cold steel and 440 stainless (steel question)

Runsalone

Runsalone

Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
1,150
I did a search and found alot of people ragging on cold steel for going to 440. I dont know anything much about the different kinds of steels so I thought maybe someone could help me out.

Why is 440 bad?? Could anybody list some common types used in knife making, with some pros/cons. This would be a great help.

Thanks in advance for any comments!! (Hope I dont have to trash my prolite!!)
 
440A is not a bad steel, it's just that Cold Steel uses no premium steel on any of its models whle most other companies have a variety with some knives having inexpensive steel and others using more exotic steel. What makes things even worse is that Spyderco, SOG, Benchmade, etc. all offer better quality steel (AUS 8 or better) on many models that cost the same as many of the knives that Benchmade sells.
 
My buddy has a large pro-lite drop point and I gotta say, even though Spidies are more my thing, I was impressed! It's a pretty beefy knife and very well made for the thirty odd bucks he paid to Botach. He uses it hard at work and says a touch-up with his sharpmaker easily keeps it plenty sharp. There's lots of good knives out there and I'm sure you'll be told about others, but you needn't regret your purchase.
 
440A is not a bad steel for an inexpensive knife. Cold Steel have however started to use 420? for quite a few of their knives. This is not nearly as good a steel as 440A.

Part of the reason that people are getting on Cold Steel for using 420 is that not that long ago they wrote an article stating that any knife manufacturer that used 420 was selling their customers an inferior product. I haven't seen anyone from Cold Steel explain that bit of hypocrisy as of yet. Probably won't either.
 
here is a good site about steel FAQ:
http://www.sonic.net/~blade/Info___Links/About_Steel/Steel_FAQ/steel_faq.html

About CS, I have a Recon 1 folder, at first I was a bit sceptic on the steel used with its blade, but I have to admit that the heat treatment applied (the 440A steel is cryo-quenched, so that the cristalline structure of the steel is much more compact) makes it good enough for me... I guess my opinion could change probably in a good way, since the Recon 1 is built like a battle tank, along with time and more use and abuse BUT, I must admit that, compared to other folders of about the same class, one can wonder if CS folders are not a bit overpriced...
 
I think it's actually the 420 sub zero quench that people doesn't like.
420J2 generally doesn't make a good blade, and 420HC needs a good heat treat (Camillus seems to do a decent one) to become a good blade.
 
Cryo DOES NOT make the structure 'more compact' it only reduces the amount of retained austenite. There are three types of 440 steel differing only in carbon content 440A-.60/.75 , 440B -.75/.95 , 440C - .95/1.20 % Carbon. 420 has much less carbon.
 
Sorry I said some stupid things and forgive my ignorance, mete :rolleyes: but I'm not able to explain the behavior of martensitic steels during the tempering process ... :)
BTW, I was wondering if there was any difference between AUS6A and AUS6M?
 
Ok, but someone can be more precise? I guess AUS6-M stands for AUS6 Modified, a bit like 425M, so is it because AUS-6M is a higher carbon grade steel than standard AUS6A, or is it more complex? how would it be then comparable 440A?

I hope those answers can help you, Runsalone, as I have slidded the subject a little bit...
 
440a is a decent steel, easy to sharpen, good rust resistence, but does not hold an edge that long. 440c is much better, rust resistence, decent, holds a good edge, alot depends on the heat treat. Before cpm 440v, 154cm, vg-10, d-2, etc, etc, etc. it was the steel (440c) many custom makers used in their knives, especially back in the 60's. Ives used it to make fixed blades many times in the past.
 
IMHO.... I am not a fan of 440A steel. I have had a couple of stockman knives with 440A...I sharpens fast but dulls fast. I joke around with my buddy.. The reason for 3 blades in a knife is when one blade goes dull you have two others for spares.. 440C is better and I would buy a 440C knife but it wouldn't be my first choice... I like AUS8 a lot ATS34 is real goodbut I find I have to use a diamond sharpener on ATS34 to get a good edge... I would take a good heat treated carbon steel if I knew the particulars... Anyway this is MHO..
Jack
 
Once you go D2 you never go back :)

I guess that presupposes you are good at sharpening. Also, we're talking about folders right? I have heard D2 is somewhat brittle for a fixed blade. Actually I'm not even really talking about D2 specifically. I am saying that once you own and use a D2 knife, you are much less interested in any knives with less edge holding ability. Ka-Bar Dozier Thorn by the way. An amazing knife in all respects :) (I'm keen to try BG-42 soon)

-Trent
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top