440c?

0.95 - 1.20% carbon (very good edge-holding)
16 - 18% chromium (excellent rust-resistance)

^These are the main things that impress me about it. Takes a very fine edge and is able to hold it well, AND it doesn't rust easily at all. It seems to perform well over a pretty wide range of hardness (mid-to-high 50s, at least). Boker has used it in some of their traditional line, and a bit softer (reminds me of Victorinox's stainless). On the other hand, it used to be very popular among custom and high-end production knife makers, and at pretty high hardness, I think. Either way, it seems to perform very well.

Aside from that, I also like how easily it sharpens up. Responds excellently to silicon carbide and diamond hones, and polishes beautifully. I have an older Buck 112 in 440C, convexed on wet/dry sandpaper through 2000+ grit, and I love it.
 
it's a very good steel, well treated it's pretty comparable to 154cm. more than enough for edc in my books.
 
Its actually a good steel..It has gotten a bad rap in the past because many crap flea market knives were labled "440"..Though they are really nothing near 440C..A completely different steel all together..
 
It was the "standard" for many years. I have several and still use them regularly. My first knife I made was from 440C. One reason for it falling out of favor is that finding good quality raw material is more difficult now. That, and the fact that it was easy for china, pakistan and other knife counterfeiters to stamp "440 stainless" on blades when using cheap, soft 440A.

440C when from a reputable company or maker is actually a fantastic knife steel. Nothing to be ashamed of.


-Xander
 
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