BG-42 vs VG-10 -- opinions?

The CPM stainless steels are being tempered on the soft side as they are brittle when left hard. As an example, I have a blade out of CPM-420V at 59 RC which is not as fracture resistant as a CPM-10V blade at 62.5 RC. They have identical edge geometries and were ground and heat treated by Phil Wilson.

As for BG-42 and toughness, read the thread on Sebenza's chipping in the Reeves forum awhile back.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 07-18-2000).]
 
SharpEdge,

More Carbon generally means more hardenability, though that is effected by the alloys like Molybdenum, Chromium, etc. How hard the actual blade ends up depends entirely on how hard the heat treater makes it. Once hardened, the hardness can be tempered back to whatever hardness is most appropriate for the blade's intended use.

AUS8 is good production stainless, but generally is lower in potential performance than ATS-34 in every category except stain resistance. Cold Steel makes good knives for the price, but you are best off disregarding everything you see in their advertising.
 
Originally posted by SharpEdge:
What about AUS8 vs ATS34? Does AUS8 outperform ATS34?
Click to expand...
Not in my experience, with similar knives of similar overall quality (but different price levels), blade size and geometry.

<small>In particular: <a title="Al Mar Falcon Ultralight" href="http://www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/knives/almar/almar-falcon.html">this</a> and <a title="Moki Blossom" href="http://www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/knives/moki/moki_blossom.html">this</a>.</small>

I really like the Al Mar Falcon Ultralight, but using it about as much for about the same things as the Moki Blossom I have to sharpen it much more often.


------------------
Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest update: A Russian hand made hunting knife

"I've always been fascinated by Scandinavian knives [...] they're simple, in an advanced way".
- Bob Loveless
 
I've seen several handmade knives, from Japanese makers, that are VG-10. Most of these were pictures in "Knife" magazine, some were at the Blade Show. No Japanese makers are using BG42 that I know of. I think James hit the nail on the head. It's a matter of what is available, familiar, and or hyped. I don't think the ultimate material will ever be found. Someone will always claim to have found something better. My BG42 knives work great, and I love my VG-10 Spydercos. Actually I wish Sal would come on here and tell us about their salt water environment testing. I know they have tested Sebenza blades, and I'm sure VG-10 as well. I know he is often reluctant to share the details, which is understandable.

Paul
 
Steve:

Moki have a couple of handmade knives in VG-10, James has them on his site The MK1100, MK1110 and MK1120 are made with VG-10 steel and have black linen micarta handles. Very nice.

Also, the 63 layer, damascus Hattori profession chef's knives are handmade and have VG-10 as the central steel.

Tom
 
Hi Paul. In our corrosion testing, both BG-42 & VG-10 tested very well with the slight edge going to BG-42.

It seems that with both of these steels, there are heat trating "tricks" that make performance differences in edge retention.

Through testing, we have also learned that heat treating has a tremendous effect on corrosion resistance in "Stainless" steels. eg: 440C, which is one of the best tested, was at the top of the charts when hard and at the bottom of the charts when not hardened. The oxidation effect which causes the resistance to corrosion is a result of the heat treat.

VG-10 is actually produced by a small Japanese foundry. Lead times are long to get the steel.

hope this helps.

sal
 
Wow, more good info. FYI all, Sal noted in a Spyderco thread that BG-42 will be given a go in the forthcoming Military Jr. Promises to be an interesting test run.

Steve,
Your comments on other steels are well-taken. I didn’t intend to seek yet another "ultimate steel"; just wanted more info to better contextualize these two in relation to the others you’ve mentioned, all of which (excepting 440C perhaps) have received more "talk show" time here, of late. BG-42 and VG-10 appear to offer a good balance (or "compromise") of performance qualities – more affordable than the CPM steels, if more expensive than the other "stainless" varieties.

gmm
 
The advantage of VG-10 when compared to other high tech stainless steels is its toughness. It is a good choice for something like a stainless camp or hunting knife, as an example. My understantding is that BG-42 will hold an edge a little better and be a little more brittle. VG-10 would be a little less brittle and tougher.

I believe the reason it (VG-10) isn't used much here is that it isn't available (at least in any quantity) in the U.S. It is used by a few Japanese manufacturers.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
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