Amazing 'Rustproof' Steels in the Knife Lab! H2, LC200n and Magnacut

[@FunkyStein1]

Would love to see Uncle Randy sharpen a buck 110 on a ceramic mug and rope test it in the knife lab 😁

[@krazmokramer]

Why??? We already know it will go at least 10,000 cuts. The Buck 110/112 set the bar for edge retention.🏆

[@theKashConnoisseur]

I've seen Buck knives be sharpened with a literal river rock, and then the stropping with fine mud on a flat-ish piece of bark. Shaving sharp, btw.

[@mikafoxx2717]

​@@theKashConnoisseurI've done this exact thing with a buck I found while camping. The apex was approximately a flat blade screwdriver when I started.

[@DerekeBennett-j9q]

​@@krazmokramerthe buck 110 set the bar for edge retention? 😂, when's was that 80 years ago, it's a garbage steel

[@DerekeBennett-j9q]

About 50 cuts, like all other 420 garbage

[@anthonyd6881]

Great test! And yup, I'm 41. tried the topical and it gave me hives. I've accepted my continuing hair loss, and will rock a buzzed head when the time comes!

[@CedricAda]

this is the way

[@tombrown4683]

Been shaving my head since 1999. Looks way better than the Roman crown around the edges. Know you fellows have a ways to go before then but just a fact from the elder generation.

[@FreedomFox1]

Zinc shampoo stopped my hairloss (based on my 1 minute “comb bangs over white sheet of paper” test).

[@stevenlachance8576]

Gotta watch for skin cancer on bald mountain especially in Australia. So hat and sun blocker

[@jackjohnson291]

I’ve been using a #1 on my head since I was 8 y/o. I’m a grown man and still do the same, and I’m not even balding in the slightest. Hair is a pain and waste of time, overrated.

[@nandayane]

I missed a good old fashioned knife lab intro! The majority of people who love H2/H1 prefer over LC200N and Magna-Cut prefer it in a serrated edge because of it’s exceptional toughness and ease of sharpen-ability the serrations will also be more aggressive and hold an edge longer. Gabe’s death rope test with a salt 2 in H2 was nuts it beat the performance of every dual grit edge ever.

[@cloudcleaver23]

Thank you for sending me down the search engine rabbit hole about anti-balding drugs making people prone to self-deletion, what the actual hell

[@kush662]

Eric from spyderco mentioned in an interview at blade show sometime back that H1 was no longer produced by the Japanese steel company which was hit with unavailability of elements due to coronavirus pandemic. So they redesigned the steel and started making H2.

[@krissteel4074]

Yep, it was fairly much a kickstart and revision rather than anything particularly innovative.

[@franksmith6810]

I have owned the Spyderco Schempp Rock since like 1998 .I am from Central Florida and have never had to do more than a little edge honing to bring back to shaving sharp. It is and has always been my go-to knife. That being said, it was also a rather expensive knife, especially for the time. But I did get what I paid for.

[@Miller_Time]

You got an heirloom piece that's for sure

[@craigsmith6710]

I didn’t realize how much I missed the knife lab music until I heard it again today.

[@awildmoosey]

The fun thing about H2 is that it has very good edge stability. You can bring it down to 7 degrees per side and it'll be fine, with how tough the steel is. Going that low per side improves edge retention and obviously makes it go through everything like butter.

[@jayweast1306]

According to Spyderco H2 holds an edge better than LC200N when serrated. And according to Larrin Thomas at Steel Nerds H2 wasn’t necessarily intended as an improvement to H1 but was a response to disruptions in Japanese steel manufacturing caused by the pandemic.

[@CedricAda]

ooh interesting info on the serrations I didnt think of that

[@velvetine74]

Yes Pete, these are the kinds of videos I love and it's why you're my fave knife tuber!

[@Mrsjmathea]

Gave my partner a spyderco waterway in Lc200n because she is a bit rough on knives, and she rusted it just from cutting apples for her horse and not cleaning properly 😅 So maybe try the acidity from apples or fruit for corrosion resistance 🤔 next

[@Bolfiik]

Were those apples from Chernobyl?

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

That's odd. I've not had a carbon steel Opinel rust from cutting apples and just wiping it dry.

