I get so tired of everybody slamming 440C...
of all the stainless steels I've tried (and, admittedly these do not include BG-42 or S30V... yet) I've found 440C to be my favorite.
The edge-holding benefit of 154CM/ATS-34 over 440C seems relatively miniscule to me, but 440C is NOTICEABLY tougher and corrosion resistant than 154CM.
To further this arguement I would state that I've never encountered a 154CM blade that pleased me (though I do have one ATS-34 custom that does).
Point is, I see 440C as a plus, rather than a negative. The reason the AK-47 knife costs more is probably due to it being a limited run knife (though I don't know this for sure).
As for my feelings towards Kalashnikov himself... never liked his design (which I, personally believe to be about as original as a Vtech Spyderco knockoff), never liked his attitudes, and his endless droning about his remorse for the design of the AK-47 hasn't done much to encourage me either. When I think of a man living by his convictions, Kalashnikov is one of the last to enter my mind, so he can take his knife and shove it.