Cruwear Para 2 vs M4

[jstn]

With the announcement of the new Cruwear PM2, I am considering getting another, but I have a couple of M4s already that I really like. Is the Cruwear an improvement in any areas over the M4?

 

[The Mastiff]

A lot depends on heat treat and finish as the performance overlaps to an extent. Very generally speaking the Cruwear will have a bit better edge stability and maybe some extra toughness while the CPM M4 will be more wear resistant. Not too much difference in corrosion resistance. They are both going to be tougher than the high wear CPM stainless steels. To be honest though a lot of people won't be able to tell the difference in regular use between these steels. They are both excellent.

Joe

 

[Surfingringo]

Hey Joe, I don't own any Cruwear yet (though that will be remedied in two weeks) but after reading about it for the last couple of years around here, I was under the impression that cruwear was a good bit more corrosion resistant than m4?

 

[jstn]

A lot depends on heat treat and finish as the performance overlaps to an extent. Very generally speaking the Cruwear will have a bit better edge stability and maybe some extra toughness while the CPM M4 will be more wear resistant. Not too much difference in corrosion resistance. They are both going to be tougher than the high wear CPM stainless steels. To be honest though a lot of people won't be able to tell the difference in regular use between these steels. They are both excellent.

Joe

Thanks! That's what I was afraid to hear, edge stability is huge for me, which is why I like the M4 PM2. Looks like I will have to shoot for one of these now.

 

[Brock O Lee]

... cruwear was a good bit more corrosion resistant than m4?

It might technically be categorized as a non-stainless tool steel, but in my experience it behaves pretty much like a stainless steel. I have not even seen it patina after cutting acidic stuff like fruit on a Cruwear Manix. I'm however not sure how it will behave near the ocean or in high humidity.

I know Cruwear's composition is very similar to 3V, and I've read that 3V will pit rather than patina. I have 2 blades in 3V (Tuff and a Koster FB at Rockwell 60) both are excellent to resist corrosion too. I've not seen patina, rust or pitting on them either...

 

[ATJ999]

More corrosion resistant, easier to sharpen, better toughness. It does not hold an edge quite as long as M4, but it is a fantastic all around steel.

 

[The Mastiff]

Hey Joe, I don't own any Cruwear yet (though that will be remedied in two weeks) but after reading about it for the last couple of years around here, I was under the impression that cruwear was a good bit more corrosion resistant than m4?

I treat them the same and really can't say I've had problems with either. I'd expect there would be more difference between say stone washed and mirrored finishes than between the two steels but that is just a generalized statement and not based on testing. My experience with corrosion was with Vascowear, cousin of Cruwear with same chemistry. It does pit noticeably when left to it's own ends. Note that I don't force patinas on any steel and don't believe in the process. It's easier for me to take care of it and get spots off as they occur. I hand satin all my user knives to about 1500-2000 grit eventually just to keep things even on the blade after they have gotten scratched up enough. If it's a really rusty steel I seal it with wax between cleanings.

I can say I like these steels about equally and would probably choose one or another if the whole "one knife for life" scenario ever happened but I won't choose until forced to. I do like M2 and M3 pretty well and find I like these steels best at rc 64ish. Certainly above rc 62. In Cruwear, I like it at around rc 63. CPM M4 is just right at rc 63-64 IMO.

Joe

 

[AlwaysTomboy]

Thank you, jstn, for asking this question in a new thread, and thanks to those who've replied. My only non-stainless knives are my Caly 3 SB and the M4 PM so I was curious about this too, but asked in the wrong place/in the wrong way.

I'm pretty content with my jade PM especially now that the blade is finally getting some color. I enjoy the patina process, probably because the novelty hasn't worn off yet, so I'm still like a kid with a new toy. Ooo, it's changing color. Lets try tomatoes and see how it reacts to those! That was last night. Tonight is going to be pineapple. Trying to patina non stainless knives is making me want to eat fresh fruits and vegetables way more than usual.

So Cruwear being more stainless makes me think I'll pass. I know I don't use my knives hard enough to appreciate any functional difference.

(Sent from iPod)

 

[bdmicarta]

I know I don't use my knives hard enough to appreciate any functional difference.

In reality I'm probably the same way, and I really like M4. I did do an informal cutting test and M4 did very well. If I had a use where I beat on the knife and worried about it breaking or chipping I would probably do better with Cruwear.

Nevertheless I have a Cruwear Military and Cruwear Manix 2, and will try to buy a Cruwear PM2 just because it is available. (Gotta sell some other knives first though.)