Case steel

[James Y]

I'd be happy if Case would raise the hardness of their SS blades to RC 58, like Buck's 420HC. It would hold an edge longer and still be pretty easy to resharpen.

But as it is, I haven't had many real complaints about my Case SS blades.

Jim

 

[TheEdge01]

I like the carbon steel myself. I have carried yellow handle stockman with cv blades for years. I think it is a better steel as it seems to hold an edge longer

One of my favorite Casexx knives, the large trapper would be a close second. Their cv blades take a decent patina if used a lot.

 

[knarfeng]

Case has plainly stated to a number of Traditional Forum members that they use 420HC. If you ask them via email, they will tell you.
Now, granted that "420HC" is not an official alloy and there is no set composition for it, but it is commonly
0.46% C
13% Chromium
I also know that the version of 420HC Latrobe made also contained 0.3% Vanadium, which improves heat treat response in thicker sections. Latrobe is no more, but that composition can still be purchased from Carpenter Steel if you order enough to justify your own custom melt.

They have been less forthcoming about their hardness spec, but it runs about 55 HRC. It holds an edge fair if you use a 15° per side bevel, with a 20° microbevel to reinforce the edge.

Like other knife knuts, I wish they would run the steel harder.

 

[r redden]

Like other knife knuts, I wish they would run the steel harder.

Frank do you think the softer HT is what causes Case steel to tend to develop a wire edge when sharpening?

 

[Planterz]

Frank do you think the softer HT is what causes Case steel to tend to develop a wire edge when sharpening?

Definitely.

Case runs their Tru-sharp/420HC softer than most other companies (like Buck) to mimic the characteristics of their CV steel. Their CV is treated fairly soft itself and is a very simple carbon steel, which makes it easy to sharpen. But not everybody, particularly their collectors that like to buy every trapper with Elvis or NASCAR or whatever on it, wants a knife that can tarnish rust if not maintained diligently. Decades ago stainless was unavailable from Case, and later it was only on special models. Now, stainless is what pays the bills and payroll. So they make everything in stainless, and harden it low so that it gives the owners the perception that it's like the carbon steel Cases of old. We might appreciate a better, or at least harder, stainless steel (one that doesn't cost $400 for a Tony Bose collab), but if Case did that, they'd have a ton of people complaining that it's too difficult to sharpen (like when Buck switched to 420HC).