[@wattsmichaele]

@@Bolfiikhahahahahahahahahaha

[@Cahwai]

I’ve seen the metal compounds of other steels that are on the grinding belt that got onto the blade during the satin grinding or during a sharpening may rust before the LC200N does.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@jameshaulenbeek5931 wiping it dry saves a lot of damage. Try cutting the apple and then just folding the knife and putting it away wet. It won't be good.

[@Rattersar15]

Love to see you try this with Vanax, also supposedly rust proof but with good edge retention.

[@matthewkuhl79]

It basically is. Favourite unicorn steel (rarity) for me.

[@InGratitudeIam]

I really appreciate the time and effort you put into these videos, Pete. It's really helpful. I was told by a chemical engineer that rust is actually a spore. So, depending on the condition of the metal and the environment, there might be times where rust won't form on a blade as opposed to other times when the rust will go nuts. Thanks again, especially for the PSA on mental health. That's beyond important.

[@the_swinging_axe]

Thank you for convincing me not to buy it despite the strong tip and sweet hollow grind. My go to salt knife is the Siren in LC200N. I will be buying the salt Para 3 and the salt manix 2 lw. Cheers!

[@acid6urns]

there’s really no reason to not buy it. h2 has fine edge retention you just need to sharpen it differently than done here, h1/2 SUCKS with polished edges. also it has the BEST edge retention of any steel around in serrated edges.

[@robertbarnum7541]

I hope that Dr Bricky wears his lab coat when supervising the Knife Lab personnel at work. I find that the whole lab coat upgrade to the institutional reputation certainly makes me want to follow the science.

[@davidpape9179]

Thanks for doing this experiment. I decided to get the stretch 2 xl in h2 as my kitchen utility knife

[@kermitthepog7063]

Yay Knifelab! I'd love to see an episode on geometry vs blade steel for cutting performance. There's some dingus on reddit who keeps saying he can beat your best rope cut test results with a $1 knife that he's reground.

[@MacaroniDemon]

Im still waiting for that dingus to demonstrate his results.

[@RobBernhard]

A dingus? On Reddit? **looks for fainting couch** 😂

[@thechugdude]

​@@RobBernhard I do declare 🪭

[@mikafoxx2717]

..even the tungsten carbide?

[@krustysurfer]

A one dollar Tungsten Carbide blade no less.....​@@mikafoxx2717

[@Hungrybird474]

This is all good stuff Pete . You ve been doing this a while so your input and findings are a value to everyone . I like the lab coat but it really is scientific testing . Thanks for doing this .👍👋🦅

[@axion8788]

Insights about life and knife info too. Simply the best knife channel.👍

[@branhasknowidea]

The intro alone made my week. Happy belated Valentines, you beautiful man.

[@bangrachan1604]

I always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you very much for this great content.❤ 🇹🇭

[@ryewaldman2214]

Classic Cedric&Ada Gear and Outdoors :)

[@amitzdullnicker2k]

Thank you so much for all your great videos over the last years, this is very much appreciated! ❤

[@tombrown4683]

Hi Pete. Just about to go to bed, worked all night here in the states. Love the knife lab, your lab coat but falling asleep have to watch the full video when I wake. (don't normally work all night)

[@tombrown4683]

Returned after 9 hours sleep & a good meal. Was not disappointed. I haven't had issues with rusting knives but all are taken care of after any use in water or potentially corrosive cutting. BTW I live in the humid southeastern United States.

[@TheBeater2382]

Good stuff. Your channel is by my favorite knife content to watch

[@eachday9538]

This comment is a pier review. Piers are useful for mooring seaborne vessel and often provide a good place to fish from. They may occasionally smell funny. 9 out of 10 science stars.

[@Spanky8402]

The beginning with the Sonic picture, Wii sports music, (I think it is) and the lab coat, somehow gave me nostalgia overload and I forgot what video topic I was watching.

[@mbrousseau22]

You just get better with age. Thanks for the review and the honesty about hair loss. You find surprising ways to make me laugh every time I watch.

[@khylemcmahon1712]

Fuck yeah, The knife laaaaaaaaab is back! Great to see mate.

[@DEATHMETALRUST]

🎶 THE FUN NEVER ENDS… in the… KNIFE LAB!! 🎶

[@hummingmybizness]

Great rundown of these blade steels, cheers.

