ATS-34 question

bladeprince

bladeprince

Joined
Jun 12, 2006
Messages
956
I've noticed that on E-bay or other auction sites that there are often older knives (especially Benchmade) for sale that are made from ATS-34. If this model is still made in one of the better steels like 154CM, S30V, or D2, would you feel satisfied with the older knife if it was NIB, made from ATS-34 and you got a decent deal on it or would you pay the extra money for the same model in one of the steels mention above?

Regards and thank you.
 
You asked what I would do, not what you should do. I've had good luck with a Benchmade ATS-34 blade. And I'm of Scottish descent. I'd take the ATS-34 at the lower price. I found ATS-34 to be easily good enough for my use.
 
ats-34 & 154cm are allmost the same.i dont see a problem buying just about any knife made with modern steels. most anything manufactured today is a winner; for the most part. a good question to ask yourself is;do i want high maintanance,(more corrosion-harder to sharpen)or low maintanance?
 
I prefer D2 and S30V to ATS-34 and 154CM, but like said above, ATS-34 and 154CM are basically the same steel, and ATS-34 is still considered very much a premium stainless steel. Yes, I would be happy with it.
 
I pulled this from A. G. Russell's web sitet it might help clear the water.

154-CM
A high-carbon, high-alloy, space-age, stainless steel first used for knives by R. W. Loveless about 1972. At that time it was vacuum melted. After a few years the quality declined and makers followed Loveless to the Japanese just-alike ATS-34, using the same formula. The quality has been restored and this steel is not only being used by makers, it is also being used in high-end production knives.

Carbon 1.05%, Manganese 0.5%, Chromium 14.0%, Molybdenum 0.4 - 0.55%.





ATS-34
A high-carbon, high-alloy, stainless steel, a Japanese copy of 154-CM, preferred because it is vacuum melted, and 154 is not. Carbon 1.05%, Manganese 0.4%, Chromium 14.0%, Molybdenum 4.0%.
 
If it is just Benchmade i would consider a new knife. There had been reports of blades with bad edges made from ATS 34 by Benchmade and i have had one single blade wich hardly took an edge and looses it in e second. BM replaced the blade, no problem. But that is my single experience.

So, this must have been a Benchmade problem. Thei 154CM blades are fine with one i have had in hands that seems to be a bit harder and the other that seems to bee a bit softer, but both fine.

ATS34 itself has dropped in reputation of reasons not considered to the steel grade and its properties itself. Mostly because 154CM was USA - made it was preferred.
 
I personally wouldn't have any qualms using a knife with ATS-34. It's a fine steel. I like "supersteels" as much as the next guy, but the truth is that there isn't much real-world difference between any of them. I've got knives that I use and carry in S30V, D2, 154CM, H1, VG-10, and M2, but the knives I use the most (Benchmades 42MC, 43MC) are in old, "obsolete" 440C, and they do just fine.
 
I tend to agree with Planterz about the difference in the newer steels. If a steel has been heat treated correctly for the intended application, medium to large folder, then it probably doesn't matter whether it is S30V, D2, ATS-34, or 440C,as they are all going to do a good job for the intended purpose.
 
Also keep in mind that the manufacturing spec's may have evolved over the years. An older ATS blade made have a greater edge thickness than an newer 154CM if that is the direction Benchmade moved over the years. Diddo for any changes in heat treatment practices.
 
:D ATS-34 is great, hold an edge nicely and sharpens to a nice toothy edge. I'm carrying a buch strider 880 in ats-34 and it never lets me down.:thumbup:
 
Blop said:
ATS34 itself has dropped in reputation of reasons not considered to the steel grade and its properties itself. Mostly because 154CM was USA - made it was preferred.
Click to expand...

I don't think the issue was a drop in reputation. I don't think ATS-34 ever dropped in reputation.

In fact, for a while, 154CM dropped in reputation as noted elsewhere in this thread.

My understanding was there was a drop in the amount of use of ATS-34 by USA manufacturers, because they couldn't say made in USA on the knife if they used ATS-34. Because ATS-34 is made in Japan. 154CM is made in the USA. But ATS-34 is great steel IMO; as I said earlier I like it as much as if not more than 154CM.
 
I bought a Nimravus Cub on eBay with ATS34 steel several years ago. It is a top performer, if I could get the chance to win a BM 710 with ATS34, I'd definitely pick it up. Deeper pockets have prevented that for me though.
 
The difference between ATS-34 and 154CM is so small that it is irrelevant. For all practical purposes they are identical. I think it would be almost impossible to tell them apart if you were given two knives one made from each steel, that were otherwise identical. If you switched the stamps, who could tell?

Some goober in a lab might be able to tell the difference, but anyone else? Highly doubtful.
 
I'm kind of on the steel snob side of things. I like trying the newest and greatest steels. With that said my most carried knife is a Benchmade Leopard Cub and what is the blade steel? ATS 34. And yes it is still my most carried EDC knife.
 
Bors said:
Carbon 1.05%, Manganese 0.5%, Chromium 14.0%, Molybdenum 0.4 - 0.55%.
Click to expand...

That isn't 154CM. 154CM and ATS-34 are two versions of the same steel, they are just tradenames.

rifon2 said:
I don't think the issue was a drop in reputation. I don't think ATS-34 ever dropped in reputation.
Click to expand...

Some makers have critized it, not due to the composition but the quality of manufacturing :

rj martin said:
... in my experience ATS34 steel had impurities in it that caused pitting, as well as a poor microstructure.
Yes, I paid to have photomicrographs taken of the heat treated steels.
Click to expand...

-Cliff
 
When hunting on the bay, just take your time. Unless it is a rare model, wait for the price you want.

As regards the ATS-34 vs 154CM, I'm in the minority and consider them different. Heat treat, quality of manufacture, whatever. I consider them different.

With BM, I've had a few bad experiences in regards to ATS34. The usual sharpening difficulties and edge retention stuff. I have dealt with a good one, though (710, early production, and not for sale unfortunately).

So, I recommend 154CM. I've sharpened a few and have had no major issues and the BMs that I own in it are doing well.
 
I'd feel great about buying a New In The Box Benchmade Knife with ATS-34 steel for a super deal on E-Bay!
E-Bay is a great market place for buying knives period. And the fact that so many nice collector's keep their blades new,unused,unsharpened means you buy a brand new knife and save large cash.
I have many ATS-34 blades and love them all. They all take a keen edge with no more than a few quick strokes on the Sharpmaker.
Save some money BladePrince and follow your gut. ATS-34 is not some Japanese schlock steel. It is a fine high grade steel that many manufactures have enjoyed selling to us for years.
Peace.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top