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blue8

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Nov 3, 2005
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I have a utility on the way from Frontsight. It is the 440C and am really excited about it. I would love to have a collaboration one but can't afford it right now, and as Frontsight says, they are one of a kind. I am buying this thing to use!! If I broke it, or worse but more likely, lost it, I just don't think I could take it. So my question is does anyone who has the Utility have any comments on how this steel is holding up. I have one 440C knife and I love it as much as the "better steel" knives that I have. I know that it can perform as well as my other knives and I know that I have had knives with it that were bad. I would assume that that would be because of the quality of heat treat. The mention of the heat treating I can find in the forums seems to be generic. Can a knife be re-heat treated? I know that Bos is the guy that the collaborations goes to. And from what I read in his brochure from the Buck website, he can treat individual blades. I have not handled this knife yet, and don't want to imply that I wouldn't trust Frontsight to do the best for this price, I am just curious as to anyones opinions or experience with the Utility version. I have every intention of getting a Collaboration when I get back into the workforce,:D but just wonder if I can punch this one up just a hair, or if it is perfect as it is.
Thanks,
Alan:
 
Thanks for replying. You don't sound too enthusiastic about yours. Anything you don't like about it?
 
I do like mine. It's a neat knife, and I strongly considered ordering another one. I still may. I credit Frontsight with coming up with a clever and unique product, and she probably has the most fun knife maker website I've seen. There are lots of fun accessories for the HAKs.

That said, while the design aids in retention, there are pros and cons to that feature. I think the design makes for a very useful light utility knife. Like anything sharp, it could also be used to protect yourself in an emergency.

For me, the lack of lateral blade support and leverage is one notable limitation of the design (unless supported by the other hand).

It's great for opening boxes, not great for whittling. On the upside, you can't drop it -- on the DOWN side, you can't drop it :)

Like I said, I like it, but it's got pros and cons like anything else. It's not your grandfather's pocket knife.
 
According to the site, it's 440A. Most known companies only use this in large survival type knives because of it's toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. I suspect Frontsight uses it because it's inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
 
Yeah, Ok, I see what you mean by limitations. I think that this will be an excellent knife for chores around camp in the dark, anywhere in the dark, and just the right size for those daily knife chores like opening mail, cutting boxes etc. It is basically a box cutter kind of blade with a finger loop. It is the size thing that does it for me. The one I have on order is the V2 which is 440C. The first run was 440A FWIU. Sounds like it is going to be a good buy.
 
Oh OK, 440C should be a really good match with this type of knife. I've always viewed these as a self defense knife but I can see where it could have some utility uses as well.
 
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