S30v or CPM154 (I chose 154 and here are pics)

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Elkhunt58

Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
73
I am going to spring for a Loveless style hunter (for actual hunting use) and the maker I like will do either S30V or CPM154 for the same price. The only difference is he puts a mirror polish on the 154 and a matte finish on the S30. I own a few blades with both, I don't have a strong opinion either way. Do any of you? What would you choose?
Thanks

UPDATE:
I got lots of great feedback on my question and I decided to go with CPM154. I had this knife built by Tom Buckner of Olympia Wa. I met him here at the Eugene knife show, liked his work and commissioned him to build me a loveless style. Can't say enough about Tom, easy to deal with and aims to please. When he handed me the knife he said "I don't have any displeased customers, if you don't like it tell me and I will build you another one".




 
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Pick CPM154. It'll sharpen easier which is important. As a hunting knife you WILL dull it. Both are high quality steel.
 
Both very good. Not enough difference to notice, though at the same RC S30V may be slightly better IMO. Not enough to tell though

I don't like a mirror polish, so I would go with the S30V. Go with what finish you like best.
Is the S30V hand rubbed? I would go with it if it wasn't, but if it is I would for sure go S30V.


What Crucible had to say. Says S30V will hold a slightly better edge, and a bit tougher. The main reason they came out with CPM154 is that it's more easy for a knife maker to work with.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/789604-CPM154-vs-S30V?p=8880812#post8880812
 
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Elkhunt58 said:
Yes the S30v is hand rubbed (as opposed to a blasted or stonewashed finish?).
Click to expand...

Hand rubbed is as good as it gets IMO:thumbup:

edit- is nothing like blasted, or stonewashed. They rub the machined finish down very nice. Check out the website of Gene Ingram or Charles May, to see good pics of hand rubbed.
 
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depending on the HT in user tests CPM154 can hold an edge longer and is quite a bit tougher and much much easier to sharpen.
 
I have no experience with CPM 154 but I have heard great things I also have a lot of experience with S30V. I would take CPM154
 
I too would choose 154 cm. I am not a big fan of mirror polished blades, but if stain resistance is a priority for you then a mirror polish will beat out a matte finished blade when it comes to stain resistance. It has been my experience that S30V actually stains rather than rusts. Just my opinion
 
Elkhunt58 said:
I am going to spring for a Loveless style hunter (for actual hunting use) and the maker I like will do either S30V or CPM154 for the same price. The only difference is he puts a mirror polish on the 154 and a matte finish on the S30. I own a few blades with both, I don't have a strong opinion either way. Do any of you? What would you choose?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Depends on finial hardness really, if the CPM 154 is at 61-62 HRC then I would go with that and ask for a hand rubbed finish instead of a mirror finish, CPM 154 is an excellent steel that does very well with a coarse edge, very aggressive.

This is hand rubbed CPM 154

DSC_36562.JPG


DSC_36421.JPG
 
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Vicarious Reality said:
Mirror 154, better corrosion resistance, looks fancier, smaller carbides, finer edge, as tough as s30v according to Crucible
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This and for these reasons. Plus I really like the looks of a mirror polish on the Loveless-style hunting knives. You won't be disappointed with either steel if they have good geometry and are heat treated well though.
 
If you are doing a Loveless style hunter I would recommend CPM-154 (not only because it is an awesome well balanced steel) and a high mirror polish. It is more true to Loveless philosophy of knife design.
 
The differences in performance aren't far enough apart to be noticeable. A mirror polish will also get scratched up easily. So I'd go with the S30V.
 
It looks like the guys have made your decision much easier for you, Elkhunt58. :rolleyes: :)

Happy New Year!
 
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