H-2 vs. H-1

[Wandering_About]

Lots of doom and gloom here! A bit hard to make judgment just from the composition, as a layman.

I like LC200N for my "salt" knives anyway so I'll pretty much be watching this debate from the peanut gallery.

[SaltKnives]

It’s so crazy how Spyderco has H1, LC200n, and now Magnacut in the pipeline! I know we all now there’s another super stainless out there but now they are going to move to H2? I’m very intrigued!

-Chris

[ladybug93]

Lots of doom and gloom here!

maybe because we were just told a steel we really like is being phased out and replaced with something new, not because the new is better but because the old is just not being produced anymore. and the only benefits we're being told about are that it might be slightly easier to produce (unless i missed something, which is highly possible since i'm a dense dude). people don't like change, so it would've been a good idea for spyderco to make a big deal about any advancements or benefits in use instead of focusing on production. or even make a big deal about how it's effectively exactly the same in use, but will be cheaper because production will be easier... something. anything. for the most part, customers care about use and manufacturers care about production. this byte doesn't seem to do much to address end user concerns.

[vivi]

Very interested in comparing this to H1, which is my favorite steel.

[Christian Noble]

Even if edge retention is slightly ‘different’ will still go with Spyderco and H2 for the corrosion resistance and toughness. Assuming corrosion improvement here is primarily from a chemical attack perspective?

Hope it is still G. Sakai still making these considering their high quality and long history. Much respect for them and for Spyderco keeping that relationship over the years.

It obviously says a lot about the Salt line that H2 is happening in light of H1’s discontinuation. Also, wasn’t there a European version of H1 before H1, is that not an option?

[jwbnyc]

Wow, on to Two pages already.. this hit a nerve.

I can’t imagine Spyderco would downgrade one of their most popular (at least with the Anti Corrosion League) steels.

It looks like they tweaked H1, while they had the chance, is all.

Only time will tell.

Seems like neither whatever H series steel, or LC200N, will survive a widespread introduction of Magnacut, if it continues to perform to expectation.

You could lower the HRC on Magnacut and still have better edge retention, with (one would expect) better toughness and improved corrosion resistance, wouldn’t you?

Interesting times.

[Evil D]

I literally had to check the date to see if it was April 1st. Never thought I'd see the day. I guess my first question would be, why is H1 not being/not able to be produced anymore, yet an entirely new recipe steel can be? What hard times prevent one steel but allow a new steel? Component availability or something?

I guess now I know why I can't get my hands on an Autonomy 1.

Presumably a different manufacturer.

I guess I missed that part.



The next ... Inevitable question... What about that work hardening thing? Still apply?

[Matus]

I am not a metallurgist, but the changes to the composition between H1 and H2 don’t naively sound like we should expect improvement in wear resistance. But then again, I don’t understand the process of work hardening and if that improves, than we may see positive impact.

[TSINGA]

Wow, just wow. I just bought a the Pacific Salt 2 PE H1 and the LC200N version was shipped today. Was holding out for the Aqua Salt with a non-coated blade, and now this news. Not sure if I should buy the Aqua Salt or another Pacific Salt 2 H1 to keep as a spare? If the Aqua Salt goes to H2 what are the chances it is released in a satin finish blade?

[spoonrobot]

This is an interesting development, in a really great edition of the Byte.

It took more than a decade for H1 to get its due wrt to edge retention so there’s not many reports I’ll be paying attention to for H2. As a heavy H1 user since 2004 I’m sad to see it go but hopeful for its successor.

ZDP189, H1, I wonder what steel from the golden era will disappear next.

[Dazen]

They just Built Back Better H-1...that is all

Or maybe they Made H-1 Great Again

[steelcity16]

They just Built Back Better H-1...that is all

Or maybe they Made H-1 Great Again

Keep H-1 Great 2024!!

[infinkc]

Think Spyderco should have just make them all Magnacut for the Salt like.

[tangent]

Think Spyderco should have just make them all Magnacut for the Salt like.

Agree 100%

[skeeg11]

H1/H2 is the defacto Japanese salt with LC200N as an option. Why not let MagnaCut be the defacto American Salt in Golden models?

[Coastal]

I'll probably buy a few more OG Salt 1s and Pac Salt 1s, not for their H1 blades, but because I like their handles a little better. I predict I will not be able to tell H2 from H1, but I'll be very interested to hear what the steel aficionados and hardcore users think.

[VooDooChild]

Huh.

Yeah, h1 was already rust proof in pretty much all real world conditions so how much do you need to improve on that?

Also, is this a chemical/ steel matrix thing? Because I dont see how copper on its own would help with oxidation.

[Manixguy@1994]

As I posted on other thread , I would like to give H2 a try . I would like more than a bite , give me the whole sandwich. I really believe more information will be coming . MG2

[Superflex]

H1/H2 is the defacto Japanese salt with LC200N as an option. Why not let MagnaCut be the defacto American Salt in Golden models?

Other than an advantage in edge retention (3.5 vs 5), what does Magnacut offer that LC200N does not.
According to Dr. Thomas, LC200N is more corrosion resistant (10 vs 9.5) and has higher toughness (8.5 vs 7).

I get Magnacut is a well rounded steel, but thinking it's the next coming of Christ in stainless seems silly.

I dont think it would fare as well as H1 did in the Great Salt Lake challenge

[VooDooChild]

Just realised with the logo and the hole you get h20.