What is in Camillus' 420 HC

[Jeff Clark]

In another thread Will said that Camillus' 420 HC contains a little vanadium for wear resistance. That is news to me. It seems like 420 HC is not as standard a designation as some others. Previous 420 HC compositions that I have seen did not have any vanadium. This is a positive addition from my perspective. I may go back and supplement my 154CM and D2 alloy EDC's with a 420 HC. So what is the composition of Camillus' 420 HC and which knives use this alloy?

 

[Will Fennell]

Jeff,
I've got too many steel compostitions in my head to be posting late at night! Your right, no Vanadium in 420HC...I was thinking of another steel we use[ 0170-6C ]. Here is the elemental breakdown of 420HC...

C-.44
Mn-0.4
P-.018
Si-.48
Cr-.12.82

As you can see, the carbon content of 420HC is considerably higher than "normal" 420 which is usually in the .2 - .3 range. Our 420HC carbon content allows us to harden in ithe 58 Rc range.

Thanks for the interest!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Thanks for the quick reply, Will. I like the edge I get with 420 HC, but think a little vanadium couldn't hurt. I've been a fan of vanadium since the 1950's when I found what a great edge I could put on a Flint Vanadium carving knife. So when are you going to break down and make EDC's with 0170-6C alloy blades?

 

[YoungCutter]

Jeff,

don't TEASE me like that... an 0170-6C EDC would simply rock! But I think you'd have to coat it (ala Anniversary Edition EDC) for maintenance reasons.
0170-6C - the best performing cutting steel i've yet found - the new definition in "scary sharp".

 

[Darrel Ralph]

420hc makes a good blade for every day carry knives.
I cut boxes, and use it around the shop all the time.
PHIL GIBBS (camillus's wild man engineer) is a master at heat treating this steel.