showing off :). It's my "best deal" $40 at a gun show "How much?...Got it in a trade; how 'bout $40?" It was mine :)
 
The real "Super Steels" are the bragging steels (there's one of these born almost every month......it's profitable).

"Wow......you got the new X40ss AmazaNadium? $500? I gotta get me one a them."

S30V is neither expensive, uncommon or exotic.......it's become a normal steel.

It IS slightly better than 420HC......but not a lot. Bragging rights have expired.
 
VorpalRain said:
The real "Super Steels" are the bragging steels (there's one of these born almost every month......it's profitable).

"Wow......you got the new X40ss AmazaNadium? $500? I gotta get me one a them."

S30V is neither expensive, uncommon or exotic.......it's become a normal steel.

It IS slightly better than 420HC......but not a lot. Bragging rights have expired.
Click to expand...
Shazam dats darn near as good as a vorpal sword!!! :cool::rolleyes:
 
I have field dressed & butchered more deer with Buck knives than any other.They've done fantastic. Elmax,Cpm 3V,S30 V,Infi,M4,VG10,5160,D2 are all great steels but for most guys IMO 420hc is hard to beat for its stainless properties,ease of sharpening & edge holding for most tasks.
 
bertl said:
I am not a "steel person", but...
What comes to mind is the question of what is adequate. It's sort of like asking, given speed limits and traffic, "Would a 500 hp Corvette get me to the grocery store any quicker than a VW Beetle?"....
Bert
Click to expand...
Bert having had both a vw beetle 2 and a c7 corvette knows dat I speak from hard learned experience and
I can rest assure you fer a fact that unless ya gets stoped fer something ... dat dayum corvette will get you to the grocery faster then a bug inder any conditions ....
And the c7 will hold a lot more grocery’s and beer then a bug will ... i is sooooooo tempted to drive it to postfalls it is unreal...
oh about steels seem once some one interviewed some one with the Buck family and they said some thing to the effect that at one time way back that 440c was considered a supper steel in its own right
 
VorpalRain said:
The real "Super Steels" are the bragging steels (there's one of these born almost every month......it's profitable).

"Wow......you got the new X40ss AmazaNadium? $500? I gotta get me one a them."

S30V is neither expensive, uncommon or exotic.......it's become a normal steel.

It IS slightly better than 420HC......but not a lot. Bragging rights have expired.
Click to expand...

Some info pulled forward. Since its from Buck I thought it applied.
11974504.jpg
 
Buck 420hc is noticeably different from other 420hc knives I've used. They run it harder if I'm not mistaken. I believe they run the S30V harder than Spyderco and Benchmade also. Not real sure about other companies. It sharpens differently on my stones.

I can't recall any American made Buck I didn't like the performance of and mine go back to the 425M versions. In general stainless steels aren't my favorites and I prefer non stainless tool steels and HSS. BG42 was a high speed stainless and performed really well for a stainless. I still prefer it to Stainless like S30V and even M390.

The first ATS 34 knife I ever used was a Buck. I remember being disappointed by a Benchmade ATS 34 knife afterward. It didn't perform as well or sharpen as crisply.

I'm looking forward to trying W2 done by Bos. That should be right up my alley. I'm hoping to see more models done with this excellent steel. I use folders much more so hopefully there will be at least one release of a 110 or 112 in W2.

Joe
 
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