420HC steel
420HC is a conventional stainless steel. It rates 2/10 for edge retention, 7/10 for toughness and 7/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 56–58 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Stainless steels
- Hardness
- 56–58 HRC
- Maker
- Latrobe / various (generic) (USA)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Budget
- Used by
- Buck, Case, Gerber, Leatherman, Kershaw
- Also called
- 420 High Carbon, Latrobe 420HC
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.46 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.3 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 |
Source: manufacturer datasheet. Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes 420HC behave the way it does
420HC contains 0.46% carbon, a low level that favours toughness and corrosion resistance; 13% chromium for corrosion resistance.
A small vanadium addition (0.3%) mainly refines grain size.
Buck's Paul Bos heat treat gets the most out of it. Fine-grained, very easy to sharpen.
Knives in 420HC
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck 110 Folding Hunter | Buck | 3.75" | 7.2 oz | Lockback | $120 | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen 420HC
420HC is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
FAQ
Is 420HC a good knife steel?
420HC is strongest in ease of sharpening (9/10) and weakest in edge retention (2/10). Its average across the four ratings is 6.2/10, and it sits in the budget price tier.
Does 420HC rust?
Not in normal use. 420HC rates 7/10 for corrosion resistance; wipe it dry after contact with salt or acidic food.
Is 420HC hard to sharpen?
420HC is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
What hardness is 420HC?
Knives in 420HC are usually hardened to 56–58 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.