154cm steel

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blackjackdan08

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Aug 22, 2009
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I am thinking about buying a leatherman knife, uses 154 cm steel. Generally I think of leathermans being really awesom multi-tools, what's the opinon on the 154 cm steel, if anyone has any experience with it.
 
I have one Leather man knife with the 154 cm blade, it is scarely sharp and seems to hold a edge petty well. I would sure buy another one if it neds replacing.
 
I like it and have never had any issues with it. It's on the majority of my Benchmades. A few swipes occasionally on my Sharpmaker and it's right back where it was.

Dan
 
You will be happy with the edge holding ability of 154 cm. I was fishing in the harbor, and was using the blade on my Leatherman Charge, and the blade cut frozen chovies, squid, 10 lb fishing line, and anything I needed it to cut. Sometimes I was using the aluminum arm of the folding chair I was in as a cutting board, and it stayed sharp. I was thrilled with the performance, as well as thrilled to do so much cutting in one day.
 
One of my favorite steels. Good balance of toughness and durability (if heat-treated correctly).

I like that I can use regular stones on it (not diamond)and it still hold an edge for a long time
 
blackjackdan08 said:
I am thinking about buying a leatherman knife, uses 154 cm steel. Generally I think of leathermans being really awesom multi-tools, what's the opinon on the 154 cm steel, if anyone has any experience with it.
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I'm not sure with what alloys you are familiar.

Assuming equal hardnesses:
154CM has significantly better edge retention than AUS8.
154CM has better edge retention than 440C.
154CM is about equal in edge retention to VG10 or AUS 10.
154CM has somewhat lesser edge retention than S30V or D2.

That said, I do not know to what hardness Leatherman runs their 154CM. But almost no matter what it will be good stuff.

I find that 154CM takes a fine edge without the use of fancy sharpening equipment. A ceramic stone such as is found in a Sharpmaker will work just fine.

I think I can get a bit finer edge on AUS8 or VG10, but in my daily use I don't notice the difference. YMMV

154CM is one of my favorite alloys for cutting blades. (The Leatherman knives I have seen are shaped for cutting, not chopping.)
 
cj65 said:
You will be happy with the edge holding ability of 154 cm. I was fishing in the harbor, and was using the blade on my Leatherman Charge, and the blade cut frozen chovies, squid, 10 lb fishing line, and anything I needed it to cut. Sometimes I was using the aluminum arm of the folding chair I was in as a cutting board, and it stayed sharp. I was thrilled with the performance, as well as thrilled to do so much cutting in one day.
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Yahbut, Chris, did you use it to clean any fish? (signifying successful fishing)
 
cpm154 and 154cm are my favorite steels. easy to sharpen hold an edge pretty well. gets scary sharp. won't rust too easy.
 
I hear that a lot of times 154cm is an excellent steel, only if heat treated properly. I assume this is only a problem with lower quality makers? Companies like BM and Spydie who are known for considerable quality would not have heat treating problems, resulting in 154cm living up to its potential? (I ask this because I have a satin finish 556 in 154cm and a Manix2 in 154cm)

Thanks,

m16a
 
m16a said:
I hear that a lot of times 154cm is an excellent steel, only if heat treated properly. I assume this is only a problem with lower quality makers? Companies like BM and Spydie who are known for considerable quality would not have heat treating problems, resulting in 154cm living up to its potential? (I ask this because I have a satin finish 556 in 154cm and a Manix2 in 154cm)

Thanks,

m16a
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I have never heard of poorly heat treated 154CM.

For that matter, I don't know of any major production maker that has heat treat problems.
 
knarfeng said:
Yahbut, Chris, did you use it to clean any fish? (signifying successful fishing)
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My son caught a small sand bass, and the wife one also, catch and release, it was a fun outing in Ventura harbor. My ego is a little bruised due to a Mammoth trip with no trout caught. We went there more to hike, sight see, and had too many kids with us to truly fish, so the 5 hrs. spent fishing was a skunkaroony. I have to rely on the memories of my glorious Cabo San Lucas days. Every year the fish gain in a few pounds and length! :D I did not know that fish could grow post mortem.;)
 
knarfeng said:
I have never heard of poorly heat treated 154CM.

For that matter, I don't know of any major production maker that has heat treat problems.
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Ok, thanks for the info knarfeng. Thats exactly what I needed to know. :thumbup:
 
cj65 said:
My son caught a small sand bass, and the wife one also, catch and release, it was a fun outing in Ventura harbor. My ego is a little bruised due to a Mammoth trip with no trout caught. We went there more to hike, sight see, and had too many kids with us to truly fish, so the 5 hrs. spent fishing was a skunkaroony. I have to rely on the memories of my glorious Cabo San Lucas days. Every year the fish gain in a few pounds and length! :D I did not know that fish could grow post mortem.;)
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It's not just fish.

Quote from my official Old Guy's Rule tee shirt, "The older I get, the better it was."

How did you like the LM knife overall? and what model did you get?
 
Love the stuff, you can get a super sharp edge and easily done. Sure it won't hold it as long as S30v, ZDP. For long trips into the bush these are good to have, but I don't spend much time in the bush.
For everyday, 154CM and VG10 are perfect.
 
knarfeng said:
It's not just fish.

Quote from my official Old Guy's Rule tee shirt, "The older I get, the better it was."

How did you like the LM knife overall? and what model did you get?
Click to expand...

I have the Leatherman Charge. I use the phillips head screw drive daily. My dad bought it for my birthday about 4 yrs. ago. It kind of started a blade addiction. I knew nothing about blade steel (as you know :)regarding our first cyber meeting), but trusted the name and was impressed with the sharpness of the blades, one serrated and one smooth. I am a field technician so I am blessed with the opportunity to use tools daily. I do not keep it super clean, in fact, it has some Mammoth pumice grittin it up right now, and some rust from the salt water in Ventura. I shoot it with WD40, and put it back into use. It has not failed to meet and exceed my expectations. It prevents me from having to use even a beater slippie for something it is not intended. The 154 cm blade steel introduction made me realize, my dad does love me.:D He did not buy me a cheapie.
 
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