Knive blade steel

Jack Goertz · Apr 11, 1999

I was given a award several years ago. It is a Buck lock back folder. It weighs about 7oz, has wood scales, and brass bolsters. It's a big, rock solid knife. The base of the blade is stamped BUCK 110 USA. The overall length is 8 1/2, the blade is about 3 3/4. I think, it's a Hunter, but I'm not sure. Can you speculate about the type of steel the blade is made of and how hard it is (RC)? Thanks,

Jack

Cobalt · Apr 11, 1999

Jack, no speculation, it's most likely 425 steel. Good corrosion resistance, but kind of soft. You just have to sharpen more often.

Haji · Apr 12, 1999

425M is not soft. It's hard as hell and a pain in the ass to sharpen. This is the stuff that has led to the demise of Buck's reputation for holding an edge, since it does not fare well in edge holding ability compared to Schrade (440C stainless) or Kershaw (AUS-6 and -8A, 440A), their closest competitors. Those of us with very old Buck models, pre-425M, have the stuff that made Buck famous. I have a Special (119) that holds an edge great, but it was made in the mid 70's. I dated it once, I just can't remember the exact year. I'm praying that Buck will use more of the stainless tool steels, such as the ATS-34 that the Oddity...I mean, Odyssey...uses. Buck has great patterns, but the quality of the blade is not on par with the workmanship. BTW, you have a mod. 110 Folding Hunter, a classic pattern that hopefully will never be D/C'd.

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.

Cliff Stamp · Apr 14, 1999

Haji:

425M is not soft. It's hard as hell and a pain in the ass to sharpen.

Compared to what?

Speaking of knife steels, I have a Buck Skinner that was bought new less than 5 years ago. What most likely is the steel in that? I would have guessed 425 as its very soft and grinds very easy.

-Cliff

MCK · Apr 13, 1999

I'm thinking about buying the NightHawk Tanto--425M I believe(?), It will be a workhorse. I like it's thickness, but this lack of edge holding Haji speaks of worries me. Compared to ATS-34 how does it rate? (It should be noted that I haven't found ATS-34 to be all that super). And the fact that this is a $45 knife IS taken into consideration--heavily.

Asta Pasta, MCK

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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[This message has been edited by MCK (edited 13 April 1999).]

Cobalt · Apr 13, 1999

Haji, just because it is hard to sharpen does not mean it is HARD. It is NOT hard at all. In fact it is one of the softer stainless steels available. But you are not alone in not being able to get an edge on it. I know many people with the same problem.

Haji · Apr 13, 1999

OK, here's the definition of hard, as used in the shop: if it takes more than a few minutes to sharpen, or won't sharpen quickly on a diamond stone, it's hard. I sharpen, on average, about 10 knives a week, and have been doing this for eight years. Soft steel, by the definition I'm using, is something like 420 stainless that's used in Victorinox knives, and most kitchen cutlery. For the price, Buck is generaaly a good value, but 425M doesn't hold an edge compared to 440C or any of the tool steels. It's cheap, but it ain't good. So, I'm not saying it can't be sharpened-although I have customers that say so-but that it sharpens...slowly? For me, time is money, and the longer it takes to get an edge on a knife, the less I'm making on it. I've been able to sharpen ATS-34 tantos faster that I've done some recent Crosslocks.

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.

Chang · Apr 15, 1999

425M is the most annoying steel to sharpen. For some reason, it just doesn't sharpen out quickly, and it's dulls too fast for how much effort it took to sharpen. I dont have anything like a sharpmaker or anything, I just use my synthetic stone and arkansaw's stone to sharpen, and so it takes a long time. I'm hoping that they will switch to 8A for something later, because 425M is annoying, and I often mess up because I get frustrated and scratch up the blade.

brian w edginton · Apr 15, 1999

I was under the impression that the Nighthawk was 420HC.......not 425.
Am I wrong, again ?
And, while we are at it, how does 420HC compare with 425 ?

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Brian W E
ICQ #21525343
I think, therefore I am.....I think

Haji · Apr 15, 1999

According to the '99 Buck catalog, almost everything that was 425M is now being made of 420HCS-high carbon stainless. Edge holding is pretty comparable, but 420 is easier to sharpen in my experience. Still, I think it's still not the quality of steel that Buck should be using. Even 440A would be an improvement. I'm gonna hold out a while before I formulate my opinion on the change, as Buck is also changing their sharpening methods, to a process called Edge 2000 (I think) according to Blade Magazine. Anybody have more info on this?

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.