52100 or CTS-204P Millie?

91bravo

91bravo

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I have one of each and decided that I don't need 2 Millies. The problem is, I'm not sure which one to sell off! The 52100 is BNIB and I've carried the CTS-204P one for a few days and used it to cut a few cardboard boxes into tiny little slivers! It didn't lose any of the initial razor sharpness, so I'm happy with that! Will 52100 hold it's edge in a similar way? I usually like to thin my edges out to around 15-17 DPS if that helps. So, which one would you keep?
 
uxo2 said:
Imho.

I would keep both......
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I knew that answer was eventually going to come out! lol What about cutting material where I might contact some metal. Like cutting shrink wrapped pallets that contain ingots of iron, where I may contact the edge to the metal? I guess I'm looking for the more durable edge after I've thinned out the edge some. I like edges that roll over edges that chip!
 
All other things being equal, CTS-204P will hold its edge longer than 52100 for sure. However, if there is lateral stress on the edge or you prefer the edge to roll rather than chip out, I think 52100 is going to win that one...I think. :) It's like brains and beauty--usually there is a tradeoff, though not always.
 
91bravo said:
What about cutting material where I might contact some metal. Like cutting shrink wrapped pallets that contain ingots of iron,!
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i found the solution to your problem years ago.....

Box cutter.... Box cutter blades are A LOT cheaper to replace than any Spydie I have ever owned.
Why a Box cutter...Sorry Spydie....But.
They do not replace blades like the other guys do... I will work a blade harder knowing that if I have a FUBAR or just wear it out. No problem.

So a Box cutter is my solution when I encounter a situation like yours.
A spydie in my pocket to handle straps and a Box cutter on my hip.
 
No knife steel will handle metal on metal contact... The edge will become instantly flat at the contact area, hard enough and you just might chip it.

I would keep the 52100. Great carbon steel that takes and holds a razor sharp edge, pretty tough steel for its hardness too.
 
@uxo2, I think this is a pretty good idea if one thinks about it.

One other thing to think about...

You can probably get your $ out of the 52100 because it is no longer available and it is new. The CTS-204P is still available and yours is used, so getting your money out of it in the short-term is not likely.
 
Carrying a box cutter isn't an option for me, due to not liking to weigh my jeans down with extra stuff! I don't open pallets all day, but I do receive items for my work on a weekly basis and will eventually zip a shrink wrapped pallet open with my knife. I'm careful not to make contact, but it happens sometimes when you're in a hurry. I cut banding straps and sometimes pieces of equipment that is tied down with that 1" manila type fibrous rope. I guess I would rather have a blade that stays sharper longer and there is a point that the 52100 is still BNIB! I've seen some websites that still currently carry the 52100 millie, they are just priced way higher than normal.
 
Choices, choices, choices.....hell, I may end up keeping them both!

IMG_3245_zpskblqynfa.jpg

IMG_3246_zpssrbrjiy9.jpg
 
I haven't owned a 52100 Millie, but my CTS-204p is in my pocket right now. One of my favorite Spydies ever. I'm not really a fan of the black clip on the 52100. That CF looks sweet tho. Haha I don't think I'm helping!

I suppose it ultimately comes down to what kind of steel you prefer: one that sharpens easily but loses its edge quicker, or one that's more difficult to sharpen but holds its edge longer. I fall into the former category, but I figure I need at least one high wear resistant steel in my rotation.
 
I've been using the 52100 for a few weeks, and I like it a whole lot. I have a 204P enroute. I have other knives in 204P and M390.

Here is my take for light use EDC:
- If you want a care-free EDC that takes a bit longer to sharpen than S30V, but keeps that edge for a long time, then 204P.
- If you are ok to keep your knife dry and oiled and don't use it in a corrosive environment, and want to use it harder than 204P, or run very low angles, then 52100.
 
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Keep both. Heres why. One with higher end stainless, and one with good bearing carbon steel. So one of each stainless and not stainless. Heck of a small military collection. Plus two dont take up that much room.
 
If it must come down to one..


I would keep the CTS and flip the 52100 because they are hot.

The CTS has better corrosion resistance....
 
Good points made.

If you're really torn, and neither steels' characteristics or usage criteria seem to push you one way or the other, something else neat to consider - Are there any other production knife companies out there who got sheets of 52100 rolled out for their knives?
Nope. Just Mr. Glesser and his Spydercrew. :)



Most companies probably just shoot out an order from purchasing for whatever cutlery steel the outside sales at foundry X tells them is good, then call it done.

And here is Spyderco stepping outside the box and currently trying multiple steels from various companies and regions, from ball bearing steel to high speed tool steels, etc.


I think that's rad, and puts a smile on my face when I carry and use my Spydercos.
 
Although, I like my 204P Millie better than my 52100 Millie, I would still defer to Jason Bosmans advice lol.
;)
 
SpeedHoles said:
Good points made.

If you're really torn, and neither steels' characteristics or usage criteria seem to push you one way or the other, something else neat to consider - Are there any other production knife companies out there who got sheets of 52100 rolled out for their knives?
Nope. Just Mr. Glesser and his Spydercrew. :)



Most companies probably just shoot out an order from purchasing for whatever cutlery steel the outside sales at foundry X tells them is good, then call it done.

And here is Spyderco stepping outside the box and currently trying multiple steels from various companies and regions, from ball bearing steel to high speed tool steels, etc.


I think that's rad, and puts a smile on my face when I carry and use my Spydercos.
Click to expand...

Well said!
You said it much better than I could.
 
I'm holding my CTS-204P Millie as I write this, and I couldn't be happier. This knife checks nearly all the boxes that matter to me in a large folder.

I don't see myself buying the 52100 Millie. I prefer stainless steel in folders because of the way I use them.

As to chipping, my experience with 52100 is that it has a tendency to chip rather than roll when the edge is thin and it impacts something hard. I really like 52100 because of its ability to take a keen edge, but I have a feeling that if you accidently smack one of those iron ingots that you described, it's going to chip. Frankly, I'm not sure that 204P would fare any better in that application. If you want an edge that rolls when you impact something hard like an ingot, I think you would do better with a softer blade made from a steel with a lower carbon content.

Of course even that might chip!
 
I love Spyderco's Peel Ply CF, and carry a CF BG-42, so I usually say go with the CF.
But in this case I would keep the great looking green with the 204P. Best G10/Steel combo they've ever put in a Military IMO.

I got both, and sold the 52100. Keeping the 204P.
 
I'd keep the 52100, it's the rarer of the two knife steels. There aren't a lot of folders in 52100. Come to think of it I don't remember another folder to date having the steel.
 
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