I'm actually not sure if mine is 440A or not, its several years old and is unkarked. Its not the most modern or newest flashy steel, but it holds an edge and resharpens with ease when needed. I have no experience with the carbon stel one (although, if you look around, stainless steels are actually just stain resistand reaaly good carbons. ATS and 440v are examples). Back to the Gov't- you can pick one up for about $80 at 1SKS with their code-3 thing, and for a similar price other places. For the money it is a solid knife that preforms well, takes abuse in stride, and needs almost no maintnence. The grip, though seemingly basic, fits my hand in a varity of grips much better then some of the more recent stylized modles.
From my impressions of the BM, its more designed for light utlity and personal defense (ie, a weapon that serves as a tool). That might get flamed to hell, but thats the impression i have gotten. i also have an inherent distrust of Cold Steel, but that may be just a biased. I actually considered the SRK when I purchased my SOG, and decided I liked the fit and function of the SOG better for my purposes. Good balance, good fit, and great construction. Its a bomber camp and utility knife for those of us that like a blade of its size.
