154 cm benchmade

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skidmark72

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154CM:*An American made premium grade stainless steel originally developed for tough industrial applications. Known for its best all-around qualities, it offers great corrosion resistance with good toughness and edge quality.
What are your thoughts
 
It's a good steel. Not a super steel, but still a pretty damn good one. I don't get it when people act like it is a mediocre steel.
 
Spyderco also had used 154cm in the Manix 2 before they switched to s30v. I like the 154cm version better.

It's great steel, very easy to sharpen, and lasts a while before needing attention.
 
I've never used it - it was always in knives outside my price range before, and I skipped right past it when I increased said price range.

I just wish I didn't keep seeing it in $200+ knives. Elmax, 20cv, 204p, s90v, etc make sense in that range, not a middle-of-the-road steel.

It's silly, but I actually dislike 154cm because I'm sick of seeing it. Much like AUS8 in Cold Steel and CRKT's lineups.
 
I would say it's better than VG10, AUS-8, 440C and Sandvik but not as good as S30V, D2, Elmax, or S90V.

So it's a good solid steal that will be perfect for most any general use.
 
Comeuppance said:
I've never used it - it was always in knives outside my price range before, and I skipped right past it when I increased said price range.

I just wish I didn't keep seeing it in $200+ knives. Elmax, 20cv, 204p, s90v, etc make sense in that range, not a middle-of-the-road steel.

It's silly, but I actually dislike 154cm because I'm sick of seeing it. Much like AUS8 in Cold Steel and CRKT's lineups.
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Yeah, I see it in knives that are selling in the same price range as other knives with premium steel. I wouldn't have a problem with it if they were undercutting the prices of competitor knives by using 154cm but most of the time they're in the same range. Granted, the performance difference isn't that noticeable to most people, but when you get a steel that is less expensive you'd expect a lesser price as well.

However, this all goes into the knife marketing discussions that go on here daily.
 
Yup, & knife marketing decisions are not based only on steel -- or any other single factor.
 
I agree with z|1....it does more than I could ask in my mini grip too. It's been my EDC for 3-4 years now. Overall it's probably my favorite steel. It's not the best at any single thing, but very good at all things.
It's very corrosion resistant
It takes a good working edge
It holds the edge for a while
It touches up easily on croc sticks
Pretty tough
 
I like it. It's easily one of my favourites, but I recognize that there are a lot fancier or more advanced steels out there.

I've been quite happy with it on the Benchmades, Hogue, and Manix 2s I owned.
 
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I like the CPM-154CM. Is Benchmade's 154CM from another company because it doesn't seem as nice as the CPM version.
 
nickites said:
I like the CPM-154CM. Is Benchmade's 154CM from another company because it doesn't seem as nice as the CPM version.
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CPM154CM is not a thing. It is either 154cm or CPM-154. The difference is the CPM one has gone through the Crucible (whatever it is called) process which purifies the steel and improves the structure.

I have not used CPM-154, but considering how much I like 154cm it must be amazing.
 
Most of my experience with 154CM has been on my Benchmades, and it has worked very well there. I have some Leathermans with 154CM blades as well, and those too have held up well. I got a Blur with CPM-154 not too long ago and am looking forward to putting that through some paces.

Comparing my Benchmade Mini-Grips in 154CM and D2 and my Ritter Mini-Grip in S30V, the S30V and D2 are pretty comparable in edge retention, and both hold up a little better than the 154CM. I seem to get better performance out of the 154CM and D2 when sharpened with a slightly toothy edge (stopping at 600 grit), versus the S30V, which I usually sharpen to a fair polish.

Comparing the Leatherman 154CM (Freestyle CX) with their 420HC (Wave), the 154CM does hold up noticeably longer. I can't tell much difference between Leatherman's 154CM and S30V (Charge TTi).
 
I like the powdered metallurgy. I am far from an expert in steels, and I understand that Ernie Emerson has used the 154cm successfully for many years. For my purposes, however, I believe I'm better off with CPM154.
 
skidmark72 said:
154CM:*An American made premium grade stainless steel originally developed for tough industrial applications. Known for its best all-around qualities, it offers great corrosion resistance with good toughness and edge quality.
What are your thoughts
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My thought is that I agree with Benchmade's description.

154CM works just fine for most applications, and a lot better than a lot of other alloys. Your needs have to be way out in the corner of the playing field if 154CM doesn't work for you.
 
This is an amazing video showing the toughness of the blade steel.

The knife breaks eventually, at the back of the handle where there are no steel liners.

Notice how the blade twists and bends, but doesn't break.

[youtube]bkRr7452KmI[/youtube]
 
nickites said:
I like the CPM-154CM. Is Benchmade's 154CM from another company because it doesn't seem as nice as the CPM version.
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Both CPM154 and 154cm are made by Crucible. CPM154 uses Crucible's powder metallurgy process and 154cm does not IIRC. CPM 154 is a fantastic steel IMO. IT holds an edge for quite a while. 154CM is a good steel as well but not as nice as CPM-154.
 
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