Which do you guys think is tougher, S35VN or 420HC?

jbmonkey said:
a fine steel and one i personally like.. but............

s35vn and d2 and 420hc are all tougher than 440c.
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I'm confused now. 420HC is used by Buck now instead of 440C, because they say it's(420HC) easier on the machines. If it's tougher than 440C why did they switch and why would they use it. What is the definition of toughness in steels? Thanks
 
pjsjr said:
I'm confused now. 420HC is used by Buck now instead of 440C, because they say it's(420HC) easier on the machines. If it's tougher than 440C why did they switch and why would they use it. What is the definition of toughness in steels? Thanks
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I dont know the specifics of why they switched from 440c to 425m and eventually 420hc. maybe something to do with fineblanking? maybe due to higher wear resistance? this is industry stuff I just don't know.

toughness is ability to absorb energy and deform without fracturing. 440c is lower than those other steels. 420 and even 420hc is a very tough steel. one of the toughest....course heat treatment and hardness has a big impact on this, but apples to apples 420hc is one of the toughest stainless steels.

440c has better edge retention than 420hc and is an improvement in that part. remember on knives super toughness isn't so useful for normal knife cutting tasks.
 
jbmonkey said:
toughness is ability to absorb energy and deform without fracturing.
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Thank you for the information and explanation. I knew about 440C's edge retention and it's difficulty to sharpen over 420HC. That was what I was equating to toughness.
 
I remember they switched only because of the cost.I can only state as an everyday user at work while stripping large wires for splicing or stress cones since 1974 I've tried them all and I keep coming back too 440C.
 
garddogg56 said:
I remember they switched only because of the cost.I can only state as an everyday user at work while stripping large wires for splicing or stress cones since 1974 I've tried them all and I keep coming back too 440C.
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its a good steel for a knife, that I personally like. just not tougher than the others being discussed on toughness though.
 
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