M390 and CTS204P

[JBoone]

What are the differences in practicla terms. Actually make that theoritical terms as I will likely not experince a discernable diff in my use with the folders in question.

 

[JNewell]

What are the differences in practicla terms. Actually make that theoritical terms as I will likely not experince a discernable diff in my use with the folders in question.

In practical terms, the answer is here.

 

[Steel130]

CTS-204P and M390 are basically the same steel. The alloy content differs only enough for them to not be identical. Much like ATS-34/154CM ect.

The only real difference would be seen from heat treat.

 

[Jastab]

CTS-204P and M390 are basically the same steel. The alloy content differs only enough for them to not be identical. Much like ATS-34/154CM ect.

The only real difference would be seen from heat treat.

↑ 204p has .65% tungsten where as m390 has .60% and slightly different silicone percentages..

 

[michaelm466]

Yep, when comparing 2 exact same knives (Green para 2 and blue para 2) grit finish and/or edge angle will give you far greater differences than the steel types, actually even with the exact same edge angle, grit, etc you still wouldn't see a difference.

 

[bdmicarta]

The steels are produced by different companies. They may be nearly identical or there might be some difference in the processes that makes the results different. My guess is that the variables between one heat of steel and another, one knife manufacturer and another, one heat treat and another, will be more than the differences between the different chemistries.

 

[rik007]

M390 is third generation PM steel which made by Bohler
CTS-204P is second generation PM steel made by Carpenter

 

[TriviaMonster]

M390 is third generation PM steel which made by Bohler
CTS-204P is second generation PM steel made by Carpenter

Carpenter actually claims smaller particle size and better processing for their CTS steels like 20CP, 204P, Maxamet, and their other high end materials. They are more like 3+ with particle size a good bit smaller than their competitor.

The full story is posted somewhere on Spyderco's site in the forums from a Carpenter rep.

 

[JNewell]

The OP asked about practical differences...user experience suggests there is little or no practical difference between the two.

 

[southernknives]

Probably not much, but I still want to get my hands on a Carpenter PM 2.
A few more knives to buy first though.

 

[Acwan]

Yep, when comparing 2 exact same knives (Green para 2 and blue para 2) grit finish and/or edge angle will give you far greater differences than the steel types, actually even with the exact same edge angle, grit, etc you still wouldn't see a difference.

Skickat från min SM-G935F via Tapatalk

 

[DeadboxHero]

What are the differences in practicla terms. Actually make that theoritical terms as I will likely not experince a discernable diff in my use with the folders in question.

I'd be more worried about heat treatment

We can all buy the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies.

But it's how those ingredients are processed that ultimately determines the final product.

This m390 versus 204-p is much like comparing premium chocolate chips made from the same ingredients by two different companies.
Perhaps a slight variation between the two but they are both premium chocolate chips with the exact same ingredients differing slight in amounts

But your asking how a complete cookie tastes which is dependent on a plethora of other factors that would actually translate to a difference you could appreciate.

Hell, even the SAME steel can be completly different based on its heat treatment.

It's how the elements in the steel are arranged, dispersed and the complex structures they can form that translates to an high performance blade.



Maybe we should change the name of a steel when it receives a certain heat treatment so we can connect to the most important aspect better.

In the meantime 204-p, m390 and 20cv should be thought of as the same favor

 

[Therom]

As it has been said, They both are very similar ...but based on my experience I prefer m390 over 204p