Queen/S&M 420ss???

[redbird063]

Does anyone have any experience with this steel? How does it compare to other traditional steels? I'm thinking about picking up a blade in this steel, but I'd like some input first. Thanks.

 

[Railsplitter]

I have several knives with Queen's 420HC steel. Some users, some not. In my opinion it's a middle of the road stainless as far as edge retention is concerned. Corrosion resistance is excellent. Easy to sharpen and holds an edge OK but nothing spectacular.

I place it on par with Case Tru-Sharp and the steel used in Rough Rider knives. In most cases it's a satisfactory steel for the price but I've seen some Queen made knives with 420HC that I thought were overpriced for the blade steel used.

Unless you're a steel snob you should be satisfied with 420HC.

 

[knarfeng]

If you have a Buck in 420HC, the performance should be about the same. Queen has been hardening their 420HC to a ~58, just as Buck has. This is several points higher than Case hardens Tru-Sharp.