Just out of curiosity, when 440C was in its heyday what other stainless steel had better performance and was available in non-custom knives? Perhaps I missed it because I was just a kid. It seems 440C would have been a good mix of edge-holding and corrosion resistance back then.
There weren't a lot of high end knives geared towards performance that used stainless. As you stated there wasn't a lot of recognized premium stainless steels until the whole concept of 154cm, then ATS 34, than Spyderco introduced Gin 1, the aus series etc. Around the time the stainless steels really began giving a good selection the concept of "super steels" began with 154cm/ats34, then 440V/S60. S90V was released before S60V but it didn't make it's way into production knives until after S60V, then ZDP 189. I first heard the term with ATS 34 and Benchmades line of Emersons. By then IIRC 440V was being talked about in magazines and shortly afterwards Spyderco brought it out in a Millie.
440C was very much used in customs back then as it still is. Especially in art knives. Those looking for the highest performance were going to things like W2 with differential hardening, forging was very big and 52100 was only available in bearing, races, etc. Stock removal had everything from L6 to 440C, to Vascowear, etc.
When powder steels came out 440C was quickly left behind as it has limitations compared to powder stainless steelsCompare the toughness of Elmax to stainless, or the wear resistance of M390, S90V, S110V, etc.
440C was and is good in it's day and still to this day but it was never a top of the line performer IMO. Kind of like S30V now. Good, but not the top performer and taken for granted despite it's honestly good attributes. S30V is VERY much more wear resistant, tougher, and even more corrosion resistant ( depending on heat treat) than 440C but you rarely hear people giving it the respect it deserves, or call it "super steel". It is especially compared to the steels of the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
Another statement thrown around here I disagree with is that people couldn't tell the difference between 440C and the new powder steels like Elmax and M390. I don't agree with this. It's like holding up the one of ten guys that can't read well and using him as an example of what Americans are like. It's just not the case IMO.
People regularly find the smallest details and get really angry over them. My guess is if they expected M390 performance and got 440C they would be pretty dissatisfied. It's not good to underestimate people. Most people here are above average experience wise re: knives, sharpening and steels. There are of course exceptions. To think everyone is stupid is cynical and an incorrect judgement.
) I personally have nothing against 440c as I've never really used it and am actually considering it over the s35vn and seeing that many well respected knife makers still use it and swear by I figured it couldnt be that bad.
