Linder Bowies using 440A

sopwithcamelus said:
Some companies do a great job with 440A. I've had some nice old Camillus knives that used it. Some companies don't do so well. My question pertains to how well Linder handles it, not whether it is any good. If you have experience with a Linder knife using it, please advise. Otherwise, this question isn't meant for you.
Click to expand...

I' ve had Linders, Bokers, Pumas, as well as countless Japanese made knives in 440A/Aus6. If you've been around knives since the 1980s you'd know that 440A knives never were "terrible", they only became surpassed by newer and better. I can't think of any established company that sold knives in 440A that were treated poorly. Have a nice life.
 
There is such a stigma attached to that style of knife, as well as the Holbein dagger, that I have no interest. They may be wonderful knives. But I'll never know. If I were to carry a knife design from the WW II era, it would be the USN Mark I by KA-BAR.
 
KenHash said:
I' ve had Linders, Bokers, Pumas, as well as countless Japanese made knives in 440A/Aus6. If you've been around knives since the 1980s you'd know that 440A knives never were "terrible", they only became surpassed by newer and better. I can't think of any established company that sold knives in 440A that were treated poorly. Have a nice life.
Click to expand...
Bye Ken. Thank you for sharing.
 
KenHash said:
I' ve had Linders, Bokers, Pumas, as well as countless Japanese made knives in 440A/Aus6. If you've been around knives since the 1980s you'd know that 440A knives never were "terrible", they only became surpassed by newer and better. I can't think of any established company that sold knives in 440A that were treated poorly. Have a nice life.
Click to expand...
He's right, you know. My experience is with Bökers, Pumas and Bucks (no Linders, sorry). 440A, 440B and 420HC were all the rage in the 70's for "high end" (understand "good looking") knives. They are highly stainless, take a wonderful mirror polish and are easy to manufacture. Their target market never was hard use. For that, there was 440C, with higher performance, still good looking but also quite harder to manufacture. And while Bucks 420HC is famous for being a great user, it's the steel with the lowest carbon content in the 400 series. And that means, there are no dramatic reactions to heat and temper processes to expect. So, I see no reason why 440A (and 440B) could not also make decent users. In short, if you like a Linder knife, go for it. By the way, there are also Aitor, Cudeman, Nieto and Muela (all from Spain) who use extensively those low carbon stainless steels. Style is also quite "German". Enjoy. And while we're at it, here's a picture of one of my favorite neckers. I don't expect it to cut miles of cardboard or sisal rope so, it's a joy to carry and use (sharpening happens once or twice a year) :
https://imgur.com/iNs6guI
 
I have a Linder in 440C and it's great. I'd trust the 440A if it's by them, just don't expect the same performance as a contemporary supersteel in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.

Their own website offers a more varied selection than most dealers. Why don't you see if you can find the model you like in 440C? That's absolutely good to go, based on my experience.
 
herisson said:
He's right, you know. My experience is with Bökers, Pumas and Bucks (no Linders, sorry). 440A, 440B and 420HC were all the rage in the 70's for "high end" (understand "good looking") knives. They are highly stainless, take a wonderful mirror polish and are easy to manufacture. Their target market never was hard use. For that, there was 440C, with higher performance, still good looking but also quite harder to manufacture. And while Bucks 420HC is famous for being a great user, it's the steel with the lowest carbon content in the 400 series. And that means, there are no dramatic reactions to heat and temper processes to expect. So, I see no reason why 440A (and 440B) could not also make decent users. In short, if you like a Linder knife, go for it. By the way, there are also Aitor, Cudeman, Nieto and Muela (all from Spain) who use extensively those low carbon stainless steels. Style is also quite "German". Enjoy. And while we're at it, here's a picture of one of my favorite neckers. I don't expect it to cut miles of cardboard or sisal rope so, it's a joy to carry and use (sharpening happens once or twice a year) :
https://imgur.com/iNs6guI
Click to expand...
He's also wrong on some points. There have been some rather lame renditions of knives in 440A, and I'm not a fan of AUS6 either. I know, because I've used them. He jumped in thinking I had declared war on 440A. Had he read my other posts, I already admitted it could be a serviceable steel.I liked 440A in Camillus knives I've had. I'm old enough to remember Buck using 440C, so Ken's curious mixture of belligerence and unwarranted assumptions didn't receive a cordial welcome. Other members, yourself included, have been very helpful by attempting to answer the question I asked in the first place. I think I will avoid the large, rather expensive 440A Bowies, and focus on their 440C models, and perhaps their smaller carbon steel models. I'm not afraid of patina. Thanks for your help.
 
Lodd said:
I have a Linder in 440C and it's great. I'd trust the 440A if it's by them, just don't expect the same performance as a contemporary supersteel in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.

Their own website offers a more varied selection than most dealers. Why don't you see if you can find the model you like in 440C? That's absolutely good to go, based on my experience.
Click to expand...
I'm actually very comfortable with older, simpler steels, particularly carbon steel. I've had good experiences with AUS8, 440C, Carbon V, 1095, etc. From what I can gather, people are telling me Linder's 440A is similar to Buck's 420HC. If that's the case, for the price point, I'd buy a Buck. The 440C Bowie will get the nod if I decide to buy one. Thanks for your help.
 
No, no, that's a knife ! Sorry, but I just don't get tired of it ! Let's get down to the source, erm... the waterline.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top