is BG42 the gest steel?

[churchlover]

Hi guys

Reading knife forums, its seems that everyone likes this steel. Is it the best steel for knives? I never read anything bad or disadvantages of this steel.

Where is it made? and why isnt it popular in production knives like S30V or ZDP?

 

[Deadhead Archer]

BG-42 as compared to other steels

I imagine it isn't more widely used because of the difficulty to sharpen an edge. S30V is more wear resistant, and easier to sharpen.

 

[Quiet Storm]

There's no such thing as the "best" steel. Different steels excel at different applications, and a lot of an alloy's performance depends on the quality of its heat treat.
That being said, BG-42 is a high-end steel and suitable for a wide range of applications (although I wouldn't want it in a diving knife or machete, for example).

 

[W.T. Beck]

I think BG-42 is considered one of the best stainless steels for knives with small blades, such as folders. However some say it is relatively brittle and not suitable for large blades and knives used for chopping.

 

[djolney]

BG42 is great for folders and smaller fixed blades that are going to be used for slicing.

I’m currently waiting for a BG42 drop point from Sean O’Hare: can’t wait to get this knife!

 

[Danbo]

BG42 is my current favorite stainless steel. Properly heat treated, it's damn good stuff! I like it better than S30V. I'm still waiting to try some of the new CPM154, however. That might just change my mind.

 

[Walt2]

Danbo, have you priced CPM154 yet? I guess Crucible is the still the only place to get it? Have been told that it makes incredible fillet knives.

 

[Quiet Storm]

CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metallurgy, so I think it's safe to assume that Crucible is the only company that sells it.

 

[guoxin]

i think cpm3v is best

 

[Danbo]

i think cpm3v is best

I'm inclined to agree with you.

 

[shaldag]

I am also anxious to try the CPM154. I would appreciate hearing about any blades made from it.

I find BG-42 and CPM-S30V to be about the same, although some of my BG-42 blades are a leetle difficult to sharpen. (Example-the little blade on the Queen Dan Burke English Jack slipjoint. BTW--I really love that knife.)

I certainly agree about the CPM3V. Bailey Bradshaw made me a whittler using that blade steel---and it really rocks.

 

[barrabas74]

I really like BG42 I have it in 2 folders and it takes and holds a poppin edge. Its a tossup between that and S30v in my folding knives, they both hold great edges adn both get nasty sharp. BG42 gets more noticeably shiny and polished in my opinion and seems to strop better but hay thats just my .o2

 

[longbow]

I have a Lightfoot Mag 460 in BG42 and it is outstanding. Takes a great edge, seems easy enough to sharpen to me and the edge well its just different. You can get it very smooth and the thing will still have a ton of bite to it. keepem sharp

 

[Rbennett]

Ill say it. Yes it is the best knife steel. It has a lot of everything. Carbon, molly, Chromium, etc. Its hard, flexible, and tuff.

I have a Lightfoot Mag 460 in BG42 and it is outstanding. Takes a great edge, seems easy enough to sharpen to me and the edge well its just different. You can get it very smooth and the thing will still have a ton of bite to it. keepem sharp

 

[harkamus]

And why did you resurrect a thread from 2006? I'd lock this one myself, but don't have those powers.