CTS-XHP (and 154CM + CPM-154, while we're at it)

Hashishiin said:
"Was originally", but what about now, do you (or anyone) have any idea? Say, new Spyderco knives in the steel, are those powdered? Are powdered steels ever "air-hardened", for example? The intense love, I don't know, maybe it is just from certain circles, but it seems to have a devoted fanbase. Thanks for chiming in, Doc!

I am in CA and do not have super corrosive sweat, and can carry M4 and K390 with only minimal spotting if I'm cutting a bunch of natural material, basically no problems. Things like Cruwear may as well be stainless for me!

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Err, and I have to say, while I've not yet tried 154CM, this thread leaves me with a sense of happiness that I decided to get my Chap and Native Chief in XHP, and my little Boker USB OTF in D2, as opposed to spending bigger on that small auto getting a 154CM Kershaw. As I said, loved touching up the Chap, cannot wait to see how my Native Chief behaves.
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154CM and CPM-154 are too different animals in my opinion. My Kershaw Launch 8 has been good in the latter steel.
 
foldsing knife
K.O.D. said:
154CM and CPM-154 are too different animals in my opinion. My Kershaw Launch 8 has been good in the latter steel.
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Perhaps I did make a bit of a random comparison with 154CM, I just associated them in my head for some reason and was curious about 154CM. Mainly interested in XHP as that is what I own and intend to be using especially in my new Native Chief.
 
Well, I feel I'd prefer the Crucible version of the steel. I wish Spyderco did more in CPM-154....
Does Benchmade use CPM-154, or 154CM, do folks know? I wouldn't imagine the difference would be immense, but, I'd rather have CPM-D2 over D2, for example. I just like Crucible :)
 
Hashishiin said:
"Was originally", but what about now, do you (or anyone) have any idea? Say, new Spyderco knives in the steel, are those powdered? Are powdered steels ever "air-hardened", for example? The intense love, I don't know, maybe it is just from certain circles, but it seems to have a devoted fanbase. Thanks for chiming in, Doc!
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Carpenter has not made XHP as a conventional steel for many years; all of it is powder metallurgy. I am not sure what you are asking about with "air hardened." As part of heat treating there is a quench from high temperature. Some steels require a water quench, some an oil quench, and some are "air hardening" meaning they can be cooled more slowly and still harden. Most tool steels and stainless steels can be heat treated in a furnace with accelerated gas quenching but none of that is related to powder metallurgy vs conventional steel production.
 
I have a few Benchmade folders in 154cm. They have worked fine for general use, and actually have shown less tendency to chip like S30V would. Responds to a ceramic rod pretty quickly too.

I only have CTS-XHP in a smattering of Cold Steel folders. There is certainly a tangible difference in edge-holding. I like to use a 300 grit DMT on them.

This is the steel type I learned that Arkansas stones won't be happy when used. I smoothed out a couple pretty quick before I learned more about carbides and compositions.
 
As already mentioned, I do not see much similarity between 154CM and CPM 154.

My experiences show CPM 154 to be A LOT like 3V - very fine-grained, and easily sharpened to a very fine edge.
 
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Lots of people in the thread have been mentions of Cold Steel, unfortunately have only had the chance to experience their knives in S35VN and AUS-10a or 8a, but I do indeed want one of the venerable XHP Espada XLs. I have two AUS-10a regular XLs, and would get rid of one when I manage to get a reasonably priced XHP model for use, as I think that's the superior steel. AUS-10a is also similar to some 440 series steels, but does not seem to have the same magic as XHP.
Larrin said:
Carpenter has not made XHP as a conventional steel for many years; all of it is powder metallurgy. I am not sure what you are asking about with "air hardened." As part of heat treating there is a quench from high temperature. Some steels require a water quench, some an oil quench, and some are "air hardening" meaning they can be cooled more slowly and still harden. Most tool steels and stainless steels can be heat treated in a furnace with accelerated gas quenching but none of that is related to powder metallurgy vs conventional steel production.
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I said it because I was trying to figure out what it meant, too. Thanks for explaining. I did not know if the hardening had anything to do with it being powdered, or not. It does not. You cleared it up for me, my XHP is indeed a powder steel! Interesting, and good to compare to BD1N, my other steel from Carpenter, which is not powdered. Like I said, I think that BD1N will be the closest I can hope for to a true low-alloy steel treated to Spyderco's modern standards, besides G-2 and those special 440 novelty knives they did.

shane45-1911 said:
As already mentioned, I do not see much similarity between 154CM and CPM 154.

My experiences show CPM 154 to be VERY much like 3V - very fine-grained, and easily sharpened to a very fine edge.
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Mm, more anecdotal support of "slight tweaks can make a big difference".
 
Hashishiin said:
AUS-10a is also similar to some 440 series steels, but does not seem to have the same magic as XHP.
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In my opinion, you should stop looking at XHP 440C then compare it to other 440C classes. The elements difference is way to big that they are not in the same league.

It is also how S90V was developed from 420, they are completely different, not remotely close in term of performance. S90V has way more alloying elements in it. The only trace of 420 heritage left in S90V is the same amount of chromium (14%).

AUS10, and the AUS series for that matter, are like 420 with higher carbon and a little more alloying elements, with AUS10 has 1.0% carbon, which is the only thing make it similar to 440C.
 
XHP is one of my favorites. Takes a great edge relatively easy & holds it longer than s30-35
 
I've got several CTS-XHP blades, and they sharpen easily; but hold an edge longer than S30-V.
 
I also a fan of CTS XHP. A great combination of toughness vs edge retention vs corrosion resistance. I currently have 5 knives in XHP and they all get carried.

1. CTS XHP
2. S35VN
3. S30V
4. 154CM

I have no experience with CPM 154.
 
shane45-1911 said:
My experiences show CPM 154 to be A LOT like 3V - very fine-grained, and easily sharpened to a very fine edge.
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Hashishiin said:
Mm, more anecdotal support of "slight tweaks can make a big difference".
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Agree with Shane. It's not slight tweaking, H. The powder technology almost doubles toughness at similar wear resistance. Check out Larrin's datasheets.
 
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