BG-42 steel, Opinions?

[AJ1]

Hi i am wondering if any makers out there would share there firsthand experience with that steel. Such as what are its benifits and downfalls. How easy is it to grind? and how easy is it to heat-treat? thanks in Advance.

 

[Jeff Clark]

This has been talked about before. Use the search function and look for BG42 in the forum titles. Then do another search for BG-42 in the title.

 

[RJ Martin]

BG42 is a first-class steel metallurgically.
Benefits: ultra clean, great alloy content, makes a great working knife. Grinds about the same as most popular stainless steels.
Drawbacks: Requires top-notch heat treatment at 2050F( hotter than some furnaces go), multiple tempering and full cryo to achieve maximum properties.
Available in only a limited # of stock sizes.
Somewhat expensive.

I'd recommend this steel for an experienced knifemaker who has all his ducks in a row WRT heat treatment.

RJ Martin