[@S.Vallieres]

Hello Cedric, thanks a lot for this corrosion resistance and edge retention test. I knew MagnaCut has very high corrosion resistance, but I was sure it was going to rust more than that in salt water, I'm impressed. It means it is pratically "impossible" to have it rusting under normal conditions. It confirms how great MagnaCut is. As a result of this corrosion + edge retention test, I agree with you that LC200N is a better blade steel than H2 both having very similar corrosion resistance pratically speaking but LC200N having better edge retention. Thus, it's a better blade steel. Thanks again! SV

[@the_knights_edge]

Love your videos man, i watch em all atleast twice and put them on when I'm in my own little knife lab!

[@krazmokramer]

Thanks for the explanation about using the Worksharp. I was thinking you retired the KME. You are fortunate to be living out in the country. Those 3 knives would be stolen the first day they were left outside in my neighborhood. THANKS for the video, Pete!

[@josephmartin1540]

Great tests! Might you try tests with fruit acids such as cutting an apple and not cleaning it up, and maybe other food acids?

[@joelhunter984]

Great stuff Brother! Keep up the good work!!!

[@DangerDad29]

My native salt lc200n is def my go to spa knife. No sauna, steam room, hot tub, or pool it hasn't been able to handle yet!

[@deathbyastonishment7930]

Where are you carrying your knife in the sauna? 🤔

[@tombrown4683]

Oh ! You really are a Danger Dad !

[@DangerDad29]

@@deathbyastonishment7930 usually weave a fifth pocket out of my leg hair. Just glad to use some of mu bushcraft skills

[@Mo.89.]

My teacher in primary school used to tell us off for saying “haytch”, made a big deal about it every time. 25 years later and I wouldn’t dare say that to this day.

[@paullmight42]

the lab coat always makes my jorts tighten up...

[@txokoil]

Heat treatment has a significant impact in the resulting corrosion resistance of the steel, by controlling alloy in solution. A magnacut blade in a spyderco salt knife should exhibit better corrosion resistance thant the TRC knife, given that the heat treatment of the spyderco knife is designed to optimize corrosion resistance.

[@mickemerson1339]

Pete is probably the most paradigm breaking Australian scientist in modern history.

[@obesedonkey3714]

when using the fixed sharpening systems do you like to go in a sweeping motion or up and down on the blade?

[@mattodio]

Intro is pure gold, so is the content!

[@jamesskaggs1648]

JMO but I run 2 H1 knives (1 fixed, 1 folder) from Spyderco when diving or on the beach. Though i have taken care of them then have seen some austere environments. Never showing any rust. But i learned that edge retention was piss so neither had an EDC use. Thanks for the vid.

[@Acre00]

If you really, really want to test rust resistance of a steel, you should try Ferric Chloride. It's a mix of various acids, most prominently Hydrochloric Acid. I use a 1/4 concentration to acid wash knives, and it'll rust s35 in seconds.

[@CedricAda]

nice ill source some

[@Acre00]

@@CedricAda It's mostly used as a PCB etchant. I get mine from a DIY computer store here in The States

[@JohannSwart_JWS]

BS. Its not even an acid. Its pure ferric chloride crystals FeCl3 dissolved in water. It is a strong oxidizer though. Zero acid, and not a mix of anything.

[@LoreTunderin]

I can only speak personally of course, but from what I've seen here in Canada the H2 knives are typically much cheaper than their matching LC200N versions. MSRP is about the same, however the H2 (and H1 previously) version seems to be perpetually on sale for 50% less.

[@adadadad8251]

I always thought lc200n is closer to sanvik 14c28n in terms of performance. s30v is head above in pure edge retention, but not so tough.

[@keithcon3505]

I agree with your comment. But I can't falt Pete eather, as it is subjective. I do very much like Sandvik 12c27, 14c28n, and lc200n and magnacut. Would not be sad to carry any of them. So easy to keep sharp. While I carry maxamet and k390 the most, they look like shit after a few months due to use. Gota love stainless.

[@adadadad8251]

@@keithcon3505 yeah, i guess it is subjective. never carried those rustproof steels, but i do have experience with 14c compared to s30v on the same knife. s30v feels more aggressive and holds the edge better, sandvik on the other hand gets hair splitting edge easily, but becomes dull very fast. and according to knife steel nerd tests lc200n should perform virtually the same as 14c28n. not saying they are identical, but i was triggered, according to my experience s30v is a different animal. anyway, for me even cold steel's aus8 is perfectly fine edc steel.

