154cm

H

Hesparus

Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
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It was mentioned a little while ago that this isn't the toughest steel. While I know it's not as tough as 5160, for example, just how not tough is it? I just got asked to make a knife for another soldier and the word he used was "rugged". So I figure this leaves out D2 and 440c, but what about my beloved 154cm? Will it be suitable, or will I have to go for the big guns. The knife will have a 4.5" tanto style blade.

- Chris
 
If you are not too sure why not go with VG-10 or BG-42? (assuming he wants a stainless)
VG will do anything 154 will and then some.
 
S30V is the toughest stainless you're going to find. Nothing wrong with CM154, but S30V is tougher.

D2 is almost stainless - pretty darned close. I wonder if it's tougher than S30V.

Well if I my own son was going abroad as a soldier it would be S30V.

Steve
 
If I or someone in my family were leaving for the military, I'd choose a knife made from 3V.

I've had a camp knife made from 3V for three years. I store it in the leather sheath. The most care I've given it is wiping it on my pants when I was done using it. It does not show any rust or discoloration. The blade is saber ground with no secondary bevel. I've chopped with it extensively and the edge is undamaged.

A few months ago I talked with Scott Devana at Crucible about getting Cru-Wear. Scott said in his opinion 3V was tougher and a better blade steel than Cru-Wear.
 
Temper,

VG10 is not available to custom knifemakers in sheet or bar form.
 
You should be okay with the 154CM in that size blade. Austenitize it at the mid range and for a proper soak period. Temper it no greater than about 600 F maximum. If available, cryo between tempers or after snap temper. If toughness in a stainless is an absolute essential consideration CPM 3V or CPM S60V might be an alternative choice. CPM 3V is tempered high. That is okay for it. Tempering 154CM and its cousins too high will decrease corrosion resistance, common to most martensitic steels being tempered high.

Steve, I believe D2 is up there compared to S30V but not quite. CPM S30V will be the better choice of the two, I believe - particularly in wear resistance.

RL
 
Thanks for all the advice. What he wants out of the steel is one that is rugged, stainless, holds an edge well, small grain size, and inexpensive (although he knows that the finished product won't be cheap). I, of course, told him that no such steel exists. I was consitering using D2 but I was worried about its brittleness. If it's 3/16" thick and cryo tempered, will it be okay? How expensive is S30V? Can I order it in small quantities, or do I have to buy it by the ton? How hard is it to grind?
How about cruwear? Or would I end up breaking my fingers just so I wouldn't be able to continue? I'm quickly realizing that I don't know as much about steel choice as I hoped I did.

- Chris
 
Hesparus said:
Thanks for all the advice. What he wants out of the steel is one that is rugged, stainless, holds an edge well, small grain size, and inexpensive.........................
- Chris
Click to expand...


Don't we all?!?!?!;) :D

You can get S30V in small quantities.
You can get the stuff from Alpha Knife Supply, Tru Grit, or Admiral, in about any length you want, within reason.
http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/bladesteel.htm

http://www.trugrit.com/

http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html
 
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