Questions on 440V Steel

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

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Feb 1, 2001
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A local shop has a Spyderco Chinook in 440V for sale for a really good price($70) and I would like to buy it but I have read the 440V is a brittle steel and chips easy. The Chinook is a "hard use" knife and I would be using it for EDC and some "hard use" but not abuse. Can someone with some 440V experance tell me how the steel holds up? Thank you!
 
The earlier Spyderco knives(Military,etc.) used 440-V in a higher RC hardness(59-60), and would chip but lowered the RC to about 57, and on the Manix, Chinook's don't think you will have a problem with the 57 RC hardness. At that price I would go for it.

Larry
 
In my experience, 440V doesn't chip, it rolls. Thats why some people don't prefer it, it's kind of hard to sharpen sometimes.
 
So the Chinook is 57Rc? Is the old Chinook 1 MBC lock strength rated like the new Chinook II?
 
There's a reason you don't see 440V very much anymore. 440V is an extremely wear resistant steel, moreso than S30V. However, at full hardness (59-60Rc like S30V is usually hardened) it had a tendancy to chip and was notorious for extremely difficult sharpening. This is why it was often only hardened to around 57Rc; so it wouldn't chip and it'd be easier to sharpen. Because of its wear resistance, it still held an edge at that low hardness. However, instead it now has a tendancy to roll. Very few knives are still produced in 440V, and many older knives in 440V (like Spydercos) have switched to a different steel like S30V.
 
So do you think I should skip it because of the steel? I will be using it for EDC and it will come into contact with some hard objects lik staples in cardboard boxes. Just to compair I have a Cold Stel Voyager in AUS8 that has help up extremly well. How would the 440V compair? Thank you once again!
 
I'd rather have 440V than AUS8 any day. $70 is a very good price. I wouldn't spend the full $120 for a 440V model if I could get an S30V model for the same price, but $70 is certainly attractive.

440V isn't really a "bad" steel, instead its performance didn't live up to its cost. If 440V on a knife only cost as much as AUS8 and was used on $50 knives, nobody'd be complaining about chipping or rolling. But for the price, S30V was superior in almost every way, so 440V was mostly phased out.

I say go for it.
 
I own a Native in CPM440V and I've never had any problem cutting through cardboard and plastic, the blade has even taken some light accidental drops with no damage.

As for sharpening, I retouch the blade with a carbide stone after each use to keep the edge in good condition, so I don't know for sure how hard is to restore the full sharpness on a dull blade.


Jaime Orozco.
 
I say get it just because the Chinook I is, in my opinion, a better design (for what the knife is supposed to be).
 
I bought it today! It is such a cool design and solid knife and I couldn't pass up the great price! This is my 1st time using 440V so I hope it is a good steel and proves to hold up well.

I will say this is the single sharpest knife I have ever bought!
 
There's a reason you don't see 440V very much anymore

The main reason for this is that Crubible, if they haven't already, will stop making the S60V (440V). I don't remember the announced date. As with any steel, heat treat/temper plays a large role in how this steel performs.
 
I have a Starmate and a friend has a native both in 440V. Its a good steel. I find a good edge is easy to get with ceramics, never tried anything else. As it dulls, it still maintains some "bite" somewhat like dendritic steel and will still cut a tomato when it won't readily shave hair. It is very rust and stain resistant, as good or better than ATS34. The steel's fine, the key thing is the overall package. If the handle, blade design, edge, etc. fit your bill, the steel will too.
 
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