Cpm m4?

[Kunklec]

I have a friend who is realy into knives. I have made a few for him, using 1084 and O-1. He likes them, but wants something that will hold an extremely sharp edge. He has a lot of experience sharpening, also teaches knife fighting. For him, fit and edge holding are more important than other factors. He does not like D-2. Right now he wants a camp knife about 8-10 inch blade. I suggested A-2, but he has requested CPM M4. I can do the HT, Have an Evenheat and can cryo. Cost is not important! Any suggestions or problems with his choice? I want to keep him happy, right now I have 4 knives in process for him out of O-1 with horse stall grips.
Chip Kunkle

 

[Jeremy Horton]

i hope he can sharpen with a belt,,,

 

[Mike Turner]

Your going to cry trying to finish that after heat treat, I would do as much as you can before then and also as mentioned hope he has a belt grinder to sharpen that .

 

[Pinoy Knife]

Kunklec
im by no mean's a "Expert " but i have made quite a few knives out of M-2/M-4 i personally do everything after heat treat !! solid carbide drill bit's are a little on the expensive side but i like being able to do all my work on what will be the finished blade ..sharpening is not that bade ive done it with japanese water stones with great success as well as a belt grinder and a buffer ..
my "Leather" cutting knife is a M-2 blade that had a "Off" grind on the top
so i made it my "Shop" knife i use the crap out of it and maybe sharpen it once a year !! sometimes ill just buff the cutting edge a little and be right back to clean cutting "Welt's in one pass ,shaves arm hair like butter ..
id say if that is what he want's make him one !!
if you decide to do everything before heat treat i would not do a real thin edge as all metal can turn into a "Ruffel's" patato chip real easy .
i have never had a big problem getting a good finish on it just remember it is very fine grained steel and need's to be cut to a high grit before you try to polish it .. good luck ill go back to lurking now

 

[Greg Obach]

if thats what he wants a knife outa... then so be it.. its his money... sheesh

just give him the link on crucible
http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/highspeed/rexm4.html

i'm surprised he's not happy with the edge holding on O1... thats just really strange.. .. as it a great steel.. and holds a very nice edge

unless your using as a lathe bit...


good luck

G

 

[mdoyle]

At a bit more than $30/pound the price isn't really that limiting. HT is straight forward, and does NOT include cryo! Double wrap your foil though, as bad things can/will happen @ 2150 degrees. Scratches come out much better @ high speed as long as you don't overheat, and yes, he obviously will be quite happy with edgeholding.
Matt Doyle