Just placed an order for Manix 2 (CPM4) Steel

R

Rhodies

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Jul 27, 2017
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I have read a lot of good things about CPM4 Blade Steel. Has anybody on this board has had any experience with CPM4 and would like to share? I think I read somewhere that it is not a Stainless Steel so has anybody have issues with corrosion? I know the Manix 2 does take up a lot of real estate in one's pocket but I have one pocket dedicated solely for my knives, nothing else so I don't see this as a problem for me personally. This will be my Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year present to me. Will be my last knife purchase for awhile since I recently took delivery of a Delica 4 SS which I do really like.
 
Good choice on a knife! I have had two spydies in M4, a mantra and a pm2. It’s possibly my favorite all around steel and while it can rust, I’ve not had any major issues with it. My pm2, however, has a pretty heavy patina, but I think it adds character to a knife. Just wipe it down after you use it to cut something and it’ll be fine. M4 holds an edge like crazy—I like to leave mine a bit toothy.
 
Thanks for the report. I have read that ATS-55 can be also prone to rust yet I have had my older Endura with that particular steel and to this day there is not a spec of rust on it, the knife is 17 y/o. I used to just wipe it down on occasion with the old standard 3 in 1 household oil. I have seen a few youtube videos on the CPM4 and they all mentioned on how well the blade retained its edge. So in short, I am looking forward to receiving this in the mail probably sometime next week, still waiting for shipping notice from the vendor.
 
The Para2 in CPM M4 just keeps getting back into my pocket. Not stainless, but not a rust magnet either, a wipe down with an oily rag each day keeps it quite clean and a nice patina will slowly develop over time.
Holds an edge very well, cuts and slices effortlessly, and so easy to touch up on the Sharpmaker, and reminds me what a cutting machine the GB was I carried a couple of years ago.
Based on my own amateur experience with using both M4 and a Manix (in Cruwear), you are really going to be happy with it Rhodies.
 
I bought an M4 Gayle Bradley, it arrived yesterday. Today, I spent half an hour cutting some tomatoes for some salsa. At the end of that session, the metal was noticeably discolored.

Not bad looking, I expected it. If fact, I find the way M4 discolored quite attractive. I was just surprised by how fast.

Sharp as hell though.
 
I also carry my knife in a front pocket with nothing else and I forget the Manix is there.
You are gonna LOVE that knife!!
It is a work horse that will handle anything you throw at it!
I have 6 or 7 of them, all around fantastic knife!
Joe
 
I have a handful of knives in M4. It will stain and discolor but if you keep it clean and wipe it down with a little oil once in a while it is easy to maintain. It is a favorite of many.

Enjoy!!!!
 
I've had a Bradley Folder for about 5 years and its blade is still silver. I have a couple of the much newer PM2s. I haven't had any rust on them but they are forming a very slight patina. I have an older Manix 2 M4 that I use as a work knife, my favorite work knife, and it has a good amount of patina. I have carried it in my pocket while working in the yard and sweating a lot and it will definitely develop some quick rust. The rust cleaned off easily enough though.
 
I have a Millie in m4. It's a great edc steel. It tends to hold that bitey edge longer then a lot of the more medium level steels like s30v. I've had some spotting of rust on it but it buffed out with a piece of cotton(t-shirt/wash cloth). It's definitely more rust resistant then 1095, O1 etc. I think you'll like it.
 
Rhodies said:
I have read a lot of good things about CPM4 Blade Steel. Has anybody on this board has had any experience with CPM4 and would like to share? I think I read somewhere that it is not a Stainless Steel so has anybody have issues with corrosion? I know the Manix 2 does take up a lot of real estate in one's pocket but I have one pocket dedicated solely for my knives, nothing else so I don't see this as a problem for me personally. This will be my Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year present to me. Will be my last knife purchase for awhile since I recently took delivery of a Delica 4 SS which I do really like.
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Rhodies -
My EDC Spyderco Gayle Bradley is about 7 years old and has an M4 steel blade. Gayle Bradley was sponsored by Spyderco in cutting contests of which he was very successful using M4 steel blades.

I didn't buy it for the M4 steel as much as the size and fit & finish of the knife. However the M4 blade performs for all my yard and shop tasks and I would recommend it to a serious knife user.


I wipe the knife down with a rag and some Breakfree CLP and have never experienced any tarnishing or rust. I do this will all my steel tools.

Here is some info about Breakfree CLP. You can find it in most sporting stores and departments and the price is very reasonable. I use it on all my guns which are much more valuable than my knives. I first used in on M-16's, etc. in a small SE Asia country some years ago and have been using it ever since. There are some other very good products but I'm sticking with what has worked for me for many years.

 
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I am a big fan of M4.
Keep it dry and enjoy. A light coat of oil helps for rust prevention..
Something food safe if you cut food or wash it before using.

It may develop patina depending what you use it on.
I used my first GB2 on all types of food and everything in between.
Acidic foods and bloody meats gave me this over time because I let it.
You can polish it to keep it shinny... You can even cheat and force it.

You can see that my Manix has some frosting going on already.

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I'm also a big fan of M4. I use my Millie on lots of food and the patina is quite minimal, considering that I don't wipe my blades off all the time. A couple of drops of Tuf Glide in the pivot every few weeks keeps it operating very smoothly.
 
Great choice ! Really love my manix 2 m4 . BTW I think it carry’s very small and light . I’m normally always checking to see if it’s still there lol .
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TheFactor said:
Great choice ! Really love my manix 2 m4 . BTW I think it carry’s very small and light . I’m normally always checking to see if it’s still there lol .

Is that the "Natural" offered up by one of our sponsors as an exclusive? It appears to be and if so, that is the exact one I have coming in and should be here sometime next week.
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Your going to love it Rhodies. I think the Manix 2 is one of Spyderco's best designs ever.
It reminds me of the GB1. Aesthetics be damned, let's make a knife that works!

M4 is a great steel. It cuts, cuts some more and just keeps on cutting. My 2 favorite steels for folders are M4 and S90V.

As far as rust, I don't take my M4 blades to underwater basket weaving classes and I don't use folders for food prep. Never put any oil on mine, just wipe the blade off when I'm finished.
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Dr Rez said:
Shouldnt you be asking this before you buy the blade?
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You probably are onto something if it was a big concern of mine, which wasn't. Edge retention is the big selling point for this steel, for me. I was merely trying to get a little feedback on what I might expect from people who actually own this knife or a knife that uses the cpm4 blade steel, that's all.
 
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