Cheap Knives: Why The 440A Craze?

[marcinek]

Wat? Re read my post. Cause I didn't say anything is wrong with d2. Just the 440x and 8cr13mov and lower stuff. I'll add aus8 to that too.

They should upgrade to Sandvik, d2 or other improved budget steel.

You called it a "budget steel"...like a minimum standard that any steel should preform at. It is far better than that.

And what is "Sandvik"? You do realize they make a whole line of steels, right?

 

[marcinek]

I just went to the jungle and searched "folding knife" and got a Tac-force <$9 ( 440 steel) as their best seller with over 700 reviews and 4.3 stars . So , If you didn't already know better , why wouldn't you buy one ?

One would. And? The point of being here is to know better.

 

[Mo2]

Well as I said unless 440 is heat treated by someone well known like Paul Bos. Even then it doesn't compare to other steel. It's like people don't read or pick and choose what they want to read (I can't read sometimes too).. 14c28n

Here's a good video

 

[marcinek]

Well as I said unless 440 is heat treated by someone well known like Paul Bos. Even then it doesn't compare to other steel. It's like people don't read or pick and choose what they want to read.

Here's a good video

440C meets or exceeds many of the sexy, marketing department steels hyped to death. I guess some people just choose what steel they are told to buy.

And the "test results" of some random guy on YouTube?

 

[22-rimfire]

I read your entire post pretty carefully and you clearly do not like any "440" steel and consider it substandard or a budget steel. I actually hesitated to even post, but your steel generalization "made me do it". But I can see from your last post that you actually believe this. How do you feel about 01? 1095?

 

[marcinek]

By the way, declaring what is the "bare minimum for a pocket knife steel" is as nonsensical as declaring what the "best steel" is.

Its even more nonsensical when you claim to have test results to prove it.

Like the guy in the video does in the first 30 seconds.

 

[Mo2]

440C meets or exceeds many of the sexy, marketing department steels hyped to death. I guess some people just choose what steel they are told to buy.

And the "test results" of some random guy on YouTube?

I dunno about you but I have a job where I use my blades every day. I actually notice a difference. I'm sorry you feel the way you do about some random guys on the internet.

 

[marcinek]

I dunno about you but I have a job where I use my blades every day. I actually notice a difference. I'm sorry you feel the way you do about some random guys on the internet.

Well, there's definitive proof right there. 440C is junk.

 

[craytab]

I dunno about you but I have a job where I use my blades every day. I actually notice a difference. I'm sorry you feel the way you do about some random guys on the internet.

And there is the problem. You are projecting your needs in a steel onto others. My aus8 blades fill a roll in what I need in a steel but I'm not taking them in the ocean. I have other knives that fill that roll.

ETA: Nor am I using my big beater Seal Knife to break down box after box of cardboard. I use my folder in a more modern supersteel when edge retention is key. Just because a steel doesn't work for what you do doesn't mean it can't work for other thing. That said, 440a of unknown quality from suspicious origins doesn't work for me because I know where to get a better knife from a reliable company with better steel for not much more money, which I am willing to pay.

 

[22-rimfire]

And there is the problem. You are projecting your needs in a steel onto others. My aus8 blades fill a roll in what I need in a steel but I'm not taking them in the ocean. I have other knives that fill that roll.

Some would call that experience in defense of Mo2. We all have our likes and dislikes and I haven't tried every super steel that is out there. In fact, the evolution in my case is to shift to the middle grade of steel which I consider D2, 01, 1095 and so forth from companies I am familiar with. But it is only my opinion.

Like I said about the Puma SGB earlier.... that thing is sharp as hell, but I bought it only because it cut me in the store. I think is was seeking blood. But I haven't used it for anything as of yet and I've had it a couple of years. I have just too many knives to use when I have my favorites already. It's tough to push a knife out of my pocket in favor of something new.

One knife that has done that is the Steel Will Cutjack (Mini in my case). I really like this 3" knife for a flipper. No thumb stud to wear my pockets. You can open the blade easily and quietly with a slight push on the release mechanism or if you want to to flip open fast, add some wrist motion to it and "thack". I was anti flipper. This knife is in M390 steel and I'm impressed. I might even buy the larger regular model of the Cutjack.

