440C for a combat knife?

M

Mark Redmon

Joined
Nov 7, 2007
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451
Hey all.... seeking out some opinions here. My buddy wanted me to make a knife for his ex son-in-law to take with him when he gets deployed in January. I managed to screw up the first two attempts and use up all my remaining ATS-34. The only stainless I have in the shop right now is a bar of 1/4" 440c. I bought this a while back but have never used this steel before. I've worked a lot with ATS-34, so I feel pretty good about the grinding and finishing of it. This one is going to be a decent sized knife at a little over 13" OAL. Money is tight (but it always is) so I wanted to see if what I had on hand would be suitable, or if I need to get an order in and set this project aside for a week or so. He doesn't have a preference on the steel other than something that's easy to maintain in the sandbox. I'll have TKS do the HT, so it should end up in the 58-60 range.

Thanks

Mark
 
440C wouldn't be my first choice for a combat knife, though apparently Randall knives uses it with good success. Of the steel I've used, A2 would be my 1st choice. 3V (which I have not used) is also very popular. Though they aren't stainless.

It would be better than most factory stainless steels, but there are better stainless steel. I think that ATS-34 and 154CM would be most folks first choice. I'm personally not a big fan of S30V for something like that either.


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I think there is a general agreement among the more knowledgeable steel knuts that 440C has an unearned bad connotation because of it's association with cheap "440" gas station type knives. I have got good service from it. But some of the newer stainless steels (which are fairly similar in composition) are probably better steel. And for a stainless knife taken into combat, I know I would prefer CPM154.
 
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I think 440C would be a great choice when you consider the increased chromium and tempering to 56-58. I will take hard use and be easier to sharpen.

The more techno stainless steels (CPM154 included) have max performance at higher RC levels but may be too brittle compared to 440C at a lower hardness.

Sure, you can take the technos to a lower hardness too, but what's the point?

We all know that a "combat knife" is a general purpose knife and will get abused.

What ever steel you use....make him a great sheath.

AL P

www.polkowskiknives.com
 
I'm not a knifemaker, but I am a knife user/ collector.

I've used several Entrek knives for years, and they've held up very well under hard use. If I'm not mistaken they use nothing but 440C.
 
Al is correct. Those cheapies that are marked "440" aren't real 440 C!
440 C is actually a very good knife steel. It has great corrosion resistance, will harden very adequately, grinds well, takes an excellent polish.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! I think I'll give it a go with the 440c after work tomorrow. I'm still interested in more opinions though.. as far as the sheath goes, I was considering just going with a Spec-Ops Combat master... I know, i know... purchasing a sheath (gasp!), but why re-invent the wheel. Plus they are available in ACU..... I enjoy making sheaths, but I think the Spec-Ops sheath would provide the most versatility.
 
There's nothing wrong with 440C for this type of knife. I agree with Al on this one. If you like finishing ATS, you'll love 440C. It will make a tough, low maintenance knife.
 
AcridSaint said:
There's nothing wrong with 440C for this type of knife. I agree with Al on this one. If you like finishing ATS, you'll love 440C. It will make a tough, low maintenance knife.
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Thanks for the feedback Cap, I was worried that I would be sacrificing something, but I feel re-assured that the steel will be a good choice.
 
I use nothing but 440C and have had good success with it. It works and heat treats well, and will make for a good tough knife. It's an old steel that has been around and has stood up to the test of time.
 
Jay was one of the first makers I thought of when I was considering this. I just wanted to get some more feedback before the sparks started flying. Thanks again to everyone for chiming in on this.

-Mark
 
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