BG42 vs S35VN

T

ti lock

Joined
Jul 20, 2013
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Does anyone here have experience with both steels on their CRK knives.... if so how would you compare the two steels against each other....
 
Sure. I have a BG42 Regular and have had numerous S35VN CRKs. I can definitely get the BG42 to a sharper edge. Edge retention isn't as good as S35VN in my opinion, and it's more likely to chip. The "new" S35VN (with 59-60 hrc) feels like the best of both worlds; I've had some that feel like BG42 as far as hardness, but with better edge retention. They're both great steels, and if you can find a CRK in BG42, I'd say go for it.
 
Unfortunately BG42 tends to pitting corrosion. My (resently) bought BG42 Regular has some pitting holes:( With my S30V/S35VN Sebenzas I had never have any problems with corrosion.
 
I think a lot of it is perception... my Bg 42's hang tough, the "carbon spotting" doesn't bother me at all.... My sv30's/35's seem to offer pretty much the same utility, except my Insingo, which seems to hold the best edge of all.
 
ex Vento said:
Unfortunately BG42 tends to pitting corrosion. My (resently) bought BG42 Regular has some pitting holes:( With my S30V/S35VN Sebenzas I had never have any problems with corrosion.
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My 2001 BG42 large sebenza has corrosion pitts in the blade as well....
 
BG42 has been my favorite steel of the CRKs I've owned (full disclosure - I don't have much experience with S35VN), but I did notice some carbon spots for the first time upon a close inspection last night....... just one more reason to ship it off to CRK for a tune-up.....
 
ti lock said:
tune up ?... please be more specific...
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The lockup needs some work. I've been wanting to send the knife in to have that addressed; now that I've seen the spots, I really want to get it in. I'd prefer to let them take care of them.
 
Ganagati, BG42 blade pitting ... I wonder how common this is.... I don't think that there is much crk can do about it
 
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I'd be happy to buy some pitted BG42 regular sebenzas at a discount because of perceived aesthetic issues!! Keeping my eye on the sale forum for some good deals posted by people who like pretty knives :) :)
 
bvo85, it is an aethetic issue... I am not that picky but the pitting is pretty bad on my blade... I would post a pic but can't since i am not a paying member and i will not use image hosting sites in order to do so
 
I've got some of all three. Overall I far prefer BG-42. It holds an edge much longer than my S30V and S35VN blades. I've never had any corrosion issues with any CRK blade, unlike the two members above. The downside of BG-42 in my experience is that if you let it get fairly dull it's a bear to bring a good edge back. In that regard, there's a sort of tradeoff. I have to touch up the S30V and S35VN blades more often, but it takes less time.
 
i use the WE and its not problem to sharpen my large sebenza bg42 blade in a timely fashion no matter how dull... the pitting is the issue and IMHO unless one takes the utmost care I think that the blade will pit
 
ti lock said:
i use the WE and its not problem to sharpen my large sebenza bg42 blade in a timely fashion no matter how dull... the pitting is the issue and IMHO unless one takes the utmost care I think that the blade will pit
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I don't (have two), and they haven't.
 
I have had several BG-42's and carry two now (large and small) and only one with pitting. I bought the one with pitting with the hopes of figuring out some way to smooth it out. I have had some chipping issues( I use them hard) but does not take much with the WE to clean them up.
 
I really miss BG42. I could get a really sharp edge on it and the micro chipping wasn't an issue.
Would love to see a run going back to BG42 or using M390.
 
Yeah, a small 21 in 20cv/M390/204p would be fantasic. Maybe even a grail EDC for me personally.
 
I can sharpen my BG42 to incredible sharpness, but... S35VN holds edge just longer and it's really very resistant to corrosion. I have couple of small black spots on my BG42. Honestly, I don't care about that and carry/use my old Regular a lot. But S35VN seems to be better choice for working knife.
 
I bought a second LG Reg with BG42. It is in unused condition. It should arrive end of this week. I´m curious if it has also some pittings. I´ll report:D
 
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