154 CM or 440C ????

W

wet whiskers

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Nov 29, 2007
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Iam getting to order one of Eddie Whites masterpieces. I am not sure which steel to go with. I a Bob Ham in 154 that I do really like but it is really TOUGH to sharpen. What are the pluses and minuses of both. What is the better choice? Thanks. BILL
 
A few years back, I was involved with a local company developing a line of cutlery.
They chose 154-CM for several reasons.
Edge holding ability and it's rust resistant qualities.
Custom maker Bob Loveless was the first to use the steel in knives being impressed by it's tensile strength which approaches 1million psi.
Zeke
 
I suggest asking Eddie what he thinks

he's a great guy who makes great knives and I'm sure he'll be glad to answer your question
 
154-CM is an all around very nice 'user' steel.

It's also very difficult to chip, judging from the Mini Griptilian I accidentally whacked a metal pole with. The edge deformed slightly, and most of the damage I simply re-aligned on a standard kitchen steel.
 
I like them both, but 154CM is by far a favorite. I don;t find it hard to sharpen and I like the edge I can get on it.
 
According to Crucible, 154CM will outperform 440C in both edge retension and toughness(though 440C will outperform most other steels). I have found this to be true in my own cutting tests as well as everyday usage.

Crucible states that the corrosion resistance of 154CM is superior to that of 440C. I've never had corrosion problems with either, so I cannot confirm that from personal experience.
 
154cm is my favorite steel for EDC. It sharpens quickly, keeps an edge and doesn't chip, even when I do stupid things with it like whang it on concrete or cut wire with it.
 
154CM will be little harder, a little more brittle, a little less corrosion resistance and a little less tough. So you trade potential sharpness and edge holding ability against the other parameters. For a pocket knife I would probably opt for 154CM for a fixed blade I would opt for 440C.
 
Try Sandvik 13C26, it's similar to AEB-L.

Phil Wilson did some testing a while back and it's edge retention was very close to 154CM, however it does get much sharper and is easier to sharpen.
 
154 cm would be my pick between the two. i have knives made from both steels but like the 154 cm.
 
440C is a great steel with a good heat treat . It might be better in a high corrosion situation . Other than that Id prefer 154cm .

Chris
 
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