[@KhaledAli-dk3zc]

The test I've been waiting for 👍thank you so much

[@michaelm5203]

I love this video. Here’s to hoping we can normalize lc200n for true edc knives. Pete is our prophet!

[@Jmon808]

Not right now lol, everyone is obsessed with magnacut right now

[@Howlin000]

Thank you Knifelab!

[@Barney_Greenway]

Simple, family-friendly fun stuff 🥳

[@cameratool]

I read somewhere that the rust near the engraved sections of the blades might be from factory tooling contamination left behind during the engraving process.

[@nvalley]

Possibly? But all of these knives were laser etched so no tooling

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@nvalley The heat would like impact the chromium in solution, possibly changing the stainless properties of the etched portions.

[@danegavrilovski]

Thanks for this video. I hope we will see vanax v.s. magnacut also.

[@unknownriderinbound]

I get goosebumps just hearing that knaf lab theme song!

[@davidaxman]

Since many people on the forums swear by sharpening H1 at a low grit such as 220 perhaps it would be an interesting test. My experience with H1 is that high grit sharpened knives loose their sharpness noticeably quick.

[@MacaroniDemon]

Jolly good video. Thank you, Padre Goob

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Pete, perhaps before your time mate, but in the words of Prof. Julius Sumner Miller "why is it so" . He also said; "Whatever work you undertake to do in your lifetime, it is very important that first you have a passion for it - you know, get excited about it - and second, that you have fun with it. That's important. Otherwise, you see, your work becomes nothing but an idle chore. Then, you hate the life you live" Cheers Duke.

[@shug6009]

I remember seeing Eric from Spyderco saying that H1/H2 had better edge retention than LC200N on serrated blades. Any theories on how edge retention on serrations would differ?

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Might be due to differences in steel toughness, allowing the serration teeth to last longer, which in turn spares the cutting bellies for longer. Just a hypothesis though.

[@MatthewJefferis808]

I would just go for serrated in my opinion. . Differently has a higher hcr than Lc200n than plain . Eric Glesser says so. Appreciate you 🙏

[@alexandermcalpine]

Great post! It would be great to test the Boye Knives folder. They have some pretty unbelievable claims

[@airiksknifereviews9548]

Hey Pete , after you run test what grind angle do you return most of your blades too especially your fixed blades.

[@darryljuice9058]

Loved the intermission!

[@IronsWHU]

I believe Japan stopped making H1 altogether due to some sort of COVID related logistical issue. Spyderco helped push for them to start back again and in doing so they took the opportunity to tweak it into H2. That’s my understanding of it anyway.

[@ix8750]

I loved this video, fun and interesting stuff! I was always under the impression that all these steels were just rated for really high corrosion resistance and not actually rust proof. Although I have heard people claim Vanax and Magnacut to be rust proof, but Im certain those people didnt create the steel compositions.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Given extreme enough conditions, any steel will rust at least a little. There's no such thing as totally rust free, but there's definitely such a thing as virtually rust free for the vast majority of common use cases. However, put a steel in an acid/oxidizer mister and it'll rust even if it's Magnacut.

[@DampActionRC]

The music for the twisted rope segments really make me want to play an old JRPG

[@_brianm]

Pete will you be reviewing the Stretch 2 XL as a knife, beyond the H2? Really hoping to get your take on the pattern given your extensive experience with both the Stretch 2 and the Police 4.

[@CedricAda]

yeah i will for sure. I will probably grab it in k390 when possible

[@tombrown4683]

​@@CedricAdaBing Bing Bing ! Anxiously awaiting the video with K390 Stretch XL ! Thinking of getting one for myself.

[@just9911]

A buddy of mine made this comparison that I think is pretty appropriate- h2 is like stainproof AUS-8.

[@matthewweaver1123]

I don't know why but the song towards the end (when Pete decided to walk back outside wearing nothing but the lab coat 😆) reminds me of Pink floyd- Sheep

[@CNYKnifeNut]

"I'm not bald, I'm balding. Why won't anyone honor the ding" "I'll honor the ding, sir!" "What the hell are you talking about, Skinner" Or something to that effect...

