Steel question?????

[SamuraiDave]

What is this "440A Sub Zero Quench Steel" that Cold Steel is using?
Anyone have any experience with it?
I am curious, my father is thinking of ordering one from his Cold Steel "Christmas Sale" catalogue and I was wondering what yall thought.
Thanks

 

[calyth]

I thought cold steel was using 420 sub zero quench.
440A is generally seen as pretty much an equivalant to the AUS6

 

[bladefighter]

440A is a stanless steel.the A means it does not have to be tempered in oil.they heat it to a ceratin degree for a certain amount of time.when this is accomplished they take it down(slow cool).the reason they sub-zero quench is it gives a better edge holding ability.stainless does not hold a edge very long in a working knife.sub it and you have a better working knife.i have one of there push daggers safe keeper 1 and it is the same material your asking about.i have had no problems or complaints.one day i put it through a microwave oven(back side)no problems.and yes it was un pluged and broken before hand.if your dad wants it might as well give it a go.cold steel is a excellent knife production company!

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

I have a Cold Steel Night Force (plain edge) with a blade of 440A steel. It's made in Taiwan, but it's a good knife and holds a decent edge. I've only had to touch up the edge after some moderate use. It's not the best steel in the world but it does the job when it has to.