Mini grip ordering weird blade steel???

R

realitycheck

Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
313
Hey guys I just ordered this mini-grip from bestknives.com It still says 440c for the blade steel. I know they changed the steel to 154cm so im scared I ordered the old steel. Im just wondering if anybody else would know if they just havent updated their website. Thanks guys
 
Only they can tell you. The steel change was a long time ago, but it is still possible for them to have a bunch of old stock.
 
Yeah thats what I was afraid of. I put in the comments line for them to call me and tell me tomorrow. I already called and no one answered. Doesnt even give the time they close or open. oh well i'll call tomorrow to first thing in the morning just to make sure. Had to cancel my order from the bladeshop.com cause it was on backorder.
 
I have one in each steel, and I really don't find all that much difference between them. That may be heresy, but it is true, at least for the way I use my knives.
 
yab what do you usually use them for. Mine will be my new EDC. cutting cardboard, trimming fingernails, cutting paper,cutting zip ties, plastic boxes. you know the general stuff. I really dont abuse my knives. Just wondering.
 
I work building maintenance for a small town housing authority. Think construction/demolition/renovation work. I've used mine for cutting drywall, carpet, particle board, plywood, vinyl tile, etc. Cardboard was among the lighter tasks. BM's heat-treat on 440C is very good, and it stands up to such use quite well. The 154CM may hold an edge longer in lighter use, but I can't say for sure since I don't baby my knives.
 
I've never had a 154CM blade, but from what I've read, most people wouldn't notice the difference. I've also read of people who prefer the 440C over the 154CM replacement steel. You shouldn't have anything to worry about either way. I wouldn't be concerned at all if it were my money.
 
Kaizen, is there any difference in anything else on the knive? Action of blade opening or lock or anything?
 
realitycheck said:
Kaizen, is there any difference in anything else on the knive? Action of blade opening or lock or anything?
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There's absolutely nothing different other than the blade steel, which I'm 99% sure you wouldn't notice a difference on it anyway. I'm 100% sure there's no important difference in performance for regular cutting jobs. Hey if Yab has to chop down buildings on a daily basis and doesn't notice a difference, I REALLY don't care about which one I get. I'd go with whichever is cheaper or faster to my door.

I forgot, welcome to the forums:).
 
I gave a 440C mini-Grip to my best mate two years ago and he's still using it. No problems.

Since I always carry a knife for a short time before I give it to someone, it went to the beach on holiday with me before he got it. No ill effects from the sand and salt water. No corrosion, no dirt in the lock... no harm done.

I like 440C, especially BM's 440C. I don't think you'll have any problems. And like Kaizen1 said, that is the only difference in the earlier knives and the current 556s.
 
At the risk of being flamed, the average user doesn't use a knife hard enough to tell the difference between various steels. I can't always tell the difference if the heat treats are good, and I use my knives hard, for things that tend to make knife lovers wince when they hear about them. For the uses you describe, 420HC would get the job done just fine. You'd have to sharpen it more often, but it isn't like that is difficult. The 440C Mini-Grip will serve you well, but the odds are it will be a 154CM anyway.
 
440C has 3 % more Cr than 154CM ,but 154CM has 3 % more Mo than 440C. 154CM might be a bit better [newer CPM 154 is better yet] but you wouldn't throw away either !! We don' t refer to 154CM as Weird !!!
 
I wouldn't worry about it. Benchmade does a great job with their 440C. I have a mini-grip in this steel that I've been nothing but pleased with. From a practical perspective, the only difference you'll be able to notice between the 440C and the 154CM versions is that the numbers etched on the blade will be different.
 
mete said:
440C has 3 % more Cr than 154CM ,but 154CM has 3 % more Mo than 440C. 154CM might be a bit better [newer CPM 154 is better yet] but you wouldn't throw away either !! We don' t refer to 154CM as Weird !!!
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Wait...there's a difference? I thought it was just a misspelling.:o:rolleyes:
 
154CM is made by conventional means .CPM 154 has the same chemistry but is made with Crucible Particle Metallurgy which gives smaller more evenly distributed carbides. Same difference between D-2 and CPM D-2 !! Ain't metallurgy fun ???
 
Personally I think that a good 440c is an awesome steel! I am tired of people putting it down just because it is not a new steel. 154 may hold a slightly better ede, but 440c is one of the most rust resistant steels, and is extremely easy to care for.
 
salty141 said:
Personally I think that a good 440c is an awesome steel! I am tired of people putting it down just because it is not a new steel. 154 may hold a slightly better ede, but 440c is one of the most rust resistant steels, and is extremely easy to care for.
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I agree, 440C has been an industry standard for years way before these newer steels were even invented...Not #1 these days, but no where near useless or not enough for the "average" user...
 
Yep, 440C gets a bad rap sometimes. I think that is due to some cheap imports that claim to be using 440C or just 440 steel, and that translates into our thinking that this must be a cheap and inferior steel. It isn't and I agree with everyone else that has given 440C a :thumbup: on this thread. It is really in the heat treat.
 
Its that way with all steel...the heat treat is as important as the steel itself. Btw, thanks for clearing up my question earlier.
 
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