Case stainless

D

davek14

Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
2,417
Well, I'm a bit disappointed. I just picked up a few used knives at a local gun show. My booty included a Case sodbuster.

I paid $20 for it, and knew I was only saving a few bucks. It is really like new so, a few bucks saved is a few bucks saved.

Got home and realized that I got the stainless instead of the CV. So, now I'm wondering how the Case stainless stacks up. I don't see any glowing reports on it anywhere and always had the impression that it was about like Rough Rider stainless (which I am unimpressed with).

So, how is the Case stainless?
 
It's 420HC, which can be a decent steel if the HT is done right. For instance, Paul Bos's HT of Buck's 420HC is very well-regarded. But I'm not sure how the HT on Case's 420HC compares to Buck's, since I've never owned a Case. (I'm not a big traditional knife guy, and on the handful of occasions when I've bought a traditional knife, I've gone for companies like Queen, Canal Street, and Northwoods that use steels like D2, 440C, and 14-4 CrMo.)
 
i've had a few of the sodbuster jrs in ss and they perform very well. Case grinds the blades full hollow and very thin at the edge so they slice quite well. I always was prone to stay away from 420hc because it was "low end steel" but Buck and Case have changed my perspective. I think it will suprise you.
 
wwells20 said:
i've had a few of the sodbuster jrs in ss and they perform very well. Case grinds the blades full hollow and very thin at the edge so they slice quite well. I always was prone to stay away from 420hc because it was "low end steel" but Buck and Case have changed my perspective. I think it will suprise you.
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Yeah, I liked that grind.
 
Case's stainless has worked fine for me. The good thing about older steels is that companies have worked out most kinks in the manufacturing process. Sharpens up easy, even with a thin edge I haven't had one chip, and have gone through plenty of twine/plastic/cardboard before needing to touch it up. As mentioned, Case and Buck have a solid reputation for getting 420HC right and my Russlock's put in enough time to make me comfortable with SS when CV isn't an option for a pattern.

Even if you end up not being a fan, I'm sure you'll still be able to squeeze $20 worth of life out of it.
 
Case hardens their stainless to 55-57Rc. Pretty soft. Case went for ease of sharpening, rather than edge retention. They chose a steel/heat treat that as closely mimics their CV carbon steel as it can, yet is stainless.

If you want a sodbuster with a hard-wearing steel, get at Queen "Country Cousin" in D2 steel. It might come with an edge comparable to a butter knife, but when you get it sharpened up, it'll hold an edge for a long time.
 
Planterz said:
Case hardens their stainless to 55-57Rc. Pretty soft. Case went for ease of sharpening, rather than edge retention. They chose a steel/heat treat that as closely mimics their CV carbon steel as it can, yet is stainless.

If you want a sodbuster with a hard-wearing steel, get at Queen "Country Cousin" in D2 steel. It might come with an edge comparable to a butter knife, but when you get it sharpened up, it'll hold an edge for a long time.
Click to expand...

Do you know what Buck hardens to?

Just got a Queen canoe a couple months ago, great knife.
 
From the internet:



Tru-sharp steel - according to Case themselves and H.G. Russel is 420 HC - the same steel that BUCK uses often.

There have been many negative comments about 420 - however - due to the hardening process of both Buck (BOS) and CASE - they seem to make very good knives for every day use. In fact, Les Stroud carries a Buck 119 - made of the same steel. Not bad for Survivorman!

Here is the break down of what is in a 420 HC knife blade:

Carbon - .40 - .50
Manganese - .8
Chromium - 12.00 - 14.00
Vanadium - .18
Molybdenum - .6

The Rockwell hardness is: 57-59
 
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