I need a source for 440A

[Mike Turner]

Does anyone have a good source for 440A? I am in need for some in 1/16" X 2 1/2" and so far have been batting zero. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ray Rogers]

This may not be too helpful but you can get 440C in that size easily. What can you do with 440A that can't be done better with 440C ?

[Mike Turner]

Ray the customer wants extreme rust resistant knife. This knife will be a ceremonial knife for cutting Kosher beef from what I am understanding his needs. I am trying to push him towards 440C (that I can find in the section I need) but he does not want a knife that will be difficult to sharpen. I am batting zero on 440A so far I can find 420 but have know idea how it performs compared to 440A.

[AUBE]

I would avoid the 420...it has a really low carbon content. Wish I could help you with the 440a but I don't think I have ever seen it up for sale. If hes not that worried about edge retention, wants ease of sharpening, and no staining...how about titanium?

[AcridSaint]

Hi Mike, if this will only be used for beef, I think you could easily get away with 440C and tell the customer to run the knife over ceramic after each use. 440C should keep all but its finest edge slicing meat. If you can convince him to use a ceramic rod after cutting the meat, it will always be sharp and easy to maintain.

[Mike Turner]

Hi AUBE I don't know about titanium and I think it would scare the heck out of me to look and see how much a piece would cost that size. Plus right know he wants 2 knives and to clarify these will be 1/16" X 2 1/2" X 24". Like you said 420 I think just won't perform well.

Cap well I have sort of talked him into 440C now he wants one in each .

[B.Finnigan]

Mcmaster carries it in 1/16"

http://www.mcmaster.com

You have to dig for it but type "440A stainless" and then scroll down the page to the description boxes. It's right at the bottom.

BTW, it's $240 for a 6"x24" piece! But look on the bright side, you will have a 1" strip left over for a fillet knife or couple folders.

[Ray Rogers]

Perhaps the cost will help him decide on 440C. Remind him that a knife that is very easy to sharpen usually needs to be sharpened quite often. Also, while 440C performs extremely well at Rc 58-59 it doesn't have to be hardened that much, 50-52 would do.

For a knife that large and a customer who clearly isn't interested or able to sharpen it, you might recommend a Chef's Choice EC-120 electric sharpener. They cost about $100, don't remove much steel, and produce a very, very good edge with no skill required. Easy to use on that large blade, too. Then you could use the 440C and not worry about sharpening ....

[Mike Turner]

Thanks Brent Hold on while I get up off the floor.


Ray I am not sure exactly what they can do as far as sharpening knives that will cut Kosher meat. He did say he sharpens with stones.

[B.Finnigan]

That's $1.71 per square inch not including shipping. Do they alloy platinum into it now? It's still cheaper then Ti, it's $316 for the same dimensions.