440C is a stainless alloy. It's good however very hard to work with. I use 1095 because it has the most carbon content 95% carbon, if heat-treated correctly it is super hard.
440 C is not a carbon steel.
The best material is Japanese STS 34, it very expensive but great for knives. It is the hardest of all the stainless types steel.
I harden my knives to 62 Rockwell Scale, making it on the verge of being too hard, too hard the knife will break, too soft easy to sharpen, but will not hold and edge. When I ship out a knife I sharpen razor sharp. I have a technique that I have developed to insure they are hard, or I won't sell them.

But I don't make any knives during hunting season ,,, too busy hunting, or flying around theU.S. onbusiness.

I have more knives at my home page see Gallery www.livehunt.com/therev