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440a
- Thread starter thacheese16
- Start date
David Martin
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- Apr 7, 2008
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I must say 440C is a very superior cutlery steel. Doubting if 440A or 440B even come close in some areas. Here is a link to a steel information site that would agree. http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html
AEB and the other 440 steels are mentioned. DM
AEB and the other 440 steels are mentioned. DM
M.FREEZE
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420 and 420J represent the low end of stainless steels. They are very stain resistant, and are tough due to being very soft. However, they are also very weak, and not very wear resistant. Generally speaking, expect these steels to lose their edge quickly through abrasion and impaction. They are used in less-expensive knives due to their ease of machining.
440A and its relative peers, 425M, 420HC, 12C27, and 6A are the next group. They can be hardened more than the previous group, for better strength, and they are more wear resistant, though wear resistance is just getting to the point of acceptability. 440A and 12C27 are the leaders of this group, with solid heat treat both perform okay. 12C27 is said to be particularly pure and can perform very well when heat treated properly. 6A trails those two steels, though with its vanadium content, can take a razor edge. 425M and 420HC trail the rest. Ref - 440A vs. 425M vs. 420HC vs. 12C27 vs. AUS-6A Steel Composition Comparison.
Source (http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml)
440A and its relative peers, 425M, 420HC, 12C27, and 6A are the next group. They can be hardened more than the previous group, for better strength, and they are more wear resistant, though wear resistance is just getting to the point of acceptability. 440A and 12C27 are the leaders of this group, with solid heat treat both perform okay. 12C27 is said to be particularly pure and can perform very well when heat treated properly. 6A trails those two steels, though with its vanadium content, can take a razor edge. 425M and 420HC trail the rest. Ref - 440A vs. 425M vs. 420HC vs. 12C27 vs. AUS-6A Steel Composition Comparison.
Source (http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml)
I think the primary reason you dislike it is that the steel tends to be softer and have lower wear resistance. At the same time, tons of new steels offering extreme wear resistance has come to market, in many cases giving a clear advantage to 440A.
440A, 440B, and 440C have all kind of gotten a bad name somewhat without warrant because many cheapie-cheaps brand their knives with "440 Stainless" or "440C" and it has given all of the 440 family a bad name. I really like 440C with a good HT, and I don't think 440A is terrible. When Kershaw was using 440A on their entry level American-made folders, I always liked the steel relative to the price. I think their base Sandvik is an improvement, but could not complain about 440A.
440A, 440B, and 440C have all kind of gotten a bad name somewhat without warrant because many cheapie-cheaps brand their knives with "440 Stainless" or "440C" and it has given all of the 440 family a bad name. I really like 440C with a good HT, and I don't think 440A is terrible. When Kershaw was using 440A on their entry level American-made folders, I always liked the steel relative to the price. I think their base Sandvik is an improvement, but could not complain about 440A.