Best folder secret in 2000

T

TANGUS

Joined
Oct 6, 1999
Messages
629
Now that header will gender some comment from others. Have owned my share of a lot of different folders. Found out (for my preferences) that the blade steel begins the quality of the folder for me. Was introduced to the BG-42 in the CRK sebenza line. A truly fine folder. (A bit pricy for me though). In my quest for BG-42, I returned to an old friend--Buck. Buck has produced their 532 in 2000 series. Comes with a razor (truly razor sharp)blade of BG-42,nickle silver bolsters with a great lockup system in the midrange lockback. As an additional treat it comes with factory "filework" on the liner that is pretty darn good. Comes in an indigo (very light blue), cherry, or walnut slabs and a sheath. All for under $100. This is one of the knives that re-work customizers are going to obtain and change the slabs to a variety of tastes. Just can't beat that BG-42 blade! So if some of you can't seem to justify the sebenza price, you really should look at this beauty (I now own three)--as the quality is excellent and the price is definitely RIGHT! This is my vote for the best folder secret in 2000.

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Lead,follow, or get the hell out of the way!
 
Do you have a pic or know where one can be seen?

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Dennis Bible
 
Dennis:

Check the Buck forum and run a search on the 532. As I recall someone had posted a couple of pictures of it there.

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Lead,follow, or get the hell out of the way!
 
Very nice. I saw pics of them and couldn't believe they were Bucks! And reasonably priced as well
smile.gif
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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...
 
How does BG-42 compare with CPM3 or some of the newer CPM metals? Is one or the other better then the other by a wide margin?
 
Kuku--
I recently asked Phil Wilson the same question about BG-42 vs. 420V, which may be the best comparison with a CPM steel since both have high enough chromium content to rank as "stainless".
My understanding from Phil is that 420V and BG-42 have similar toughness at like hardness, with optimal field use hardness for both of about 61 RC, depending on application.
420V's advantage, as with the other CPM "V" steels, is its much higher vanadium content and profusion of hard vanadium carbides, which provide a more aggressive and longer wearing edge. Phil puts 420V's wear resistance/edge life about 50% higher than BG-42.
He says BG-42 is a fairly simple steel that takes an excellent finish, with performance in the same class as, and a little better than, ATS-34. By the way, he said he likes BG 42 very much--easier to work as compared with CPM steels, and very good all-around performance.
Hope this helps.
--Will
 
50% better than BG42? That's a bold statement. I'm not saying it's wrong. Just that it seems a little exagerated.
smile.gif
 
What no clip? Not really needed as they supply you with a nice belt sheath. Can't wear a sheath in an office! This knife is so nice that it slides into a pocket easily, either front or rear. What's not to like? Try it you'll like it!

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Lead,follow, or get the hell out of the way!
 
Root--
I was impressed by Phil Wilson's findings, also. By the way, the feedback on 420V relative to BG-42 wasn't meant to be a slam against BG-42, just a reflection of Phil's experience, which is quite extensive especially in 420V. He does emphatically advise that exact heat treat/cryo is critical, but if both steels are tempered correctly his cutting tests show about a 50% increase in edge retention of 420V over the ATS-34 class steels, including BG-42--which is certainly at the head of that class.
Bob Loveless, for instance, says BG-42 is very similar to ATS-34 or 154-CM when being worked, though a better steel than either. He estimates a six-to-10 percent better cutting performance with BG-42.
Higher wear resistance at this level of performance isn't necessarily all good, either. BG-42's edge holding IS very good compared with many other steels, and may be found by many to be easier to sharpen than 420V, making it preferable to 420V in this regard.
For instance, in a recent conversation about 420V compared with other steels, Ed Schott related a story to me about some salt water commercial fishermen who didn't care much for 420V, saying they'd rather "steel a blade after every 10 fish than have to stone it after 40".
--Will



[This message has been edited by WILL YORK (edited 05-09-2000).]
 
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