 

[craytab]

Some would call that experience in defense of Mo2. We all have our likes and dislikes and I haven't tried every super steel that is out there.

Yes, but he is not just saying what he likes and dislikes. He is actively telling people what they shouldn't like. See below:

I see no reason other than cost to use these old steel types. Even if your not a steel nerd like me. 8cr13mov 440x etc should be avoided. Too bad Kershaw and crkt won't stop using it.

 

[Mo2]

Yes, but he is not just saying what he likes and dislikes. He is actively telling people what they shouldn't like. See below:

Eh whatever. Read the top half of that post.

 

[22-rimfire]

I didn't know they used 440a because they just say 440, but rough rider definitely does a decent job with their steel.

Rough rider knives aren't knives that I can personally be really proud to own, but I can't deny that they make a damn decided knife for the price and I'm not ashamed to own them. I just really wish they didn't polish their blades, I'd prefer satin or stone tumbled like Buck does.

I asked at SMKW what steel it was.... 440A. I said that really isn't that great of a steel. They indicated that they actually export American 440A steel to China for them to manufacture and finish. The knives are generally very well made. The thing that has always got me was Frost slip joints (440A) look pretty but are pretty trashy overall. They just don't seem to hold up with use. Their only saving grace is they're "cheap". But so are Rough Riders. SMKW and Frost go back years together which has always led me to believe that the knives are likely produced in the same factory. I like a polished blade and one of my only criticisms of Bob Dozier's regular fixed blades.

I found you comment distinguishing "proud to own" versus "not ashamed to own" to be an interesting comment actually about your tastes and I know you like slippies.

 

[craytab]

Eh whatever. Read the top half of that post.

I did but I also read the part where you are telling me that I should avoid knife steels that fill an important roll in my daily knife usage. You then go on to say it is because your usage is different and that is fine. What you can't do is tell me not to use a steel that works for what I do specifically because of its attributes.

 

[Mo2]

I didn't say anything about you.

And as a matter of fact I would love it if customers were more active in requesting better budget options.

 

[marcinek]

Eh whatever. Read the top half of that post.

We did. The part where you claimed this?

440anything is a pretty bad steel option for a knife in comparison to what's available.

It has been said many times by several members in this thread....Not at all true.

Really all you have done to "prove" you claim is tell us about what you noticed at your job, show us some random YouTube goofball, and say "Eh, whatever."

You are, of course, free to feel that, in your opinion, 440X is bad and D2 is "minimal", but that doesn't make it fact.

 

[craytab]

I didn't say anything about you.

And as a matter of fact I would love it if customers were more active in requesting better budget options.

So when you said 8cr should be avoid who exactly were you talking to then?

And you must realize that if kershaw upgraded from using 8cr then those knives would no longer be budget blades meant for a market that doesn't care as much about steel as you.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I asked at SMKW what steel it was.... 440A. I said that really isn't that great of a steel. They indicated that they actually export American 440A steel to China for them to manufacture and finish. The knives are generally very well made. The thing that has always got me was Frost slip joints (440A) look pretty but are pretty trashy overall. They just don't seem to hold up with use. Their only saving grace is they're "cheap". But so are Rough Riders. SMKW and Frost go back years together which has always led me to believe that the knives are likely produced in the same factory. I like a polished blade and one of my only criticisms of Bob Dozier's regular fixed blades.

I found you comment distinguishing "proud to own" versus "not ashamed to own" to be an interesting comment actually about your tastes and I know you like slippies.

I guess I just prefer knives that are inexpensive by nature and not those which are inexpensive because they were outsourced to a country of cheap labor costs.
I can app

I did but I also read the part where you are telling me that I should avoid knife steels that fill an important roll in my daily knife usage. You then go on to say it is because your usage is different and that is fine. What you can't do is tell me not to use a steel that works for what I do specifically because of its attributes.

Exactly, I won't have any telling me that might Vic's or imperials don't hold an edge or that these steels should be avoided.
They work extremely well for me, and are easy to maintain.

 

[marcinek]

Next you will say that A2 is crap steel for knives.

Is is. It would be much better if it had more letters. Like CPAC-PM-A2-R2D2. Now that's a super steel! Wayyy better than just old A2. Must buy! Must buy! Must buy!

 

[jbmonkey]

440x? does that include 440v...i sure like 440v,.......