Mini-Grip, 440C or 154CM?

MVF

MVF

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Sep 2, 2005
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I just realized that I must have a Mini-Grip! ;) Luckily for me, we seem to be in a "window" with Benchmade's upgrading to 154CM where you can get it in 2 different steels.

The pictures I've been able to find haven't been that great so I thought I'd ask here- am I right that the 440C blade is polished and the 154CM blade is kind of a rough ground finish?

Also, what makes 154CM better than 440C? Are there ways that 440C is better than 154CM? Would it be worth getting one of each? And, lastly, would it be worth the extra to get the D2 from Cabela's?

Thanks all,
Mike
 
I like the Ritter S30V version, myself.

As for 440C vs 154CM, I find I get the edge I like easier with 154CM and it should last longer (I've only sharpened Grips in non-Ritter form).

440C should be more corrosion resistant.
 
MVF said:
Also, what makes 154CM better than 440C?
Click to expand...

154CM is basically 440C with 3% chromium removed and 3% molybdenum added. 154CM has a smaller carbide fraction (Crucible), and it has a much finer carbide size (Landes). The wear resistance of 154CM is higher (Crucible), however 440C has a higher Q-fog rating (Spyderco). In general 440C tends to be commonly regarder as tougher but this is mainly because it is ran softer. There are other differences in the steels which are not relevant to knife use such as 154CM has a higher hot hardness.

-Cliff
 
My personal opinion is 440C. I have a couple of knives with both 154CM and 440C and although 154CM may hold an edge for a little bit longer I find that 440C seems to get a finer edge for me. This all could be my imagination or the way I sharpen (Sharpmaker) but 440C seems to take a better edge. 440C gets my vote.
 
Thanks all.

Cliff, you'll educate me yet! I followed you up until the "Q fog rating"- can you explain/describe this?

Anyone else?
 
Q-fog is a machine used to check the corrosion resistance, it allows interrupted exposure to salt water in various forms which was found to be more representative to actual enviromental conditions than straight soaks.

-Cliff
 
MVF said:
Thanks all.

Cliff, you'll educate me yet! I followed you up until the "Q fog rating"- can you explain/describe this?

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

Q-fog is a brand name for a salt spray or salt fog chamber. Salt spray exposure is used to compare corrosion resistance of various alloys. It is also sometimes used to test the performance of corrosion resistant coatings. There are several ASTM methods for running the tests. The older tests require placement of test panels in the chamber and holding at a constant temp while a fog is generated using a 5% NaCl solution. More modern methods alternate between the fog cycle and a dry cycle. Some methods also use different solutions than just the 5% table salt (various concentrations, various salts). The cyclic methods have proven to be more predictive than the constant exposure methods. But they take longer.

No matter what the exposure, small panels (typically 3"x5"x 0.040") are placed in the chamber and exposed. Because corrosion is not a uniform reaction, you have to run multiple panels of each alloy. At the end of the prescribed duration (depends on what ASTM method you are using), you remove the panels from the test chamber, then examine for rust spots, blisters, or other signs of corrosion. Sometimes the panels are sectioned and examined under a microscope to determine how far into the panel the corrosion progressed. Typically, photographs of the corrosion areas are taken for future reference. The panels are then graded for performance. The grading is based on the amount of corrosion found. People then compare the performance of different alloys to estimate the resistance to corrosion.

Probably TMI, but you did ask what it was.
 
I like my Ritter Mini Grip in S30V. I like the grind on the Ritter. It's ground thin and cuts like heck.
 
440c, S30v, 154cm, d2...they are all excellent steels. Some have properties that others don't that might be preferable in a given application.

Frankly, I find that they all get really sharp and cut when I need them to.

I've had benchmades in all of these steels, and I like them all.

Get a Grip! :D ;)
 
Thanks all for the responses. I have the full size Ritter Grip and don't really want to pay that much for the mini, particularly with all the talk of S30V chipping (I'm a bit bummed about a "survival knife" made with a steel that is so hard to sharpen and prone to chipping!) Plus 440C and 154CM are (as you all have said) both good steels.

How about the question of finish? One of the pictures I saw looked like the 154CM was VERY course ground on the flats- but I don't see that on some other sites- anyone have one of these yet?
 
fewpop said:
440c, S30v, 154cm, d2...they are all excellent steels. Some have properties that others don't that might be preferable in a given application.

Frankly, I find that they all get really sharp and cut when I need them to.

I've had benchmades in all of these steels, and I like them all.

Get a Grip! :D ;)
Click to expand...

Exactly:thumbup:

There's nothing wrong with the 440C version and I personally would not pay more for 154CM or D2.

I would pay more for the S30V Ritter version, but that is only because the blade is a different design also.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I've got Grips in 440C and I'm not planning on changing them for 154CM. 440C is a metal, IMHO, that Benchmade does well. I've used my grips, large, small, tanto, hard and they sharpen up, or even strop, well after use. I prefer 154CM in knives, but BM's 440C is hard to beat.
 
I'll also recommend the S30V Rittergrip - the mini for EDC and the fullsize for outdoor use. Its not just the steel - its also the blade shape that makes it unique.

35hgvav.jpg


More info at http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk1.htm
 
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