Benchmade Monochrome HELP!

[SharpestKnife]

I recently received a Benchmade Monochrome. I am very impressed with the knife, it is very sharp and lockup is SOLID! I was looking forward to testing the N690 steel, but I was surprised to find that the blade was marked 440C. I am posting to see if anybody knows when Benchmade made the 440C version of the Monochrome. I am also concerned because there are a few small black looking spots (just a little bit bigger than a grain of sand) at the top of the blade. I am wondering, is this rust, or just part of the finish on the blade?

 

[knarfeng]

I would email Benchmade to ask.
http://www.benchmade.com/benchmade/contact_us.aspx

It may take a few days because, being a factory, they may shut down between Christmas and New Years. I have found them to be very responsive to my questions in the past.

 

[presz]

I believe they made a 440c model 1st. Like 2 years ago.

 

[LG&M]

I didn't know they ever made a 440C one. Mine is "1st production run 2003" and it is N690. It happens to be my EDC today. I like the N690 and I consider this knife a great value. Interesting I will be watching this thread.

 

[kodiak]

I would count your blessings and use the hell out of it! I love 440c!

 

[spydee]

I just bought a monochrome with 440c from ebay and couldn't find anything on the internet about it except this thread. So Benchmade did make this model in 440c? Because if not, I bought a fake and have to take action... I wouldn't mind having this knife in 440c though, I like 440c
Cheers
spydee

 

[Mattman888]

I recently sent in a monchrome for warranty work and they just gave me a brand new one and it had 440C steel on it, so no it isn't a fake.

 

[Jpalmer1988]

I'm guessing since they moved production of the monochrome to the U.S. the blade steel changed.