Buck's 420HC, how does it compare?

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manowar669

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Oct 1, 2002
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Just wondering how this steel compares to AUS-8. Good things? Bad? Will it take a really polished edge?
 
It is a good tough corrosion resistant steel. I have found that it doesn't take as polished an edge as Aus-8 does nor does it have the edge retention of Aus-8 in my experience. It holds its edge for a reasonable amount of time, sharpens up very easily in the field, deforms rather than chips and is easy to reprofile.

Buck uses Paul Bos to heat treat their blades and it is superb. It maximizes the performance of Buck's 420 HC.

Pete
 
I like it better than AUS-8, but I think AUS-8 is considered more premium. 480HC sharpens up very sharp very easy and I am more likely to use it if I know sharpening out a nick is so easy. The stuff has been around for decades and if you know how to sharpen, it will serve you as well as our Grandpa's.
 
Ever notice the irony of today's hunters that worry about 420HC, for things our ancestors did with chipped flint..........
 
I've measured the hardness of several of Buck's 420HC blades. Their spec is 58HRC. I have consistently measured 59. This hardness gives it quite reasonable performance.

In a side-by-side comparison with AUS8 cutting manila rope, I found that AUS8 held an edge longer.

I can get both very very sharp, with the 420HC requiring less effort.
 
I like Buck's 420HC a lot. They get max performance with Paul Bos heat treat. Too many people think you have to have the latest high tech high hardness steel for a knife to cut. Buck makes a fine knife with a very reasonable price. I like a steel that holds an edge well and sharpens easily and takes a nice edge.

RKH
 
I have never liked Buck's standard steel. I have found it difficult to place a extremely sharp edge on and in my experiance doesn't hold an edge very long. I have had friends who say they love Buck knifes because they could get them razor sharp. So I took them a couple of Buck's I had at the time. Neither friend could get either of the knives very sharp. My one friend was just dumb founded and said I don't understand it. As I had told him it has always been my experience. I sold my Bucks and will not buy another with 420HC. There are just too many better options.

I was suprised when I first started visiting this forum just how many people here loved Buck Knives. These are people who have infinitely more wisdom than me when it comes to knives. Maybe I just had some unusual results. However, I do believe A company like Buck should use a better "standard" steel. IMHO.


Bill
 
What Pete1977 said. Good stuff. I field dressed a moose one time with a 119... had to touch it up after skinning (a lo-o-o-ng job when you're by yourself), which is not bad when you consider how abrasive hike is.
 
Not a particularly great fan of 420HC, even as done by BUCK.

I can get it sharp, as I've sharpened some BUCK knives in this steel for friends, but is dulls too quickly for my tastes.

I understand the price point issue for the steel's use, but I suspect many will pay more for a better steel as I have (I have some BUCK knives in BG-42 and S30V).

I'd say the common use of 420HC has resulted in people seeking and buying knives with a "better" steel, though.
 
Not bad for a cheap steel if properly heat treated. Far superior to AUS8 IMHO, although I don't like either one very well.

But then, I'm not a big fan of any of the K-Mart "Blue Light Special" knives.
 
Buck's 420 HC (high carbon) is a step up from regular 420. But that's not much of a hurdle to jump.


AUS-8, is much better.
 
Yes, it's like taking a cheap steel and then doing it very, very well.

I know a lot of people don't like Cold Steel, but I've found that they, too, can take a steel like 440A or AUS8, and make it into decent blades by using a good heat treat. Yes, I know they don't make their own knives, but they do have oversight of their products. I normally detest 440A as a steel, but I have a Recon-1 (old model) that has a blade that seems indistinguishable from my AUS8 blades. Also a Pro-Lite. One CS tech told me they had gotten a good deal on a slab of 440A and that once it ran out, they would either drop the knives or switch to AUS8; so I know they buy steel and don't just leave everything up to other companies.

I'd like to see Buck take a step up from 420HC, and I have bought a couple of their premium bladed S30V knives. I just don't much care for the brass bolsters, which tend to discolor. I have a friend who put a very nice slice into his hand when his Buck 110 snapped shut on him. Ouch. Strong springs.
 
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