Is 440c a decent blade steel for hard use?

[NJBillK]

Can't you guys read? The following is on the maker's site. A quick review shows the Mk1 was 1095. One of the new features is the upgraded steel. Gee!

"The new Cholera Mk2 has a few refinements from the orgininal but we left the award winning profile the same. Some of the great new features we have upgraded are the steel, sheath, jimping and finishes."

In this statement, upgraded is a subjective term.
For the Vast majority of my uses, I would take properly HT'd 1095 over 440c.

 

[strategy9]

Can't you guys read? The following is on the maker's site. A quick review shows the Mk1 was 1095. One of the new features is the upgraded steel. Gee!

"The new Cholera Mk2 has a few refinements from the orgininal but we left the award winning profile the same. Some of the great new features we have upgraded are the steel, sheath, jimping and finishes."

"upgraded" from 1095 to 440c does not mean it is "tougher".... It will hold an edge a bit better, and will resist rust 100x better, both " upgrades" that 1095 does not offer, while not completely sacrificing toughness.
But 440c is certainly not "as tough" as 1095.

Ever wonder why ESEE chose 440c for their stainless choice? It's pretty tough for a stainless, and reasonably priced.

Ever wonder why their no questions warranty that they offer on their 1095 models, does not apply to their 440c models? From their own email they sent me, stainless is inherently more brittle when compared to nonstainless.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I could be wrong, but it looks to me like "Vulture" has contracted TOPS Knives to make these. If the OP is interested in this particular knife, he might be interested in looking at TOPS' complete line-up. And I too wonder about that hole in the blade - not a Spyderco trademark?

 

[Spyder59]

We still don't know what the op intends to use 440C for. IMHO, 1095 for a chopper. 440C for a cutter, if you only have a choice of the two. IMHO, 440C would be an upgrade from 9crmov or say, AUS8. Not very long ago, 440C was the go to stainless steel knife steel. There are still some knife maker's good lower mid-range production, and even some customs knives, made of 440C. Not my first choice for optimum edge retention, but it's still an awesome steel at its usual price point. Case in point:

The Boker Arbolito.

 

[JackstrawIII]

440C is a great steel and will hold up to tough use. It's probably not the "best" choice for a large chopper, but it's definitely capable.

There's a lot of hate going around towards 440C, D2, and some of the older blade steels. Just because it's not new and doesn't say CPM before it, doesn't mean it's not excellent