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Steel in Case knives - How do I tell?
- Thread starter ginshun
- Start date
Well both companies use 420hc, but it there are other factors to take into account. The heat treat and the quality of the steel used. I believe the 420 that case uses is basic rolled steel. Buck, Im not sure?
The heat treat has much to do with the quality of any given blade. The harder the rockwell rating, the harder the blade, harder to sharpen, but then you could end up with a more brittle blade. Less prone to "flex". The lower the rockwell rating the easier it is to sharpen, but does not hold an edge as well, and will "flex" more.
Also heat treat will affect the corrosion resistance of a blade. The harder the rockwell, the less prone to corrosion, rust, etc. The softer the blade, the less resistant it is to corrosion, rust, etc. Tehn opf course you have to take into account that properties of the balde steel being use (carbon, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, any tungsten content, etc.)
Just because to manufactures use the same steels (same properties) does not mean you will have the same end result. The differences will not be great, but they will be noticeable.
One other thing to take into account is that Many of Buck's older knives were made from 440c, hence the popular "hard to sharpen". I believe they did not use the 420 until about the 90's? Anyone got more insight into this one?
The heat treat has much to do with the quality of any given blade. The harder the rockwell rating, the harder the blade, harder to sharpen, but then you could end up with a more brittle blade. Less prone to "flex". The lower the rockwell rating the easier it is to sharpen, but does not hold an edge as well, and will "flex" more.
Also heat treat will affect the corrosion resistance of a blade. The harder the rockwell, the less prone to corrosion, rust, etc. The softer the blade, the less resistant it is to corrosion, rust, etc. Tehn opf course you have to take into account that properties of the balde steel being use (carbon, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, any tungsten content, etc.)
Just because to manufactures use the same steels (same properties) does not mean you will have the same end result. The differences will not be great, but they will be noticeable.
One other thing to take into account is that Many of Buck's older knives were made from 440c, hence the popular "hard to sharpen". I believe they did not use the 420 until about the 90's? Anyone got more insight into this one?
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2001
- Messages
- 18,423
rev_jch said:
Here ya go.
Buck Steel Dates.
Before 1981.- 440C
1981 to 1994.- 425M
After 1994.- 420HC
Buck's 420HC gives such great results due to their heat treat being done under Paul Bose's spec.'s.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 3,536
Buck also goes harder- it sharpens like 58, while Case runs 55-57, according to AG Russell.
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
- Messages
- 2,357
You have all missed the biggest give-a-way on telling the difference. The CV bladed knives come in White boxes and the SS bladed ones come in Green boxes. That has been a tradition for a long time. Other than that you can check the tang stamp. I carry a yellow delrin handled, small trapper and it says: USA
3207
CV
on the blade
3207
CV
on the blade