In Defense of 420HC Media
Published: 4 hours ago
Why does Leatherman use 420HC steel in so many knives and multi-tools?
If you’ve ever wondered whether 420HC is “good steel” or why it’s trusted for hard-use EDC, this video breaks it all down—no myths, no marketing fluff.
In this deep dive, we explain what 420HC stainless steel actually is, how it performs compared to popular knife steels, and why it’s a deliberate choice for tools that are meant to work hard and last for decades. You’ll hear directly from Leatherman’s in-house metallurgist as we cover the real-world pros and cons of 420HC, including toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, hardness (HRC), and ease of sharpening.
In this video, you’ll learn:
✅ What 420 vs 420HC stainless steel really means
✅ Why 420HC excels at toughness and durability
✅ How chromium and carbon content affect corrosion resistance
✅ Why 56–58 HRC is a sweet spot for hard-use EDC knives
✅ How 420HC compares to steels like S30V, CPM 154, MagnaCut, D2, and more
✅ Why proper heat treatment matters more than steel hype
✅ When 420HC isn’t the right choice for your use case
At Leatherman, we manufacture thousands of tools every day in Portland, Oregon, and steel selection isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, and long-term use. That’s why 420HC is used not only for blades, but for critical components across our multi-tools, each heat treated specifically for its job.
If you care about knives, multi-tools, metallurgy, EDC gear, or real-world performance, this video is for you.
From our factory in Portland, Oregon, we’re committed to bringing you the best multipurpose products to help you solve expected and unexpected problems in everyday life. Armed with creativity, know-how, and a Leatherman, you're ready for whatever real life throws your way.
Available now on our website: https://bit.ly/3jq04LV
Subscribe to the Leatherman Channel: @LeathermanToolGroup
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leathermantools/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leatherman_tools
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leatherman/
If you’ve ever wondered whether 420HC is “good steel” or why it’s trusted for hard-use EDC, this video breaks it all down—no myths, no marketing fluff.
In this deep dive, we explain what 420HC stainless steel actually is, how it performs compared to popular knife steels, and why it’s a deliberate choice for tools that are meant to work hard and last for decades. You’ll hear directly from Leatherman’s in-house metallurgist as we cover the real-world pros and cons of 420HC, including toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, hardness (HRC), and ease of sharpening.
In this video, you’ll learn:
✅ What 420 vs 420HC stainless steel really means
✅ Why 420HC excels at toughness and durability
✅ How chromium and carbon content affect corrosion resistance
✅ Why 56–58 HRC is a sweet spot for hard-use EDC knives
✅ How 420HC compares to steels like S30V, CPM 154, MagnaCut, D2, and more
✅ Why proper heat treatment matters more than steel hype
✅ When 420HC isn’t the right choice for your use case
At Leatherman, we manufacture thousands of tools every day in Portland, Oregon, and steel selection isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, and long-term use. That’s why 420HC is used not only for blades, but for critical components across our multi-tools, each heat treated specifically for its job.
If you care about knives, multi-tools, metallurgy, EDC gear, or real-world performance, this video is for you.
From our factory in Portland, Oregon, we’re committed to bringing you the best multipurpose products to help you solve expected and unexpected problems in everyday life. Armed with creativity, know-how, and a Leatherman, you're ready for whatever real life throws your way.
Available now on our website: https://bit.ly/3jq04LV
Subscribe to the Leatherman Channel: @LeathermanToolGroup
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leathermantools/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leatherman_tools
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leatherman/