Kershaw Dividend: M390 vs 420HC

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Pukindog12

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Feb 26, 2019
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I am looking to get a Kershaw Dividend and I have the option of buy either knife. I know the M390 is a better steel than the 420HC but the grinds are different. The M390 is a flat grind while the 420HC is a hollow grind.

Which one is the better knife? Which is the better slicer? Also, price is not a determining factor.

TIA and any feedback is greatly appreciated.
 
Welcome to the forums Pukin.

M390 > 420HC and Flat > Hollow imo.

I would expect the better steel and flat grind to slice better too. I'd spend the extra $ for the M390 flat grind.
 
100% what this guy ^ said. Flat ground knives usually make for a better slicer, and M390 is a much better performer than 420HC. It’s easy to maintain, while being able to keep it’s keen edge longer than a lot of other stainless steels.
 
The 420HC is popular on Buck knives and some of the domestic Kershaws. It's okay. That's really the best I can say about it. Regardless of how it is ground, it's a budget steel that's in the same league as 8Cr13Mov. Kershaw tends to do a good job with either and that makes it substantially better than the "stainless steel" of a gas station knife or a Walmart special. It just doesn't feel competitive versus a lot of the steels we are seeing in the same price range. For instance, I'd much rather have 14C28N in a $40 knife.

The issue here is that M390 is awesome. It's a legit "super steel". The fact that Kershaw has it in a nice knife like the Dividend for under $100 is amazing. I really hope to see more upgraded versions of their knives offered in this steel.
 
I wouldn't agree that flat grinds slice better than hollow, at least for a hollow grind with a moderate amount of concavity.

That being said, I think the upsides of the M390 might outweigh the difference in grind in this instance. You should note, however, that M390 is not easy to sharpen, and it takes a very long time to reprofile if you don't have a good sharpening system.
 
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