BG42 vs S30V

C

CodeRed

Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
26
Hi everyone,

I have decided to finally pony up and get a small Seb. Should I try to hold out for a used BG42 or just go with a new S30V. I feel like I lean towards the BG42 steel wise, but I am curious to see what the "experts" have to say :). Thx in advance!
 
if you're not in a hurry, keep your eyes open for the best deal on either. But that being said I like BG-42 better, not sure why.
 
Ditto DaveH I love BG-42 dont know why either.....cuts better for me and sharpens easier....dont know why just does.:D
 
I prefer BG42 and I have owned three with S30V blades. I can't seem to get S30V as sharp as BG42. Larry
 
So just curious, when will the bg42 return ?

Just read they switched from BG42 to S30V as of 2002:
http://www.zknives.com/knives/folding/hiend/crksseb.shtml


BTW, This is what I got from Buck Knives.com stats :Blade Steels used by Buck Knives
S30V
Developed primarily for the cutlery industry by Crucible Steel, S30V contains noticeably higher amounts of Carbon and Vanadium than does BG-42. This increase in Carbon and Vanadium provides superior edge-holding and abrasion resistance. S30V is the best blade steel available today. Superior edge holding
Improved ductility
Good hardness- ideal range Rc 59.5-61
Good corrosion resistance
Very high amounts of Carbon and Vanadium

Carbon Chromium Vanadium Molybdenum
1.45% 14.0% 4.0% 2.0%


BG-42
A proprietary alloy of Timken Latrobe Steel, BG-42 is a high-performance, bearing-grade martensitic stainless steel used in the aerospace industry. Because of its high strength and ability to reach high Rockwell hardness (Rc 61-62), BG-42 is well suited for blades that are subjected to extreme use. Very good edge holding ability
High strength
Rockwell Rc 61-62
Fair corrosion resistance
Contains Vanadium, improving hardenability and a fine grain structure

Carbon Silicon Chromium Molybdenum Vanadium
1.15 .3 13.50 - 14.50 4.0 1.20

Thanks,
KC
 
I would much rather have a BG42 blade myself. I've been waiting for the right one to come up again that is older with that blade steel. I wrote Chris a while back and the reply from Anne just said they no longer use that steel.

If thats changed then its good news as far as I'm concerned.

STR
 
The BG42 was used in older knives. Chris Reeve Knives worked with Crucible to deelop S30V and probably aren't switching back (but I'm sure someone will correct that if its wrong). By the way ; KC welcome to BladeForums, and if you haven't realized it yet knives are as adicting as pens.

Anthony Lasome
 
alasome said:
The BG42 was used in older knives. Chris Reeve Knives worked with Crucible to deelop S30V and probably aren't switching back (but I'm sure someone will correct that if its wrong). By the way ; KC welcome to BladeForums, and if you haven't realized it yet knives are as adicting as pens.

Anthony Lasome
Click to expand...
Thanks Anthony...
Have we met at the pen boards by any chance ?

Yes, knives are worse than pens. But I am having more fun here :p
 
My personal preference is BG42, because I think it holds an edge better, but the S30V models are great, too.

In any case, for a first Sebenza I would definitely recommend looking for a used one. A used Sebbie will not be as handsome as a new one, but I don't think you'll find any difference in function. The used Sebenzas I've bought have all been perfect, functionally, and some of them had been used extensively. In any case, you can send your used Sebbie back to CRK and they will, literally, make it new for you. Look around the "for sale" forums, and I'm sure you will find some intereresting deals.
 
My S30V blade was right at the bottom of spec - 58RC - and suffered both chipping (overheated during manufacturing process IMO) and then just plain old SOFT once I had worked my way back into the meat of the blade.

It has since been 3rd party re-heat treated / cryo'd - now stands at just over 60HC. This brought the S30V into a whole new performance catagory for my purposes - takes a finer edge at reduced angles without edge roll (soft) or chipping (brittle).

I would try a BG42 blade before a new CRK S30V - though I am very very happy with the folder I have now.

MAT
 
Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. As I suspected i will wait for a used BG42. Very informative!
 
alasome said:
The BG42 was used in older knives. Chris Reeve Knives worked with Crucible to deelop S30V and probably aren't switching back (but I'm sure someone will correct that if its wrong).
Click to expand...


You're correct. CRK switched to S30V in Jan 02.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/pressr200201.htm

For a short time after the release of S30V, CRK did make some knives using BG-42. I assume to exhaust existing stock on hand.

Seems that quite a few makers are switching to 154V. . . . .I wonder if CRK will make the switch (even though the likelihood would be "nil". . . .considering Chris worked with Crucible Steel to develop it) ?
 
It seems like this has come up before a few times.

Reading the posts in this thread may give the impression that Sebenzas took a step down when Chris Reeve switched steels. For my part I have sufficient faith in both the man and the company to believe that the new knives are at least as good as the older ones.

I have yet to see a Sebenza that has let the owner down.
 
KCkc said:
Thanks Anthony...
Have we met at the pen boards by any chance ?

Yes, knives are worse than pens. But I am having more fun here :p
Click to expand...

Sort of; I mostly lurk at Pentrace, have posted a few times. If you remember any that went into too much detail about dyes; that was probably me.
Anthony Lasome
 
S30V seems to get dull easily for me. I liked BG42 alot better.
 
Another Pentracer? You have expensive hobbies.

As for S30V and BG-42, it depends on the heat treat. Well done in both cases, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart in use without doing a measured test. But that's the key - well done.

The only BG-42 I have is from Buck. When tested against another Buck in S30V cutting cardboard, both blades with similar edge profiles, the BG-42 outlasted the S30V by a small margin. Both sharpen up easily for me. But like I said, without an actual test it would be hard to tell them apart.
 
The ONLY reason I like my bg Sebbies a little bit better, is the tangs were left a little more beefy. The newer sebs from the last couple of years or so have the tangs radiused more. As far as the steel, I like them both equally in CRK knives. You really can't go wrong, the quality will be there.
 
I don't think I'm to concerned about blade steel. BUt lately I've experienced a couple of knives that just cut better then new sebenzas. WHich has made me think a little more critically about performance then I used to.

SO now I'm thinking they really could cut better then they do. And I don't want to spend along time reprofiling them either. I don't know the result, just describing whats going through my head.
 
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