154-CM and CPM154

Per Crucible Industries' data sheet, "CPM 154 is CPM-manufactured version of Crucible’s standard 154 CM. The CPM manufacturing process produces a uniform distribution of the carbides in this grade, giving this CPM 154 easier grinding and polishing, plus better toughness, than conventional 154 CM, while retaining similar heat treat response and wear properties."

CPM-154 data sheet.
 
MaxFactor said:
Per Crucible Industries' data sheet, "CPM 154 is CPM-manufactured version of Crucible’s standard 154 CM. The CPM manufacturing process produces a uniform distribution of the carbides in this grade, giving this CPM 154 easier grinding and polishing, plus better toughness, than conventional 154 CM, while retaining similar heat treat response and wear properties."

CPM-154 data sheet.
Click to expand...

If it has easier grinding and polishing, you would think that companies like Benchmade would use it instead of CM 154. Some of the cost difference could be offset by the savings in production. Is there that much difference in price between the two?
 
Yup, also ATS-34 is the original steel from Japan used for stainless ball bearings and made popular legendary knife maker Bob loveless

154cm being the US version

The CPM process just keeps the molybdenum and chromium carbides from clumping which decreases performance in toughness and ease of Sharpening but it's nothing mind blowing it's just more refined.


The grain structure and size is still decided by what heat, how long and quenching speed and tempering heat.

And that will ultimately be what will make the difference

There is a also a European equivalent to CPM154 made by Damasteel

RWL-34

Which is a tribute to the legend himself

RWL-

Robert W. Loveless


Cool stuff

Overall a great all-round knife steel
 
EDCanAdamas said:
Does anyone here know of a folder in the $175 to $250 range that is offered in CPM-154?
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The Kershaw Launch series is CPM154.

Boker Hogstrom Kingpin

Several Quartermaster models

Some of the older Northwoods knives.

I definitely see more fixed blades using this steel.
 
RWL = Loveless ??
Anyway the CPM grades have smaller carbides which are more uniformly distributed .Yes you will notice the difference .The CPM process was developed about 1970 !! That's old tech !! I met knife makers using it at that time but I was not involved with knives .That was pre-internet forums too !!

154CM - the CM stands for Climax Molybdenum the company that developed the steel by modifying 440C . They then sold it to Crucible who later made it by their CPM process , thus CPM 154 !!
 
EDCanAdamas said:
Does anyone here know of a folder in the $175 to $250 range that is offered in CPM-154?
Click to expand...

Some of the Northwoods knives, yes, which were Queen produced (we'really talking slip joints). Queens and Schatt & Morgan knives sometimes come in CPM-154, sometimes in ATS-34. Also, sometimes you can find a well-cared-for used custom slip joint, and a lot of those will come in some flavor of this steel.

I think when it comes to modern folders, though, CPM-154 just isn't as sexy as the SVNs and 390s/204Ps so that's why you don't really see it.
 
mete said:
RWL = Loveless ??
Anyway the CPM grades have smaller carbides which are more uniformly distributed .Yes you will notice the difference .The CPM process was developed about 1970 !! That's old tech !! I met knife makers using it at that time but I was not involved with knives .That was pre-internet forums too !!

154CM - the CM stands for Climax Molybdenum the company that developed the steel by modifying 440C . They then sold it to Crucible who later made it by their CPM process , thus CPM 154 !!
Click to expand...

Heres a Good read Mete

http://www.damasteel.se/our-steel/story-rwl34/

If anyone loves 154cm they can thank Bob Loveless.
 
Thanks !! I hadn't read anything about them for a while . That answers a number of questions I had. They are late comers to powder metals compared to Crucible. Some of the companies making PM steels have a process a bit different than Crucible. Metallurgy rules !!
 
bodog said:
I think that's the case with a lot of steels.
Click to expand...

Very true. I am a fan of 154cm, and hope that more companies use it or cpm154. I have not noticed enough of a difference to keep me from picking one over the other. I have not used S35vn to compare, but I have heard great things about it as well. I am still not a fan of S30V. It seems to chip out much more readily than my other stainless steels. Kinda regret buying so many knives in it
 
Cobalt said:
Very true. I am a fan of 154cm, and hope that more companies use it or cpm154. I have not noticed enough of a difference to keep me from picking one over the other. I have not used S35vn to compare, but I have heard great things about it as well. I am still not a fan of S30V. It seems to chip out much more readily than my other stainless steels. Kinda regret buying so many knives in it
Click to expand...
I sold all but one of my knives in S30V, probably my least favorite steel besides the Chinese steels. S35VN is a drastic improvement.

In very stoked to try CPM 154

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
DeadboxHero said:
Yup, also ATS-34 is the original steel from Japan used for stainless ball bearings and made popular legendary knife maker Bob loveless

154cm being the US version

The CPM process just keeps the molybdenum and chromium carbides from clumping which decreases performance in toughness and ease of Sharpening but it's nothing mind blowing it's just more refined.


The grain structure and size is still decided by what heat, how long and quenching speed and tempering heat.

And that will ultimately be what will make the difference

There is a also a European equivalent to CPM154 made by Damasteel

RWL-34

Which is a tribute to the legend himself

RWL-

Robert W. Loveless


Cool stuff

Overall a great all-round knife steel
Click to expand...

Well, you learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing the part about the RWL-34. I didn't know that.
 
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