ATS-34: Desperately needs help w/this.

Jeff, you got the link for RWL34 I see but be warned it is sold by the INCH!! It is amazing stuff polished up. If you aren't going to mirror, go with plain ole 154CM.
I think CPM154CM is ultimately going to be the best way to go for mirror finish that is closest to RWL34 stateside. It is supposedly the same smelting or a very similar particle process. The last time I talked to Crucible (some one other than Bruce Devita), they told me that the current CPM15CM is not necessarily the final formulation but it might be. They were still looking at it and waiting to hear from knife makers. There is a visible difference between the finish in 154CM and CPM154CM. I have not compared pricing between the two 154's but even at a significant premium, I'd go with the CPM154CM due to the better finish.

The RWL34 is a lot cheaper in Europe but tariffs, shipping and only one U.S. distributor make it insanely expensive in the states.
 
Again...I appreciate all the advice. It seems like I probably need to look into
S30V, 154CM or CPM154CM. Anyone that can tell me the subtle differences between all three would be appreciated. I have only heard that S30V will not take a mirror polish but that is all that I have heard about the three steels. Heat treating advice would also be nice as well.....

Guess I better give Crucible or Pops a call and see what they have.

Again, 'preciate your help!
 
S30V has more vanadium so it holds an edge a little better. There are some other differences but that is the big one. 154CM and CPM154CM are both from Crucible steel and are almost identical in formulation to ATS34. The
CPM154CM uses a better smelting process with small particle alloys and vacuum smelting. 154CM is smelted with traditional throw everything in a big pot, heat it up and pour it into bar stock or sheets methods. The alloys in
154CM tend to not 'mix up' as well as CPM154CM but it's better than ATS34 has proven to be for the last several years. The latest Blade magazine has some handy tables for reference you might look for.
 
Thanks Don R. I'm having problems with tiny pitts that show up only during final polish. With these being deep in the hollow, way to far into the steel to be carb from rolling flash. Were talking on the surface on the side of .0020 pre polish edge, ground from 1/4 stock. In other words, another 20 tho. and no more blade. This comination goes all the way to the center for the blade. Thanks. mike http://home.earthlink.net/~michaellovett/
 
Tiny pits are most likely nonmetallic inclusions ['dirty steel'] .There isn't anything you can do about it except stay away from high polish. The CPM steels are cleaner .
 
mete said:
Tiny pits are most likely nonmetallic inclusions ['dirty steel'] .There isn't anything you can do about it except stay away from high polish. The CPM steels are cleaner .
Click to expand...


Yep, I agree with Mete, CPM is the way to go now. Can't beat clean, pure steel.

I'm interested in Crucible's CPM 154CM. But I really like S30V. I haven't had any trouble with hand finishing it. I never polish my blades.

And yes, Mike, if you have pits that deep, it has nothing to do with rolling or mill decarb.

I haven't seen any "orange peel" in my CPM blades either.
 
Mlovett described in 10 words what it took me a hundred to describe.....that's my problem exactly. You can't grind 'em out.

Again, hate it that this is happening, but I am glad I was not seeing things or going crazy. Need to get some of that CPM154CM or S30v. Will one polish up better than the other????

Thanks
 
CPM154CM will put on a very good finish, including a mirror finish, with 'average' effort. S30V will put on a very good finish, including a mirror finish, with about 2 to 3 times the amount of time and effort it takes to do CPM154CM. If you want to mirror finish S30V, do it before heat treat. It's just too much work to do it after.
 
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