Buck blade metals

440C I have come to really like, especially on a kitchen knives. This is a Total up grade. Other up grade steels you'll see on folders and
fixed blades, special use type knives. i.e. bush craft, skinners, fillet knives, ect.. They'll use the higher grade as a marketing / selling
point. DM
 
southARbuck said:
I almost wish I had not stumbled upon this site because it’s gonna cost me a bunch of money. So many places sale special/limited/custom Bucks (Never would have found until I started reading here)that are truly unique and beautiful but I wasn’t sure of the different metals and their characteristics.
Click to expand...

Oh man you are in for it now!
 
yep^. they also put out that barehead pocket clip 110 with black g10 and brushed nickel front bolster in 440c a while back. I got couple of those.

mainly limited production types sometimes.

truth be told the 440c is a good steel, but the cpm 154 to me is better. I'll pick cpm154 over 440c, all things else equal.
 
5160 is a carbon steel.
If not cared for, it will rust and stain.
If you want a shinny silver blade that always looks new (aside from scratches) stick with the stainless steel. Just be aware that most - if not all - of the so called "super steels" need a diamond stone to sharpen them.
The 400 series stainless steels are easy to sharpen, but are considered "obsolete" by the steel snobs.

If you want a blade that is easy to sharpen and will patina, (which many of us thinks looks better and gives the knife character) get the carbon steel.

Carbon steel can be kept shinny, by wiping it with food grade mineral oil, or olive oil, WD-40, 3 in 1 oil, motor oil, tansmission fluid ... or some wax after each use.
Myself, I'll force a patina and just wipe the blade dry after using it, and wipe with oil once or twice every couple months.
Seems to work; no rust on any of my carbon steel knives.
 
Buck's default is still 420HC, which is a great low cost stainless steel but it is a bit 'soft' with carbon at only about 0.5% (easy to sharpen)

The 5160 is 0.6% carbon, so it is better in edge retention than 420hc, and much tougher since there is hardly any chrome, but non-stainless... great option for hard use knives on a budget.

More recently, Buck is using s30v and s35vn on the 'pro' lines, both of which are great modern steels that really are superior to 440c

One of my fav websites for Buck knives is 'copperandclad'
 
Yep, SK Blades and C&C make sure there are plenty of affordable, but unique Buck Knife variations to collect or use. OH
 
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I also found AG Russell. Dltrading, and overtons for additional shopping. Bladehq is another. C&C sure does have some lookers!
 
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