Question - why so many knifemakers hate 440 C?

Larry, do you mind sharing where you get it for a good price?
I'm happy to use it, since the people I sell to rarely have any knowledge about steel types (that's my job, educating them).
 
Elementfe, I buy steel from Admiral, Pop's knife supply, and Jantz knife supply which is where I buy 440 C in precision ground finish. 36 inches of 1 1/2 wide 5/32 is $67.95. The next rougher finish is "Blanchard ground" and is $55.95 lor 3 feet of 1 1/2 inch. The mill finish 440 C Is $ 43.95 for 3 feet. I get four knives easily from a 3foot piece so the price go from $11.00 per blade to $17.00 per blade depending on the finish but subtract the abrasives you use to get mill finish to a flat smooth blade and it makes sense to me. If I had a belt converted surface grinder I would probably buy mill finish all the time. My customers never even ask what steel I use for the knives and are more concerned about picking out wood and requesting high polish or satin finish on their knives. I show my customers some of my personal knives and that sells them although I offer to make their knives in ATS-34, CPM 154, or 154 cm as well but most do not care. Some ask about Rockwell hardness and then are happy. Jantz is a good deal when you figure that they have a shipping option of $9.95 flat for an order so I order a bunch of stuff at one time. Maybe some other forum readers will have a better option but this is what I found and use. I make knives with bolsters and filework and exotic wood most of the time. Does anyone think that charging $6.00 more for a knife because I paid for precision ground is even noticeable. It is much easier and makes the knife making more enjoyable. That's my 2 cents. Larry
 
Thanks Larry!
Haven't ordered from Jantz since I began this madness five years or more back, time for another look.

I don't know that I'd have to charge more for having used PG- more likely less, since my time is money. This isn't my whole job, but it's become a large part of it, so most work gets done 9-5.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top