BG42 truly is the superior steel

cofade2black

cofade2black

Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
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I recently purchased a large regular with the bg42 steel. I have had sebenzas with s30v and s30vn. Both steels always burr over. I have used the bg42 and the knife has cut jip ties, cardboard and other hard cutting task. Bg42 I feel is the perfect steel for hard use. I have used the s30v and s30vn and within a week I always have to touch up. This is not the case with the harder superior steel. Tell me what you guys think.
 
I have two large BG-42 regular Sebenzas. I have never had a problem sharpening either of them. The drop point has gotten more use than the tanto. The last two times I sharpened it, I used a DMT fine/coarse diamond sharpener and a Spyderco Double Stuff, and got a nice convex edge freehand.
 
I have used all four of the CRK steels, and do like the bg42 the best. The new s35 performs well too though, and I would list that one second. For me, Ats and s30 seem to hold a similar edge. BG is more difficult to sharpen though
 
BG-42 was a truly superior steel on Sebenzas. S35VN on present CRK knives just feels too soft to me.
Maybe it's a matter of heat treatment but the difference is just huge.
 
I have used all 4 steels CRK has offered ( ATS34; BG42; S30V; S35VN ) and I personally like S30V the best. I have the most experience with it and have never had a burr or a rolled or chipped edge as others have claimed. If you look at my posts over the years you will see that I do indeed USE my CRK. Its all just a personal preference. If I like a particular CRK, I will buy it regardless of blade steel. BG42 is very good I will admit, but harder to sharpen I believe and doesn't hold an edge much better than the easier to sharpen S30V. Again, its all just personal preference.
 
I always get my sebenza blades hardened to 60. I'm also one who thinks the stock HT is too soft, dulls and flattens way too quickly. At 60... S35 is perfection.
 
I have a small regular in BG42 and 2 large regs in S30V. The BG42 blade seems a lot harder to sharpen, and it seems to cut a little better for a little longer. It's no big deal to keep it sharp on a Sharpmaker. If it get really dull, then it takes some time to bring it back. I prefer it over the S30V blades, but like nyefmaker, it's not necessarily a determining factor in choosing a CRK for me. I do love the slightly warmer tint it seems to have over S30V.
 
I must add that proper HT and edge geometry to all steels is so important. Chris knows this.
No one does A2 like Hartsfield and Pohan Leu and I had a Krein zero regrind on an Emerson CQC7 154CM that cut forever.
rolf
 
I have had and do have sebenzas in Bg-42, S30V, and S35VN. In order of preference from standpoint, Bg-42 is the best followed closely by the S35VN. I seem to be able to sharpen, and keep sharpened those steels better than the S30V. I will have to get one of my S30V sebbies out soon and run it through it paces again.

Where are people gettting sebenzas heat treated to 60?

Thanks,

Dan
 
DBH said:
Where are people gettting sebenzas heat treated to 60?

Thanks,

Dan
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Paul BOS Heat Treating. Paul no longer runs it, but his right hand man Paul Farner now does. That is where I send mine, 60 is as high as he can go on S35/S30 with his equipment. He usually tests the blade before hardening, mine have been around 57-58.
 
BG-42 is nice, however CRk no longer will tumble them or add a new thumbstud with fear of cracking or breaking the blade so you have to weigh the good with the bad. I have three BG-42 Sebenzas and they are all collectors. I own a prized flat ground Sebenza and that is also in bg-42 and that is one of my favorite knives of all time. It doesn't help that Chris engraved his name and the knives birthdate in the blade either :). I also have a Large Sebbie with bg-42 in Original L.N.I.B. condition and its nice but the blade seems to feel a bit slippery compared to ats-34 or s30v. Anyone ever feel that, it is sort of strange but I would suggest if you ever have the chance to get your hands on a flat ground to do so but only 120 were produced and they are next to impossible to locate. It took me almost 5 months and I paid a fistful of cash but its one of my all time favorites.
 
I have no experience with BG42. I am on a hunt for one! But I haven't noticed any problems with the heat treat of my S35. I just got a zaan in S30, and I haven't got too much use in it yet to tell a difference.
 
I bet if you took all four types, same edge geometry, and did the same cutting tasks in a "blind" test, that no one would be able to tell the difference.
 
dano said:
I bet if you took all four types, same edge geometry, and did the same cutting tasks in a "blind" test, that no one would be able to tell the difference.
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x2 I'm a newbie to knives, but I know I couldn't. I've owned Sebbies in all 4 steels, and used them all for multiple years a piece over the span of about 15 years total. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but none of them seemed to be measurably easier or harder to sharpen nor to dull more quickly or cut "better". I will say that some "recent" steel like D2 is, to me, obviously more hard and "slippery" on a hone and thus feels like it isn't biting the hone ie: sharpening. Fortunately, CRK doesn't use D2 type steel.
 
dano said:
I bet if you took all four types, same edge geometry, and did the same cutting tasks in a "blind" test, that no one would be able to tell the difference.
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Probably not while you are cutting.

But once you looked at the edge, you'd know exactly which steel you're dealing with.
 
I have no issues with my newer sebenza steel.


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I also whittle with same sebenzaand never had issue, at all.


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I can tell steel from cutting, but I am a sushi chef haha.

carbon steel cut MUCH smoother. No sushi chef wants stainless blade.
 
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