Better Steel on XM-18's

vitadura

vitadura

Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
248
I will like to know, what you guys think about the different steels that are in the XM's, and maybe I will have to let go one, but I can´t made my mind, ones is CTS - XHP, the other, CTS 40CP, and the last one Duratech 20CV, I know that there is already a lot of talking about properties, but for day to day use, and easy to sharpen (I'm not very good at it) what is your favorite?, thanks
 
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Well the three(3) steels are:
CTS-XHP
Duratech 20CV
CPMS35VN

All Super Steels and not one would be the reason why I keep or sell one. As for sharpening when as you said you're not very good at it, will be a challenge to a degree. I have EDC'd an XM18 for over a year that will fillet anything to include human hair and has only ever been belt stropped (details in a thread here) No sharpening other than the strop.
In the interest of full disclosure the EDC knife is CTS-XHP and is the Full Ti pictured in many threads.
 
Thanks RubiconSS, So what about the one that is CTS 40CP, this one is custom made, and I just bought it, what are you thoughts about this one?
 
vitadura said:
Thanks RubiconSS, So what about the one that is CTS 40CP, this one is custom made, and I just bought it, what are you thoughts about this one?
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Well first off, again Congrats on a Custom! Your CTS 40CP should be easier to sharpen yet have better edge retention than some of the other steels yet be equal in rust/stain resistance.
Any concerns please let me know, I'd give it a good home :)
The magic in Super Steels is the knife makers heat treat. Ricks is World Class.
 
I have used my 3.5" w/ cts-xhp, and my 3" with duratech 20cv. I prefer the duratech steel because for me it is easier to maintain the edge. Cts-xhp seems harder for me to sharpen and after a year or so, has to return to the shop for a proper sharpening.

I also like the feel, size, and weight of a 3" XM better than a 3.5".

I have yet to own a custom XM but since I'll be attending my first Blade show in a few weeks, I'm hoping that will change.
 
RubiconSS said:
I have EDC'd an XM18 for over a year that will fillet anything to include human hair and has only ever been belt stropped (details in a thread here) No sharpening other than the strop.
Click to expand...

How about a link to that?
 
Here are the photos, not a good ones but is what my cel phone is capable, there you can see the different steels
 

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vitadura said:
Here are the photos, not a good ones but is what my cel phone is capable, there you can see the different steels
Click to expand...


Nice, I saw that CTS-40CP on eBay and considered going after it, nice score and glad I didn't end up bidding it up on ya.

Regards,

Rich
 
Yes Rich, that is the one, it is nice, all it needs is another handle, maybe I will get one of titanium
 
thats a great set you have there. Has Rick ever used other steels besides the 4 mentioned?
 
김원진;10874534 said:
thats a great set you have there. Has Rick ever used other steels besides the 4 mentioned?
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Let's see, so we covered CTS-XHP, CPM-S35V, CTS-40CP and Duratech 20CV. I know he has also used CPM-S30V on XM-18s in the beginning. I am sure there are a variety of other steels on other Hinderer knives like 440C and CPM-154 on Flashpoints, etc.
 
13ninjas said:
I have used my 3.5" w/ cts-xhp, and my 3" with duratech 20cv. I prefer the duratech steel because for me it is easier to maintain the edge. Cts-xhp seems harder for me to sharpen and after a year or so, has to return to the shop for a proper sharpening.

I also like the feel, size, and weight of a 3" XM better than a 3.5".

I have yet to own a custom XM but since I'll be attending my first Blade show in a few weeks, I'm hoping that will change.
Click to expand...

I am a bit surprised CTS-XHP should be easier to sharpen than 20CV, Duratech 20CV is basically as wear resistant as M390, while CTS-XHP is a tougher steel similar to D2 but more rust resistant ??

Here is an old thread about XHP vs 20CV : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/797302-CTS-XHP-Duratech-20CV/page3
 
Well as you can see Rick in self is saying that, CTS-XHP will be easier to sharpen in the field, what I don´t find out to many info is on CTS-40CP, just that is related to 440C, and maybe easier to sharpen then 20CV
 
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vitadura said:
Well as you can see Rick in self is saying that, 20CV will be easier to sharpen in the field, what I don´t find out to many info is on CTS-40CP, just that is related to 440C, and maybe easier to sharpen then 20CV
Click to expand...

Then I would read Rick's post again, that's not what he wrote, Rick wrote "duratech 20cp is a high vanadium...it takes a high hardness/tough...but more difficult to sharpen in the field...CTS-XHP...high hardness/tough...easier to sharpen in the fied do to lower vanaduim....XHP is also essentially powder D2 with cromium added to take it above the carbon steel thresh hold...so essentially stainless D-2...."

Why do you think a Fieldtac is also made of CTS-XHP... "Field" tac ;)

Here is my Fieldtac in CTS-XHP, by the way the first 7 Fieldtac's were also made in CTS-40CP, an easy to sharpen steel in the Field.

I have sharpened M390 on a Sharpmaker without diamond stones, which is basically similar to 20CV, I guess before you have a really blunt 20CV knife sharp in the Field with a pocket stone, the war is probably over :D

p1040330a.jpg
 
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