Various Manufacturers / USA / Europe / Asia

440C

Stainless Steel (High Carbon Martensitic)57–60 HRCConventional Ingot Steel Process

Composition

Core alloying elements define the baseline trade-off between wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and toughness.

Material Overview

440C is the highest carbon variant in the 440 stainless steel family, giving it better hardness and edge retention than 440A and 440B. It was once considered a premium knife steel before modern powder metallurgy steels became dominant. Today, it is still widely used in mid-range knives due to its good corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening, and reliable performance in general cutting tasks. While it is no longer a “super steel,” it remains a proven and stable option for everyday use.

Performance Radar

Use four core metrics to understand the usable operating envelope of this steel at a glance.

Edge Retention

Toughness

Corrosion Resistance

Sharpenability

Edge Retention

6.0

Toughness

7.0

Corrosion Resistance

8.0

Sharpenability

8.0

Advantages

Good corrosion resistance
Easy to sharpen
Decent edge retention for its class
Widely available and affordable
Stable and proven performance

Disadvantages

Outperformed by modern PM steels
Moderate wear resistance
Requires more frequent sharpening than modern super steels
Not suitable for extreme hard-use applications

At A Glance

440C is a classic high-carbon stainless steel known for good hardness, decent edge retention, and solid corrosion resistance, widely used in traditional knives.