cts xhp?

B

battboy

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
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does any one have any experience with this steel? how would it do in a small fixed blade? also what other steels does it compare to? thanks
 
CTS-XHP is one of may favorites. Some liken it D2 but stainless for a comparison. It does use powder metallurgy technology. It's wear resistance is a step above S30V in my usage. And it keeps a razors edge pretty well. I like it. It would work well in a small fixed blade as well.
 
It's a really good steel. I've used it in a couple folders and the edge retention for day to day moderate to light use is terrific. I really like how simple it is to keep sharp, just a couple swipes on a sharpmaker and it is back to sharp.
 
Yeah go for the mule, you will never approach that price for another fixed blade in XHP, granted it has no handle scales, but that is part of the mule project. There is a XHP blem that is $10 less I believe, that is apparently undetectable.
 
Some of the blems are subtle but I saw one Mule blem that looked like it was used for target practice. Chips and gouges and blow out all over the handle area. The blade looked fine and I'd bet it'll work fine, but there are some that are more "blem'd" than others.
 
Steel130 said:
CTS-XHP is one of may favorites. Some liken it D2 but stainless for a comparison. It does use powder metallurgy technology. It's wear resistance is a step above S30V in my usage. And it keeps a razors edge pretty well. I like it. It would work well in a small fixed blade as well.
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+1 Couldn't have said it better myself. XHP is a fantastic steel.
 
The Spyderco mule in XHP (MT16) has been a good knife for me, and I like to buy the Halpern scales. It handles cardboard well and has been pretty low maintenance.
If you want to use it while you decide what to do about scales some folks do a paracord handle wrap.
 
how is the toughness of this steel? i know it is said to be stainless d2 but on a chart on a chart i found it states that the toughness of d2 is only about half of s30v. is this true?
 
battboy said:
how is the toughness of this steel? i know it is said to be stainless d2 but on a chart on a chart i found it states that the toughness of d2 is only about half of s30v. is this true?
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Ankerson would be better to answer this. From my own understanding, and based off of Crucibles data charts D2 and S30V are pretty close in toughness. It also depends on final hardness of both steels as well. I think in a small fixed it will hold up plenty well.
 
Have a small fixed blade by Ken Brock in this steel & I am really liking it. Got it real sharp freehand on just a medium grit ceramic stone.
 
not sure if it matters but the mule team #16 (cts-xhp) is now sold out.
 
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