-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
The Gerber MKII - 420HC increases toughness?
- Thread starter npk
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2008
- Messages
- 3,654
It solves one of the major issues I have with my knives - sometimes I look at my knives and think to myself, "Man, this knife holds it's edge far too long. I wish I could dull it by cutting some soft butter with it. That sure would be fantastic." 
I'm kidding, but even as someone who's not picky about steel at all (I use knives in 440a, 12c27, etc. all the time), I found that my Mk. II's edge holding ability was pretty sad. The most gruelling tasks it faced were a) cutting newspaper, b) cutting some nylon rope, and c) being put back in its sheath, and somehow the edge still managed to show some fairly significant wear.
From what I've heard, the L6 steel used in the original Mk. II was vastly superior stuff in most areas, but rusted easily. My guess as to the reasons behind the steel change is that 420HC was cheaper than 440c or whatever steel Gerber had been using until now, which was cheaper than the L6 they started out with. Perhaps an expert can chime in...
I'm kidding, but even as someone who's not picky about steel at all (I use knives in 440a, 12c27, etc. all the time), I found that my Mk. II's edge holding ability was pretty sad. The most gruelling tasks it faced were a) cutting newspaper, b) cutting some nylon rope, and c) being put back in its sheath, and somehow the edge still managed to show some fairly significant wear.
From what I've heard, the L6 steel used in the original Mk. II was vastly superior stuff in most areas, but rusted easily. My guess as to the reasons behind the steel change is that 420HC was cheaper than 440c or whatever steel Gerber had been using until now, which was cheaper than the L6 they started out with. Perhaps an expert can chime in...
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,432
I have no experience with the Gerber knives, but here's my two cents with regard to 420HC.
I seem to recall reading something recently (probably in the Buck sub-forum), about some of the reasons they (Buck) use it. Buck originally used 440C for their blades, then switched to 425M, then eventually switched to 420HC. I think, in the case of the 440C and 425M blades, those were much tougher to machine/grind. From a production standpoint, Buck decided that the 420HC could be produced/machined much more efficiently. And, to Buck's credit, they've also managed to perfect (or nearly so) the heat treat of 420HC and the edge geometry (Buck's so-called 'Edge 2000' or 'Edge-2X') to a point where they get great performance from 420HC.
If I had to guess as to why Gerber now is using the same steel, I'd bet it may be due to the production efficiency reasons above. And, for what my two-cent opinion is worth, I don't think I've ever heard of 420HC having any brittleness issues unless, as is the case with ANY steel, it's improperly heat treated beyond it's capabilities.
I seem to recall reading something recently (probably in the Buck sub-forum), about some of the reasons they (Buck) use it. Buck originally used 440C for their blades, then switched to 425M, then eventually switched to 420HC. I think, in the case of the 440C and 425M blades, those were much tougher to machine/grind. From a production standpoint, Buck decided that the 420HC could be produced/machined much more efficiently. And, to Buck's credit, they've also managed to perfect (or nearly so) the heat treat of 420HC and the edge geometry (Buck's so-called 'Edge 2000' or 'Edge-2X') to a point where they get great performance from 420HC.
If I had to guess as to why Gerber now is using the same steel, I'd bet it may be due to the production efficiency reasons above. And, for what my two-cent opinion is worth, I don't think I've ever heard of 420HC having any brittleness issues unless, as is the case with ANY steel, it's improperly heat treated beyond it's capabilities.
The reintroduction of the Mark II was more for nostalgia than for serious knife use. A stabbing implement doesn't need a super steel just a pointy tip.
I have had many Mark II's. I like the design but it is VERY limited for general knife use. Designed to stab, used to stab, purchased by GI's to stab, purchased by the general public because it was used to stab etc.
If you want one in decent steel, get the Anniversary Model. If you want one for its intended use, the standard model will do.
Realize its limitations and you'll be happy with your purchase.
I have had many Mark II's. I like the design but it is VERY limited for general knife use. Designed to stab, used to stab, purchased by GI's to stab, purchased by the general public because it was used to stab etc.
If you want one in decent steel, get the Anniversary Model. If you want one for its intended use, the standard model will do.
Realize its limitations and you'll be happy with your purchase.
"Older" is a relative term. For many folks older is the 1980's 
Perhaps when Gerber used the 440 series steel, the edges or tip could chip out some but not fair to say brittle.
My favorite would be the L6 steel used in the 60-70's. More springy and took a very sharp edge. Here's one I had for a while:
Perhaps when Gerber used the 440 series steel, the edges or tip could chip out some but not fair to say brittle.
My favorite would be the L6 steel used in the 60-70's. More springy and took a very sharp edge. Here's one I had for a while: