154CM history

[mete]

Does anyone know when 154CM was first used in knives ? It was designed by Climax Molybdenum [thus the name ] sold to Crucible who later made the powder metal version CPM154.

 

[butcher_block]

that woudl be interesting after all ats34 was being used back in the 80s and its the knock off of the alloy (in its time )

 

[Russ Andrews]

Loveless introduced 154 CM to custom knives in 70 or 71.

Climax Moldenum did a study camparing HT and properties

of 14-4, and several competitors steels from the same family,and

52100. and published the study in '62.

 

[james terrio]

I've read that 154CM was originally developed for turbine blades needing high corrosion-resistance, strength, and especially resistance to losing thier hardness at high operating temperatures, in the mid-late 60's. I've also read it was an upgrade or competitor to 440C. Please be advised, this is only hearsay, I have no documentation!

In any case, it's a fascinating question, and I hope someone with better info will chime in. I'm curious about the histories of this and many other alloys.

 

[Russ Andrews]

In any case, it's a fascinating question, and I hope someone with better info will chime in.

In 1971, Field and Stream magazine ran an article about the first meeting of the Knifemakers Guild,
in 1970. Loveless described the steel in that article.

The title page from the CM study is attached.