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Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 1:50 pm
by 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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 1:52 pm
by 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
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:06 pm
by ladybug93
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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:17 pm
by vivi
Very interested in comparing this to H1, which is my favorite steel.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:34 pm
by 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?
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:38 pm
by 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.
Re: H2 vs. H1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:46 pm
by Evil D
Larrin wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 12:52 pm
Evil D wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 12:35 pm
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?
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 2:58 pm
by 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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 3:40 pm
by 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?
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 3:46 pm
by 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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 3:47 pm
by Dazen
steelcity16 wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 1:16 pm
They just Built Back Better H-1...that is all
Or maybe they Made H-1 Great Again

Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 4:05 pm
by steelcity16
Dazen wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 3:47 pm
steelcity16 wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 1:16 pm
They just Built Back Better H-1...that is all
Or maybe they Made H-1 Great Again
Keep H-1 Great 2024!!
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 4:43 pm
by infinkc
Think Spyderco should have just make them all Magnacut for the Salt like.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 4:57 pm
by tangent
infinkc wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 4:43 pm
Think Spyderco should have just make them all Magnacut for the Salt like.
Agree 100%
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:05 pm
by 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?
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:18 pm
by 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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:26 pm
by 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.
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:37 pm
by 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
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:59 pm
by Superflex
skeeg11 wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 5:05 pm
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
Re: H-2 vs. H-1
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 6:51 pm
by VooDooChild
Just realised with the logo and the hole you get h20.