In this guide, I’m going to tell you everything I know about 420j2 vs 420hc steel. I will explain the best for your knives and provide you easy to sharpen and perfect cutting performance. Whether you want to purchase the right one that gives you an affordable price but high-quality performance, this guide is for you.
I will share everything I know and give you the insider “secrets” that most knife manufacturers won’t tell you about making knives that best.
Best 420j2 vs 420hc knives Comparison:
1. Columbia River CRKT 5102N
- Innovative Opening: Unique cam action of the snap lock mechanism
- Minimizes Reflectivity: Bead blast finish reduces reflection
- Quick Release: Lanyard can be quickly released from tool for safety
- Designed by Ed Van Hoy in Abingdon, Virginia
When you are looking for the best knives, then you can purchase Columbia River CRKT 5102N. It has one of the most innovative pocket knives on the market. Ed van Hoy designed it, initially introduced in 2005.
There is one of the top things that you pull the blade sideways out of its grip. This results in somewhat surprised faces when you take the knife out of your pocket.
The knife is easy to use when you understand how it operates. In this time, you also see the ingenuousness of the operation. The knife inside has a cut-out with enough room for the blade.
2. Gerber LMF II
- 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
The knife is a well-known beast in the knife market, so LMF II is a perfect choice when you want a fixed knife. A 4.84 drop point blade with a Serrated Edge comes with glass-filled Nylon with a TPV over mold handle and a reinforced sheath.
Even this a pointed buttcap made of stainless steel at the end of the blade can pierce the glass. It comes with an ergonomic design and is comfortable to handle, and according to Gerber “ it’s Originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft. After all, the knife is the best-fixed knife in 420hc steel.
If you need more in-depth information on the other top steel, then you may check out our buyer’s guide – What is 9Cr18MoV Steel?
What are 420j2 vs 420hc Steels?
[420j2 steel]: Actually, 420j2 is a low-end stainless steel high in Chromium. The steel is most popular in the market for its high corrosion resistance, that good for affordable knives and diving knives, Surgical instruments, daggers, scissors and swords.
[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. Almost every knives company uses these steel for professional knife. It is a professional carbon content 420 stainless steel.
After all, 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.
These types of steel 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.
420j2 vs 420hc properties
After researching the chemical composition and the HRC of the steel, the 420j2 steel has the following features:
420J2 Edge Retention: The steel isn’t the best in edge retention, but comes with a low to 0 carbon in it, so it makes not so hard and low edge retention.
420J2 Corrosion Resistance: The 420j2 steel has 14% of Chromium, that will offer you a great Corrosion Resistance.
420J2 Wear Resistance: Not only good in wear resistance, it comes with a decent one for low-end steel.
420J2 Toughness: Perfect in toughness, the 420j2 steel comes with perfect impact resistance, the steel is more focused on toughness and corrosion resistance.
You may also be interested to have a look at our top list of steels – 154CM Steel VS D2 Steel.
[420hc steel]:
| 420hc | Work |
| 2 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 6 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 7 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 6 | TOUGHNESS |
Is 420j2 and 420hc steel good for knife?
[420j2 steel]: The steel is honestly good for knives, but comes with reasonable price. The steel is good for knives that are edge retention; edge retention is a game changer in all types of knives.
While it offers a weak one, but the steel is very tough and has good corrosion resistance, so when you’re not bothered with sharpening your knife and you’re in a limited budget that this is the right option for you.
[420hc steel]: For this low-end stainless steel the 420hc is perfect steel for the low-entry knife. So the steel has decent edge retention, good corrosion resistance end that is easy to sharpen, for this reasons our answer is yes, the 420hc steel is good for knives.
The 420hc steel is 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.
Is 420j2 and 420hc steel easy to sharpen?
[420j2 steel]: According to composition the harder the steel, the harder to sharpen it, our 420J2 has a decent hardness, so sharpening it would be an easy task.
[420hc steel]: While the steel doesn’t hold an edge well, but luckily the steels relatively stain-resistant and tough. That is easy to use and sharpen. So, there is one exception: the 420hc is produce using a proprietary heat treatment.
However, there is one of the top advantages in using 420hc steel. The steel is already most popularity in market for their high-quality performance and easy to sharpen. So, this is good material is use for hatchets, knives.
420j2 and 420hc steel hardness
[420hc steel]: The steels maximum hardness of the 420J2 steel is 56 HRC.
[420hc steel]: The 420hc steel gets about 57 HRC after suitable heat treatment. It is higher carbon content 420 stainless steel. So, it is good 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.
We’re quite certain that you would be interested to check out our list of top steels – 12c27 vs 8cr13mov Steel For Knives.
420j2 and 420hc composition
[420j2 steel]:
| Materials | Quantity | Works |
| Carbon | 0,32% | It will increase hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Chromium | 14% | Perfect for tensile strength and Edge retention. On the other hand it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance |
| Nickel | 1% | Increase toughness. |
| Manganese | 1% | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Silicon | 1% | Good for strength. |
| Phosphorus | 0,04% | Improves strength. |
| Sulfur | 0,03% | Improves machinability. |
[420hc steel]:
| 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. |
420j2 vs 420hc – Final Verdict
Finally, in this 420j2 vs 420hc steel comparison review, you found all helpful information, and you have cleared all doubts about these.
These two steel are great for knives, so they are familiar with the great steel. However, if you would like to buy easy to sharpen then, you can choose the 420hc steel.
On the other hand, if you looking for an edge resistant and tough, you utilize the 420j2. Which steel is perfect for you is your own choice, but they are worth investing money in.