Early Froe and Compadre

[Pack Rat]

The Red ones. Without any indication on the backside, Ill go with 420HC ??
The went to 5160 with the black blades??

Didn't realize this till I picked up a new black blade compadre and comparing it to a red froe and a Hoodlum that has the 5160.

I'm still on the fence about the difference in 420 vs 5160.

Is the 5160 more durable in heavy applications??

Anyone have any experience??

 

[topgun03]

The 2015 catalog shows them as 5160.

 

[Buck Knives Inc.]

This was before we standardized marking the blade steel on the NON-BUCK side of the blade. These have only been produced with 5160.

 

[Pack Rat]

Thanks Mine are red 108's with 2015 date codes.

Will this apply to the Red 104 Compadre as well??

 

[Buck Knives Inc.]

It would. I believe in 2017 is when we standardized that format. We have done the 104 in multiple other steels like 420HC, D2, 3V but those were all post 2017 and are marked accordingly.

 

[Pack Rat]

Thank you Sir...

 

[GPyro]

There's a 104 in 420hc.....?
Huh.
Never knew.

Which one?

 

[LostViking]

The Red ones. Without any indication on the backside, Ill go with 420HC ??
The went to 5160 with the black blades??View attachment 2102699View attachment 2102709

Didn't realize this till I picked up a new black blade compadre and comparing it to a red froe and a Hoodlum that has the 5160.

I'm still on the fence about the difference in 420 vs 5160.

Is the 5160 more durable in heavy applications??

Anyone have any experience??

5160 is a great steel for applications like the Froe.

All About 5160 Steel (Properties, Strength, and Uses)

This article presents a brief summary of the properties, strength, and applications of 5160 steel.

www.thomasnet.com

Excerpt,
5160 steel is, as previously described, an ideal spring steel. Its hefty strength is often implemented in applications with smaller cross-sections under significant stress such as springs, fasteners, and leaf springs in automobile suspensions. It comes in bar and tube forms from suppliers and can be used to create exceptionally strong components, granted that you have the tools to process it. 5160 steel is also utilized when building scrapers and bumpers, and can make a great knife edge that is both durable and flexible. If ductility, toughness, and resilience are needed, consider asking your supplier about 5160 steel.

You do have to remember, it is not stainless.

P.S.
I want a Froe!

 

[Pack Rat]

5160 is a great steel for applications like the Froe.

All About 5160 Steel (Properties, Strength, and Uses)

This article presents a brief summary of the properties, strength, and applications of 5160 steel.

www.thomasnet.com

Excerpt,
5160 steel is, as previously described, an ideal spring steel. Its hefty strength is often implemented in applications with smaller cross-sections under significant stress such as springs, fasteners, and leaf springs in automobile suspensions. It comes in bar and tube forms from suppliers and can be used to create exceptionally strong components, granted that you have the tools to process it. 5160 steel is also utilized when building scrapers and bumpers, and can make a great knife edge that is both durable and flexible. If ductility, toughness, and resilience are needed, consider asking your supplier about 5160 steel.

You do have to remember, it is not stainless.

P.S.
I want a Froe!

Thanks LV Good info... I want a Froe!