Yeah it looks like it's from buck. I looked up the ones for sale online and many of them say 440c and then also say 420HC in the description! This is weird. I'm gonna try and post a pic of the packaging. It says it in the front in bold 440c and then it even has a paragraph on the back of the packaging about why buck uses 440c..
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373 question.
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Well, that's a head scratcher for sure.
Maybe 300 can shed some light on it. I saw the same as you when I googled it. Maybe the catalog is a misprint, stranger things have happened.
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A few weeks ago a local hardware store had a close out on a whole bunch of the chinese made Bucks and I bought 6 of them. They were all made (dated on the clam packs) in 2008 and everyone of them says they are 420HC.
Now the question is if the 440C in yours and others like it is the same as the legendary 440C of the past.
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Well its kind of a dismal day here in the Burgh and I've been studying all these great pics and figgered I'd voice my dismal day opinion. I think I like the traditional shape of the bosters on the 301 rather than the rounded bolsters. Not very contraversial, but there it is.
A few weeks ago a local hardware store had a close out on a whole bunch of the chinese made Bucks and I bought 6 of them. They were all made (dated on the clam packs) in 2008 and everyone of them says they are 420HC.
Now the question is if the 440C in yours and others like it is the same as the legendary 440C of the past.
I suppose it's not unlikely then and is something that they must have done without really telling us in the catalogs. I don't own any other 440c bucks but I love all of my other 440c knives so hopefully it lives up to those expectations. I was looking at the receipt and realized that I actually only paid 14 dollars and change for the knife. Perhaps I should buy another. LOL Just wish they were U.S. made. Of course the price would not be so low then.
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I bought a bunch of Buck Mantis' in 2007 on closeout. Of 6, 5 were stamped 420HC. One was stamped 440C, on the package. I kept it. Gave the others as gifts. I remember a few of the 440C 373's, etc.
I had no idea buck used 420j steel in it's 373's. I had been looking at Buck canoes at Smokey Mountain Knife Works. It's stamped "stainless". No wonder they are so cheap.
Going to continue to stay away from the chinabucks. Don't want any 420J. 420HC is bottom steel, though serviceable. Don't want the finest treated supermarket knife steel in my pocket.
I had no idea buck used 420j steel in it's 373's. I had been looking at Buck canoes at Smokey Mountain Knife Works. It's stamped "stainless". No wonder they are so cheap.
Going to continue to stay away from the chinabucks. Don't want any 420J. 420HC is bottom steel, though serviceable. Don't want the finest treated supermarket knife steel in my pocket.
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I just sent Joe Houser an e-mail and asked him to comment on the steel issue. I'm sure he will when he finds the time.
I don't think all 420HC steel is created equal and to say that Buck's Bos heat treated 420HC is a "bottom steel" is really not a fair accessment.:thumbdn:
I don't think all 420HC steel is created equal and to say that Buck's Bos heat treated 420HC is a "bottom steel" is really not a fair accessment.:thumbdn:
A lot of emphasis is placed on steel, and like many things it is valid but only to an extent. Steel with a very low carbon content will not hold an edge long, that is a given. However, steel with a high carbon content will NOT hold an edge long (or even start with a good edge) if the heat treat is not good and/or the edging and sharpening of the blade is sub-standard. We (I personally) have tested ATS-34 blades from competitors that did not reflect a premium heat treat (based on the hardness and grain structure) and did not have an optimum edge angle on them. They performed far more poorly than a blade from 420HC that is heat treated and edged/sharpened properly. This is a test that has been repeated numerous times with the same results. The edge tests were conducted using our CATRA machine which has become the pseudo standard for edge testing I say pseudo becasue there is still no agreed upon standard in this industry yet).
Material is only part of the equation.
Bill Keys
Director of Manufacturing & Engineering
Buck Knives
Material is only part of the equation.
Bill Keys
Director of Manufacturing & Engineering
Buck Knives
David Martin
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Good point Bill . Thanks for extending to us your experience and insight . I've seen the same myself when comparing another knife companies ATS-34 blade to Buck's . They just don't cut as long .
I would add blade geometry into that equation as this has proven as big a factor as these other two (steel choice and heat treat) . DM
I would add blade geometry into that equation as this has proven as big a factor as these other two (steel choice and heat treat) . DM
Thanks for doing that ....I'm really interested now and I think 15 dollars for any buck knife in 440c is a steal even if it is an import. As someone who works with steel in a forge all the time (though not really on knives) I also agree with Bill's comments about heat treatment and I trust buck gets in right even with their less expensive steels.
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Guys,
To be honest I am very casual on the CBs, I do not acquire,investigate or stay up with the import line. There is enough for me to investigate with just collecting the USA production. The few I have are made well and would be quality EDCs. I carry a two blade CB trapper, every once in a while, usually as a hunting trip secondary knife. (Then if it gets lost, I won't lament).
I would call for someone out there who has collected the import knives, is interested in there history and will make the commitment to stay active here on forum (and be able to stand it when you are found incorrect) to take up this area and become the go to person for import questions.
If you think you got the right stuff, learn to take photos, and start commenting on import question threads. Come on now, there are lots of them out there and they are gonna be around for a long while......you have heard the call...
300Bucks
To be honest I am very casual on the CBs, I do not acquire,investigate or stay up with the import line. There is enough for me to investigate with just collecting the USA production. The few I have are made well and would be quality EDCs. I carry a two blade CB trapper, every once in a while, usually as a hunting trip secondary knife. (Then if it gets lost, I won't lament).
I would call for someone out there who has collected the import knives, is interested in there history and will make the commitment to stay active here on forum (and be able to stand it when you are found incorrect) to take up this area and become the go to person for import questions.
If you think you got the right stuff, learn to take photos, and start commenting on import question threads. Come on now, there are lots of them out there and they are gonna be around for a long while......you have heard the call...
300Bucks