Blade Steel Timeline Question

[DesertChris]

I am wondering about the timeline for the steel changes.
I searched last night, but only found a thread with the history of 300 series by 300Bucks.
In that great post he says '86-'89 was 425m, and '90-present is 420hc
Is this also correct for the rest of the regular production knives?
whoops... read it late last night, and he never mentioned the steel pre'86

The reason I ask is I had bought an '88 703 that had one blade sharpened more than I like.
And the tip of that blade does not set into the liner as far as I would like it to either.
So I patiently waited for another 703 to show up to get a better blade out of, and reblade it.
I found and won it. But then realized it is a '91 703, and likely has different blade steel.

So if I am correct the '88 is 425m and the '91 is 420hc?
Is it considered bad form to swap those out?
I do plan on putting new scales on it at some point too, but that is another story.....
'88 703

'91 703 (seller's photo)

 

[300Bucks]

I need to go check that out and make sure its correct. Other knives, not 300series were 440 c. before 86. 300 series were Camillus 420J or something similar that Camillus used in there own products.
I wish they were 440, but I have to admit my mistake before David Martin sends me a email.....ha

DC send me which post that was if it is easy for you to do so. 300 (humbled)

 

[DesertChris]

I need to go check that out and make sure its correct. Other knives, not 300series were 440 c. before 86. 300 series were Camillus 420J or something similar that Camillus used in there own products.
I wish they were 440, but I have to admit my mistake before David Martin sends me a email.....ha

DC send me which post that was if it is easy for you to do so. 300 (humbled)

Oh dangit....
I should have read it again before posting....
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...6-to-1990?highlight=buck+blade+steel+timeline

You didn't mention the pre'86 blade steel so don't worry

Upon more reading I saw the selector blades were made on a different steel timeline too....
Now I am even more confused....hahaha

 

[300Bucks]

OK, Here is the 300 info. only. Other model series may be different.

Before 1985 Camillus made knives -steel, likely 420J or early 420HC ( I am not sure off the top of my head if the first few years of Schrade made 300s were not something else, there in-house name was Schrade+ steel, but it was likely 440A)see below
1985 - 1994 425M (which I like)
After 1994 420hc BOS makes it special

I believe I am correct in that 112s (which I collected at one time) were 440c up to at least 1986. And let me add, you know it when you sharpen one.

Logic would then ask you to find out when Paul Bos started heat treating Buck blades and was it everything at first or a phase in period.?.....

One of the steel guys will be along to clear all this up. 300

Here you go you old 300 series nuts, a good Schrade metal thread.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/378164-Schrade-Blade-Steels?

 

[DesertChris]

Thank you!

Now I am more curious than ever!

Sooooo....... do the other knives follow the 300 series steel timeline from 86 to the present?
And the change from 425m to 420hc was 1994?

Oh how wonderful it would be if one of you super knowledgeable guys had a comprehensive blade steel history tutorial that could be made into a sticky for guys like me (who have limited/no knowledge about this)

 

[David Martin]

On questions regarding the 300 Series I'll acquiescent to 300 Bucks. Concerning the time Buck phased in 425M steel I say 1981-91. Then in 92 Buck began phase in 420HC steel. (across the board with all models) In 94 Buck went to the laminate wood, discontinuing Macassar Ebony. DM