S30V vs 420HC

S

sean1999

Joined
Sep 28, 2007
Messages
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I plan on getting my first 110 (custom) and wanted some help deciding which blade steel I should choose. I keep hearing that S30V is supposed to be the best. How does the 420HC hold up long term and also does the black oxide coating scratch easily? thanks.
 
If you're going for a custom, you might as well get the S30V. It is as easy to sharpen and holds an edge a lot longer (Buck's website has a useful comparison chart). On the other hand, 420HC (as Buck heat treats it) is tough, corrosion resistant and holds a decent edge. It's also easy to get wickedly sharp and is considerably less expensive.
 
Since you are ordering from the Custom Shop, you might as well get the S30V. I like it so far.
 
I have both and the 420HC is best for a light use knife as it is easy to get razor sharp.

The S30V is a very hard steel and tough to get razor sharp. I prefer to sharpen it with a rougher grind to give it "bite" and that cut holds up a lot better to hard use. My S30V get darn out abused in the yard and shop.

So, I carry a 420HC on my light knives I carry when going out to town or to friends homes and the S30V when working in the shop and yard. Yes, I even use the S30V to cut weeds out of the lawn at times. I also use its blade to remove the scales from knives I am taking apart.
 
Over the last few years, I have paid a lot of attention to 110's while at the deer camp. I can completely field dress, skin and quarter about two and a half deer with 420.

Can do 6 with S30V before having to sharpen. and this has held fairly consistent in my playing with 110's in different steels.
 
Pack Rat, My findings are consistent w/ yours. Which translates to 250lbs of field dressing w/ the 420. Now on my 110 w/ S30V blade I've measured about eight deer or 1500-1600lbs. cut up or field dressed meat.It also depends on the age of the animal and other factors. But I don't lap I just sharpen on a fine diamond stone leaving a more micro-serrated edge. Also, while using most good steels during field dressing I take a cloth wet it and during the process of cutting meat just wipe the blade off. ie. specifically the cutting edge. Which brings back its sharpness allowing me to keep going.Hence, I've determined the culprit of an edge "feeling" dull is the cutting teeth are merely clogged/filled up w/ meat. Once this is cleaned out the edge is restored allowing for longer use. I can do this 3-4 times regaining life each time. But once this does'nt seem to work its time to sharpen. So, try it and see if you notice a difference. DM
 
Thanks everyone for your opinions. Seems that the S30V will last longer overall, but then again I guess it all depends on how much the knife is actually used. :)
 
Equal use, S30V, BG42, CPM154, will stay sharper longer than 420HC.

But 420HC sharpens up faster/easier. Depending on your sharpening expertise.
 
Yes Pack, For their supposed too. Two of those mentioned have vanadium the others don't. DM
 
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