Anybody have experience with 154cm stainless steel?

T

thermalwedgie

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Apr 10, 2011
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I received a Spyderco Manix 2 in 154cm last Christmas and I have really liked the edge retention on the steel, but what I haven't been able to test is the steel's ability to resist corrosion. Anybody know anything on the topic? Any help would be appreciated.
 
I've got a Benchmade Mini-grip in 154CM, and have had no issues with corrosion thus far.
 
I have several objects, including knives, made from 154cm. Two seem like a different type of steel, there is a grain pattern that looks like mulitdirectional short hairs. They also have a bit of "glitter" mixed in the steel. One is a TOPS SSS and the other is a small pocket tool/bottle opener. These two developed rust spots after a very sweaty day of work. One in my pocket, the other as a neck knife. They both cleaned up very well, no patina or other traces of the rust.
I've owned other knives in the 154cm, from Bark River, and they were polished like any other quality knife. They never showed a spec of rust. The little PSK gets used on food, wood, whatever, and is just fine. Food does want to stick to it, more so than other SS kitchen knives that I own.
If you have a choice, upgrade to CPM154, I keep hearing great things about it, tougher and better edge retention.
 
No corrosion issues here either. Unless you go swimming with your Manix 2 clipped to your trunks, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
 
Agreed, 154 cm should give you no problems with corrosion. It also takes a very fine edge, and is easy to work with. Easily one of my favorite steels
 
I went to the gym with a stone washed emerson clipped iwb and when I pulled it out after my workout it had brown spots all over it. It cleaned up with some hoppe's but I was not expecting that to happen. Sweat, at least mine messes up 154cm. I should have gotten one of the coated blades for that application.
 
I've heard mixed opinions about 154CM, some say it holds edge okay but it's not a high-end steel...that's just what I read when I was researching blade steel for my purchase, some may disagree.

But one thing I know is CPM154 gets great all around reviews, it holds a great edge and easy to sharpen.
 
I'v had pretty good experience with it on Benchmades. I have two mini grips and a full size grip and now a bedlam, the only time I had issues with corrosion was when I spent 8 hours in the water at the beach and then it went right into concealed carry with sweat without wipe off and then I didn't wipe it down for like a week because I couldn't find it, then I went swimming at the beach again a couple more times over the months and didn't wipe it down... Had the omega springs break from the rust and had some spotting on the blade that I still haven't gotten off... But all in all 154cm holds up like a beast, I really put that knife through hell haha, you should be more than satisfied with it :D
 
I have a little spot of rust on my Manix 2 (close to the pivot, near the ball lock when the knife is closed) that it developed last summer. To be fair, it was soaked in either sweat, mud, swamp water, or spilled beer pretty much 24/7 for two and a half months without ever being oiled, so one little spot of rust isn't too shabby.
 
Over the years there have been a few problems with 154CM and it's Japanese copy ATS-34 as they changed manufacturing procedures. HT also makes a difference ,a high temperature temper is less resistant to corrosion than a low temperature one.
In general 154CM is an excellent steel in every way .The powder metal version CPM154 is better and is my favorite.
 
154CM is basically like S30V except a little less performance in all categories, and a lot less cost. It's the same steel as ATS-34 if that helps. Toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance are all good.
 
Sounds like maybe it's not "salt friendly" from some of these posts. I have a couple 154CM knives and don't have any rust spots or discoloring under normal use and exposure to fresh water.
 
154CM is still good stuff. I would have no worries buying/using 154cm. There are still alot of people who are making awesome custom knives with this stuff.
 
I live a couple of miles from the Pacific ocean. Lots of salt in the air. I've never had any problems with 154CM corroding when carried in my pocket as an EDC.
 
Just a few years ago 154CM was almost considered an exotic steel. Today it is more common but it's still a very good high end steel. A few of my benchmade knives are made of 154cm and I have noticed small spotting if I don't keep the blades clean, but nothing major in terms of rust.

CPM 154cm is a special version of 154cm. CPM, short for Crucible Partical Metallurgy, is a proprietary method used by Crucible (the manufacturer of 154cm) to get a finer, tighter more uniform grain pattern that ultimately results in a higher quality steel. Its an interesting technology and you can read more about it here: http://www.crucible.com/eselector/general/generalpart3.html
 
I have ZT MUDD in 154CM and Kershaw Talon in ATS-34. Just years ago these steels were talk of town. I would consider it to be a little less tough.

Benchmade Bedlam 860 is supposed to be my next buy but i would like something different than 154CM.
 
foxx said:
I have several objects, including knives, made from 154cm. Two seem like a different type of steel, there is a grain pattern that looks like mulitdirectional short hairs. They also have a bit of "glitter" mixed in the steel. One is a TOPS SSS and the other is a small pocket tool/bottle opener. These two developed rust spots after a very sweaty day of work. One in my pocket, the other as a neck knife. They both cleaned up very well, no patina or other traces of the rust.
I've owned other knives in the 154cm, from Bark River, and they were polished like any other quality knife. They never showed a spec of rust. The little PSK gets used on food, wood, whatever, and is just fine. Food does want to stick to it, more so than other SS kitchen knives that I own.
If you have a choice, upgrade to CPM154, I keep hearing great things about it, tougher and better edge retention.
Click to expand...

do you think that if i find some rust spots after some hard use, i can most likely wipe them off?
 
thermalwedgie said:
do you think that if i find some rust spots after some hard use, i can most likely wipe them off?
Click to expand...

In my experience - absolutely. You might notice very minor corrosion. Nothing a rag or paper towel w/ oil couldn't handle. Hell, your thumbnail would probably be sufficient.
 
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