How Good Is 420J-2 Steel???

On very inexpensive knives, properly heat treated 420J2 is a passable steel. However, because of personal prejudice, the only kind of knife that I would consider that was made with this steel would be a beater.
 
Well, this has been a great learning experiance for alot of us I'm sure. And I know the knifemaker is currently switching to 420HC in 56-58rc (for cost savings) and also will offer the same design in a high tensil carbon steel version (1080c @ 60-62rc) again for savings over the same grade stainless for those who want a tougher blade. He's promised all those who were sold his 1st design a new and free addition of the latest version.

I'm just glad to know that the 1st run was just a trial&error for him and its not totally worthless by any sense of the word.
 
jtallant said:
I just purchased a semi custom kinfe from a fairly new bladesmith. Only thing is he's not set up to make and forge his own blade steel yet, so he's using mail order blanks. He said the blade steel he uses is made and forged in Japan of 420J-2 steel with a RC scale of 55-58. On this particular piece, I'd go with the higher end of the rating as it doesn't seem very easy to sharpen. The fit&finish of the knife is of excellent quality, just wondering about the durabilty and quality of the steel. This is GARBAGE steel, only 0.15-30.0% carbon.
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jtallant said:
This from a highly and well respected knife maker Buck!!!

http://www.buckknives.com/technical_steel.php
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Yeah, but obviously they're not gonna talk badly about their lowest end budget steel. And their Bos heat treat, is boss. So their 420J2 is prob the best on the market. They only use it in their China knives though, not their real knives.

Honestly, I'm wary of non-carbon blanks that I didn't get myself. Got a Larrin Puukko blade that I want to make a handle for. Enjoy the piece, by all means though.
EDIT: whoops ain't realize thread was 15 years old
 
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