VG-10 vs. 440C

E

emann

Joined
Apr 27, 2005
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39
Just curious why most people here seem to like VG-10 better then 440C? Looking at various steel charts they seem very even to me, with 440C actually having more carbon. Am I missing something?
 
There are a number of factors why VG10 is preferred to 440c and why VG10 appears to be the better knife steel. VG10 is a different type of steel to 440c in that it has cobalt and vanadium which 440c hasn't plus a slightly higher level of molyb which held increase toughness, strength and wear resistance. Whilst 440c might appear on the charts as having more carbon this is generally not the case they both normally have around 1%. Also 440c has a higher level of chromium which whilst helping in keeping the steel stain free does increase the possibility of brittleness esp., at higher hardness levels.

Both are good steels but VG10 is more popular because it has been better heat treated than 440c - for years 440c had been badly heat treated. Also VG10 is a fine grain steel which increases sharpenabilty. Another reason VG10 is so popular is because Spyderco use it to advantage in their Japanese made knives.
 
JDBLADE said:
Another reason VG10 is so popular is because Spyderco use it to advantage in their Japanese made knives.
Click to expand...
Yes and benchmade seems to prefer 440C in there knives. So they both have popular brands supporting them.
 
Benchmade also use N690 which is closer to VG10 then 440C. Benchmade are one of the few makers who IMO actually heat treat 440C to its full potential.
 
VG-10 and 440C are my favorite blade-steels above all others.

In everyday useage, I can't find much difference in their performance.

But I have noticed that VG-10 is'nt used my many makers except Spyderco.
Hmmm?
But neither was ATS-55 and I really like that steel alot too.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
440C is sort of a generic specification and is made by various steel manufacturers with various quality levels. It is easy to find second rate 440C that is made into blades with second rate heat treatment. You will find cheap knives and fantasy pieces done in 440C that help to drag down the reputation of the alloy in general.

Even when it is well formulated and heat treated the 440 series steels have a lot of chrome in the mix which is not an unmixed blessing in a knife alloy. Chrome makes steel harder to sharpen in a couple ways. It is harder to abrade when you are honing and yet doesn't seem to add a proportionate amount of support to the edge for your trouble. The distribution of chrome and chromium carbides will often make it hard to get a very fine edge while you are honing unless you get a good grade of 440C and the manufacturer does a good job of heat treating. The chrome also make it harder to get rid of the burr from your edge when you sharpen. The big advantage of chrome is that it helps to prevent rust.

VG-10 is made in Japan specifically as a cutlery alloy. I haven't heard of any VG-10 with quality issues. I guess that means that it is probably purer and subject to tighter quality controls than is generally true for 440C. It has less chrome to obstruct edge refinement and also has some vanadium in the alloy which enhances edge refinement. I haven't run across any VG-10 that gave me sharpening problems. So if your sharpness standards are high you are likely to have more respect for VG-10 than 440C. I don't know that you would see much difference in edge holding once you achieve your edge. I'm also not convinced you'd see a lot of toughness differences.

One of these days I may buy another knife with a 440C alloy blade, but I haven't felt the need in quite a while.
 
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