CPM154 CM Vs. 154 CM

Knife_Geek

Knife_Geek

Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Messages
866
has anyone had experiance with both steels and is there a noticable advantage to one or the other. i have been looking at getting a Graham stubby razel and while i cant afford S30V im trying to figure out which of these 2 steels would be better.
 
WIlson has compared the two of them directly in his custom knives and generally praised CPM154 which would be expected as the PM process is in general a direct enhancement for high alloy steels.

-Cliff
 
Builderman, I like both steels and have used 154Cm for a lot of fillet knives. CPM 154 has the same basic chemistry but I found it easier to heat treat to a higher hardness. I have been using and testing thin ground blades with this steel up to RC 62 hardness. At this hardness it has noticeably longer lasting edge holding than 154CM. I have not seen any problems with chipping and toughness seems fine for even a fillet knife that sees a lot of flexing. All of this depends on the maker and depending on a lot of variables one might even perform better than the other. You didn't state your use so hard to be more specific. Phil
 
I have a couple custom knives in this steel for kitchen use. Sharpens up well and no staining problems, at least from casual observation. I had ats34/154cm folders that didn't get used for food prep which would get small rust spots, and they didn't respond as well on the sharpening stone. Though that was probably mass production heat treating causing them to feel a little 'gummy'.

I can't do an apples for apples comparison, but I don't have a problem with the CPM154 I do have.
 
Hardheart, 154CM and ATS34 does feel "gummy" if it is not hardened to at least 60. As far as chippy, not in my experience so far as I stated in the previous post. If you compare (rope cutting test) 154CM and CPM 154 at the same hardness you will not likely see a noticeable difference in performance. The difference is that CPM 154 can be used harder and hardness equals edge holding in my experience with steels that don't have a percentage of vanadium carbides. Again with my tests on my heat treat and geometry CPM 30V will hold and edge longer on abrasive materials like rope. This difference may not be significant depending on the use of the knife. For an everyday using knife 154CM at 60 hardness will do a fine job. CPM 154 at 61/62 will have the advantage. PHIL
 
thanks for all the replys on this subject. from what i have heard the CPM will be better especially since it will be a paul bos heat treat.
 
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