Debating: Sell-off for a Sebenza worth it or not?

[Stainz]

Not being picky, but how is a 'ball bearing' steel, like BG42, superior to a dedicated made for cutlery premium knife steel like S30V? I thought it was a step forward in CRK's case. I have several Buck Custom Shop 110s with Paul Bos heat treated BG42 - and one S30V 110, an 'Alaskan Guide' production knife. That AG 110 came and has remained a razor after some abuse, in line with the other model Bucks with S30V I have. Sadly, the Custom Shop 110s I have are my only BG42 steel blades... maybe they were for softer bearing races?

If I were to get a Sebbie, I'd just like a plain-Jane current production Large...

Stainz

 

[DallasSTB]

I've always gotten the impression, as a user and not a maker, that the main difference in BG42 and S30V is the workability in the fabrication. I've tried both and don't think there is a major difference in performance from the user side. BG42 is great, S30V is great. BG42 is usually available in hardnesses a couple of points higher on the RC scale, so there is probably a little difference in edge retention in it's favor. On the other hand, at a slightly lower RC, the S30V is a little easier to sharpen by a ham-handed user like me.

 

[bruce]

Not being picky, but how is a 'ball bearing' steel, like BG42, superior to a dedicated made for cutlery premium knife steel like S30V? I thought it was a step forward in CRK's case. I have several Buck Custom Shop 110s with Paul Bos heat treated BG42 - and one S30V 110, an 'Alaskan Guide' production knife. That AG 110 came and has remained a razor after some abuse, in line with the other model Bucks with S30V I have. Sadly, the Custom Shop 110s I have are my only BG42 steel blades... maybe they were for softer bearing races?

If I were to get a Sebbie, I'd just like a plain-Jane current production Large...

Stainz

Be picky if you want. Just because S30V was made specifically for knives doesn't mean it is the last we'll see in a "be all, end all" knife steel. If I remember, most early S30V had to be hardened a couple of points below what the manufacturers intended to prevent blade chipping. No such problem, or any others with BG42. Yes, it's hardened to a higher Rc and requires a little more time to sharpen, but it's worth it. I've used my BG42 Sebenza all day cutting some difficult things (hard plastic was the most difficult) and it was as sharp after as before, at least as far as I could tell.

I've had S30V knives but sold them because I was afraid they would chip. I'm not saying S30V hasn't found it's sweet spot over the last few years, but BG42 never had to be coaxed into being an acceptable knife steel. You can keep your S30V. I'd rather buy a trusted 440C blade, especially if it's been heat treated by Ray Ennis or Paul Bos.

Well, on second thought, I would own perhaps one S30V blade if I trusted the maker, but I won't drink the S30V koolaid.