I'm one of the guys who believes that there's no such thing as a BAD blade steel. Heard that first from Blackie Collins, in 1986, when he was explaining to me why he was using Sandvik steel instead of more common alloys(grain structure and cleanliness of the alloy). Some steels are better than others, certainly. If it will harden above 55-56RC, it can be made into a perfectly serviceable blade. In some cases, cutting technique becomes more important than the tool. But, I also believe ALL steels are a trade-off, and there's no PERFECT steel. Yeah, I know about hardness, differential heat treats, ductility, grain structure, wear resistance, and stuff too, but that's more for my own edification. I like a certain level of quality, this is where that knowledge comes in handy. In the field, tho, I just cut stuff. When an edge needs touched up, I touch it up. It's just a knife, no matter how much I spent, or what materials were used to make it. As long as it cuts the stuff I want it to cut, I'm happy.
Most importantly, it helps to realize that not everyone knows steel, especially the newer alloys. And trying to explain the subject to the majority of non-knife people is an exercise in futility. They just don't care. 440C is tried and true, familiar to a LOT of people, and well suited for MOST peoples' needs. And in a true EOTWAWKI situation, most of them, and us (myself included), are likely going to die, no matter WHAT knife we have hanging on our belt or stashed in a bug-out bag. It's a sad reality, but a reality nonetheless.
Most importantly, it helps to realize that not everyone knows steel, especially the newer alloys. And trying to explain the subject to the majority of non-knife people is an exercise in futility. They just don't care. 440C is tried and true, familiar to a LOT of people, and well suited for MOST peoples' needs. And in a true EOTWAWKI situation, most of them, and us (myself included), are likely going to die, no matter WHAT knife we have hanging on our belt or stashed in a bug-out bag. It's a sad reality, but a reality nonetheless.
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