CPM 154 vs A2

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

excranium

Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
83
I just turned 60 and as a birthday present to myself I was just about to pull the trigger on an A2 Bravo 1 when of course the CPM 154 version is now widely available. There is much written about the A2 but little information about CPM 154. This knife is intended to be a user for camping and general use, its replacing my Buck 119. I know the CPM is a super steel but will it hold up to the abuse that A2 is reported to handle. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
 
Can't go wrong with either IMO.

I guess I would base it on wheather I wanted a stainless, or one I would want to patina. I like high carbon, and good stainless steels.
 
Ken44 said:
Can't go wrong with either IMO.

I guess I would base it on wheather I wanted a stainless, or one I would want to patina. I like high carbon, and good stainless steels.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Either is a great choice. For that kind of knife, I prefer tool steel so I think you made the best choice between the 2. Enjoy it and take some pics when you receive it.
:thumbup:
 
depends on what you expect from a "camp knife".

CPM 154 will doubtless hold an edge better. Great if you do lots of cutting or skinning.

A2 is tougher. Better if you want to trim branches. ADD: it will hold an edge better than Buck 420HC.
 
Jerry Busse said:
Matti S.,

Good question! We have explored this very question. Powdered metallurgy can offer some very strong benefits in certain ares of knife performance. However, it is not possible to take the same analysis from a smelted steel and transfer it to a powdered construct and achieve an improvement. Carbide dispersion is very good and can therefore greatly affect the amounts of carbide formers that are included in the mix. If we wanted to achieve the same level of performance as INFI in some areas, the analysis of the PM would look nothing like that of INFI.

Thanks,

Jerry
Click to expand...

While the above post is specific to INFI, jerry initially used a2 as his primary hard use steel choice. Powder metallurgy helps to make a more even ceramic like grain structure that can provide significant increase in wear resistence and edge retention. It will not, however, increase toughness. If you want superior edge holding cpm 154 may be the better choice, if you want something you can beat on and pry with a2 is better.
 
knarfeng said:
depends on what you expect from a "camp knife".

CPM 154 will doubtless hold an edge better. Great if you do lots of cutting or skinning.

A2 is tougher. Better if you want to trim branches. ADD: it will hold an edge better than Buck 420HC.
Click to expand...

Doubtless CPM154 wont hold an edge better than the fine carbide matrix of A2 tool steel. CPM154 is better than A2 in only a single way.. it stains less.

Basically. if rust is an issue pay more and get the CPM154, but other than that small issue A2 wins hands down in every area.

This is a paraphrase of the same answer provided by the maker of the Bravo to this same question.
 
Great thread I was just thinking about buying a Bravo1 SS purely because it's available at KSF with the hand I wanted. But of course it is more expensive so maybe I'll wait for the regular Bravo1 to become available...
 
KyleyHarris said:
Doubtless CPM154 wont hold an edge better than the fine carbide matrix of A2 tool steel. CPM154 is better than A2 in only a single way.. it stains less.

Basically. if rust is an issue pay more and get the CPM154, but other than that small issue A2 wins hands down in every area.

This is a paraphrase of the same answer provided by the maker of the Bravo to this same question.
Click to expand...

I believe knarfeng knows his stuff and if my memory serves me correctly(which it doesn't on a regular basis:o), Mike Stewart claimed on the other forum his CPM 154 holds an edge longer than his A2.
 
Jimbo75 said:
I believe knarfeng knows his stuff and if my memory serves me correctly(which it doesn't on a regular basis:o), Mike Stewart claimed on the other forum his CPM 154 holds an edge longer than his A2.
Click to expand...

its funny.. as soon as I posted it I thought I was wrong and went hunting for that same quote.. my apologies..

A-2 has FINER carbides that any Super Stainless.

It is WAY tougher.(only S-7 and CPM3V are tougher in use in knives)

Here it is in a nutshell.

CPM154 is as Tough as D-2.(Not A-2)

It holds it's edge longer than A-2 by about 20%

It is also much harder to sharpen because of it's abrasion resistance - not because it is harder.

(If maintained it is easy to touch up with a Convex edge)

A-2 Is Much tougher - holds and edge very very well and is easy to sharpen.

The Advantage of CPM154 is that it is a more Stain Resistant Alloy.

It will stand shoulder to shoulder with A-2 in most uses but the in more abusive use A-2 will beat it without Chipping or Breaking.

In my Experience CPM154 is the Best Stain Resistant High Carbon Blade Steel that has been developed so far.

Jon--Feel Free to paste and copy this into your Forum.
Click to expand...
 
I've never used CPM154 but if the difference is anything like D2 and CPM D2 I doubt CPM154 would be able to keep up with A2. For holding a fine edge longer CPM154 might win but overall edge retention my money would be on A2. Most carbon/carbon alloy and tool steels with a good heat treat will spank all but the best of super steels.
 
I have Bark River blades in both steels, and they are both great!

I prefer the A2 because I like carbon steels better for my uses.

The CPM 154 Barkie I have is a drop point hunter, and it is used exclusively for field dressing and game processes, so ultimate toughness is not an issue.

A2 takes a REALLY nice edge by the way!! (and it holds it too!)
 
Last Visible Canary said:
While the above post is specific to INFI, jerry initially used a2 as his primary hard use steel choice. Powder metallurgy helps to make a more even ceramic like grain structure that can provide significant increase in wear resistence and edge retention. It will not, however, increase toughness. If you want superior edge holding cpm 154 may be the better choice, if you want something you can beat on and pry with a2 is better.
Click to expand...

It was my impression that part of the benefit of CPM and related processes was improved toughness over ingot steels of similar composition.
 
really as long as a person exercises some care either steel will work fine. i'm not prejudice but really do'nt have any hunters or larger knives in stainless alloys.one chopper in 3v but all my sheath knives are carbon. i cannot give a logical reason for this but it just seems right to have straight knives in carbon steel .pocketknives can be either.if the guy in the next tent wants 440c that's his business.
 
I work with both steels and personally, I would go with the A2 specifically because of it's ability to take and hold a fine edge and it's tough as hell. If corrosion resistance is a concern, then stainless is worry free. A2 with alittle TLC will be fine in a wet enviroment.
Scott
 
I have decided to go with the A2, a little patina won't bother me. It would be nice to have one of each but I can't afford that, the A2 will be a better choice for me.
 
Late reply.


you will not be dissapointed with a2.


I have three custom knives in a2.

Wow.



For me a2 is the best steel all around.


I have blades in 154 cm ,ats 34 ,cpm 154 damascus ,1095 ,chrome vanadium 440c 440v , d2 and s30v

And in my opinion and for my needs a2 is king.




You made a good choice.






Easy to sharpen

Gets
 
I'm a bit confused . A CPM because of it's carbide structure should be able to take a sharper edge ! Also because of the finer carbides CPM should be tougher . Are you talking about different HT What's the story ?.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top