BG-42 vs S30V

[Joe Houser]

I would only add that when making comparisons, use the same model and finish. Don't compare a model 172 Mayo in S30V to a 110 in BG-42. My experience had been that the blade and edge geometry, along with the blade finish, ie satin finished versus mirror polished, makes a big diference.
I did a test once and concluded that a mirror polished 110 blade, regardless of the steel, will do better than the same blade with a satin finish.
These studies were not scientific by any means.

 

[rhino]

Thanks Rhino...that's good to know...so maybe I'm not missing out by not having a BG-42 EDC(?)

Well, in terms of having a super sharp user, probably not! If I had to throw one on my belt knowing it would be the only knife I've have indefinitely, I'd go with the S30V over the BG-42 and take my sharpening rods with me in either case.

For what it's worth, I use my BG-42 around the house as my "user." Again, it's an emotional issue, but since I can't get it as sharp as the S30V, it doesn't bother me as much to actually use it all the time.

Of course, any Buck addict will need both in order to feel good about himself.

 

[kodmag1]

My un-scientific test was done with 110 models, using the 2 different steels.

 

[knifetester]

I agree with Joe, that in general issues such as heat treat and geometery can easily swamp out the minute differnces in blade steels.

That being said, I greatly prefer bg42 over S30V, assuming equal heat treat.

 

[rhino]

I did a test once and concluded that a mirror polished 110 blade, regardless of the steel, will do better than the same blade with a satin finish.

Joe, when you wrote, "will do better," what do you mean by the "do"? Edge holding? Slicing? Push cutting? Hair shaving?


And I just realized something ... my equally unscientific assertions about my S30V vs. BG-42 110s was based on how sharp they felt to me and how well they pop arm hair. I did not compare cutting ability, so I have no objective evidence to support my observations. What feels sharp isn't always what cuts the best, either in slicing or push cutting. What pops hair the best doesn't always slice corrugated cardboard the best.