H1 vs H2 steel in edc use.

[Brent F]

Was thinking about getting a se manbug in a "rust proof" steel, and saw that spyderco has shifted to H2 steel. Just looking for some feedback from people who have used it, how does it compare to H1? Edge holding, sharpenability, the good,the bad and the ugly. Thanks in advance.

 

[stillshot2]

I haven't used both, I only have H1, but I cut up a thick cardboard box with my Pacific Salt with no noticable difference in sharpness afterwards, so it's not a knife made of butter like some would make you think. I've read H2 is equal to H1 in use, the only difference is how it is produced is now more cost effective. These steels are very easy to sharpen. To touch up the edge I've even used the bottom of a coffee mug or even the top of a halfway rolled down car window.

Edit: mine is plain edge

 

[kobold]

There is a video with Eric saying H2 has the best edge retention, better than Rex 121 even.

 

[uxo2]

Serrated edge in either.

 

[Skar]

There is a video with Eric saying H2 has the best edge retention, better than Rex 121 even.

I’m having trouble deciphering is this is a joke or not…

 

[yablanowitz]

Not a joke. In testing of serrated edges, H2 outperformed even Rex121. Plain edge is another story altogether.

 

[David Mary]

I should get a plain-edge and serrated H2, then add my own serrations to the plain-edge and test both. For fun. And science. Maybe some day.

 

[Mick_1KRR]

Serrated in either H1 or H2 cuts longer than any steel I've ever used, beats my S110v spydies easily. Plain edge sharpened at 400-600 grit 15 degrees per side holds and edge just like VG10, been using H1 forever, nowhere near as bad as people claim once you find the right edge setup. Serrated is just a whole different beast, it's next level.

 

[SharpBits]

I must be doing something wrong because I have never gotten good edge life from H1serrated. Always has dulled quickly for me. I've thinned the edge on a couple as well.

Maybe I should send a few up North for David Mary to work his magic. I wonder if they would make it past the Badged Nannies at the border?

 

[David Mary]

I don't know about the claims of work hardening beyond the mill, nor did I ever experience anything that made me believe them, and not for lack of testing with my own machine grinding and sharpening.

In my opinion, H1 (and presumably H2) is a fantastic steel because it is rustproof, and because it is tough. Those who know me already are aware that I value toughness, because it allows thin geometry with stable edges, and as we all know, geometry cuts.

I like a knife that I can strop back to life on the edge of a piece of cardboard. I can do that with 8Cr13MoV, I can do it with AEB-L, 15N20, 8670, a bunch of others, and guess what, I can do it with H1 also.

Now combine that with custom knife geometry and all of a sudden you have a blade that, despite not having gained any additional wear resistance, now possesses far superior cutting longevity, and ease of resharpening, due to less material at the shoulders to be removed, which also means it takes longer before the increasing edge thickness over multiple sharpenings requires aggressive reprofiling.

Sold both of these years ago, as you can see it was before I had a "regrind" maker's mark.

 

[SharpBits]

I don't know about the claims of work hardening, nor did I ever experience anything that made me believe them, and not for lack of testing with my own machine grinding and sharpening.

In my opinion, H1 (and presumably H2) is a fantastic steel because it is rustproof, and because it is tough. Those who know me already are aware that I value toughness, because it allows thin geometry with stable edges, and as we all know, geometry cuts.

I like a knife that I can strop back to life on the edge of a piece of cardboard. I can do that with 8Cr13MoV, I can do it with AEB-L, 15N20, 8670, a bunch of others, and guess what, I can do it with H1 also.

Now combine that with custom knife geometry and all of a sudden you have a blade that, despite not having gained any additional wear resistance, now possesses far superior cutting longevity, and ease of resharpening, due to less material at the shoulders to be removed, which also means it takes longer before the increasing edge thickness over multiple sharpenings requires aggressive reprofiling.

Sold both of these years ago, as you can see it was before I had a "regrind" maker's mark.

You probably could slice flying mosquitos in half with the top one!

 

[David Mary]

If I started, I'd never stop.