Fer steel snobs

What steel do you like best

  • Good old basic 440hc

    Votes: 11 23.4%

  • Old fashion 440c

    Votes: 12 25.5%

  • S30v

    Votes: 13 27.7%

  • D2

    Votes: 6 12.8%

  • Bg42

    Votes: 8 17.0%

  • 154 (eather kind)

    Votes: 16 34.0%

  • The latest and greatest Super Man Steel

    Votes: 7 14.9%

  • What you talking about if it don't rust I like it

    Votes: 3 6.4%
  • Total voters
    47
  • Poll closed .
110 Dave

110 Dave

Joined
May 6, 2004
Messages
8,151
Ok i jest a wandering how many o youal realllly fer realllly like one steel over all the others dat buck has used so picks your answer carefully as this will be o the test
 
Haha, so far I like 154cm. Seems more solid just by the sound the steel makes when I swipe my finger across the tip of the blade.
 
I like old school. 5160 or 1095
 
I picked the ones I picked because the simple carbon steels aren't listed. O1, W2, 52100, 1095, 5160 ( technically alloys and not simple carbon steels but most here call them carbon steels).

Steels like Cruwear, 4V, 3V and D2( XHP) and a bunch of others make some really good knives too. Some like these steels , others don't.

I'm not big on any stainless steels but if I have to pick one I'll take BG 42 , CPM 154 and some others over S30V , which is a good steel. My least favorite steel is 440C. It's not a bad steel as such but it does little to fix the problems inherent to stainless that the newer and better performing stainless steels do mostly through the powder steel process and chemistry ( CPM S30 and CPM 154) or by just adjusting the composition ( BG 42 and 154cm ) ( replacing all that chrome with moly and/or vanadium which gives as good or better abrasive wear resistance with Vanadium and Moly while giving a better grain structure than 440C has which makes the steel tougher and with better edge stability) .

Joe
 
I'll have to go with current 420hc. As much as I like to think I am pretty good at sharpening a knife, I'll come across an old buck with 440c that has zero edge and I can't get it as sharp as I'd like. If an old 440c has a decent edge to start with, I can maintain it if I don't let it get too dull. Since I've picked up a diamond rod, I can do better.
But back to Buck's 420hc, that stuff should be considered a super steel in my opinion. It really can do it all and is easy to sharpen. I have some super steel knives and i was up on a roof cutting a tube of roofing caulk (plastic) and the super steel chipped.
I know I'm probably about the only one, but I really like 425m since that was what I grew up using. I was a teen and someone else usually sharpened it up for me, but it always got sharp and stayed sharp for a long time.
I don't post on here a whole lot, but have been on here since 2012 and look at the site everyday, good to see new posts from you 110Dave. I've learned alot about Buck knives was from you, David Martin, and Plumberdave.
 
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OK, I don't consider myself a steel snob, a knife snob, sure, it's Buck. I have a few other brands but my heart is with Buck.

In late 1969 or early 1970 I bought my first, a 118. That would make it 440C. I keep trying to retiring the old gal but find myself to sentimental to do so. It stills goes with me along with others with other steels, just haven't used any near as much as that old 118. Over the years, the old 118 has gotten all lot of work and has done it all well! If there were only 440C I'd be fine, I can get a great edge and it holds up very well.

Over the past forty some years I had and used Buck knives of all types and most steels. So many knives, so many steels, so little time! If it's a Buck knife I'm good with whatever steel, 'cause I know it'll be good.

I voted for them all:D:p:D Preston
 
I like using and sharpening cpm154 and I voted for it. It holds an edge right w/ s30v and I don't have to deal with vanadium carbides. My second favorite is 154cm and 440c. When sharpening 154cm it is a step easier than 440c and these two hold an edge very close. I like 440c as it is very predictable in use and sharpening. It is burr prone and those must be dealt with but then cuts & holds its edge for a long time. So, these 3 I like. DM
 
I opted for the old fashioned 440c but would have picked ATS-34 if it was an option. I just like that steel and really like it as produced by Buck.
 
Badhammer said:
I opted for the old fashioned 440c but would have picked ATS-34 if it was an option. I just like that steel and really like it as produced by Buck.
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isn't 154cm the same steel as ats 34 with different country of origin?
 
Not sure what "440HC" is, I'm only familiar with "420HC", which I like. :)
Of those listed, I only have experience with 440C, so I could not in good conscience vote for any of the others.

I also like 1095, and 440A.
I don't know if my Buck 371/373/389 knives have 420HC or 420J2, but, which ever it is, they have a good heat treat, and they do what I need done, so I like that steel too.

I will say that for my uses I do not need a "super steel". The old tyme proven traditional cutlery steels work just fine for me, and are easy to maintain.
 
420HC is perfect for just about every task I need. But when I want to splurge my favorite is 154. From my experience it holds and edge just as long and sharpens a little easier than S30V. Really wish Buck would add a 154 option on their custom knives.
 
I actually prefer CTS-XHP. It has all of the good characteristics of D2, none of the bad ones, and a lot of better ones. Alas, this was not an option.
 
imafritz said:
isn't 154cm the same steel as ats 34 with different country of origin?
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe that's exactly right. Can't explain it I just like the original ATS-34. I've got both and there isn't any real difference except perhaps Buck and non Buck heat treat.
 
There’s not one on that list that I don’t like, but if I had to choose just one, it would have to be S30V for me. Still with all of the other stuff I have, I’m always drawn back to S30V.
 
buck only plays with so many steels and all are good. i also keep up with other makers who play with the latest and greatest. all work depending on what your trying to do. some better than others at some things and some not.

in bucks list, in no particular order, i like cpm154, s30v, s35vn, bg42, 440c, s90v/420v, 5160, and the 420hc.

i dont dislike d2 and 154cm but prefer the ones above to those. im with Joe on more carbon options.
 
I voted for 420hc because this is the Buck Forum, but in general I'm the opposite of the last option.
I prefer blades that can rust because Im a sucker for a nice patina, I live with stainless steel but I definitely prefer carbon whenever I can get it.

I'm definitely not a super steels guy, and really don't care what the name of the steel I'm using is.
If my knife still cuts okay at the end of the week and can be touched up in no time then I'm happy.
 
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