Quality 440c EDC folder under 100 dollars

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damib

Joined
Jul 7, 2021
Messages
119
Hello,
could you recommend me some good high quality 440c EDC folder under 100 dollars? Something that you can carry in pocket but won't freak out bystanders if you open it. Mainly for food prep, box cutting and all sorts of these types of everyday tasks. Lockback or slipjoint.
 
I’d be looking at a Buck 112 Slim Pro for one hell of an upgrade. G10 or tan or green Micarta with S30V steel for $88.00. US made and lifetime warranty.


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But that’s just me…if 440C is your jam…go for it. Good luck.
 
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chalby said:
I don't know why you would limit yourself to 440C exclusively, but Spyderco has a few such as the Cat.
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I am just fan of 440c. Specifically, I would like to have cryo quenched 440c, but there are certainly not many commercial manufacturers of cryo quenched 440c folders though.
 
damib said:
What if I paid more like 200 dollars? The only thing is that I am not willing to put 100+ dollars knife in my pocket because it would get scratched quite badly. Especially when I am out in the woods or at work.
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Canvas Micarta isn’t going to scratch…but it will certainly age nicely from the oils in your hand. It can be cleaned with soap & water. G10 isn’t going to scratch.

If you had titanium or aluminum scales, then yes, they would be prone to scratching.
 
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You'd be hard pressed to find anything in that unless you're okay going Boker or overpaying for 440c (some small companies still use it).

I would jump on the forums and ask if anybody has an old Benchmade in 440c (even before the swapped to 154CM)...the old BM 440c knives were fantastic, my buddy G Gary C. hooked me up with a grip in 440c and its superb.
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Also also, 9Cr18Mov is technically 440c, and ALOT of Civivi and Asian manufacturers use it unless you HAVE to have that 440c stamped on it. ALSO also, Artisan Cutlery's "ARPM9" is really powdered 9Cr, which is then powdered 440C...so theres that.

Good luck! I like 440c too, it's my favorite budget steel.
 
Do you have any blade length restrictions where you live? I'm not sure if I should recommend a 2.75" blade or 3.5" blade knife or anywhere in between.

Also, are you dead set on 440c? Nothing wrong with 440c, but as others have mentioned, if you are open to other similar steels, you get a ton of choices.
 
Look at the Tangram knives - they are well under $100 and made by kizer
 
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My Solingen Boker Barlow was 440C heat treated very well with mirror polish. It's a slipjoint, but only cost me around 60-70 and I think it represents 440C done right.
 
damib said:
Hello,
could you recommend me some good high quality 440c EDC folder under 100 dollars? Something that you can carry in pocket but won't freak out bystanders if you open it. Mainly for food prep, box cutting and all sorts of these types of everyday tasks. Lockback or slipjoint.
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Collector Knives is a BF dealer member. They carry some very nice Italian-made knives in 440C. Some are traditional patterns. Some are modern designs. The lines he carries are very nice. And he is a very nice person to work with.
There's a search window at the top of his home page. put 440C there and you'll see some very nice options.

Shop | CollectorKnives

www.collectorknives.net www.collectorknives.net
 
Daniel said:
Look at the Tangram knives - they are well under $100 and made by kizer
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I have a few in Acuto 440. Haven't used them much, but generally nicely made. There are a couple that will chew up your pocket due to the G10 and the sculpting on the scales. I do like the "Progression". Hard to beat for $22. despite it's faults.
 
damib said:
I am just fan of 440c. Specifically, I would like to have cryo quenched 440c, but there are certainly not many commercial manufacturers of cryo quenched 440c folders though.
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Unfortunately, many of the companies using 440C now are using it for budget knives where the heat treatment might not be ideal. For instance, some of the less expensive knives from QSP and Ganzo use 440C. Edge retention testing for these has largely been better than 8Cr13Mov but still probably not what you want.

Daniel said:
Look at the Tangram knives - they are well under $100 and made by kizer
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The Tangram knives actually use Acuto 440. It's effectively the Japanese analog of 9Cr18Mov. That's not a bad thing. It's a decent budget steel. (We've definitely seen amazing things from WE's 9Cr18Mov but nobody else seems to be using that level of heat treatment.) The Tangram knives in particular are often run a little softer but in my experience, they perform better than either 8Cr13Mov or the ultra-budget 440C mentioned above.
 
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