440C question

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Walker-69

Joined
Nov 24, 2008
Messages
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Here's a newbie question. I have had two knives in 440C and I just can't get them very sharp. I have VG-10 blades too, and they can be made very sharp; but I guess that we all know this. Now I also have 2 Byrds 8cr13v or whatever it was; and I can get that steel sharp better than 440C.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there some 'trick' to sharpening 440C, am I just supposed to try harder and longer? Is better to strive for a rough edge? What grit would be optimal for a really rough edge? What grit would be optimal for the sharpest possible edge on 440C?

If it is a property of 440C itself, I can accept that. I know full well that some steels sharpen better than others. Carbon steel in a scandi grind, I guess that is easiest for me to sharpen and I can make it more than working sharp no problemos.

Now I do realize that sharpening is actually quite a complicated matter and it takes a long time to master it even 10%.

And then, a second question comes to mind. VG-10 is great, I have some Spydies in VG-10.:D I haven't yet been able to afford any CPM-S30V Spydies. There must be lots of people with experience of both steels here... does S30V get equally sharp when compared to VG-10, or even sharper?

Anyways, I guess that 440C is an OK steel for knives that are used as tools for rough work. Doesn't cost a fortune, good corrosion resistance. :)
 
I have a griptilian in 440C that I can get what I would call scary sharp. Maybe not the easiest for me to sharpen but easier than others.
 
What company are the blades from.

Heat treat is key in 440c blades, 440c is a great bladesteel when done right.
 
I had a Blade-Tech Mouse Lite in 440C. Gave it away as a gift, don't got it no more. I could not get it very sharp, but maybe it was my problem and not the fault of the knife.

Now I have a Böker DIREKT in 440C and I love it, but don't know if I can make it very sharp. I just put a photo of the DIREKT in the knife reviews section. It's an *ss-kicking design but I still wonder if I could make the blade sharper.

Which steel is generally considered superior, AUS-8 or 440C? The newer Mouse Lites come in AUS-8.
 
440C should be able to get plenty sharp. I find S30V and VG10 to take equally good edges but S30V holds it longer.
 
The funny thing is that the DIREKT "feels" the same as the Mouse Lite. I can remember what it felt like sharpening it, and the DIREKT "feels" the same.
 
If I remember correctly 440C is better than AUS8 and is more equivalent to AUS10. I think it is supposed to be quite a step up in performance. At least from the literature I have read about it.
 
AUS8 and VG10 have a finer grain structure than 440C, plus 440C has larger carbides, so it can be harder to obtain a fine edge with 440C than AUS8 or VG10. But I use a Sharpmaker and am able to get a good edge on 440C. And I find that it holds its edge longer than does AUS8, though not as long as AUS10, VG10, or 154CM.
 
440C can be difficult to sharpen, for whatever reason (large carbides, etc.). The old Bucks in 440C took a lot of work to get a good edge, but they held it a decently long time. Keep your angles consistent (an angle guide is useful), and work up a burr on a coarse stone (carborundum works OK), then proceed to finer grits until you achieve the edge you want. It will take a while, though. Diamond hones work well -- I have been using DMT hones for about a decade and have yet to wear one out.
 
Benchmades 440c sharpens up nicely for me, not all that hard to sharpen,and holds an edge pretty well in my opinion :D
 
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