RS, I've got each of the three 440C Basics, and like them alot. They take a great edge, keep them for a long time, and when a touchup is needed, the rear edge of the "guard" or "bolster" (hard to explain on these particular designs) are cast to the correct angle to be used as a sharpening guide. The smallest is great around the office (lab, in my case), and is often described as "cute" and never seems to threaten the most diehard sheeple. The medium and large I use at home for kitchen and general knock around work. The skeletonized handle can be a bit hard to hold onto if exerting heavier force while cutting, but for all around use, they are comfortable. I've never had any sort of rust problem with mine, regardless of how long they sometimes sat with food, water, and other *ick*, awaiting the dishwasher (me).
If used around seashores, I would recommend getting in touch with someone like Chiro75 here in the forums and having a custom kydex sheath made up for it. You'll be much happier. The factory sheath is a brass liner secured inside a sewn over and together piece of nylon webbing, that might become ruined from the adverse effects of seawater-soaked nylon in contact with the brass liner. I tend to use my Boyes and then store them already cleaned up, so the sheath is fine for that. On the other hand, the sheath is so innocent looking that several people have seen mine out and asked, "What's in that thing?" In the same regards, it shouldn't scare or concern anybody you might run into while strolling about on the beach, hiking, or camping.
If you opt for the cobalt, keep in mind that while it's almost twice the price, you should never have to worry about rust or corrosion in shore climes, but the stainless versions should only need a wipe down every now and then, so I wouldn't worry about that much either. Also, AFAIK, I've only ever seen the cobalt version available in the 4" blade, so if you're looking for the medium or small size, you can only get it in the cast stainless.
In the end, love the knives, sharp little buggers for any general use, could use a better sheath and a bit more "grip" if use while wet or slippery. Hope this helps.
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Don LeHue
Royal Oak, Michigan
The pen is mightier than the sword...outside of arm's reach. Modify radius accordingly for rifle.