Buck's 420J2 Steel

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Bighaze51

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Dec 26, 2012
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So, I'm considering picking up the new 371 stockman with g-10 handle scales. However I'm not sure about the steel. How does it compare to the 420HC used in the domestic blades (edge retention)? Is there any discernable difference? I will say that it is a sharp looking knife and I really want it but I don't want too spend money on something I won't use
 
These two steels are close. I think it comes down to the heat treat. Buck does a very good job of heat treating their blades. With a cryogenic soak. I don't know how the foreign contract knives conduct their heat treat. But I wouldn't think they do a cryogenic soak. In real world cutting tests you may notice a difference between the two. Still, if you want and like the knife buy it. I don't think they have shoddy workmanship. It will be a good knife. DM
 
I have one, I pocket it sometimes.... it is sharp, and cuts things nicely.....
But I haven't cut enough stuff with it to know about durability.

I will have to shave with it soon though ;)
 
Y'all, are right. I couldn't stand it, I stopped by Wally World before work and picked up the last one. I'm going to use it today at work and I'll report back on how she performs. It is a cool looking knife. A quick stropping brought all the blades to hair whittling sharp. :)
 
Well, I must say, I'm pleased with my new knife. I used the main clip point blade most of the day and she held up fairly well. I touched it up on the sharpmaker at lunch and brought it back to stupid sharp. I usually have to touch up any knife by the so I would say it's an acceptable steel. All the blades have a good strong spring snap too. And I'm digging the g10 scales. It's grippy! I haven't shaved with it yet though :)
 
Chris, your leather skin is amazing. If I dry shaved like that it would be a really bad day for me
 
I can get the 420j2 steel very sharp,but the edge doesn't seem to last as long as I'd prefer .i don't care for the j2 much,but it's priced in a lower budget minded market for those maybe looking for exactly that type of knife.
 
It's hard to know based on what's published on the web. Numbers definitely vary based on where you look and errors abound. This said, AG Russell and CRKT both report a maximum possible hardness for 420J2 of 55-56Rc, which is several points lower than what is possible with 420HC. This is consistent with Buck's published numbers of hardness in the 53-55Rc range and it suggests that Buck's Chinese contractors may already be pushing it's hardness to near what is possible - which may be less than is possible with 420HC.

http://www.agrussell.com/Knife-Encylopedia/a/87/
http://www.crkt.com/SteelFacts

Older SAKs were made with Inox in the 54Rc range and Case's Tru-Sharp is 420HC run at a lower 56Rc. I find these softer stainless steels to dull faster and to require a larger edge angle to prevent edge rolling. Interestingly, I find them to be a bit harder to sharpen as I find they are more prone to produce a wire edge. With Buck's 420HC which is harder in the 58Rc range (as is Opinel's 12C27) I find I can use a more acute angle without edge rolling and it's easier to hone without a wire edge.

This said, I carried a softer Opinel Carbone for many years, and found that the secret was to carry a pocket stone in my day pack. I use a DMT credit card stone but there are others. Just a few licks and instant hair popping sharp. One just resolves oneself to rapid edge loss due to continual edge touch ups. With less expensive knives, I think that is entirely reasonable. What did Loveless say?
 
To answer your question in a short answer (and Spyderco's steel chart provides this info too) 420J2 is only 0.15% in carbon while 420HC runs relatively 0.45-0.50% in carbon.420J2 is used for liners in a knife generally not blade steel...more of a parts use steel.Second answer is China uses their own comparative steels they make and nothing from the 420/440 Series family.Those common steels are made in the USA which would be pricey to import.Also China has lighter hardness standards in heat treating steel in the 54-56rc...this is to generate higher volume production through lighter treatments such as Gerber and Taylor Cutlery.Consistency in element quantity steel varies from batch to batch also in Chinese stainless steel.If Buck was even using 420HC and BOS heat treatment before shipping the blades to China for knife assembly the China version of Buck's knives would turn out costing more than American made.
 
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