Buck .110. 440C ?

H

hamx-15

Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
9
Hi,I'm asking if anyone can help me with the Buck and what years of manufacture I can count on as it being the old 440C steel.....

I have recently purchased the earlier .110. thinking it would be 440C.
It's been many years sense I tried to sharpen a Buck.
This one sharpened up fairly quick???
I'm thinking it isn't 440C.....

I've managed to locate enough info on the "dot" system and then the "symbol" system to be fairly certain of year made....
Of course also the earlier years of just Buck USA.

However I can find no info as to when Buck stopped using the 440C steel.

I'm trying to keep it simple as to collecting a few Buck knives...
Simply meaning I want them all being 440C....

I figured the easiest way to do that was to discover what year Buck stopped using the 440C,and buy nothing newer than that year.... ??

Any help appreciated..... Thanks
 
2-dots are 440C, as are 3-dots. 4-dots changed to 425M. I don't know the years exactly, but someone will be along soon that does I'm sure. :)
 
This should get you there! :D

Buck 110 Steel

Before 1981.- 440C
1981 to 1994.- 425M
After 1994.- 420HC

Date Codes
BuckDateCodesSmall-1.jpg
 
hay Hamx there is a contest to win a 440C bladed knife
check the sticky!
yep if they were not badly beat up i never had an issue getting one sharp..
 
I had a few Buck folders in 440C, and they were all difficult to sharpen (only had carborundum and Arkansas stones back then). The current steel, 420HC, is much easier to sharpen and beats 440C edge holding in the CATRA tests; that, along with the Edge2X edge profile Buck introduced a few years ago, makes them better cutters than the old 440C, IMHO.
 
Alberta Ed said:
I had a few Buck folders in 440C, and they were all difficult to sharpen (only had carborundum and Arkansas stones back then). The current steel, 420HC, is much easier to sharpen and beats 440C edge holding in the CATRA tests; that, along with the Edge2X edge profile Buck introduced a few years ago, makes them better cutters than the old 440C, IMHO.
Click to expand...

You can sharpen 440C on the stones mentioned. I'd reanalyze that data. I've not seen the exact writing of it yet, though I've ask. I've only heard people extrapolate on what they've heard and some of those carry inaccuracies. DM
 
Sorry I didn't save the reference; I think it was posted by Cliff Stamp a couple of years ago. The various models for cutting comparison posted here from time to time are usually beyond my limited technical understanding (should have taken math and physics in high school). Edge geometry has a lot to do with how well steels perform, I've come to believe (along with heat treatment, of course). And how CATRA tests compared to 'real world' use would be an interesting discussion. I do know that Buck's 440C was a bear to sharpen, but once you got that edge it would hold up well.
 
Ed, Your all correct. Edge geometry does have much to do w/ edge retention and it was Cliff's writing. Still, I've not seen or read the findings written by Buck. I've merely read Cliff's discussion of this matter. But what I've come to realize when reading any findings, research or test conducted good ole common sense should prevail. Now, a reason that 420 cut better than 440C (so they say) was edge geometry. Those older 110s have a thicker edge than the new one.So, they did cut easier but then 440C out lasted 420 in endurance. Yet, should you regrind an older 110 blade of 440C to match the grind of the new 110 of 420 steel. Inorder for us to compare Apples to apples. The 440C blade will out preform the 420 blade hands down. That what this writing didn't state. So, yes edge geometry has a huge effect. More than steel choice. Heat treat second and steel third.
So, just being a steel snob alone doesn't mean you'll have the better cutting knife. DM
 
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