440C is a GREAT steel. Funny that some people think lowly of it... that just means they've never tried it, I guess.
Not true every time my friend- I get the distaste in my mouth from 440C BECAUSE of my use. 440C has had the worst variances in HT that I have ever come across, in multiple blades, that I grew so tired of sharpening that I disliked the steel. Not the fault of the steel, but it is a reason that I have not cared for it. Even though I have made my own knives out of it that have worked very well in kitchens by non knife people, I will very rarely buy a knife with it (hypocritical I know, but feelings don't need logic).
Why settle for 440C today, when better performer alloy are readily available. On its own 440C might've been top notch 20-30 years ago, but not anymore.
As a hobby maker, I settled for some 440C because it was 1/2 price for the sheet size that I have, as well as better for aquatic based knives than the other steels I had available. Now it is my go to 1/8" sheet material unless the customer wants O1 (I work almost primarily in 3/32").
Here is a principle that I had a hard time getting through to my father in law this weekend: Not everybody wants the "best", most expensive or exotic. Why settle for a $300K house when you can have a $400K house? Because the features of the house aren't what I want. Many people like what they are comfortable with, and have experience with. If a guy has hunted for 30 years with his 440C knife, it cuts up his prey without needing sharpening, and he is comfortable with its upkeep- why should he change?
Try and tell some long time users that "the steel is better because you don't have to sharpen it as often, but you should buy a new sharpening stone, and it will take you longer to sharpen it once you do. Oh, plus the wire edge might be a bit harder to take off, but stropping will solve it." In my more brash youth I did these things and received the look I'm sure most of you can recognize. Just because a couple of factors are seen as better doesn't mean that they are to everybody.
In real use the end user might not see the difference that the "better" item gives, or they might not care. Example- You won't have to sharpen the knife for 5 deer. To some that might be a good thing. What if the person only gets a deer or 2 per year. Yay- you won't have to sharpen your knife for years! But what if the person has a ritual that they sharpen their knife in camp by the fire every night as a way to wind down? Then the edge holding ability might not be as great of a deal to them, and greater edge holding is a detriment to their set activities.
What if the buyer isn't a knife person but wants to get started on understanding our culture? I wouldn't tell them to try a Rc64 ZDP blade first, they would not be ready for it. A mid range 440C knife may give them better understanding as it should be easier to sharpen, takes care of itself (stainless), and probably won't be a great loss if they try something and mess up the knife a bit. Kind of like cheese, not everybody is ready for the good stuff right away, it takes some learning time (similar to how 1080 is usually recommended for new bladesmiths to practice with).
In the end I have learned that to me the knife as a whole is worth more than the steel it is made from. As a personal choice if identical knives were for sale with the 440C version being cheaper than say a S30V version, I would probably choose the 440C as I am already familiar with both steels, and know that I will be able to use both in a very similar manner as provided from an accomplished maker.
But it still isn't my favourite steel.
Or because knife used for 30 years won't really be much of a knife.
