How tough is 420hc compared to other steels?

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Steelhog

Steelhog

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How tough is 420hc compared to other steels? I think Fallkniven uses 420 to line there VG10 core so I would guess its fairly tuff but I have not seen any charts or comparisons.
 
It depends on how well the steel is heat treated. According to this, it’s pretty tough.
ED0-D189-F-29-D2-4-B5-A-93-AD-522-CE5732918.jpg
 
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The Mastiff said:
I have more issues with the rankings in those charts than I want to take the time to write about. IMO it shouldn't be passed off as even close to accurate.
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I agree, there are far more variables involved to claim the accuracy of most charts. I only posted it because the OP wanted to see a chart.
 
That chart is hilarious, meaningless, and hilariously meaningless. I mean, what factor are they using to measure "toughness"? How much exactly IS "9 knife steel toughness" anyway? Gotta love that they put 8cr so far up. Man, did The Peacent do this chart? 😅 😅 😅
 
jstn said:
Larrin's data suggests this chart is extremely inaccurate. To your questions, Larrin has also said 420 is a very tough steel, and would be his recommendation for swords.
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I agree with Larrin, but the OP asked how tough 420hc was and said he hasn’t seen any charts. So I posted this one for him.
 
Quiet said:
That chart is hilarious, meaningless, and hilariously meaningless. I mean, what factor are they using to measure "toughness"? How much exactly IS "9 knife steel toughness" anyway? Gotta love that they put 8cr so far up. Man, did The Peacent do this chart? 😅 😅 😅
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I agree, too many variables are involved for most steel charts to be accurate. However, the steel in question was probably accurately placed, so I figured I would post it.
 
According to a write up by Larrin in one of his articles, 420 HC exhibited good toughness for a stainless steel but did not have the edge retention of the higher end stainless. The best of the stainless were those that balanced equivalent toughness with superior edge retention.

So, bottom line...it's fairly tough for a stainless.
 
Blues said:
According to a write up by Larrin in one of his articles, 420 HC exhibited good toughness for a stainless steel but did not have the edge retention of the higher end stainless. The best of the stainless were those that balanced equivalent toughness with superior edge retention.

So, bottom line...it's fairly tough for a stainless.
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Yep 420HC is pretty tough, tough enough for millions of people to use and trust it as a stable EDC with buck
 
Hey thanks for the help all! If 420hc is as tough or tougher than something like 12c27 or 14c28n that's tuff beyond anything I will ever put it though. "Very tuff and recommended for stainless swords" sounds really tough.
 
our good Larrin Larrin has already posted info about 420hc - it's VERY tough for stainless... some of the most tough stainless you can get (if you have a proper heat treatment). It's scoring over 40 ft-lbs according to this result :D

stainless-toughness-5-7-2021.jpg
 
Buck's 420HC is plenty tough. It's also highly stain resistant and easy to sharpen to a fine edge. I had to touch up my 119 half way through field dressing a moose one time, which set a pretty useful benchmark for my purposes.
 
It is important to note that not all 420HC is equal. The heat treatment plays a big part in the end result. As others have mentioned, Buck does 420HC better then anyone else thanks to Mr. Bos and his crews heat treat imho.

I have no experience with Fallknivens 420HC but chances are a good company like them do a fine job with 420HC.
 
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