Bos' Recipe on 425M and 420HC

Flatlander1963

Flatlander1963

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Jan 28, 2008
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So someone was saying on a previous thread that Buck's 420HC is harder than thier 425M. I'm wondering about this because I thought that Buck went to 420HC's blanking because its effeciency was a 10 to 1 improvement over 425M. I assumed this meant 425M was a harder steel.

So, does Bos's HT for the 420HC result in a harder blade than what he was doing with 425M way back when?

I just bought some new 425M and it got me thinking about the above question.

Stag4dot.jpg
 
I no nothing about the comparison between the two steels, but blanking ability may be significantly different before heat treat. It seems unlikely the process was done post heat treat.
 
Yes I understand that the blanking is done with green steel before HT. I'm wondering about the difference in hardness of the two after Paul gets done doing his magic on them. Or even more percisely, which steel has the better edge holding. I had assumed 425M but ....

Hey thanks it is a nice knife. I get all weak in the knees with early 4 dot, pinned stag with really well matched scale. Heres the link to the auction and it has a Image Logik banner imbedded with lots of good pictures that you can zoom. The knife looks unused with a mirror blade so I don't think that's the original sheath. Could be wrong about that. Anyway, check it out if you like.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380161579173&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
 
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"some thing about folks at flea markets
only wanting to offer him 12 $ a knife!"

I've heard that there are guys like that.:p

I love that fossil ivory.
 
Plumberdv said:
I love that fossil ivory.
Click to expand...

yes some one else wanted it badly also..wander who?
i timed it almost to close or he got slow on the typing..
it was a stretch to get it ..
now i am in money dog house again..:eek::(
gee i hate the taste of brass and wood..
as it is eat buck knife time again..:o:rolleyes:
 
Buck_110 said:
The composition of the steel is what is going to most determine its hardness. 425M has more chromium than 420HC. Chromium is what makes stainless stainless. 13% or more, and it's stainless. The more chromium, the better the rust resistance. However, the more chromium, the softer the steel. In the real world, how hard of a knife is actually needed? Personally speaking, I like the 425M because it is a bit softer than 420HC and will yield before it snaps. 425M was also Buck's most rust resistant blade steel. This is another factor I personally like.
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I'd Like to see your supporting data on some of this.DM
 
Beautiful knife. Nothing like a nice chunk of stag on a Buck.
 
Buck_110,

Thanks for replying. One of the reason I asked this question is I've been having trouble finding info on the 425M

The 425M numbers I took from my notes.
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So I'm hoping you have the Vanadium and Molybdenum numbers in your notes?

Thanks gw
 
Steel........Carbon.... Manganese.Chromium Molybdenum Silicon
425M........0.5-0.55.......1.0........16-18......0.75...............--
420HC....... 0.4-0.5 ......1.0......12-14.........—...........0.6
440A ........ 0.60-0.75....1.0......16-18..... 0.75..........—
440B ....... 0.75-0.95....1.0......16-18.... .0.75..........—
440C ........0.95-1.2......1.0......16-18......0.75 .........—
no Vanadium or Nickel
but this is jest one chart there are others
 
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Thanks Dave but none of that has the elements in 425M...just general classification.
At least I didn't see any.
 
I'd recheck that carbon figure for 420.As I keep finding around .15%. A big difference!There are others as well.DM
 
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