Cpm?

jawilder · Dec 9, 2010

A while back, I baught some steel from a maker who closed shop. One of the pieces, about 4' long and 1/8" wide was unpacked. He had scribed cpm 13v on it but told me he couldn't really remember what it was. He had it to make straight razors but never did any.

My question: does crucible make cpm13v or is it more likely cpm3v. What would be the uses of 3v?

Thanks, Jason

Mike Turner · Dec 9, 2010

Jason are you sure it is CPM? It could be anything like 13C26 which is used for razor blades. I would send a piece out and have it analyzed.

Danbo · Dec 9, 2010

That CPM 3V is junk. I suggest you send it to ME, for proper disposal.

Actually, CPM 3V is about as good of a steel as a normal person needs. Properly heat treated, you'll have a blade that will perform with the best of them.

Justin King · Dec 9, 2010

A little tough to guess since there is a 3v and also a 10v. No 13v that I know of.

Mark Redmon · Dec 9, 2010

there is also s30v... 30 and 13 sound somewhat similar.... just a thought

jawilder · Dec 9, 2010

How would heat treat differ from 3v to other CPM steels? I've never HT'd stainless, but if it were similar HT, it wouldn't matter all that much which one it is

mete · Dec 9, 2010

Please treat each steel separately according to it's own HT recipe .Similar does not mean same !

jawilder · Dec 10, 2010

mete said:
Please treat each steel separately according to it's own HT recipe .Similar does not mean same !

I should rephrase. If HT is the "same" then it wouldn't matter. Either way, I won't be the one HTing it.

Gary Mulkey · Dec 10, 2010

jawilder said:
How would heat treat differ from 3v to other CPM steels? I've never HT'd stainless, but if it were similar HT, it wouldn't matter all that much which one it is

I believe that you will find that CPM3v is a particle metalurgy steel but not stainless and as previously stated has it's own H/T schedule. Since this piece of steel isn't one that you can positively identify, is it worth taking a chance? I would recommend using something else that has a known H/T schedule.

butcher_block · Dec 10, 2010

cpm3v and cpm154 can be within about 25F of aus. temp and the way i HT both they are the same for temper
but they are the only 2 that are that close (was looking at making a damasscus mix of them thats how i know)

jawilder · Dec 10, 2010

butcher_block said:
cpm3v and cpm154 can be within about 25F of aus. temp and the way i HT both they are the same for temper
but they are the only 2 that are that close (was looking at making a damasscus mix of them thats how i know)

That helps a bunch, thanks!