Cheap knives with 440C blades?

[knarfeng]

Not true. I called Benchmade and asked them why the steel chart in the '05 catalog lists 440C as having .95-1.20% carbon and starting in the '06 catalog 440C is listed as having only .75%. I was told that the 440C now being used in the red class of knives is of Asian origin and their steel has a different carbon content. I think Benchmade knows what they're talkng about. After all, it's their knives we're talking about.

Wunderbar, not to doubt you, but what you said did not mesh with my experiences with Benchmade. So, I emailed the question to Benchmade. Here is their written response:

>>> 9/29/2007 11:04:11 AM >>>​

Howdy,​

Got a couple of your knives. You make good knives.​

A question arose during a discussion among friends about the 440C your Chinese sub contractors use in the Red Class knives you sell such as the model "10100 LFK ". Some one said that the alloy doesn't really meet the compositonal specs for 440C. Is this true? What is the elemental composition of the 440C in those knives?​

Hi Frank,​

Thank you for contacting Benchmade.​

It's origin is actually is Taiwan, not China. They use 440C, notChinese equivalent marked 440C. Other companies may do that, but we don't choose to. That's why we mark our Chinese steels "7Cr14" or "9Cr13" even though the Chinese call them both 440C.​

The Taiwanese vendor that produces the Model 10100 LFK imports the 440C steel​

Please reply if you have any further questions or comments and we'll be happy to help.​

Sincerely,​

Jason - Team Benchmade​

............................................​

BKC, Inc.​

300 Beavercreek Rd.​

Oregon City, OR 97045​

(800) 800-7427​

"Make It Cool. Make It Solid. Make It Happen."​

............................................​

.

So current Benchmade standard operating procedure is to use 440C for 440C. Can't speak as to other company's procedures.

 

[Vivi]

I've just recently been playing with some new Boker Plus "Military" folders. They are made in China and marked "440C". They are inexpensive, listing for $35 to $50, depending on size. I used the small one for a week and passed it on to my son to beat up on a construction crew. I'm playing with the large now. They both came nicely sharp with good fit and finish and the edge holding is very impressive.

Are these the ones with the double guard and Strider looking handle style? I thought about picking one up for a beater.