Linder Bowie in 440a?

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y53p

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May 11, 2022
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I found the last (new) Linder bowie available in my country and in Europe (as far as I've seen). It's $165, 10 inch blade. The thing is that it's 440a. I've had good experiences with 440c recently and it's one of my favorite steels, but I've never used 440a and I only know it's got lower carbon than b and c (0.6-0.75). Is it worth it? Does any of you have extensive experience with 440a, especially Linder's 440a (Rostfrei/German 440a in general). Handle's cocobolo, sheath's leather. Worth the money considering the rarity of these knives nowadays and the blade length?
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It's probably tougher than 440A or 440C. Cold Steel used "400 Series" (whatever that is) for its original tantos, and it is a very tough, stain resistant steel that takes a very good edge. Lower carbon can mean tougher steel, like 420HC.
 
tiguy7 said:
Grab it. They use the low Carbon stainless to prevent chipping when chopping. I have a couple of 440-A Linder Bowies, and they work just fine.
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How is the edge retention on the 440a ones? Do they lose their edge quickly? How often do you need to sharpen them?
With shipping it ends up costing $180, and I can get a bowie with better steel (from another brand, still made in Europe) for a lower price. Is the quality/rarity of Linder worth the extra price?
 
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y53p said:
How is the edge retention on the 440a ones? Do they lose their edge quickly? How often do you need to sharpen them?
With shipping it ends up costing $180, and I can get a bowie with better steel (from another brand, still made in Europe) for a lower price. Is the quality/rarity of Linder worth the extra price?
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440a is tuff and corrosion resistant. The edge and finish is going to hold up better to storage. In use it may wear a little faster, but it is also going to sharpen faster, so it is not a big deal.

n2s
 
y53p said:
How is the edge retention on the 440a ones? Do they lose their edge quickly? How often do you need to sharpen them?
With shipping it ends up costing $180, and I can get a bowie with better steel (from another brand, still made in Europe) for a lower price. Is the quality/rarity of Linder worth the extra price?
Click to expand...
If you can get a better knife for less money, do that. The Linder 440-A behaves a lot like the steel Victorinox uses in their SAK’s. Linder are getting rarer because they went out of business. Linder’s quality is fine. So the decision might be based on aesthetics, or job suitability, or the size of wild boars.
 
tiguy7 said:
If you can get a better knife for less money, do that. The Linder 440-A behaves a lot like the steel Victorinox uses in their SAK’s. Linder are getting rarer because they went out of business. Linder’s quality is fine. So the decision might be based on aesthetics, or job suitability, or the size of wild boars.
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The other one is in 440c, 8.5 inch blade, micarta handle: for $120, made in Italy; it’s the Maserin 977 Bowie. Seems to me like it’s better quality for the price. A shame though because of how rare and beautiful the Linder is.
 
I used Linder Bowies in 440a and 440c. Both steels performed fine chopping and cutting. Edge retention on 440c was a little better, but that's about it. Leather strop for the 440a every now and than was enough for my use.

I would grab it before the maserin, those Linder bowies carry more "soul" with them.
 
rustinxcohle said:
I used Linder Bowies in 440a and 440c. Both steels performed fine chopping and cutting. Edge retention on 440c was a little better, but that's about it. Leather strop for the 440a every now and than was enough for my use.

I would grab it before the maserin, those Linder bowies carry more "soul" with them.
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Yeah I’m way more drawn to the traditional, rustic style of the Linder. The Maserin will have to wait lol.
 
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