154cm or d2?

mmcc100

mmcc100

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Mar 19, 2010
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Please help out a newbie. Which steel is better? Let's say the same large blade was made from these two steels, which one would be best?
 
I prefer D2 myself, its really wear resistant, its durable, and all round great for a tough knife! invest in some good diamond hones though.
 
Best in what?

154CM is more stain resistant (least important), easier to sharpen and takes a nicer edge. D2 keeps a bader edge longer.

If one of the two knives pleases you more or feels better in hands, take this one and forget about the steel grade. D2, 154CM,S30V, 440C have minor differences and bear the same weaknesses.

If you can be sure about production quality, handle and blade shape are more important.
 
I prefer D2 at around 60 RC, but 154CM, especially CPM-154CM, is still a great blade material. I think that D2 is a little more wear resistant at the sacrifice of a little stain resistance. This all assumes that both are heat treated properly and have similar quality control.
 
DallasSTB said:
I prefer D2 at around 60 RC, but 154CM, especially CPM-154CM, is still a great blade material. I think that D2 is a little more wear resistant at the sacrifice of a little stain resistance. This all assumes that both are heat treated properly and have similar quality control.
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At the risk of going off-topic for a moment, what's the difference between 154CM and CPM-154CM? I've heard the two mentioned, but always assumed they were the same thing.
 
And the rumor is CPM154 also has some V in it, which Crucible won't confirm or deny.
 
And some may say it just the same as the swedish RWL34, which is a PM version of ATS34.
 
154 CM will take a finer edge but D2 will keep much longer.D2 is known to be a little more prown to chipping if used hard. D2 heat treat is a little more complicated leaving some D2 knives from achiving the max possible. Given that and the fact that D2 is hard to sharpen I would say 154 CM in a larger knife. If the knife has to be 154 or D2. Is there a paticular knife you are intrested in?Is it only avalible in D2 or 154cm?
 
Two of my favorite steels.

I don't have a problem getting either sharp(I don't let a knife get very dull though), and both hold a good edge.

I like D2 on my fixed blade's, but prefer CMP154 or 154cm over D2 on folders.
I've never had D2 rust or pit on a fixed blade you can wipe off, but have had it pit on the backspring of a folder (on the inside the handle side).
 
It kind of goes along with my thread on choosing a large fixed blade. I have been looking at the Marc Lee Glory Knife (154cm) and another recurve in d2.
 
I'll be receiving a Kershaw Outcast from a trade shortly. This is a large, recurve chopper in D2. I think it's an odd steel choice for this sort of knife, but I want a chopper and I was curious to try this one out. I have read mostly good things about it keeping its edge and resisting chipping. I am a little worried about being able to sharpen it well though.
 
mmcc100 said:
Please help out a newbie. Which steel is better? Let's say the same large blade was made from these two steels, which one would be best?
Click to expand...

There is no "better" There is only different.

Which is more appropriate for your use depends on what properties you value most.

154CM takes and holds a finer edge longer than D2.
D2 holds a less fine, but still good, edge longer than 154CM.

154CM is easier to sharpen.
154CM is more rust resistant.

I consider neither one to be particularly appropriate as the alloy for a blade that will be used for chopping. It can be done, but you need to adjust the geometry.
 
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