440c is mid-range stainless steel that provides excellent corrosion resistant and excellent wear resistance. On the other hand, the steel will take perfect mirror polish, so the answer is “yes”. The stainless steel for knives, but it comes with low toughness.
Besides, 420hc doesn’t hold an edge well; the steel relatively stain-resistant and tough. That is easy to sharpen. And 420hc is quite good, low-cost steel that performs like midprice steel.
So, get the best steel; you can compare these 440c stainless steel vs 420hc.
However, people considering the best steel for a knife may quickly become overwhelmed because of the numerous options available.
So, how to know which steel is a comfortable choice for us?
If you like the idea of having convenient steel that provides long-lasting performance, check out our compared review below.
440c stainless steel vs 420hc Comparison:
1. QSP Heavy Duty Pocket Knife Review
- Razor sharp 440C full edge Blade, HRC58-60, Non-Slip G10 Handle
- Left or Right Handed Flipper, Ball Bearing Smooth and Fast Opening
- G10 spine, Sturdy constructed, feel comfortable in hands
- Applicated for heavy duty work. 5.2" Handle, Net weight 177g, Good for Left...
Our top pick for the best pocket knife is the QSP Heavy Duty Pocket Knife with Ball Bearing Flipper Fast Opening. With a razor-sharp blade that stays sharp over the long term, a sturdy and comfortable ambidextrous handle, and a highly-responsive.
It sharp 440c full edge blade, and non-slip G10 handle.
The razor sharp design has a very sharp point that gives an excellent control, making the razor a perfect choice for detailed work, drilling and cutting.
However, the razor blade has a notch in the nail, which makes it easy and safe to open. On the other hand, locking machnisum ensure that the blade remains open and that you have strength and security while work.
2. Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
- Originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft
- Tough enough to cut through the fuselage of an aircraft
- Purposeful break between the tang and the butt cap, providing insulated...
- Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold
Who searching for professional quality knives then, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is one of the best ways for you. That comes with a 4.84 drop point blade with a serrated edge, and include glass-filled nylon with TPV over mold handle and a reinforced sheath.
On the other hand, it made of stainless steel in the end of the blade that can pierce glass. The knife comes with ergonomic comfortable to handle and according to Gerber its originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft.
8cr13mov vs 440c Compared
What is 440c Steel
Especially 440c stainless steel is a high carbon martensitic stainless steel. That comes with high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and perfect hardness and wear resistance.
On the other hand, it is capable of attaining, after heat treatment, the highest strength, hardness and wear resistance of all the stainless alloys.
What is 420hc steel?
The 420hc is an evolution of the 420 steel, that include with low-end stainless steel use for cutlery, custom knives, scissors and surgical tools. Most of the knives company uses these steel for professional knife. It is a professional carbon content 420 stainless steel.
However it has a wonderful carbon base and is mixed to a harder finish than 420 stainless steel, but under normal processes, falls around 55 HRC.
Buck knives are just one of the many products that are made from 420hc tough material. As from features, there are many different levels of steel. But product made from 420hc steel that are definitely different from other types of steel in terms of performance and reliability.
Is 440c steel good for knife?
If you looking for stainless steel, then you can use these 440c because it is mid-range stainless steel that provides perfect corrosion resistance and perfect water resistance and will take a wonderful mirror polish. That’s why this is good for knives and provides long-lasting using performance.
Is 420hc steel good for knife?
For this low-end stainless steel the 420hc is wonderful steel for the low-entry knife. However the steel comes with decent edge retention, perfect corrosion resistance and it’s easy to sharpen, that’s why our answer is yes, the 420hc steel is good for knives.
These types of knives are more durable and easy to sharpen when in constant use and they’re pretty rust-resistant. On the other hand, these types of steel make them a great for some machetes.
Is 440c steel easy to sharpen?
440c get most popularity for its blocky carbide structure and large grain. The steel can certainly take a sharp edge but will never be like razor blade steel. There is one the best advance it will cut through the carbides. Get for best result keep your synthetic stone clean and I’m pretty sure any of them can do that.
Is 420hc steel easy to sharpen?
Although 420hc doesn’t hold an edge well, but luckily the steels relatively stain-resistant and tough. That is easy to use and sharpen. However, there is one exception: the 420hc is produce using a proprietary heat treatment.
So, there is one of the top advantage in using 420hc steel. That is already most popularity in market for their high-quality performance and easy to sharpen. However, this is wonderful material is use for hatchets, knives.
440c steel hardness
440c is a martensitic 400 series stainless steel, and it the high-quality content from 400 stainless steel series. That is usually heat treated to reach hardness of 58-60 HRC. Use can use for this bearing steel, and use in rolling contact stainless bearing, e.g. ball bearings and roller bearings.
420hc steel hardness
The 420hc obtains about 57 HRC after suitable heat treatment. That is higher carbon content 420 stainless steel. However, the steel is perfect high carbon and it can brought to a higher hardness than regular 420 and should not be mistakes for it. As for professional features, Buck knives and Gerber knives use the steel extensively.
440c steel composition:
| Materials | Quantity | Works |
| Carbon | 1.1% | Improves hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Sulfur | 0.02% | It will increases machinability |
| Molybdenum | 0.70% | It increase Machinability and strength |
| Manganese | 0.80% | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Chromium | 17.00% | Great for tensile strength and Edge retention. Even it enhances corrosion resistance and wears resistance. |
| Phosphorus | 0.20% | Improves strength. |
| Silicon | 0.50% | Great for strength. |
420hc steel composition:
| Materials | Quantity | Works |
| Carbon | 0.46 | Improves hardness Wear/corrosion resistance Unfortunately a high amount of it decreases strength. |
| Chromium | 13 % | Great for tensile strength and Edge retention. Even it enhances corrosion resistance and wear resistance |
| Manganese | 0.4 % | It improves hardness and brittleness. |
| Vanadium | 0.3% | Increases wear resistance and hardenability. |
| Silicon | 0.4 | Perfect for strength. |
440c vs 420hc steel properties:
| 440c | 420hc | Work |
| 2.5 | 2 | EDGE RETENTION |
| 7 | 7 | CORROSION RESISTANCE |
| 7 | 6 | EASE OF SHARPENING |
| 5 | 6 | TOUGHNESS |
440c Compared with Others Steel
440c vs 8cr13mov
According to our research 8Cr13MoV blade steel, 440C has a higher carbon (0.95-1.2%) and chromium (16-18%) content. On the other hand, 440c is a high grade and high wear resistant steel that comes with an excellent edge retention.
When you compare these two brand, you can say 440c is a step-up model if we talk about hardness and edge retention.
440c vs 420hc- Final Verdict
Life is full of choices: should you buy professional steel knife, or would you be better off spending the time and money to make a set yourself? It totally depends on your kitchen or outdoor needs.
Finally we’re compare 440c stainless steel vs 420hc steel. They come with different features and performance. So, before buying a knife steel you need to consider which the best