Becker steel

bk7 in s30v. people like rowan more because they paid more.. that said I think both esee and becker are hugely overhyped basic carbon steels, awesome yes but with obvious downsides (not magic but yes great), edge retention and rust are ones. But a stainless version of any of the line would be sweet in the right steel, people who don't think theres a point to a stainless don't live in environments where it matters, also coatings are garbage.
 
hodges said:
bk7 in s30v. people like rowan more because they paid more.. that said I think both esee and becker are hugely overhyped basic carbon steels, awesome yes but with obvious downsides (not magic but yes great), edge retention and rust are ones. But a stainless version of any of the line would be sweet in the right steel, people who don't think theres a point to a stainless don't live in environments where it matters, also coatings are garbage.
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I'm curious as to your negative mark on edge retention, the rust I understand. I've had nothing but positive with 1095 holding an edge and when it starts to dull a few passes on the strop brings the edge right back...Yea it doesn't hold an edge like s30v, 3v, or many of the other "super" steels out there now, but it's definitely easier to keep sharp. My s30v knife ends up hitting the stone long before my 1095 knives do, mainly bc I can keep em sharp with just a strop (unless there edge damage of course) my s30v will only strop back once maybe twice before needing sharpened.

I'd mainly only want a less rust resistant model to take out on those damp, wet, rainy days.
 
hodges said:
bk7 in s30v. people like rowan more because they paid more.. that said I think both esee and becker are hugely overhyped basic carbon steels, awesome yes but with obvious downsides (not magic but yes great), edge retention and rust are ones. But a stainless version of any of the line would be sweet in the right steel, people who don't think theres a point to a stainless don't live in environments where it matters, also coatings are garbage.
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There is actually a bk7 in s30v, its out of production, and a bit rare, but it exists. The bk77.

And I've wondered the same thing, as people that pay for their stuff sometimes feel the need to defend their purchases more vigorously. Not saying it happens all the time, just that its possible. Myself, I like the 1095cv just fine, but have no dillusions that it is somehow magic. I'd rather say "solid choice" than hyped, but I don't speak for everyone.

I live within 4 miles of ocean water by bike, my knives have patinas and as long as I put them away dry, I've had no problem with rust. Then again, I don't carry under my shirt, or in my pockets with any of my beckers, so maybe its not as much of a problem. Also, the bk24 is pretty rust resistant, and the bk13 is in 440a iirc, so there are options if you're rust adverse.
 
I really like 1095 CV. I have knives in around 20 different steels that can play with. Many of the so called super steels such as M4, K390, M390, S110V etc.. They are good for what they are and I like them just fine. I find the lowly 1095CV is a pleasure to use. It takes a keen edge keeps it a good while and more importantly is easy to resharpen. YMMV :D
 
Bobby3326 said:
Imo i feel 420hc would be a downgrade from 1095cv instead of a upgrade.
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Depends on the purpose. For flat out abuse, the kind a BK2 would be expected to take, I think 1095cv would be the clear choice. But for a small EDC like the BK14, I think 420HC from Buck would be ok. Note that I'm not talking about just any old 400 series stainless. Buck's heat treat through Bos produces, what is IME, a very good very serviceable steel that does very well especially for its price point. It will never be the 154CM that I'd PREFER for that blade, but I think it would do very well without costing a premium.
 
hodges said:
bk7 in s30v. people like rowan more because they paid more.. that said I think both esee and becker are hugely overhyped basic carbon steels, awesome yes but with obvious downsides (not magic but yes great), edge retention and rust are ones. But a stainless version of any of the line would be sweet in the right steel, people who don't think theres a point to a stainless don't live in environments where it matters, also coatings are garbage.
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They already made a bk7 in s30v
 
tbhride said:
Agreed. 420HC is pretty bottom of the barrel stuff.
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Aright aright aright, fine.

I was thinking of a BK14 type deal in 154CM for an upcharge, and the 420HC (but only if using Bos heat treat or similar) as linear or even cheaper option. My experience with Buck's 420HC has been positive.

But fine, I got a LOT more traction on my suggestion for 154CM so lets just go with that and forget I ever mentioned 420HC.
I'm back to my wish list for uncoated 154CM BK14 but with Izula2 handle size.
 
Note there are significant differences in 1095 and 1095CRV. The CRV is easier to harden, can be tougher at the same hardness, can have slightly higher carbide volume, and can more easily deal with less than perfect temperature control when hardening. I wouldn't change the steel in Beckers overall, but would choose different steels for different blades. Something like S5 or S7 for a BK9 or BK2.
 
the D2 in the BK14 might as well be stainless for all the crap i give it. salt. blood. sitting in the mud. strange stuff.
 
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but someone's gotta do it.

What about a BK16 in D2? I don't think I'd want to go bigger in D2, but that kind of edge retention on such a good all-around kind of knife would be worth a bit of a premium. If it could be done for under $100 I think it could be a hit.
 
It is not a foregone conclusion that 420HC would be worse than 1095CrV in any given situation. It has the potential to be at least as abrasion resistant, and the potential to be considerably tougher. It will all depend on heat treatment and final hardness. I would have no qualms about using properly treated 420HC over 1095CrV. It may not be noticeably better, but it doesn't have to be worse, and there is always the stainless aspect that 1095CrV can never match.
 
19-3ben said:
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but someone's gotta do it.

What about a BK16 in D2? I don't think I'd want to go bigger in D2, but that kind of edge retention on such a good all-around kind of knife would be worth a bit of a premium. If it could be done for under $100 I think it could be a hit.
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This actually doesn't seem unreasonable since Ka-Bar does make their F/U in D2 at around that price point. Seems like it should be easily doable, and I think it'd be a hit, too.
 
granitestateofmind said:
This actually doesn't seem unreasonable since Ka-Bar does make their F/U in D2 at around that price point. Seems like it should be easily doable, and I think it'd be a hit, too.
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Just bought my first 16, and love it so far. But i would love another in s30v.
 
me2 said:
It is not a foregone conclusion that 420HC would be worse than 1095CrV in any given situation. It has the potential to be at least as abrasion resistant, and the potential to be considerably tougher. It will all depend on heat treatment and final hardness. I would have no qualms about using properly treated 420HC over 1095CrV. It may not be noticeably better, but it doesn't have to be worse, and there is always the stainless aspect that 1095CrV can never match.
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I'd never choose 420hc over 1095cv, that's a downgrade imo and likely many others.
 
I don't know if it would necessarily be a downgrade. Buck gets a lot of praise for their 420HC. Even if 420HC would not be an improvement, per se, if at the same price point it can give people an option, it would be nice.
 
Bobby3326 said:
I'd never choose 420hc over 1095cv, that's a downgrade imo and likely many others.
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19-3ben said:
I don't know if it would necessarily be a downgrade. Buck gets a lot of praise for their 420HC. Even if 420HC would not be an improvement, per se, if at the same price point it can give people an option, it would be nice.
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420HC is decent steel.....not nearly as nice as some of the powdered "super steels", but still pretty serviceable, with the benefit of being (mostly) rust free. I have a Gerber LHR that is a wicked blade that is a 420 variant (420J, I think) and I would sure as hell trust my nuggets to......and not worry about rust. I might, of course, be somewhat biased in my opinion by the saltwater tidal pond in my back yard. 1095CV is not so happy or low maintenance in this environment ;).
 
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