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BG42 or ATS34....
- Thread starter Brasso
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 4, 1998
- Messages
- 4,131
I will leave the better part up to each individual, but given the proper heat treat on otherwise identical blades here are my observations.
BG-42 holds an edge longer (meaning I do not have to sharpen as often), and takes me longer to sharpen than ATS-34. The differences in these areas have been noticable to me but I am not sure how much it would influence my decision on a knife if the price differed by a large amount. All things being equal I would prefer BG-42, but a well executed ATS-34 blade is certainly no slouch.
BG-42 holds an edge longer (meaning I do not have to sharpen as often), and takes me longer to sharpen than ATS-34. The differences in these areas have been noticable to me but I am not sure how much it would influence my decision on a knife if the price differed by a large amount. All things being equal I would prefer BG-42, but a well executed ATS-34 blade is certainly no slouch.
BG-42 is harder than ats-34. I have a Sebenza in bg-42 and a Spyderco Wegner jr. in ats-34 and the Sebenza's blade is harder. You can tell the difference from the feel and sound on the sharpening stone, not to mention the added time reprofiling the edge. Neither one really exhibits a tendency towards rusting, and both hold an edge well.
It's just a personal thing, but if the same knife were offered in both steels without a major price difference, I would pick the bg-42. Although I probably wouldn't pick a knife of a different style just because of the steel (at least between the 2 choices listed here).
Either steel is very nice and would be an asset on any knife.
I tend to buy a knife that looks good to me and then it needs to meet some requirements in material and build quality. But lately the exotic materials have been getting my interest. I really want a knife with a Talonite blade and may even buy something that I have to make a concession on in the looks department, but with ast-34 and bg-42 there really isn't that big of a difference. Buy the knife that looks and feels good to you and I think you will be happier in the long run.
It's just a personal thing, but if the same knife were offered in both steels without a major price difference, I would pick the bg-42. Although I probably wouldn't pick a knife of a different style just because of the steel (at least between the 2 choices listed here).
Either steel is very nice and would be an asset on any knife.
I tend to buy a knife that looks good to me and then it needs to meet some requirements in material and build quality. But lately the exotic materials have been getting my interest. I really want a knife with a Talonite blade and may even buy something that I have to make a concession on in the looks department, but with ast-34 and bg-42 there really isn't that big of a difference. Buy the knife that looks and feels good to you and I think you will be happier in the long run.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,981
Brasso -- yes, overall, BG-42 is a better steel than ATS34. The differences are a bit more carbon, manganese, chromium, and 1.2% vanadium. Vanadium in steel makes the hardest carbides, and they are the first to form during heat treat. This should result in a bit more free chromium to make BG42 a bit better in the anti-corrosion department.
The two steels are fairly similar, except for that vanadium. Vanadium carbides also tend to be very small, so at least in theory, BG-42 should have at least some smaller carbides in it, which generally makes a steel stronger, as well as having molecules that don't wear as fast as the others in the steel.
This might not carry any weight with you, but Chris Reeve knives used to have ATS34 steel, but they changed to BG-42, in their quest to be the best.
But, as someone pointed out earlier, it all depends upon the heat treat.
The two steels are fairly similar, except for that vanadium. Vanadium carbides also tend to be very small, so at least in theory, BG-42 should have at least some smaller carbides in it, which generally makes a steel stronger, as well as having molecules that don't wear as fast as the others in the steel.
This might not carry any weight with you, but Chris Reeve knives used to have ATS34 steel, but they changed to BG-42, in their quest to be the best.
But, as someone pointed out earlier, it all depends upon the heat treat.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1999
- Messages
- 14,985
Since both steels properly heat treated are fairly hard to sharpen(as is any steel at 60+ rockwell), give me the BG42 anytime. BG42 is a superior steel, both in composition(having the Vanadium)as well as in manufacture. BG42 is double vacuum melted, which results in a much cleaner steel. The downside is that BG42 costs more. Worth it in my opinion, but some may not feel the same.