ATS-34 vs 154CM

B

Bo

Joined
Aug 12, 1999
Messages
351
I have enjoyed the forums very much and have learned a lot. One thing that I can not find is the attributes of 154CM blade material. ATS-34 seems to be the most common in use. MT is using 154CM. Is this any better? What are the advantages?

Thanks

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I am not sure if this is my sanity or my insanity.

 
Heheh.... they're the same thing...

154 wasnt used for a long time because manufacturing quality went down a while ago. Now that the steel is once again vacuum melted it is suitable for use in knifemaking. The composition of ATS-34 and 154-CM are almost identical. ATS-34 is essentially a copy of 154-cm(154 came first) made in japan. 154 is still being made in the US, I belive by CPM, but i may be wrong.
 
The heat treating of either metal is the most important aspect of the metal. I've read in other strings that they will get brittle.
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That helps clear up a lot of my confusion. With so steels that helps me narrow the field of choices.
Thanks

[This message has been edited by Bo (edited 21 August 1999).]
 
Hmmmm.... every steel chart that I have looked at shows the ATS-34 to have a higher content of phosphorus and/or sulphur, two elements that the AGRussell chart says are undesirable. Also, either the AGRussell chart or the Spyderco chart says that, IIRC, phosphorus, in higher concentrations, can lead to brittleness. While I wouldn't say that the concentration in ATS-34 is high, it would seem that the 154CM would be better. Also, I have thought I have heard that the 154CM seems to show cleaner grain structure.

I'm sure several people on this list can correct or refine what I say here, since this will now go back to the top. I had to jump in, though, since I have had the same questions.

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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
ATS-34 and 154CM are not the same. I am not an expert, but I do take seriously the advice of experts. Mr. Walter Brend told me over a year ago that ATS-34 is NOT the same as it was 12 years ago. He went on to say that it used to be a GREAT metal which he at one time highly recommended and used. He said that nowadays, in most cases, ATS-34 is just not the same as it was. Once they started to mass produce it, the quality took a nose dive. That's why he no longer likes it and he said that is also why Microtech switched over to 154CM.
 
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