mili steel comparison

clovisc · #1

i'd be very interested in a steel freak (or two, or three, or twenty...) giving a commentary on how D2, BG42, S30V (and eventually S90V) compare in the mili configuration. i'm thinking about getting another mili in addition to my S30V CF... and wondering which steel type i'd prefer? :D

i'd be interested in:
- edge retention
- ease of sharpening
- how the steel does at taking and holding a super fine edge
- etc.

The Mastiff · #2

Clovisc, if those are your requirements/likes the BG42 is probably the best one for you. BG takes a more polished , finer edge than the other steels. If you do pushcutting, for instance, the BG can do it better.

None of them are really difficult for me to sharpen with my Diamonds then 201. Wear resistance is pretty close. BG42 can stay sharper longer, but when the stuff you are cutting is dirty, gritty etc, the S30, and D2 will last longer. I don't even polish up my D2 blades. It's not really that kind of steel.

All in all they are all good. I prefer the BG model but I guess if I had to cut up my old carpet I'd use the D2 or S30. I don't do too much of that though.

Of course it's really sort of tradition to say get one of each, isn't it? With the sharpmaker they will all be a bit more time consuming than VG10 when major work needs doing.

None of these steels, or the knife design itself really lends itself to prying, twisting in the cut, or trying to use it as a screwdriver. I'd reccomend against things with metal in them like cat 5 cable ( fairly thick microbeveled D2 would probably hold up the best for that). Also remember this is not regular ingot D2. It's CPM'ized D2. We're still learning about it, but it seems good so far to me.

A quick outline for you. Please recall I'm no expert on this stuff. There are those around here that have forgotten more than I know about steel, so just consider this just my opinions. Joe

yablanowitz · #3

I think Joe is spot on. In my experience, the BG-42 abrades much more easily than the CPM D2, or the 440V for that matter. It amazes me that anything that sharpens as easily as BG-42 will hold an edge. Of course, I do all my sharpening on diamond hones, it might be a different story on ceramics.

For tougher jobs I prefer the D2, but for ease of sharpening and taking a fine edge, the BG-42 edges it out.

clovisc · #4

thanks, guys... sounds like the BG42 is more up my alley. i'll have to either get rich quick, or scout out a good deal on a used user... :D

sixfoot7 · #5

+1 to what Mastiff and Yab said. I have both the BG and th S30V, and they both have their place. Incredible slicers and pushcutters, and I too am amazed at the ease at which BG 42 sharpens, and I do use ceramics, plus a strop if it's going to be cutting steak :D . I will be getting the S90V in a few days, and I'll let you know how that one turns out as well.

Rik

kbuzbee · #6

clovisc wrote:thanks, guys... sounds like the BG42 is more up my alley. i'll have to either get rich quick, or scout out a good deal on a used user... :D

Just FYI, the D2 is on sale at Savson for $108. That's pretty good! I have the D2 and love it!

Ken

vampyrewolf · #7

The Mastiff wrote: None of these steels, or the knife design itself really lends itself to prying, twisting in the cut, or trying to use it as a screwdriver. I'd reccomend against things with metal in them like cat 5 cable
Joe

You don't want to know what I've done with a millie...

Had a 440v CE that I beat on for a couple years before it went to Zambia with Jason... and I mean beat on. Figured if I couldn't kill it then he couldn't kill it.

I'm working on an S30V CE now, usually in a neck rig... it gets used quite often, since there are some things I don't want to expose other knives to (like the Kris or my Mayhem). Cat5 is the least of my worries when it comes to cutting cable. Worst I've done so far was 8 AWG when I put the sub in my car this last summer. RG58/59 is easy, and Cat5e/6 is at least only 24 AWG wires.

****, I used an ats-55 delica on roofing shingles, landscaping fabric, 14/3 and 12/3 cords, drywall and insulation (and only managed to have the tip broken once when my father twisted it in wood to mark a hole).... and you don't want to even think about what my ss 'fly has gone through. W&R would either laugh at what I've done or sit in the corner and shake.

spyderdog · #8

Can anyone give us an idea of what the expectaions for S90V are? I've heard American equivalent of ZDP and other such things. Is it a steel that really suits the military?

kbuzbee · #9

High wear resistance and moderate toughness. I worry it may chip if hitting something hard but should hold an edge like nobody's business. Comparison to ZDP is probably a good one.

Ken

mrappraisit · #10

How did I miss this thread? Good question Clovisc. :)

D-Roc · #11

I'm a big fan of SE- but I have been carrying my BG-42 Millie and using it often at work. I must say that it is a very impressive knife. Fantastic to use. :D

kbuzbee · #12

spyderdog wrote:Can anyone give us an idea of what the expectaions for S90V are? I've heard American equivalent of ZDP and other such things. Is it a steel that really suits the military?

Here is the CPM data sheet on S90V:

http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/d ... N=18550103

I hate the price point and I'd prefer G10 scales but I gotta say, I'm looking forward to trying this baby...

Enjoy!

Ken