420HC vs S30V

Makael

Makael

Loving wife, kids and life.
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Oct 17, 2015
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So if X amount of time is spent in the machine that grinds the 420HC blade is that same amount of time spent on a S30V blade? Maybe that is why an S30V grind isnt as aggressive as 420HC.?
 
Just a small hijack Mike. Your post about grinding reminded me of something I read once by Chuck Buck. Back in the day it could take as long as two hours grinding a blade shape by hand but they had machines in the factory today that could do the same job in 17 seconds. Wish I could remember where I read that to verify my memory.
 
Some cool old pics
 
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I was under the impression it was mostly a cost issue when it comes to the different steels used? I’m a terrible knife sharpener free hand even though my father spent hours trying to teach me, the blade would be fuller than when I started. Just can’t keep the same angle every stroke

So I’ve used a Sharpmaker for years now. And I’m not really able to tell a difference between the two steels as far as “feel” on the stones.

I can tell between a stainless and say, 1095 carbon. Most 1095 feels much softer and is quicker to take a wicked edge.

I’d guess the companies all have certain machine settings for the various steels. Not having ever toured a plant myself, I’m just guessing though.
 
How do diamond stones compare to belts on a Ken Onion when sharpening s30v?
I Use a Ken Onion with the blade grinding attachment to sharpen my knives, and do pretty well with 420hc and 5160.
But haven't really used it to sharpen any of my s30v knives.

I prefer to continue to use the Ken Onion as I like it. But I have read you really should use a diamond stone.

Anyone here have any experience with this? Maybe there is a special belt I should use.

I don't think I'm hijacking this thread, forgive me if I am, as it sorta applies, (ie; 420hc vs. s30v.) If I am I will delete.
Thank-You.
 
GPyro said:
How do diamond stones compare to belts on a Ken Onion when sharpening s30v?
I Use a Ken Onion with the blade grinding attachment to sharpen my knives, and do pretty well with 420hc and 5160.
But haven't really used it to sharpen any of my s30v knives.

I prefer to continue to use the Ken Onion as I like it. But I have read you really should use a diamond stone.

Anyone here have any experience with this? Maybe there is a special belt I should use.

I don't think I'm hijacking this thread, forgive me if I am, as it sorta applies, (ie; 420hc vs. s30v.) If I am I will delete.
Thank-You.
Click to expand...
For me using the Ken Onion belt sharpener I just had to practice on some old kitchen knives to get the hang of it first. I found it is easier to get the 420hc to a burr and then finish to a very sharp edge. I did finally learn to get a nice burr on the s30v but I think I just wasn’t patient enough to stay at it for fear of going to far. It does take longer but it’s getting better as I’m getting a better feel for it. Also I was having to reprofile the edge because I had some chips to remove after cutting some silicone hose off of rusty pipes and had to remove a lot of metal to get an edge going. But mostly for touch up I hand sharpen with a smiths diamond stick.
 
Makael said:
So if X amount of time is spent in the machine that grinds the 420HC blade is that same amount of time spent on a S30V blade? Maybe that is why an S30V grind isnt as aggressive as 420HC.?
Click to expand...

Seems reasonable. S30V is a lot more grind/abrasion resistant than 420HC. It can be a bit rough on belts when sharpening. I also think the chance to over-heat is higher because you need to spend more time on the belt/grinder wheel to get the same results.

I was actually looking at one of those big wheel/stone grinders that sit in a water bath. Probably not the most economical but it seems like it would solve a lot of risk with over-heating for a home sharpening setup for faster results. Also, can't switch grits that fast. I've really been looking at them as a re-profiling tool which I've started doing a lot more of as I gain confidence in knowing what I want from a knife edge for different applications.
 
Makael said:
So if X amount of time is spent in the machine that grinds the 420HC blade is that same amount of time spent on a S30V blade? Maybe that is why an S30V grind isnt as aggressive as 420HC.?
Click to expand...

I will take a guess as it would be slower for s30v. May even be a different stone/belt. Coolant would also help the grinding process and not destroy the heat treat.
 
I have been reading on this subject and I'm getting the impression that to sharpen s30v you need a diamond belt or stone.

I have pretty good luck with regular abrasive belts for 420hc.

And diamond belts seem pretty expensive. But have yet to really wear a s30v blade to a point where it's dull. I've just been touching up with a regular belt and finish by stropping.

Anyone here using different procedures for s30v than that of 420hc?

Yeah I coulda started a new thread, but this sorta applies to the original, and I like Mike's pics.:)
Thanks.
 
I don't have any experience with BUCK S30V but do have plenty of S30V experience. I just use the gray rods on my sharp maker to get them sharp. S35vn, d2, e.t.c. handles them all
 
Yes, you can sharpen s30v with SiC grit / stones. But I finish it off on diamond. When I grind and shape a steel with vanadium it takes much more
time and it eat belts of aluminum oxide. So, I use SiC and diamond belts for this process as well. I have not ground blades of 420 steel. But I have ground blades of 01 & 440C, ect. and these grind much easier than vanadium steels. My experience, DM
 
I use Japanese water stones,and also diamond stones,I can sharpen the same angles on both 420 and s30v,not much differnce in difficulty of sharpening,if I put a convex edge on 420 hc it will cut and hold its edge as long as a stone sharpened s30v ,at least that's my experience .
 
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