Please recommend a decent folder in 440C

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Buck used to use 440C several decades ago, but those were a real challenge to sharpen on conventional hones like Arkansas stones. I wore out a nice 112 trying to get an edge using carborundum hones. There are a lot better choices of steel available these days, as well as diamond hones.
 
Do a search for Kershaw. They used it in the past and can be found used. Not sure if they still do. They also used 440V for a while, but it wasn't a hit back then. You may not find it printed on the blade though.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Buck used to use 440C several decades ago, but those were a real challenge to sharpen on conventional hones like Arkansas stones. I wore out a nice 112 trying to get an edge using carborundum hones. There are a lot better choices of steel available these days, as well as diamond hones.
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Pretty sure my dad's old 110 is a 440C model but I keep it as more of a keepsake than a user. That and he sharpened a lot of steel away...

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From Buck's webpage I think it's a '67 to '72 model.
 
For a smaller folder, you can find plenty of older Buck 501s on the bay. Look for micarta scales and script stamp. Any other 501s aren’t 440C. Near mint examples can be found for under $100. And there are a lot of 110s and 112s floating around for a decent price if you don’t mind the weight. Two dot and three dot are 440C, four dot and later are 425M and, later, 420HC.

When Benchmade first came out with the griptilian it was 440C, and they may have used 440C in other models, too. But those are hard to find.
 
I believe Benchmade also made some knives in 440C. I want to say I've got one or two in the collection somewhere, but this had to be at least 10-12 years ago.
 
Check out Bear and Son.

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Have you looked at kit knives on Jantz or Texas Knifemakers supply. Many are 440C easy to assemble and customize.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
Building one might be fun but I wonder the quality compared to the low prices.
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I thought about that too. I figure if the washers are obtainable sizes and likely they are. The the knife can be upgraded like any other. If the blade material is what you want and the design is good, you can probably mod the rest. That said I have not tried it yet, but plan to soon.
 
Joker, Cudeman and Nieto from Spain have some nice pocket knife model in N695/440C. Their older knives only marked 440 are in fact 440C.

Only Boker Solingen, Boker Arbolito and the rare marked "Boker Plus USA" on the blade I would recommend. The rest of Boker plus and magnum are made in China with mixed reviews.

The Great Eastern Cutlery has some 440C classic pattern, but they are expensive.
 
donnord said:
I thought about that too. I figure if the washers are obtainable sizes and likely they are. The the knife can be upgraded like any other. If the blade material is what you want and the design is good, you can probably mod the rest. That said I have not tried it yet, but plan to soon.
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I took a look at some kits as a result of this conversation and I found that some vendors who sell kits also sell washers separately if you don’t like the ones that come with the kit.
 
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