Recommendation? Custom Griptilian for dad. Help w/ steel choice

Heartland_edc

Heartland_edc

Joined
May 4, 2015
Messages
947
I built a custom grip for my brother a while back, and when my dad got a chance to handle it, he was really impressed. He has handled some of my other knives, and seems to really prefer the thumb hole on a Spyderco, so I figured I'd build him a grip with the sheepsfoot blade and thumb hole. Here's my dilemma. I'm torn between s30v and cpmM4. He's turning 60, and still owns and operates his own construction business. The knife will definitely get used, and used hard periodically. Which of these steels is a better choice? (Either way it'll be coated black, as he is partial to black blades). I know M4 is quite a bit tougher, but it lacks the stainless qualities of s30v. It will most likely be used for cutting paper, plastic, wood, and possibly other things you shouldn't use a knife for. Might come in contact with moisture every now and then.
 
I'd definitely pick M4 over S30V if you think it'll be used for tougher jobs. M4's edge will hold up to a lot more abuse. If you're going to get them to coat the blade that'll help with the corrosion. It won't stop it completely, but it'll decrease the upkeep.
 
M4 over s30v. If 20cv, m390 or 204p are available those are very good choices too.
 
I would definitely go with M4. If you're going to coat it anyhow, the stainless properties don't matter quite as much between the two. S30V, when put into some hard use situations, can be relatively prone to chipping. Plus M4 will hold a great edge a lot longer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo2
I would go with the S30 if it is to be a in the pocket knife with little use. If it will get used daily get the M4.
 
Cool. Sounds like M4 will treat him well. Ive always been affraid M4 would rust easily, but if u guys all think the coating will be sufficiant, I'll probably go that route.
 
M4 is harder, not tougher. It's more likely to chip and will almost certainly rust if not cared for.

I really like m4 for my use, but it's not a steel I'd gift generally. For my dad or anyone in construction that isn't an avid knife guy I'd go with the s30v.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
M4 is harder, not tougher. It's more likely to chip and will almost certainly rust if not cared for.

I really like m4 for my use, but it's not a steel I'd gift generally. For my dad or anyone in construction that isn't an avid knife guy I'd go with the s30v.
Click to expand...

The Aflac Duck The Aflac Duck is atypical in respect to knives on a construction site; I doubt anyone else is carrying a Rockstead to the job site, but he should probably still weigh in here.
 
I’m sorry but for good ol construction which I’ve done as a concrete finisher before I would choose good ol 154cm. Cheaper, tough as needed, way more corrosion resistant. And takes a awesome edge with little effort. Just my opinion though good luck
 
Of the two i would personally pick s30v because of its stainless qualities. Im to lazy/forgetful to keep up with maintainace on something like m4, and having rust on a blade drives me crazy.

My job is pretty close to construction and i get caught out in the element's all the time. My blade also comes into contact with all kinds of different materials/chemicals with no hiccups.

My current s30v knife chipped on me once and the tip broke, but to be fair, it came into contact with some aluminum when it did. And to also be fair, i haven't used m4 long enough to develop a good opinion of it.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
The Aflac Duck The Aflac Duck is atypical in respect to knives on a construction site; I doubt anyone else is carrying a Rockstead to the job site, but he should probably still weigh in here.
Click to expand...

Did someone call my name?:D:)

I may be confusing my steel properties, but I'm pretty sure that M4 is actually tougher than S30V with a proper heat treat.

Gayle Bradley has made choppers with M4 and won competitions with said knives. I carried a Spyderco GB (1st gen) for a while and I never had any issues with chipping or rust. I don't baby my knives and they often come into contact with abrasive and wet stuff.

I did get concerned about rust with the GB so I forced a patina on it. It actually took a long time to force the patina, I think almost 24hrs wrapped in a napkin soaked in apple cider vinegar. The given patina was very light.

I've used 1080 for some lawn work and got a patina within a couple hours. In my experience, M4 is pretty darn corrosion resistant in comparison.

Since the blade will be coated, that's just an extra insurance policy. I wouldn't worry too much.

In the end, I agree with Dallas T Dallas T about 154CM. Out of the many steels I've tried my two favorites are YXR7 and 154CM (or it's PM counterpart).

I think the decision should come down to how well your Pa can sharpen a knife and how hard he will use it. Being a construction guy, I sometimes cut stuff so abrasive that I dull the edge in a single slice, which is why I appreciate the ease of maintenance with the 154 family of steels.
 
As long as he can competently sharpen the knife (or have you do it), go with M4. Regular use and sharpening will keep the edge free from rust as long as it's not put away wet. I haven't used M4 myself, but I had an M2 BM710 for a while and a Severtech in A2 (both coated), and have plenty of traditional knives in carbon steel, and I've never had rust on the actual edge of any of them that I used with any regularity.

ETA: If he might get soaked by rain, stainless might be the better choice. A wet pocket can wreak havoc on a knife, even stainless steels.
 
Ah crap... well now im second guessing M4... let me add some info here. My dad (like many others his age) is not opposed to taking a tamping hammer to the back of a knife to drive the blade through something. He'll also use it to cut things like zip ties, wood, electrical wire, and thin metal straps. He might even use it to dig around in the engine of one of his work trucks. Even if I tell him not to do this kind of stuff, he'll do it if the knife is within reach and convenient. This is the kind of abuse I can see the knife going through. He'll wear the knife in his pants during work, and likely throw it in the console of his truck at the end of the day. It might sit there for days at a time covered in sawdust and grease, caulking, engine oil, etc. He might wipe it off every now and then with a paper towel or cloth or something but i doubt he'll oil it more than once every month or 2. This is the kind of abuse he'll put it through. So, given this info, where do we stand on steel?
 
That is a tough choice. If your father takes good care of his tools, then i would think m4 for hard use. It should hold hold a more stable edge than the s30v. But benchmade heat treats all of their steels very well, so i am certain either of them will be a fine choice.
 
Blues Bender said:
Being a construction guy, I sometimes cut stuff so abrasive that I dull the edge in a single slice
Click to expand...

This definitely sounds like something he would do. But he won't try to sharpen it. It would eventually need to go back to Benchmade. I can't sharpen for sh*t.
 
Heartland_edc said:
This definitely sounds like something he would do. But he won't try to sharpen it. It would eventually need to go back to Benchmade. I can't sharpen for sh*t.
Click to expand...

It's hard for me to appreciate premium steel like M390 etc. because of how fast I can dull a blade sometimes. I really like 154CM, I don't care what anybody says, it's good steel. That would be my choice if I were going to get a custom Grip for myself. In fact, I used a mini with 154CM for years before I got into more exotic knives, it's even got some Cuscadi scales on it. Don't carry it often because I like larger knives.

154CM and CPM154 is the most abundant steel in my drawer. I just picked up a Protech TR3 with it, and I don't feel that the knife is lacking in any way.

Passing up a knife because it has 154CM is like not dating a girl because she doesn't have blue eyes.
 
Heartland_edc said:
This definitely sounds like something he would do. But he won't try to sharpen it. It would eventually need to go back to Benchmade. I can't sharpen for sh*t.
Click to expand...

If he cannot sharpen then m4 is your steel. The edge will last longer between resharpenings than s30v. Also I think despite rust m4 is the better steel for hard use around a construction site.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top