BG-42, not popular??

Y

yinyu

Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
35
Hello, nuts,
I'm always curious that why many makers as well as factories just stopped
supplying BG-42 blades ( eg. Strider, CR, ...)?
on the other hand, BG-42 versions of CR, strider, buck custom... are highly
sought after in the secondary market, can anybody give me some opinion?
 
The last time a BG-42 order was place, the Timken rep. stated that they were going to have delays in filling small orders. As that steel had a very large order place by Uncle Sam. And all the small orders were on at least a six month wait or on hold. That’s was the story at the time, by the rep. That was a year and half ago.
With limited supply, end users look at other steel options because supply, cost and demand.
 
BG-42 is a stainless steel ball bearing steel. It makes a very nice knife blade.

The last time we tried to order, the price was way up (1-1/2 times S30V) and the lead time was 14 months.

Hard to plan production with those kinds of steel lead times. ZDP-189 from Hitachi also has similar lead times.

sal
 
mm3 said:
What use would Uncle Sam have for a large order of bg-42?
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While the US gov't would not order BG-42, the government could have an impact on prioritizing supplies of a defence related materials.

As Sal stated, BG-42 is used for bearings. If a company such as a jet engine manufacturer needed BG-42 to make bearings to fill an order for the US military, they could invoke an order code that would give them priority over any non-military orders. (This does not apply to all military programs. The US defence department has to specifically identify the individual program as critical to US defence. Once that identification has been made, the manufacturer of the item can invoke the prioritization code if necessary.)

Hope that clarifies.
 
I kind of figured what Sal said was the reason BG-42 has become hard to find. I knew it was extremely expensive and folks didn't like paying the extra tariff for it.

I have used many BG-42 bladed knives, (my old Sebenzas were all BG-42), and I have an old Kershaw Ricochet user that I carry a lot with the BG-42 blade and it is good stuff! Cuts and cuts and cuts and great corrosion resistance. I prefer it over S30V any day.

Some will say it's too brittle but in my experience I haven't had any such problem.
 
I think some were a little embarassed when they jumped from BG42 to the "supersteel" S30V and found it was not all it was cracked up to be, that BG42 was, in fact, a better, easier to use steel. ...but they had made such noise about switching that it was difficult to admit the mistake and go back.
 
Gene said:
I have an old Kershaw Ricochet user that I carry a lot with the BG-42 blade and it is good stuff! Cuts and cuts and cuts and great corrosion resistance. I prefer it over S30V any day.
Click to expand...

Are you sure that isn't 440V, Gene? I wish there were more available knives in BG-42 as well. Right now it is hard for me to justify the bump in price that it demands.

Jack
 
I wish there were more available knives in BG-42 as well. Right now it is hard for me to justify the bump in price that it demands.
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Jack, have you gotten to look at and put your hands on the Carbon Fibre, BG42 sprint run Military model Spyderco put out last year? It's one of the best production knives of any kind I've ever had or used. It's not really expensive as knives go either. Joe
 
Just bought a Robert Ball in BG-42 and it's a winner. I wish more knives were made in it because I have had nothing but good luck with the stuff. No, it is not as tough as a good non stainless steel, and yes it is harder to sharpen, but overall it's a good steel around water, especially salt water.
 
I have a Schrade limited edition Walker-Lake folder that they made in BG42 and it is good except for the Zytel frame. STR is redoing it for me in titanium framelock. They can be found on ebay for a good deal. Too bad they are gone!I'll post pics when I get it.
 
The Mastiff said:
Jack, have you gotten to look at and put your hands on the Carbon Fibre, BG42 sprint run Military model Spyderco put out last year? It's one of the best production knives of any kind I've ever had or used. It's not really expensive as knives go either. Joe
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been very tempted by that one (although I haven't handled it). At New Graham's sale price I was close, but at sub-$200 I'm less interested. I prefer G10 to carbon fiber and am not crazy about liner locks. At that price point I think I would prefer a small custom fixed blade. Otherwise I will just hope that someone produces a BG42 folder at under $100, even if it is zytel.

Jack
 
Like the old SOG X42 autoclips from 4 or 5 years ago. Last I saw one of those was at NG, and SOG retail store ( hint).There were two sizes, and two RC numbers ( RC62 and 60). I heard the lower RC was in response to complaints to chipping or tip breakage. I never had any trouble but I never pry, just slice. They are in no way near the quality of the Spyderco Millies, but I've had a few of each .

The Military sprint run was just one of those once or twice a decade knives where everything works out into an extremlely well balanced knife. Quite a few around here have remarked it's the best knife they ever have owned. I don't really need CF in knives either but the "peel ply" CF on those millies is the best I've ever felt.

I think Mercworks still uses BG42, but they are custom prices. I have no experiences with them. There are also used BG42 sebbies turning up occasionally on the boards here.

About the last I can think of is the Buck custom shop. You can customize a 110 with BG42 for around 80 to 200 dollars. They do nice work. I had one done there in BG and am pleased. Good luck, Joe
 
Am I glad that I got my Spyderco Military with the BG-42 blade and the carbon fiber handles. This is on hell of a knife and the BG-42 stays super sharp and with just a single buff with green rouge and felt wheel, it is like a scalpel and cuts like the dickens.

I like BG-42
I like Spyderco Military
Oh, and the Para-Military with S30V is no slouch either!

Ciao
Ron :eek:
 
i heard it only came in round stock so it was expensive to work with. can anyone verify this?
 
Here's one from my humble collection. ;)

sebbie.jpg


sebbie1.jpg


sebbie2.jpg


sebbie3.jpg
 
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