H1 vs LC200N

[blueblur]

I’ve been underwhelmed by the edge retention of pe lc200n but I feel that is due to how it was talked up. The high toughness ratings keep me from swearing it off and I still like how well it responds to sharpening but it’s still a toss up between lc and h1 anytime I’m in FL or on/in the water.

[tonijedi]

...
In smaller knives I find the ffg really comes to the fore and I greatly prefer my Salt 2 lc200n to my Salt 1 H1, both in SE. On the smaller blade the hollow grind seems just too shallow.
...

I have a Salt 2 SE H1 and I completely agree with you.
In fact, since I don't own any LC200N yet, my contribution to this tread was pointing out the difference between my Pac Salt 1 SE and my Salt 2 SE... It's a big difference!
Once again, geometry matters the most.

[PeaceInOurTime]

I only have experience with SE H1 and PE LC.

Having carried/used SE H1 daily for the past year and a half, I can say it never lets me down. However, just with my experience with PE LC and seeing other people's experiences with SE LC, I prefer LC.

H1 is a corrosion proof champion, but LC is nearly on the same level. H1 is unlikely to ever be offered in FFG, not an issue for LC.

Totally subjective, but I really like how LC responds to sharpening, especially off of a DMT coarse plate. H1 is super quick to sharpen or touch up and takes a super fine edge.

H1 has performed well enough for my use and is quite tough, but it's edge just doesn't last as long as LC, IME.

It's a tough call, they're both good options. I can't objectively judge the two with my limited experience of edge types, but LC just seems to be an all around improvement for the Salt line.

Now you have me considering converting one of my H1 knives to PE for comparison

[cabfrank]

It's a conundrum, because I want to try LC200N , but I love H1.

[ladybug93]

i haven't experienced increased edge retention in se lc200n over se h1. as i said before though, i have experienced rolling in se lc200n, which i've never had with se h1, even when cutting the same material. i still believe that may be partially due to blade geometry of hollow vs flat grinds. i really think you are fine with either and should base a decision on geometry over steel.

[Evil D]

i haven't experienced increased edge retention in se lc200n over se h1. as i said before though, i have experienced rolling in se lc200n, which i've never had with se h1, even when cutting the same material. i still believe that may be partially due to blade geometry of hollow vs flat grinds. i really think you are fine with either and should base a decision on geometry over steel.

Blade geometry shouldn't really effect edge geometry? The bevel being X degrees inclusive on one knife and then being the same X degrees inclusive on the other knife should give you an even playing field between the two steels regardless of blade grind even if the resulting serrations are taller in the bevel or whatever, the biggest difference is the thickness behind the bevel and that shouldn't be effecting edge damage unless it's so thin that the whole bevel is rippling which I'm sure isn't the case with serrations.

In my case for example, I've got my H1 Autonomy and my LC Caribbean, both have been reprofiled to a 15 degree bevel and sharpened to the same grit, and both saw similar edge damage cutting up the same materials. Both edges have as close of an edge geometry as I can make them despite having different blade grinds. The edge should perform the same and then the blade grind will change how the knife moves through materials.

[The Deacon]

LC200N, because it can be full flat ground.

[StuntZombie]

I like both, but tend to prefer LC200N. It definitely seems to have better edge retention in serrated than even my H1 knives did, while being just as easy to sharpen.

I did manage to pit my Pac Salt 2 with lime juice, but it never gave me any problems around salt water.

[Manixguy@1994]

Wish I could participate but only have H1 , plan to rectify after first of year . I hear LC200N calling my name . MG2

[skeeg11]

I find it interesting that Sal's wife Gail chose LC200N for her Chad Kelley custom.

[shunsui]

Personally I think SE H1 is the original Magnacut.
Rustproof, tough, and is a chainsaw on the Catra machines.
Asymetrical edge, just an added bonus.
I've always wondered why people never got it.

[MFlovejp]

For my use, I prefer the blade geometry that comes with the H1. The H1 Pac salt is pretty much a doomsday folder in that I would cut with it, dig with it, and generally abuse it and I know it can take it. My LC200N Pac Salt is cool, and I carry it, but it doesn’t feel as tanky as the H1 version.

[tonijedi]

Personally I think SE H1 is the original Magnacut.
Rustproof, tough, and is a chainsaw on the Catra machines.
Asymetrical edge, just an added bonus.
I've always wondered why people never got it.

And easy to sharpen (for me, one of the best attributes a steel can have).

[vivi]

Personally I think SE H1 is the original Magnacut.
Rustproof, tough, and is a chainsaw on the Catra machines.
Asymetrical edge, just an added bonus.
I've always wondered why people never got it.

Same here. To me it's the super steel.

Being exceptionally tough and rust PROOF, and holding an edge better than your standard nearly any other steel when it came out...that combo is much more impressive to me than what a lot of super steels offer - some extra edge retention over 420 while sacrificing toughness and corrosion resistance.

The difference between stainless and stain proof for me is a bigger game changer than the difference in edge holding between a 420hc buck 110 and S30V Militaryfolder.

[shunsui]

Full disclosure: I like them both.

[cabfrank]

I agree with vivi. I think H1 is super steel. I have to reserve judgement on LC200N until I own it, but I would be happy with all H1 knives. Really.

[ykspydiefan]

I voted, like them both, but I like them both in different ways. I have a Pacific Salt H1 and the Waterway LC200n. Fixed blade in the box, it has only been used on fish. Folder in the pocket, it handles every thing else. For me the variety of offerings in these steels make for perfect pairings. For the record neither steel has let me down in anyway.

[wrdwrght]

Didn’t vote. Premature. H1 vs LC200N vs MagnaCut…

[PeaceInOurTime]

Vivi, I don't recall, have you done a side-by-side test of your PE LC and PE H1 Pacific Salts?

[vivi]

Vivi, I don't recall, have you done a side-by-side test of your PE LC and PE H1 Pacific Salts?

yep. they both hold an edge much longer with a coarse finish. didn't see a drastic edge holding difference between them.

Didn’t vote. Premature. H1 vs LC200N vs MagnaCut…

We'll see. The data suggested magna wasn't rust proof so I was surprised to see it in a salt. I'll be testing it to see if its up to H1's standard.