CPM M4

[Bronco]

While perusing the Crucible site recently I noticed one of their tool steels that goes by the designation CPM M4HC(HS). Has anyone had any experience using M4, or know of any maker who has?

On paper (please don't nobody shoot me just yet

), M4 features both greater wear resistance and greater toughness than such cutlery favorites as O1, D2, M2 and 52100.
M4 also "appears" to perform very well at relatively high HRC numbers. For example, M4 exhibits approximately the same toughness (Charpy C notch value) at an HRC of 65 that D2 possesses at an HRC of 61.

(Insert standard "spec sheet guru" disclaimer here)
Now, please believe me when I say I realize that numbers on a piece of paper don't mean squat when the temperature is dropping and you're stuck out in the woods. However, these numbers do give us a general indication of certain performance characteristics for a specific type of steel. And in this case the numbers don't look too shabby. On the other hand, one has to imagine that if M4 really is as great as the numbers would indicate, then we would have already heard about it. I have no idea one way or the other so I'm just asking the question. Thanks

.

------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[AchimW]

There are a lot of new, good steels on the market that are not or rarely mentioned by makers here on the forum. Some of them perform very well, but you have to try yourself if you want to know. I recently ordered some different steels at Böhler Stahl

http://www.boehler-stahl.de/

to give them a try. Their K190PM is a fantastic steel, in my eyes better than both S60V and S90V. I tried some other of their tool steels with very pleasing results.

Achim

 

[Danbo]

How can I get some of this K190PM? I pulled up the website, but I cant speak or read German. What is the analysis of this K190PM? I love CPM3V, and if this stuff is better than that, I gotta try it.

------------------
Danbo, soul brother of Rambo

 

[DERRICK]

I would also need some help with the site as I don't speak German but need a source of proper steel because I'll be moving to Hungary and don't know any places there to get hold of stuff. Any chance of getting the quotes on steel in English?
Thanks

 

[Bart student]

Bohler 190 KPM is a powdersteel copy of D-7 with added vanadium. And Achim 's right, I thin it's better then 440V and 420V together (or so Gert Said).

If you're kind enough for Achim, he might order some for you ... ;-)

greetz, Bart.

------------------
"If the world wouldn't SUCK, we'd all fall off !"

You can E-mail me at any time....guaranteed reply !

member of the BKS
http://www.expage.com/belgianknives

 

[AchimW]

I would suggest to send an email, or better a business paper mail, to Böhler in Düsseldorf. The address is

Böhler Stahl
Hansaallee 321
D-40549 Düsseldorf
Germany

Send letter to Mr. Bittner or Mr. Biesenbaum and ask for a catalogue. Must be available in english. I did get a complete documentation on all steels they have available including heat treating instructions with flow charts.

Achim