Affordable knives in CPM154

dkb45

dkb45

Joined
Dec 16, 2012
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I got a good deal on a used Kershaw Launch 1, it just had some moderate chipping on the edge. A full reprofile and repair of the chips took like 2 hours. I have taken longer to do far less wear resistant steels like Sandvik 14C28N, 420HC, and N690Co in a lot longer. A chip in Elmax or S30V is just a disaster in comparison. I have never had a steel respond so well to removing chips, and I want more. I know a lot of higher end knives use it, and 154CM and ATS-34 are similar, but I don't know what all uses CPM154 in affordable knives except the Launch series.
 
Blues Bender said:
What is your definition of "affordable"? I know of a few, but I'm in the $350 and under price range.
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Like under $200. My Launch was $80, and that's super affordable.

For the steel, it doesn't really have to be CPM154, but it has to sharpen and hold an edge like it. 154CM is a little worse on both in my experience, same as ATS-34. Not bad, just not what I am looking for. Pretty much only Sandvik steels and PM (non-Vanadium carbide) steels react similarly.
 
Benchmade does a lot of knives under $200 in CPM154.
 
So far there have not been many production knives in this steel. Too bad as it definately deserves more use.
 
Every Protech I've owned has been either CPM154 or 154CM. I didn't notice any difference between the two.
 
This is a bit of a toughie, I know kershaw has done a number of LE blurs in CPM154, I have one with CF inlays and its great. You should check out Walter Wells in VA, he does alot in this steel and is super affordable, I don't think mine was more than $200...but my memory is fuzzy so I might be wrong. The new Boker/ Les Voorhies designed knife is in it as well, and is under $200 depending in the scale.
 
I had never heard of Walter Wells, and it looks like something from him might be next on my list. Aesthetically pleasing, and shockingly cheap. No frills, but none are needed when you have a great steel for that price. I am very thankful you pointed him out to me. I would hage never thought I could get a custom for around $200, especially with a nice thin sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe and a slim design.
 
42pixels said:
They use 154cm, not CPM-154.
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What is the difference between them?

I'm familiar with 154CM. I've never owned a knife with a blade made of CPM-154. I have to believe it's similar to 154CM, or Crucible would have named it differently. It seems safe to assume that with a nearly identical name, the steel must be very, very similar, as well. I'm guessing CPM-154 has only some small improvement over 154CM.
 
Goldenlight said:
What is the difference between them?

I'm familiar with 154CM. I've never owned a knife with a blade made of CPM-154. I have to believe it's similar to 154CM, or Crucible would have named it differently. It seems safe to assume that with a nearly identical name, the steel must be very, very similar, as well. I'm guessing CPM-154 has only some small improvement over 154CM.
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You would think that simple refinement wouldn't make much difference, but it actually makes a huge difference. A good comparison is plain D2 to CPM-D2. While a now defunct steel, everything showed the CPM version to have better edge retention, improved grindability, and much better steel matrix carbide distribution (meaning the steel had less tendency to be toothy). It's a bit hard to explain the process, namely because I don't fully understand it, but it seems basically like the PM process refines steel and essentially makes it perform one rung higher on the ladder.

All I know is 154CM is an okay steel to sharpen, but CPM154 was absurdly easy in comparison. The steel polished up like Sandvik steels, and is really just all around fantastic. Also really cool to have a steel that is used so infrequently, makes the knife more special.
 
Here are my knives in CPM154: Manly Comrade, Manly Patriot and Boker Model 10.
Very good knives and the pricing is reasonable.
 
likota said:
Here are my knives in CPM154: Manly Comrade, Manly Patriot and Boker Model 10.
Very good knives and the pricing is reasonable.
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Here in America the Manly Comrade is pretty hard to find in CPM154, it is also not quite my style, I prefer one handed opening for all knives. I didn't know it was made in CPM254 though, so I may hsge to pick one up for the sake of collecting sometime.
 
When I hear 154 I always think of Emerson. I had a Benchmade that I used a bunch but I can't remember exactly what it was. possibly a presidio. I loved that knife.
 
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