All About Pocket Knives

What steels has Buck used over the years and when did they change? Any advantages / disadvantages of one steel over another? I’m a light/casual user. I’m not a steel snob, haha.

The classic Buck steel on USA-made knives is 420HC. Buck has a proprietary heat-treating that is usually considered to be quite good and makes the Buck 420 steel significantly better at holding an edge than plain-jane 420. The China-made knives have been advertised with 420J2. I really don't know much about it. Both work fine for me.

These are the only ones I know but there have been more:

440C
425M
420HC
BG42
S30V

I know very little about when Buck changed from one steel to another and what I think I know is probably wrong.

Prior to 1981, buck used 440C (58 HRc) steel in all their knives. Since then they have made 420HC (58 HRc) their primary steel. They use others. I like their Bos heat treated S30V Steel (59.5-61 HRc).

I believe they also have 154 CM. ftd