Do you want to get the best knife steel for your kitchen use or outdoor use, and are you worried about this? You will notice that the market has many steel models, so choosing the best steel can be challenging.
After all in this guide, we have discus the 12c27 vs 420hc with some specific features. So let’s read this product description that helps you to buy a good quality steel.
I’m sure that you would also enjoy our list of top steels – VG 10 pocket knife.
112c27 vs 420hc Steel For Knive Comparison:
1. Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife
- Fixed blade outdoor knife with 4.1-inch high carbon steel blade
- Extra-large ergonomic handle with patterned, high-friction grip that makes the...
- Blade Thickness: 0.125 inches (3.2 mm), Blade Length: 4.1 inches (104 mm),...
- Color-matching plastic sheath with belt clip
If you searching for fix blade knife then the Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade knife from the Swedish company MORAKNIV.
Most of the users like this one, that comes with a 4.3 blade with a square-ground spine and of course, these types knife made from the 12c27 stainless steel. After all, the knife specially design for outdoor activities, like camping, hunting or even fishing.
On the other hand, it comes with a plastic sheath system, (so we highly recommend the multi-mount system, their plastic sheath isn’t that great), If you purchase this one you will get comfortable design that perform in wet and cold conditions. So, who searching for 12c27 knife for your outdoor activities, it is the best knife.
2. Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
- Originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft
- Tough enough to cut through the fuselage of an aircraft
- Purposeful break between the tang and the butt cap, providing insulated...
- Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold
Who searching for professional quality knives then, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is one of the best ways for you. That comes with a 4.84 drop point blade with a serrated edge, and include glass-filled nylon with TPV over mold handle and a reinforced sheath.
On the other hand, it made of stainless steel in the end of the blade that can pierce glass. The knife comes with ergonomic comfortable to handle and according to Gerber its originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft.
We would suggest you go through our list of top steels – 14c28n steel.
12c27 vs 420hc Compared
What is 12c27 steel?
Specially, it is a martensitic stainless chromium steel design for the manufacture of kitchen tools with high wear and corrosion resistance properties.
The steel is great for wear and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, it is mostly use for kitchen tool, such as several types of knives and scissors which need to tolerate dishwashing. It comes with Chromium-14.50%, Carbon, 0.52% and Manganese-0.60%.
What is 420hc steel?
The 420hc is an evolution of the 420 steel, that include with low-end stainless steel use for cutlery, custom knives, scissors and surgical tools. Most of the knives company uses these steel for professional knife. It is a professional carbon content 420 stainless steel.
However it has a wonderful carbon base and is mixed to a harder finish than 420 stainless steel, but under normal processes, falls around 55 HRC.
Buck knives are just one of the many products that are made from 420hc tough material. As from features, there are many different levels of steel. But product made from 420hc steel that are definitely different from other types of steel in terms of performance and reliability.
Is 12c27 steel good for knife?
The steel has low-end steel that’s so close to mid-range steels, it provides perfect edge retention toughness, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, which perfect for knives.
So, without any confusion, the 12c27 steel good for knife. Even, when you looking to have hunting or finish knife, then the steel are great for an outdoor or humid environment.
Is 420hc steel good for knife?
For this low-end stainless steel the 420hc is wonderful steel for the low-entry knife. However the steel comes with decent edge retention, perfect corrosion resistance and it’s easy to sharpen, that’s why our answer is yes, the 420hc steel is good for knives.
These types of knives are more durable and easy to sharpen when in constant use and they’re pretty rust-resistant. On the other hand, these types of steel make them a great for some machetes.
If you like, you can check out the full list of top steel’s here- W2 steel.
Is 12c27 steel easy to sharpen?
Get for perfect result, use a diamond tool or wet stone for sharpening. You can one side until you can feel a slight burr on the opposite side.
After all, the stainless steel is their main knife steel and is very perfect rounded, providing good balance between quality and value.
Is 420hc steel easy to sharpen?
Although 420hc doesn’t hold an edge well, but luckily the steels relatively stain-resistant and tough. That is easy to use and sharpen. However, there is one exception: the 420hc is produce using a proprietary heat treatment.
So, there is one of the top advantage in using 420hc steel. That is already most popularity in market for their high-quality performance and easy to sharpen. However, this is wonderful material is use for hatchets, knives.
12c27 steel hardness
With a hardness range of 54-61 HRC, high toughness, scary sharpness and perfect corrosion resistance, the 12c27 is the highly recommend grade for hunting knives, camping knives, pocket knives, high-end chef’s knives and tactical knives.
420hc steel hardness
The 420hc obtains about 57 HRC after suitable heat treatment. That is higher carbon content 420 stainless steel.
However, the steel is perfect high carbon and it can brought to a higher hardness than regular 420 and should not be mistakes for it. As for professional features, Buck knives and Gerber knives use the steel extensively.
You can also have a look at our list of top steels here – 3cr13 steel.
12c27 steel composition:
| Materials | Quantity | Works |
| Carbon | 0.6% | Improves hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Chromium | 13.5% | Great for tensile strength and Edge retention. Even it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance |
| Manganese | 0.1% | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Silicon | 0.4% | Great for strength. |
| Phosphorus | 0.03% | Improves strength. |
| Sulfur | 0.03% | Improves machinability. |
420hc steel composition
| Materials | Quantity | Works |
| Carbon | 0.46 | Improves hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Chromium | 13 % | Great for tensile strength and Edge retention. Even it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance |
| Manganese | 0.4 % | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Vanadium | 0.3% | Increases wear resistance and hardenability. |
| Silicon | 0.4 | Perfect for strength. |
12c27 steel properties
| 12c27 | Work |
| 9 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 3 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 2 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6 | TOUGHNESS |
420hc steel properties
| 420hc | Work |
| 2 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 7 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6 | TOUGHNESS |
12c27 vs 420hc – Final Verdict
Both 12c27 vs 420hc steel are professional for a knife that provides many benefits. Also, they are made with a compact size, sharp blades, and long-lasting performance.
We highly commend those two products for their perfect sizes, so they do not take up ample space to fulfill the purpose excellently. However, using these two pieces of steel, you enjoy your kitchen fruit cutting moment.