1080 Vs CPM154

mildot326

mildot326

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
376
So I'm on the order board for a SEAX from Tom Halloran.
Looking for some input for blade material, I want something that will hold an edge and will only require a "touch up"
for re-sharping.I'm no metallurgist so just looking for some advice.The 1080 is parkerized, don't know the finish on the CPM154
 
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You mean CPM154. There's a world of difference between the two. CPM154 holds an edge very well, can get a very fine edge, easy to sharpen .Go for it !
 
Every single one of those things about CPM154 holds true for 1080 as well, and I just happen to have a SEAX in 1080 and can tell you that I'm very impressed with the design/execution of this knife. I just really have a preference for more ductile steels myself, as they can take more impact/torsion force without damage, but CPM154 is a great general purpose stainless steel and in a knife this size (and thus likely scope of use) might well be the better choice. The fine edge and ease of sharpening bits are about a dead heat between the two, but in terms of holding an edge against abrasion or blunting damage, the CPM154 will come out a bit ahead, so for your basic slicing and push cutting it's going to win by a bit.
 
Always great to hear from an owner/operator! BTW do you know what the finish is on the CPM154? I know he offers the 1080 in a "park" finish.I should have also stated that the SEAX CPM154 is more expensive.Do you have any pics? and how old is the knife? how has it held up?
 
Well, I'd be happy to do picks if I had a working camera. I have some cash set aside and am looking for one in the near future, but I'm afraid mental pictures are all I can offer. ;)

I have no idea what the finish is on the stainless one, though I'd guess satin if he doesn't specifically mention it.

I have had absolutely no complaints at all about the knife, and have never had it fail to hold it's edge long enough to finish any job I've ever put it to. If you're going to carry it close to your body, that would be another point in favor of stainless.
 
I have a Custom FB in 1080 (i have no experience with cpm154, so this is a recommendation, not a comparison). Recently, i took it outside for some testing. After 20 minutes of hacking, prying, and chopping, and batoning through ironwood, blue beech, and pine, the knife would still shave and pop hair of my legs (i'm trying to let the hair on my arms regrow). After literally 30 seconds on the sharpmaker brown stones, it was back to its original grabby hair popping edge. Part of this is due to the makers triple quench HT. It is also an exceedingly tough alloy. One day i was chopping the limbs of of a small dead pine that i was using for fire fuel. The knife sheared right through one of the branches and onto the rocks below (i hadn't chosen the best spot for chopping) I looked at the edge with dread, expecting at least minor chipping. There was no damage whatsoever. Obviously the 1080 is rust-prone, but the parkerization should take care of that. I have nothing but compliments for 1080.
 
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