CPM Steels.

W

Wabajack

Joined
Jan 16, 2007
Messages
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I've been reading about some of the CPM steels (3V,10V and 15V) and I was wondering what your oppinions on them were, after reading about them they seem to be great, however there seems to be mixed reviews and oppinions on them. :D

So what specifically I am curious to know is 3V's comparibilty to other steels toughness and edge holding. I have read it is close to impact toughness of S-7 and much higher wear resisance and edge holding. Also how is 15V's edge retention/holding compared to others, I've heard it might well be the best steel when it comes to holding an edge for a long time. Is this true? And if not what are the "better" steels in these regards?
 
From the point of view of a knife owner, I love cpm steel. I have 2 knives by the same knifemaker one is ATS-34 and the other is S30v. The 30v out performs the ATS-34 by 10 miles.

From the stand point as a beginner knifemaker, I would say that it is less about the steel and more about the heat treating.

A final thought on cpm steel, I have a hunter that is 10v. I have field dressed, skinned, and broken pelvic bones on approximately 20 whitetail, 5 wild hogs, and various other small animals. With all of this abuse, I have not even needed to strop the knife and it still will make my forearm bald. CPM makes a great steel but if is not HT'd properly, it may as well be aluminum.
 
Approx how would 10V hold up to the rigors of a small bush knife? harden at 62 rc.

Possibly light batoning but overall fairly light work, probably paired with axe, or is it to britle at this hardness to be used as a fairly dependable general purpose knife?

EDIT:

How does edge quenching work on this steel? does it work effectively enough to allow for a 63 rc edge and still allow for a decent amount of toughness?
 
i love the cpm steels 3v is a real worker and storng to boot
not sure how the 10v is as im still testing it
edge quench not needed cause its a mostly air hardening steel and easy to get Rc62 by plate quenchin it
i like dealing with crucible :thumbup: good people
 
why would you ever want a buch knife thats hardened to 62 Rockwell? isnt that self-defeating?
 
my OB knives i run at 61 in cpm3V and they still take everything the marines can dish out and thats saing something
 
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