[@shaggy_e210]

I got lc200n to get a rust spot on accident after carrying it 1 time. I work in a car detail shop and I guess some of the wheel acid put a small spot on the tip of the blade. That and it gets HOT in there and I sweat like a pig.. so that might have something to do with it as well

[@ParkerBinion]

H2 looks like a perfect steel for Victorinox to upgrade their knives with. Maybe even better corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. And more than twice the edge retention. If they came out with an H2 version of their most popular models, they'd sell a ton of them.

[@spikechang556]

Did the H2 Spyderco have any rusting or browning on the inside? Do you know if there is a way to get rid of the markings? Since those seem to rust? I'm debating whether or not to get one but I do not want ANY rust anywhere on or inside the folder.

[@richardkev3077]

The reason I chose H2 over LC200N? Two, really. 1) I wanted serrated for this knife, and I wasn't as worried about edge retention. 2) Cost. When I decided to buy, an LC200N version cost about 20% more. Since then, LC200N has dropped in price. Given the choice today, I'd probably choose the LC200N. Having said that, my Salt 2 is still sharp and still rust free.

[@jamesskaggs1648]

Dude the Final Fantasy music kills me. Love the choice.

[@urbanoutdoorsman]

Can't say I wasn't a smidge disappointed when there wasn't a control 4th knife placed in the torture chamber. Would love to see how a regular stainless steel compare to these "stain-proof" ones.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Knife Steel Nerds (a PhD metallurgist, and the guy who made magnacut originally) has a blog of the same name where he shows a range of stainless steels exposed to corrosive conditions, comparing many different options.

[@mildmannerededc]

It's the tuft of chest hair beneath the lab coat that's the true winner.

[@Cid_1]

Great informative video. I know it is on the opposite spectrum of stainless, but. Will you be doing any tests on the Rex T15 & K294 Mules? Would be very interesting to see how they plop down on the old chart of slain rope. Been having a lovely time with my K294 mule and waiting on the T15 in the mail, should hopefully be here over the weekend.

[@davidneal6920]

Good lab test. Can’t beat the tacklebox test. 🇦🇺 🇳🇿

[@jackchn23]

Hey did you see the new Salt PM2’s by Spyderco? They’re Magnacut, so I would be interested in how it would hold up to your testing.

[@kevola5739]

Are these blades comparable in thickness? Just wondering if geometry was a factor in performance.

[@donniepatterson531]

Just got a Hogue Deka in magnacut What angle should I put on the blade? I have a KME sharpener.

[@doughoffart1247]

Pete, can you find a knife that dulls in under, say, 10 or 20 cuts of twisted sister/sisal rope? I need that for children's parties, although I have no children. Thanks.

[@briankavanagh9680]

Can you try H1/H2 serrated V LC200n serrated to prove this work hardened theory

[@willydstyle]

You should have put a carbon steel blade in a separate container with the same salt water setup as a control.

[@Hexsyn]

Got myself a spidiechef and now a leatherman arc. I have an issue that I no longer desire more knives lol

[@smucka1]

The intro was great!

[@smucka1]

And the rest was great too I shud add.

[@williamperron760]

Nice video as usual. Would of like to throw in a vanax steel in the mix to compare

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

This is actually archival footage of a young Gendo Ikari

[@strikerj4810]

So which sharpening system do you like the best?

[@beyproctor7673]

Intrepid and nearly indefatigable Pete back in the knife lab. Knife nerds rejoice the world over!

[@SpaceDave3000]

I found out that unless its heat treated right, Magnacut can be slightly more prone to rust.

[@timtitus2532]

You forgot to put the steel nut in the box that you mentioned earlier in the video as a comparison. Good video overall. Thanks

[@runningrizzler]

good to see the spydiechef again

[@jeffscalfano3100]

Pumped to see these knife nerd vids again! Any thoughts on how Nitro-V might compete in the cut & corrosion test?keep it up!Youre the man Pete!

[@awwwshucks443]

Spyderco said in a shot show interview that they werent able yo get h1 but were able to get basically the same thing worh their own formulation and called it h2.

[@bryaninphnx]

Magnacut is pretty special for sure.

[@j.s.6865]

Does a sharp knife get dull only by corrosion?

[@big_hands]

Strong robe game. I too wander around outside in my robe sometimes

[@Ray.J]

Finally reached the end of your rope. 😂 interesting test and informative.