Need steel identification on a Benchmade Nimravus

[Macchina]

Hello,
I just traded for an older Benchmade Nimravus and was wondering if I could get some help. I know the steel is either M2 or 154CM, but don't know which. It has the older kydex sheath with the metal belt clip that says not to upside-down-carry the knife. The coating is BK1 and the type of steel is not written anywhere on the blade. The blade also lacks a model number, but does have the older "Balisong Butterfly" Benchmade logo. I took pictures of all the areas that look different from my current 154CM Nimravus.

I'm really just looking for the steel type (I think it's M2, but every M2 blade I have seen online is marked), but wouldn't mind info on it's age, uniqueness, etc.

 

[RxEnergy]

Ats-34
Early ones were not marked.

 

[Macchina]

Ats-34
Early ones were not marked.

Thanks for the reply. May I ask how sure are you of that? It was traded to me as being M2...
As far as I could tell, they were orginally offered in M2 and ATS-34 at the same time, so does that mean that both the ATS-34 and M2 ones were unmarked, or just the ATS-34?

 

[RxEnergy]

All of the 154CM, M2, and D2 14x series BM have steel etched on the blade.

When BM just started out they were only using two steels on their knives - ATS-34 and 12C27. There was no need to mark the steel as those steels were unique to certain models. After they expanded to 440C, 154CM, M2, and D2 etching correct steel type became a necessity.

 

[Macchina]

Allright, now I'm all kinds of confused! I thought that Benchmade originally offered the Nimravus in ATS-34 and M2. When they switched from ATS-34 to 154cm, they started labeling the blades on the bit of blade that is exposed above the front of the G-10 scale... Unitl I found these Nimravii (sp?) that are labeled:

and this one:

This is my new style that is labeled 154CM:

 

[RxEnergy]

Those two 140's are from the same time period. The one pictured in the your fist post is an earlier one.

PS If you want, check out my BM gallery, 140HS I have is from a later production year with a different etch. I also have one just your with no steel marked.

 

[Macchina]

Those two 140's are from the same time period. The one pictured in the your fist post is an earlier one.

PS If you want, check out my BM gallery, 140HS I have is from a later production year with a different etch. I also have one just your with no steel marked.

Thanks for all the great info. I'm not doubting you in any way, just trying to get straight what is what. You really seem to know your Nimravii...
One more question: Are 100% of the unmarked ones ATS34?

 

[RxEnergy]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm not doubting you in any way, just trying to get straight what is what. You really seem to know your Nimravii...
One more question: Are 100% of the unmarked ones ATS34?

In a word, yes.

Sorry be the one to give you bad news

 

[RevDevil]

RxEnergy is somewhat of a Benchmade afficionado, I'd take his word for it. Just look at that collection...

 

[Steven Andrews]

That is a very early sheath too. I have never seen a Nim in M2 that wasn't marked up with the M2HS etch, so I'm pretty sure your knife is ATS-34 stainless.

Cut some tomatoes and don't wipe the blade clean. If it's M2, after a couple of hours the blade will have black discolouration on the edge. If it's ATS-34, it won't.

edit.. I have just sliced into a tomato with a 145HS Nim Cub and an ATS-34 John Foxwell utility. I'll leave the blades wet and report back in a few hours

 

[seelow123]

Those two 140's are from the same time period. The one pictured in the your fist post is an earlier one.

PS If you want, check out my BM gallery, 140HS I have is from a later production year with a different etch. I also have one just your with no steel marked.

wow,thats an awesome collection,i am extemely envious.

 

[Steven Andrews]

Cut some tomatoes and don't wipe the blade clean. If it's M2, after a couple of hours the blade will have black discolouration on the edge. If it's ATS-34, it won't.

edit.. I have just sliced into a tomato with a 145HS Nim Cub and an ATS-34 John Foxwell utility. I'll leave the blades wet and report back in a few hours

After fifteen hours neither blade showed any corrosion. I should have used something a little more corrosive than tomato...sorry.

 

[sloth357]

I have an original Nimravus, purchased by myself when they were released. It is a sweet knife and the sheath is my favorite kydex sheath... The knife lives clipped to the side of my "go" bag..

It is ATS-34. I am not totally sure, but fairly sure they weren't using M2 back then yet.. ATS34 was TOP steel moreorless.. and I still really enjoy ATS34 and Benchmades are great USA made blades! (I am not a fanboy just a fan, man.)