440C - To Buy or Not to Buy? A steel snob's dilemma

Riz!

Riz!

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Fellow forumites and knife knuts...

I have gone through a huge evolution over the years and it is funny, I am coming full circle. From $25 knives to highend semi customs in exotic steels, I have bought them all and sold most of them too. I am to the point that I dont keep a knife that I wont use.

A couple of months ago, on a whim, I bought a lower cost folder and man I have been impressed. I caused me to really start looking at knives I normally would have written off. Basically I realized that the "high end exotic" materials mean less than I thought.

My favorite steel is CPM3V and I pretty much would like to see every knife ever made, made in 3V.
Recently I found a fixed blade design by a company I like... The knife meets all of my criteria except... It is 440C. Its a USA made, medium sized fixed blade knife in the style of an EK knives bowie. Typical soldiering knife. Even thought I am not a soldier I love this style of knife (Kabars, M9 bayonettes, randall styled knives, various clip point bowies). So if this knife was 3V it would be no question and Ide probably spend up to 300 for it and use the heck out of it. I am really close to pickng it up but want to know how you guys feel.

Would you buy your ideal knife if the steel wasnt your ideal steel? Also, how many folks like and use 440C without issues?

Riz
 
Steel is not the only reason to buy (or not buy) a knife, you gotta look at the whole package. Value is subjective, steel tastes vary, this thread is very vague.
 
From my limited experience, 440C will take an amazingly sharp edge, but it seems to lose it's sharpness rather quick. If the price is right, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to try it out at least.
 
I have used $440C on a few on my Custom Culinary & Camo knives for the past 20 years and if HTed correctly as Lycosa stated it preforms excellently with top notch corrosion resistance and I will continue to use it along with other steels!
 
Steel is only one part of the equation. Heat treatment is the other half. Of course, you already know that.

If you like the knife, try it. It gives you something to enjoy until you find your perfect blade.
 
What is the grind like and what will you be using for. Big carbides. Aggressive cutter. Good for hunting with a nice hollow grind. Might not be the top pick for battoning.
 
KingMC said:
Steel is not the only reason to buy (or not buy) a knife, you gotta look at the whole package. Value is subjective, steel tastes vary, this thread is very vague.
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You are right about value and subjectivity and steel... I was vague on purpose. I wanted to tale brand loyalty out of it and really just pose the question of would you buy a knife that meets all of your criteria except the steel? I was hoping to generate a discussion and see what others think. Maybe I should have posed the question "what makes you buy a knife?"
 
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Yes, the steel is not as important as the heat treat. If I trust the maker to have top notch HT, that is more important to me than steel type
 
pinnah said:
What is the grind like and what will you be using for. Big carbides. Aggressive cutter. Good for hunting with a nice hollow grind. Might not be the top pick for battoning.
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For me my fixed blades could be described as camp knives, general utility blades that are used for anything from food prep to processing some firewood. My all around favorite fixed blade is a Survive! 5.1 in 3V, which I already own and nothing will top that beast as far as an outdoors knife, but as stated above it is always fun to try different stuff.



Screw it... The knife in question is the TOPS Desert Nomad. Check it out and tell me what you guys think. Im going to buy it and give it a shot for the hell of it. I wish they didnt have such silly names.
 
For that price I'd go with Bussekin instead. Nothing inherently wrong with 440C but in that price range there are a lot of options to consider.
 
Tried the Rats... Sold em. I do still have a Busse TGM. Same niche as the TOPS knife, just more beastly
 
If you're willing to spend up to $300, I would just commission your own custom with a similar style, with your own improvements including 3V steel from a maker here.
 
I picked up a 440c pocket fixed blade about a week ago, the knife fits my need for a smaller EDC fixed blade and I really like the style and ergonomics. Will I be beating it through a four inch log "no" but it will cut my apple and do general cutting tasks that I would expect a pocket Blade to perform with out the worry of corrosion from pocket carry. Bottom line I like the knife and it fits my use for such a knife perfectly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Cobalt said:
I have always been a fan of 440C.
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I also have zero problem with 440C.

Herein lies your first step toward freedom from your steel snobbery.

Get that baby and come back here to tell us how much you love it.

Nothing wrong with having a favorite steel... but no need to make it an exclusive. You'll miss a pile of good blades if you do.
 
Riz! said:
For me my fixed blades could be described as camp knives, general utility blades that are used for anything from food prep to processing some firewood. My all around favorite fixed blade is a Survive! 5.1 in 3V, which I already own and nothing will top that beast as far as an outdoors knife, but as stated above it is always fun to try different stuff.



Screw it... The knife in question is the TOPS Desert Nomad. Check it out and tell me what you guys think. Im going to buy it and give it a shot for the hell of it. I wish they didnt have such silly names.
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Ive done some research bc i almost bought that knife last week, from the reviews ive seen, they run it a little soft, so toughness wont be an issue unless you are intentionally tryng to break it. 440C can be plenty tough, and is so easy to sharpen if youre used to higher end steels.
 
A mere $300 for a custom knife of your own design?? Who does that?

The scales alone I look at have been around $200 per pop.. and thats without a blade.

Who wouldnt go that route assuming knife is half decent? Well, more like better be good.


In OP scenario, I would wait till someone else is done with theirs.
 
AdamFuzzyballs said:
Ive done some research bc i almost bought that knife last week, from the reviews ive seen, they run it a little soft, so toughness wont be an issue unless you are intentionally tryng to break it. 440C can be plenty tough, and is so easy to sharpen if youre used to higher end steels.
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What made you decide not to buy?

According to the website its cryo treated and run at 59-60 rockwell.
 
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