440-C vs. 154-CM (Stain resistance)

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
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My steel chart shows the Chromium content of 440-C at 16-18% and 154-CM at 14%. Does that mean that 440-C is more corrosion resistant than 154-CM?

Thanks,
Tom
 
if im not mistaking you can temper these steels to either good stain resitance (low temps) or high strenght and less stain resistance (high temps) i suppose the hardness would differ to but maybe not that much. could be wrong tho. feel free to correct me
 
That is the case with any steel: heat treat weighs in heavily on a knife's performance. Based on alloy compositions alone, only rough guidelines can be given.
 
440C and 154CM are close enough that the heat treatment and final finish (satin, stonewashed, beadblasted, etc.) will be the biggest factors in corrosion resistance.
 
How about overall performance? Is there really that much difference?

Thanks,
Tom
 
as far as i know the ats34 or 154 cm is considered better than 440c, some say it has less impurities (or at least used to have) especially ats34. a bit higher max hardness too. ofcourse there will be differences. but i bet those would be in the sharpening department
 
I have asked that same question to several knifemakers and they all say the difference is so small, it's hard to tell. I just wasn't sure about stain resistance.

Best,
Tom
 
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