Buck blade steel?

[jaughtman]

Everyone seems to agree on Buck being a quality knife for the price - are all their models - folders and fixed blades - the same steel? If so, what is it? Hardness?

 

[buckg]

They are not all the same steel. Most are 420HC, but a few are 154CM or ATS-34. There might be some others steels too, but that's all I've seen. The 420HC is supposed to be Rc 58.

 

[GC]

Add BG-42 from the Custom Shop for the 110's, and, S30V on the Cabela's Alaskan Guide models.

 

[Hair]

The Buck Mayo TNT is also S30V.

420HC is definitly their default steel. They use it on most of their knives, from $10 to some of their high-end limited edition models.

Their 420HC is done very well. My 110 is a better cutter than my S30V Native, and while I am sure the Native will hold an edge a little longer, the 420HC on my 110 seems to cut forever.

Buck also uses 440C on their Chinese models. I consider their Chinese 440C to be a big step down from their 420HC, but it is still decent.

 

[asi]

I'm quite satisfied with ats34 with Bos treatment. I have another custom blade from ats34, it is also good but ats34 from Buck tougher and keep the edge longer by wood choping.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Standard production knives are 420HC
Some limited production are ATS-34 or BG-42 or S30V.
Some offshore knives are 440C and some are 440A.

 

[jaughtman]

Thanks for the info! One more Buck question: I own several fixed blades - how are the handles attached? The weight makes me believe they are not full-tang. Are the handles hollow?

 

[GoodGuy]

I like Buck's 420HC stainless too. I believed it will usually rate a Rc 58 on the hardness scale. This and similar threads, I think, help demonstrate how important steel heat treatment is to the quality of of a blade. 420HC, I guess, is no longer considered a "wonder" steel; but Buck (and Bos) seem to get it consistently right for blade applications.