How do these metals handle?

[tommyKnocker]

I've been doing some research on stainless steels and have come across these two:
AISI# 440A, UNS# S44002, Comp. (wt.): 0.7C, 17 Cr, 0.75 Mo, 1.0 Mn
AISI# 17-7PH, UNS# S17700, Comp. (wt.): 0.09 C, 17 Cr, 7 Ni, 1.0 Al, 1.0 Mn
They have very high strengths and the latter is supposedly very resiliant against.. well... anything (weathering, wear. etc.). Are these more for the highly expierienced, taking a lot more time and patience?

 

[mete]

The precipitation hardening stainless steels like 17-7 require carefull heat treatment using a temperature controlled furnaces ,not for the amateur. 440 stainless comes in three grades 440A,440B, and 440C .The difference in the three is the carbon content .440C with the highest carbon makes a very nice blade .The 440A doesn't make the best blade .All three are more difficult to deal with than the carbon steels.