440a steel...run away from it?

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
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I'm thinking of getting my dad another knife for X-mas and have been eying a nice gentleman's folder, the Maserin ARNO. It's made in Maniago, Italy. Other than that, I know nothing of the brand. The price is 100 bucks, which makes me cringe considering it comes with 440a. Is that reason enough to turn away? I guess I'm asking, is 440a really that bad of a metal?

Knive comes in 3 different woods:
http://www.agrussell.com/maserin-arno-folder-boxwood/p/MAShhh500BW/

and

http://www.agrussell.com/maserin-arno-folder/p/MAShhh500EB/
 
440A is an excellent steel when used near its max hardness, but typically they are heat treated very soft and thus their bad reputation.
 
Fallkniven makes similar wood-clad folders with VG-10 blades. I have one from the same Seki-based factory with a WH - William Henry International Series - sign on it, Fallkniven now produce basically the same type of knives. I'd look into those Fallknivens first. If you don't like it for any reason, you''l get a better pre-owned price for it, too.
 
Watchmaker said:
Fallkniven makes similar wood-clad folders with VG-10 blades. I have one from the same Seki-based factory with a WH - William Henry International Series - sign on it, Fallkniven now produce basically the same type of knives. I'd look into those Fallknivens first. If you don't like it for any reason, you''l get a better pre-owned price for it, too.
Click to expand...

You mean the Fallkniven P series? Know of any reviews for that one? That one looks nice too, not as nice as the Maserin, but it does have VG10.
 
harkamus said:
I'm thinking of getting my dad another knife for X-mas and have been eying a nice gentleman's folder, the Maserin ARNO. It's made in Maniago, Italy. Other than that, I know nothing of the brand. The price is 100 bucks, which makes me cringe considering it comes with 440a. Is that reason enough to turn away? I guess I'm asking, is 440a really that bad of a metal?

Knive comes in 3 different woods:
http://www.agrussell.com/maserin-arno-folder-boxwood/p/MAShhh500BW/

and

http://www.agrussell.com/maserin-arno-folder/p/MAShhh500EB/
Click to expand...


IMO, for a gentleman's folder there is nothing wrong with 440A.

For that matter, I have a couple of EDC's in 440A that stand up just fine to daily activities. They just require a bit more frequent sharpening than some of my others. (A couple of times a week instead of once a week.)

If I were looking at a tactical knife, I'd not be thrilled with 440A for $100. But a gent's folder? not a problem.
 
Kershaw offers a model called the Gentlemen's Folder and has VG10 with G10, for under $100. And for about $100, they offer the Nakamura, which is a one handed gentlemen's folder. Both better deals IMO and higher quality.
 
A_Blade_Afficionado said:
Kershaw offers a model called the Gentlemen's Folder and has VG10 with G10, for under $100. And for about $100, they offer the Nakamura, which is a one handed gentlemen's folder. Both better deals IMO and higher quality.
Click to expand...

Linen Micarta, not G-10.
 
Europeans seem to have stayed with 440A longer than we did, and they have some idea how to do it well. Maserin makes some nice knives. For a gentleman's folder, I personally would trust it.

I would also look around to see that that really is the style I liked for him. I'm big on Buck and Spyderco for users, but not so much for the more decorative applications. (I like my Mnandi for that. A bit over that $100, though. :))

Look around the A.G.Russell catalog and be sure that's the one you like. He has a lot of choice in the category.
 
Honestly, in that style~ I find the Spyderco Volpe and any Mcusta more visually appealing.
 
It's all in the heat treating, as long as it's done properly then it's fine.
 
AG Russel has a nice lockback in VG10 that would be an excellent choice, in several different handle styles.
 
Fallkniven`s U2 ?, they come in various selections of handle types.
(They are non-locking)
 
I stay away from it. Only because I prefer others...and I've had some knives made from it, and they weren't very good. It may be all in the heat treat, but the ones I had weren't good.
 
For 100bucks I would expect a higher grade steel, of course heat treat is important, but even rough rider can do a 10dollar slipjoint in 440A with a good heat treat.
 
harkamus said:
You mean the Fallkniven P series? Know of any reviews for that one? That one looks nice too, not as nice as the Maserin, but it does have VG10.
Click to expand...

I carried a Fallkniven P series for my EDC for several months (granted it was the 3G model)

It is in the drawer right now, but only because I'm giving my Fallkniven PXL a good run as my EDC.

I don't have time to do a "review". but I can tell you it is an excellent folder.

Slim, lightweight, and silky smooth blade deployment, locks up solid and holds a great edge.

Styling is such that it functions well as a people friendly knife, but has enough blade on it to function very well for any EDC type task.

VG10 and 3G steel take a bit more effort to sharpen. Not necessarily harder to sharpen, but takes more time due the hardness an abrasion resistance of the steel. (this is my experience at least)

There are many great knives out there that will serve you (or your Dad) well, but I have no hesitation recommending anything from the Fallkniven line up.

Your original question regarding 440a has been adequately answered, it can be a decent steel if heat treated properly, but for $100 you can do better than 440a.

FallknivenP3G-1.jpg


FallknivenP3G-2.jpg


The P series will definately be my EDC again, once I decide I've put the PXL through it's paces.

FWIW I also have a Fallkniven FH9 and a couple U2's stashed away in various handy spots. They don't get used every day, but they do get used and I'm happy with all of them.

Kevin
 
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