CPM-3V vs CPM-M4 for 3.5" bowie style fixed blade?

C

CMP-40V

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Jul 4, 2012
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I think of ordering a 3.5 fixed blade with more than 0.2" thickness. Now I'm deciding which steel to be use between 3V and M4.

I would like to know the opinion from maker who ever worked with both steel. All I know M4 is more wear resistance and 3V is tougher. Thank
 
Have you looked at CPM-4V? It has about the same wear resistance as CPM-M4 but has better toughness. I haven't tried any yet but will be doing so in the near future.
 
My first question is, why so thick on such a short blade?

Unless you really beat the heck out of it, I tend to doubt you would really notice much difference in toughness between 3V and M4 in a blade that short. At the same hardness M4 will have better wear-resistance... which can be good or bad depending on how much you like sharpening.
 
james terrio said:
My first question is, why so thick on such a short blade?

Unless you really beat the heck out of it, I tend to doubt you would really notice much difference in toughness between 3V and M4 in a blade that short. At the same hardness M4 will have better wear-resistance... which can be good or bad depending on how much you like sharpening.
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So would you say M4 will has noticeable better edge holding than 3V?

darrin sanders said:
Have you looked at CPM-4V? It has about the same wear resistance as CPM-M4 but has better toughness. I haven't tried any yet but will be doing so in the near future.
Click to expand...

I never heard of 4V before, sound like an interesting stuff.
 
I would say that 3V, M4, and 4V are mom, dad, and kid in a sense. 3V is very tough with good edge holding, M4 is not as tough as 3V but has a lot better edge holding. Now if you marry those two you get 4V. 4V is not as tough as 3V but is tougher than M4 and has very similar edge holding to M4. I ran my 4V at 63 Rc and did normal camp/bushcraft chores with it. It is a great steel in almost all aspects. M4 and 3V have decent stain resistance, but 4V acts more like a traditional carbon steel in that it will patina quickly and will rust quickly if not cared for. I can throw another steel at you that you may want to in to, PD 1. This steel is very similar to 4V but with even more toughness. I have only made one knife from PD 1 but I was blown away by the performance. I beat on that knife harder than I had ever beat on any knife before and it would still cut printer paper. In short, all steels listed would be nearly indestructible in the short length and thickness you are looking for.
 
Big Chris said:
I would say that 3V, M4, and 4V are mom, dad, and kid in a sense. 3V is very tough with good edge holding, M4 is not as tough as 3V but has a lot better edge holding. Now if you marry those two you get 4V. 4V is not as tough as 3V but is tougher than M4 and has very similar edge holding to M4. I ran my 4V at 63 Rc and did normal camp/bushcraft chores with it. It is a great steel in almost all aspects. M4 and 3V have decent stain resistance, but 4V acts more like a traditional carbon steel in that it will patina quickly and will rust quickly if not cared for. I can throw another steel at you that you may want to in to, PD 1. This steel is very similar to 4V but with even more toughness. I have only made one knife from PD 1 but I was blown away by the performance. I beat on that knife harder than I had ever beat on any knife before and it would still cut printer paper. In short, all steels listed would be nearly indestructible in the short length and thickness you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much that was very interesting and informative.
 
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