Makes sense, because on paper aus8 is all but identical to 8cr13mov... 8cr has a tad more maganese, aus8 has more then twice the nickel (making it theoretically a bit softer). Aus tends to usually perform a bit better, like a really good batch of 8cr, most likely due to better processing and heat treat parameters (typically as simple as Japan and Taiwan vs. China regarding quality control during the manufacturing process), but a good batch of 8cr is right on par: Aus tends to take a finer edge, but at the end of the day loses it just the same... So again, theoretically, provided it's produced properly and heat treated well, 440c should out perform it...
I personally even like 440a better then 8cr or aus8, (which is much more within the same ballpark as them metallurgically speaking, and performance wise). It doesn't have the small bit of the harder carbide former vanadium or the small bit of nickel added, but it has a good amount more chromium (2-4%) for better stain resistance, and more then 3x the molybednum, which keeps it right on pace with others cuttingwise with more overall carbide formers, and in my experiences, a good batch takes just as fine an edge as aus8, holds it just as well, but is a tad easier to sharpen to get that fine edge... I've owned knives in all 3, and aside from dud batches, most often found in 8cr's, it's certainly not night and day differences between the good ones of each flavor, more like milk chocolate made from Mars, Hershey, and Nestlé; the differences are very subtle, but I actually wish more manufactures like CRKT, Schrade, even Kershaw, would make their budget stuff with 440a instead of 8cr or even aus8; (not to mention the cost some folks are stull chargeing for production level aus8 can be absurd! Like some $200 Al Mar's, or a $100+ SOG Kiku!? SMDH, but hey, people apparently somewhere are buying 'em).