Experiences with LC200 N?

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baliflipper02

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Aug 27, 2014
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Spydercos release of the "Spydiechef" has left me wondering about the LC200 N steel, maybe I'm living under a rock but I have never heard of this steel before (Im completely serious, no trolling) So I know it is a rather rustproof steel but how does it compare corrosion resistance wise to H1? How does it compare to s30v (my favorite steel) Thanks for any and all answers! :cool:
 
Hasn't been used in production knives that much yet. The Spyderco Tusk debuted it for Spyderco.

Hi Grizz,

LC 200 N was probably the first Nitrogen steel made. I first heard about it about 15 years ago when NASA was looking at it. It went by the name of Cronidur 30. It was difficult to get. We've been looking for salt water friendly blade materials for many years. We've tried many steels and ceramics looking for that great salt water material. Being a sailor and a diver, I felt the need. When H1 became available, we felt that the technology was starting to get there.

When Zapp made it available under the LC name, they showed it to us. We had some connections with the people involved. The tusk is our first model with it. Now the "Real world" study begins.

sal
Click to expand...

https://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=61753
 
Basically the same thing as Cronidur 30, made by Zapp.

wLV4R4M.jpg
 
About (iirc) 6 months ago, I made multiple attempts to get zfinit/lc200n hardness past 60rc. 59rc was my repeatable max hrc. Edge is stable at 59rc and of course corrosion resistant is as good as touted by mfg.

https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/zdata-bladesteelS-ZFiNit.htm

I've a new ht formula - will make another push for 61+rc hardness. Anything below 61rc = will limit its cutting tools application (for me though) to specialize niche market. W/o higher volume production, this steel is too pricy to tinker around with.
 
Here's a comparison to other highly corrosion resistant steels.

 
I have been usin Zfinit (LC200N) for quite some time. This is my second year using it. Have never had rust issues. And edge holding is very good. And tougness is even better. I used 59-60HRC and 60HRC from peters heat treating. I prefer the 60HRC. Holds and edge better, and seems to have better edge stability.
Although i did have an issue with one of the last blades i got back. Not sure if i over heated sharpening, or one knife slipped QC. Will be starting over on that one. I rarely over heat stuff sharpening. (Hasnt happened in a couple years)
But overall i would reccomend Z-Finit, its a great steel. I would consider it a super steel.
 
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So its what I like very rust resistant/rustproof.

What I am really wondering is edge retention. How does it compare to good old S30V? Anybody got any info on that?
 
At 59 HRC, I would say it is just under S30V with a production knife HT, but not far, and slightly above a well HT'd 154cm production knife . That is edc cutting, not testing, so difficult to compare. But the s30v blades I have hold up really well.
I would go for 60HRC at least. Had some edge stability issues with a thin ground blade at 59hrc. Toughness, edge holding, and corrosion resistance were great, but edge stability could be better. So don't go too thin on the grind.

Price aside. I would much prefer Stellite 6K(or Boyes cast cobalt) this steel for any knife under 5 inches, unless you need extreme toughness for a smaller knife. But if I was looking for a larger stainless fixed blade that I want tough, I would choose this steel.(Z-Finit,LC 200N, Cronidur 30) And I actually have one more Z-Finit fixed blade coming in from Shannon Steel Labs. A 7.5 inch bladed beast!
For being as corrosion resistant and tough as it is, with pretty decent edge holding. A pretty great all around stainless for bigger knives! Definitely has different characteristics than other steels! You can feel that when you use and sharpen it.
 
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I was in the Golden factory store 2 weeks ago, and met Gail and the chief engineer, Pete. I was looking at the various Mule Team blades. Gail couldn't say enough good about the LC200N steel. She stated emphatically, more than once, that this steel is "the next H1but better" in that it works extremely well in plain edges, where H1 really performs in serrated edges, but not great in a plain edge.

She explained that H1 really needs the serration grind to fully work harden to get optimum performance. It doesn't work harden as much with the plain edge, so that's its limitation.

LC200N does not have the same issue. It can be optimized without the work hardening.

You could tell both she and Pete are very excited about the steel. It's the goods!
 
Thin-Slice said:
So its what I like very rust resistant/rustproof.

What I am really wondering is edge retention. How does it compare to good old S30V? Anybody got any info on that?
Click to expand...
Video from the same guy.


According to his results, considerably better than S30V.
 
After some side by side work. I found Z-Finit(LC200N) held a better high sharpness edge much longer than S30V, but S30V held a low sharpness working edge a little longer, but just a little bit longer. Good thing about this steel is it is extremely easy to sharpen and to get hair popping sharp.
 
ATJ999 definitely has put his blades from me through the ringer. He gave the Z-Finit knife i made for him a very thorough workout. He tests much further that what i do. Although i do agree with him on resharpening, it takes a razor sharp edge quite easily.
His next knife in Zfinit is at 60HRC for better edge stability. And should perform exellently with the full height convex grind.
60HRC I feel holds up the best. Its still very tough. I have made some big knives and its surprisingly tough for a stainless.
 
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