440C is not a bottom of the line steel. It is a very good stainless steel. Better than S30V, VG-10, 154CM, and BG-42 in many applications (and worse in many as well). It is not a top of the line steel, but there is a reason many top custom knifemakers use it and suggest it over S30V, BG-42 etc... for many uses. For an outdoor knife, I would probably prefer a properly heat-treated 440C blade over S30V or any of the harder stainless steels. 440C is tough and has very good stain resistance. S30V, 154CM etc... are very good for folders and small fixed blades and EDC duties as they hold an edge for a long time. For self defense, you do not need a steel that will hold an edge for a long time. For other outdoor chores (which you may encounter and have nothing to do with fighting off animals), toughness is often more important than edge retention.
Buck's 420HC is also very well done. Not a high-end steel, but it should not be discounted.
I am not a knife expert, but whoever told you not to look at anything in 440C is just a parrot and probably buys into hype without actually using knives. He is just listing steels he has heard are good, and telling you to discount steels he sees on a lot of low-end knives (which doesn't mean they are bad steels). He tells you S30V and A2 are good... and they are... but they are also totally different. Why is he telling you to look at two totally different steels for one application? It's like saying Corvettes are good and so are Hummers when someone asks about off-roading, and then saying not to bother with Jeep.
If you just want a knife to defend yourself, then the steel doesn't really matter that much. Do not get caught up in getting a knife in a high-end steel if the only use is going to be defense. However, if you are also going to use the knife for other general outdoor applications, then steel is important. When you hike, do you ever set up camp? Prepare food? Do you need to clear brush when you hike? Maybe you will need to cut cloth to make bandages for first aid? Chop wood for fire? I really have no idea what your needs will be. But a steel like 440C is actually something more appropriate for general outdoor uses than something like S30V or 154CM (though you should not automatically discount them). A2 would be a good choice too if you will need to do more demanding tasks like chopping wood.
The Buck 119 is actually not large at all. Have you seen one in person or are you judging from pics?
It really comes down to what specific things you need a knife for, and how much you want to spend. For 30 bucks, a Buck 119 is just fine. It is a classic, and many people have made due with it for many years. If you can spend more, you can get more. An Ontario RAT (in D2 or 1095) would be good. Maybe the Rat 5 or Rat 7. Becker makes good fixed blades for the same price and a little cheaper (than Ontario's RATs). For a little more Bark River is great. If you can spend around $200 bucks, Bob Dozier is far and away the best IMO. For more money Busse is highly spoke of, though I have never used one.
Those big grips feel great on my BK91 and I've kept it, but WAY awkward on the shorter Campanion and BK11.
