440A steel pocket knife

How good is 440A steel?

When it comes down to a steel type 'good' is of course relative term. A steel type is as good as it adheres to the demands of the user. So how does that pan out for 440A? Thanks to the high chrome content of 440A it is properly protected from corrosion and stains. It is the main reason it is used so often in humid or maritime environments. This steel type is used for budget-friendly knives and is easy to modify and polish.

What are the disadvantages of 440A steel?

With so many steel types out there it can be quite the task to determine which is the best choice for you. That is why it is also important to keep the 'disadvantages' of 440A in mind. When used for heavy-duty tasks 440A needs to be sharpened more often than the other 440 steel types. It is also less hard than, for instance, 440B and 440C, which can influence its performance during the more demanding tasks.

Which is better? 440A compared to...?

Many types of steel are used to produce pocket knives. But which steel type is better? First and foremost, this depends on what you are looking for. However, if you do want to make a comparison: 440A steel is similar to 440B, 440C and AUS-8 steel.

440B steel

440B is similar to 440A. The difference can be found in the carbon content. 440B contains more carbon. As such it is also harder and the sharpness retention is better. It is, however, less corrosion resistant.

440C steel

440C contains more carbon and is, as a result, even harder and also retains its sharpness better. It is, however, less corrosion resistant and more difficult to modify than 440A. When you look at all three steel types 440C is the 'best' of the three. 440A is very corrosion resistant, but less wear resistant. 440B is the 'happy medium', and 440C is the premium version.

AUS-8

AUS-8 is a stainless steel from Japan with comparable features. It is corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen and retains its sharpness a little better than 440A thanks to the higher carbon content.

440A fans: which brands use 440A steel?

You have never been more sure: you are looking for a pocket knife with a blade made from 440A steel. But which brand uses this type of steel for their pocket knives and appeals to you most? Multiple brands use 440A steel due to the nice balance between corrosion resistance, affordability and ease of production. Think of brands such as Böker, Gerber and SOG.

Böker

Böker uses 440A steel for many different folders. An example is the Magnum series. Böker believes 440A to be a decent entry-level steel type that can be used for many different purposes.

440A maintenance

440A, like any type of steel, needs to maintained to make the most of it. Do you own a pocket knife with a blade made from 440A steel? Make sure you keep the blade clean and dry to prevent corrosion.

A sharp edge ensures that your pocket knife will function as it should. 440A is relatively easy to sharpen. Make sure you use the right sharpening tools for the best results.