420 HC steel

[longbeachbum]

Does anyone know anything about 420 HC and how it compares to other decent blade steels like 440C, D2 , and AUS 8? I've heard it's sort of a low end steel, with easy sharpening but low edge holding qualities. However, I know that Buck and Queen Schatt and Morgan knives are made primarily with 420 HC, and of course those are highly respected brands. The non Schatt and Morgan Queen line I believe is made primarily with D2, and my impression was that D2 was superior or at least more highly regarded than 420 HC. However, that wouldn't make much sense since Schatt and Morgan is the top of the line Queen make.

So, I'm obviously confused. Any clarification on this question would be most appreciated.

[El Lobo]

OK, I'll have a go here.
You could get a zillion answers about steel, especially what's "Good or Bad".....Whatever.

Here's my take:

420 HC is popular with most manufacturers because it comes rolled and can be easily blanked in blade shapes, it's easy on the equipment, it's inexpensive, resists rust, and makes a serviceable blade that will take and hold a decent edge, if properly heat treated.

I'll borrow this chart from A.G. Russell's site.....

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_informat ... index.html

Click at the top of each column...it will give you the properties for each element, as it relates to cutlery.

Schatt's are very nice, but sometimes I think Queen makes them as collector's items, not worrying about the steel...

Hope that helps.

Bill

[longbeachbum]

Thank you Bill, that's very informative, and it explains why Schatt and Morgans are made with it when the regular Queen line is made with D2, which was my main source of confusion.

Here's a follow up question. Sometimes I see knives advertised as having "420 steel". Would it be safe to assume it's 420 HC? I don't know if that's simply an abbreviation for 420 HC, or if there are inferior grades of 420 steel. I know that when you see knives advertised as having "440 steel" you can bet it's 440A, since if it was 440C they'd say that. I'm not sure if saying "420 steel" is the same thing.

Thanks as always.

Jim

[El Lobo]

Jim,
There's also 420J2.....it's even less expensive and is used in a lot of wallhangers and fantasy pieces. It doesn't really hold a working edge, in my limited experience with it.
If it is a well known company, it's probably 420 HC, if not...well, who knows my friend??

Bill

[longbeachbum]

Those new Canal Street knives are advertised as using "420 steel" I think we could assume it's 420 HC. These are probably like Schatt's in that they are expecting people to mostly collect them instead of use them.

Thanks again my friend.

Jim