Buck steels

[Doc1911]

Is there any easy way to tell which steel is used in a Buck blade? I thought at one time they used a 440-series steel, then 425M, and now something they call 420HC; I thought 420 was defined by being relatively low in carbon? If one buys a used Model 110 folding hunter, how can one tell which blade steel one has?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[bowler1]

I called Buck and asked. they told me it is the 420 steel.

Although not a a knife with snob appeal, my old Buck 110 cuts like a son of a gun. That steel must have some merits to it. I always found it easy to sharpen, good at holding an edge, and good at cutting up deer.

Matt

 

[kevinb17]

Do a search for "420HC" in the Buck Knives forum and you should find the steel composition. I believe there are several variations of 420, from the dreaded 420J2 to some German variant used by Boker.

I have a 110 in 420HC and it seems to be a fine knife.

 

There is a slight tendency of "larger" companies, not to tell "exactly" what their steel is, not out of secrecy, any analysis will show (at some cost) what's in it.
But to be free to change it, anytime they think it necessary. No problem. They are measured by their products not by the name of their steel. Mostly....
Happy sharpening

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D.T. UTZINGER