If you’ve researched the different types of
This recipe was popularized by the Buck 110 blade, one of the most popular knives in the market.
The 440C steel recipe is known for being a great mid-range steel ideal for knives.
This steel is part of the 440 families, and it has the highest carbon content compared to the other recipes in the family.
The carbon in 440C gives it excellent edge retention and wear resistance.
However, since it’s very hard, it can be tough to sharpen and is prone to chipping.
The harder the steel, the more brittle, so make sure to take care of your
In this 440C steel review, we look even closer at the features and properties of this material.
We also check out the pros and cons, so you can decide if this is the right material for your
Related:
What Is 440c Steel?
440c steel is considered the mid-range recipe in the 440 series that includes 440A and 440B.
It is fairly high in carbon and in fact, has the highest carbon content in the entire 440 series.
Because of its composition, it offers great wear and corrosion resistance.
It is most commonly used for mid-range knives and other blades and is considered one of the best budget-friendly steels out there.
Chemical Composition
1. Carbon – 1.1%
440C has a fair amount of carbon in it.
When used in an alloy, carbon can greatly increase hardness and wear resistance.
However, if you have too much of it, that can cause the material to turn brittle and reduce its toughness.
2. Manganese – 0.8.%
Manganese is another element that can greatly improve hardness.
But it’s important not to use too much as steel that is too hard can be brittle and weak.
3. Chromium – 17%
Chromium can enhance tensile strength, edge resistance, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
One of the main requirements for an alloy to be considered stainless steel is at least 10.5% of chromium.
And since 440C has 17% of it, this is a stainless alloy that offers great corrosion resistance.
4. Silicon – 0.5%
Silicon can improve the strength of an alloy greatly.
5. Sulfur – 0.02%
Sulfur is an element that can aid in the machinability of steel.
This particular recipe doesn’t have too much sulfur, which means this isn’t the most machinable material out there.
6. Phosphorous – 0.20%
Phosphorous increases the strength of the steel.
7. Molybdenum – 0.7%
Lastly, molybdenum is present in this mix as it makes the alloy more machinable while also adding a fair amount of strength to the mixture.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Special Traits
1. Edge Retention
As mentioned earlier, one of the most important qualities of 440c is its edge retention.
This is mainly because of the high amounts of carbon and chromium in the mix.
This makes 440c a great choice for
2. Hardness
When measuring hardness, the most common metric used is the Rockwell Hardness Rating or HRC.
This alloy has a maximum HRC of 57, which is very good and tough.
There are some materials out there that are harder than this, but you wouldn’t want your material to be too hard since that can cause it to become brittle and weak.
3. Wear And Corrosion Resistance
Since this material has a fine grain and has a lot of carbon and chromium, it is a very hard alloy.
This means that it will not wear easily and can hold its own against some of the most durable knife steels used today.
And since it’s stainless, it also has great corrosion resistance, mainly because of the high chromium content of 17%.
This makes 440c a great and affordable choice as a blade material.
4. Machinability
Sadly, this material can be pretty hard to machine because of the low sulfur content.
However, after heat treating, this material can have the same hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance as just about any premium alloy out there, which makes it well worth the effort to machine.
And if you make sure it is annealed properly before machining, you’ll find that you’ll have a much easier time doing the job.
5. Heat Treating
This recipe is annealed at a temperature of around 831 C – 871 C, which is around 1550-1600F.
For hardening, it’s recommended to use a temperature of around 760 C or 1400 F.
This temperature can be increased to 1010 C (1850 F) if it is followed by cooling in air and oil.
For tempering, the ideal soaking temperature for 440C is 148 C, which is roughly 300F.
So, Is It Good?
Yes, 440C can actually be a great choice for knives.
This is because it’s affordable, has great edge retention, and can resist wear and corrosion very well.
It isn’t the best
It’s a suitable material for kitchen knives, general-purpose knives, and would be an ideal material for hunting and fishing knives because of its ability to resist corrosion.
So if you’ve been on the hunt for the right alloy for your mid-range
Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!