BM custom steel opinions

[jswa2]

Hey there Benchmade fans, steel nerds, and forum-ites,

Here's where I'm at: I have a handful of Benchmade 154cm knives, and they're all fine and well (the *standard*, for the sake of this conversation). I've since additionally purchased, and used, a 552 full size Ritter Grip in M390, and, while it feels like it is sharper than any of my 154cm knives (including a 550 Grip), it also seems like the edge develops chips more easily. To be clear: if I shave down some dry hard wood to make thin bits for fire starting (a common task with a wood stove in the workshop), I'll notice that there are chips missing from the edge. The knife will still shave, and touches up pretty easily, but the noticeable damage is, well, noticeable.

So -- I'm in the market to buy another 550 Grip, and my question is: will I notice M4 to be tougher than the M390? How do M4 and C20V compare in that regard? What about M390 vs C20V? For what it's worth, I've read a couple older posts (here and elsewhere) comparing M4 & M390 (usually with the toughness nod going to M4), but not too much with the C20V option thrown in (which would save me about $35 - but that's not worth it if it's not the best choice).

What do y'all think?

Thanks,
jswa2

 

[Tbmfish]

What have you noticed to be the pitfalls of 154cm? I make feather sticks with the 154 but don't really notice the chipping? I ask because I to am interested in an upgraded steel but not sure it makes that big of difference. I get confused because so many people have so many opinions on this subject. I just want a steel that stays sharp a long time and don't chip. I think the reason so many people like or don't like a steel is because of the various heat treats, sometimes there is a good batch in 154 and sometimes there is not. I assume this applies to all steels.

However I will say this, I got a mini grip that from the factory was chippy but after taking the factory edge off a little bit and sharpening it at 20 degrees it is no longer chippy, I would assume this may be the case with the Ritter you have.


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[michaelm466]

CPM-M4 is definitely tougher than M390, I would certainly try as Tbmfish described, and reprofile the edge a bit thicker to reinforce it, taking the remainder of the possibly burnt factory edge off with it.

 

[jswa2]

michaelm466 & Tbmfish -- thanks for the replies. Reprofiling the edge a little thicker than factory has certainly come to mind, its just not something I've pursued yet; I'll step that up on my to-do list.

Tbmfish - no pitfalls of 154cm, to note. It's just not super, which is to say that I've fallen for the knife industry's marketing scheme!

michaelm466: CPM-M4 is definitely tougher than M390 -- this is what I have suspected. Anything to say comparing C20V to the two?

 

[jpm2]

If you're looking for edge stability (resistance to chipping and rolling) and excellent edge retention from benchmade, cpm-m4 is miles ahead of all their other offerings. Corrosion resistance is the trade off.