BG-42 steel

O

oldscrimmer

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Nov 23, 2007
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I just recently bought a Robert Ball caper with G-10 scales. It's about 3/16 BG-42 steel. Exquisite piece of craftsmanship at Rc60!!! During my annual visit with Robert I learned he is having problems getting BG-42 to continue his art and provide an edge holding knife ranking among top makers. For those who are new in the knife world, BG-42 is a bearing steel developed for the aeronautics industry. In my opinion among the premium steels available to makers if properly handled and heat treated. My question is: Is BG-42 getting hard to find? I see the Case Slimlock sports a BG-42 blade, and a few other production and bench knives are also advertising the same steel in their blades, but very few. I've always been a VG-10 fan, it was hard not to spend my hundreds on another blade with that steel...instead I ventured out on a limb and bought the BG-42. Now I'm wondering why other makers have not ventured into the BG-42 arena. Is it that hard to buy raw materials???
 
Buck has been using BG-42 in it's Custom Shop 110's and 532's on and off for some time now. It is all the rage with the Buck fans and collectors. I agree with that it is an outstanding blade steel.:D:thumbup:

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Interesting! I just finished scrimshawing a Buck 110 Proto with nickle silver bolsters, and another Proto on the same knife done in inlaid stone and ivory mastered by Michael Prater/Painted pony (engraved on the blade as "proto"). I must admit I didn't see anything marked on either side regarding the steel used in the blade. This turned out to be a (3) Proto knife, once with Buck, another by Painted Pony, and the third was my scrim as I have never done a Buck, or a Painted Pony. Of course the collector who owns it is "pickled tink" over having a three Proto in his collection. I'm a user not a collector, and the BG-42 ranks so high on my list of good steels to use, I'm going to look for a Buck, (always had a soft spot for the old 110 pattern).
 
BG-42 is a great steel. Many makers have experimented with it and used it, but it's my understanding that it's quite difficult to get a hold of. Chris Reeve used to use it in his Sebenzas before he switched to S30V, and there are many who still bemoan the switch. Strider used to use BG42 as well. BG42 is a Latrobe steel, and I believe that the steel has either been discontinued, or the company is having difficulties.
 
Whoa!!! Discontinued, eh. Doesn't sound good to me for an American product already taking a nose dive with Japanese VG-10 and ZDP-189 coming up fast. I particularly don't like S30V being a martensitic steel with problems of it's own. I would be the last person to take ANYTHING away from Chris Reeves and many of the other good makers using it, as they must know how to grind and handle a martensitic steel. Personally, I want a blade that is going to do the job, and be re-sharpened well with an experienced hand. San Mai laminated steel has always had it for me until I ventured into BG-42. Now I'm learning it may be a short-lived love affair. Glad I made the jump when I did! ZDP-189 is such close held secret among Japanese makers, is three times the price, and uses up equipment twice as fast during grinding that I don't see it making massive inroads into the production market, so I guess I'll have to get busy and buy a few more BG-42 blades, just so I don't run out!! Blades are like calibers....a fellow has to use which ever suits the job at hand. My deer rifle would do little on cape buffalo, and since I don't hunt capes, my calibers are few....my blades are many!
 
I don't think it was discontinued, I think the word was they want it purchased in quantities not suitable for knives.

Spyderco did a (1200 pcs?) sprint run in BG-42 for the millies. IIRC the comparison was creating about four times that for one order of the stuff. They (Latrobe?) aren't selling it in lower quantities.
 
I'm not sure what you mean about the difficulties of martensitic stainless steels. All hardenable stainless steels are in the martensitic class, including BG-42, (with the possible exception of precipitation-hardening steels like H1).

I wouldn't worry too much about American steels losing to Japan. There are many good American steel companies like Latrobe and Crucible (bankruptcy notwithstanding) producing top-of-the-line steels.
 
Agreed on the martensitic point, however when you can visually see the crystalization of the steel on the face of the grind, it seems to me a bit over done...such as I've seen in S30V. I've inspected this phenomonon in over the counter knives and was unsure as to the chipping problems it might afford. On the other hand, I've seen VG-10 chip under duress. That's why I try to use whatever blade I have which meets the needs of the job. We've come along way in steels since "Ol' Hickory". I've got a white steel forged blade, and it performs quite well for it's intended purpose. None of this discussion addresses how the blade is ground either, which has a lot to do with chipping and breakage. I did not intend to come down on martensitic steels, only to point out some of them are overdone.
 
As I understand it Latrobe has never had interest in supplying sizes suitable for knives .But it's not the only knife steel , there are many choices !
 
I've been quite pleased with S30V in Sebenzas, vs. BG in Sebenzas. The S30V takes just as good an edge, and seems to hold it better. It is not difficult at all to sharpen, and responds very well to stropping.

Haven't tried S30V in a larger beater/chopper sort of knife.
 
AFAIK, Buck no longer offers 110 Customs in BG-42, having switched to S30V for the high end option.

I got my BG-42 110 though so no problem. I love BG.
 
How does BG-42 compare to Busse kin steels? (SR-77, SR-101, INFI)

I am familiar with Busse's but not BG-42 steel.

Lets hear what you think?
 
Perhaps unfortunate for me in my quest for knowledge, but I'm not familiar at all with Busse nor SR-77 INFI or SR-101. As was mentioned before in this thread, there are alot of great steels out there, and no one steel is the best for everything. I'll have to turn this thread over to more knowledgeable folks than myself when it comes to steels I have had no experience with. I get like a blind do in a meat house when it comes to knives....so many blades and great makers....so little time to know about them all. Enlighten me guys!
 
As far as I know, BG42 was developed for ball bearings. I don't know how much you need to buy to make it cost effective but I do know that it is a bear to machine and will add significantly to the cost of a knife because it slows down production quite a bit. Excellent cutlery steel.
 
I have a custom game knife made by Matt Harildstadt and a CRK Sebenza in BG42. I would trade neither for the same knives in "any" other steel!
 
I've made knives of both S30V and BG42 ,both take a fantastic edge and keep it too.BG42 is far easier to polish but the heat treating could be a reason that it isn't used more.Most of the stainless foils used to protect from scaleing are rated to 2000 f and BG42 needs to be heated to 2100 to 2200 f to harden properly so i guess a lot of the custom makers are reluctent to use it .I just take my chanses and keep my fingers crossed, so far the foil has held up .LOL
 
mete said:
As I understand it Latrobe has never had interest in supplying sizes suitable for knives .But it's not the only knife steel , there are many choices !
Click to expand...

That's how I understand it as well, mete. The very talented integral knifemaker Ricardo Velarde uses BG-42 almost exclusively, and IIRC, he has to purchase 1000 lbs at a time. The advantage for him is that as a maker of integral knives, the available thickness of the steel is actually an advantage.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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