Sharpening cmp m4 = Awesome

H

Honed_Edge

Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
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I have been sharpening for a few years. Coming into knives recently, I knew little of carbon steels. My quest began with lower end and then higher end stainless. 154cm, s30v, s90v, 8cr, m390, vg10... These are great steels! I can make any, proud of the s90v, whittle hair and shave. This takes effort though with just DMT's and a strop.

Introduce the cpm-m4! Picked up a 810 Contego and after using the good enough Benchmade edge, I put my edge on it. It took very little time. Used a DMT Course to get rid of the grind lines and then white followed by green compound. It went from dull factory edge to easily whittling hair on both sides in 5 minutes. It may have been sharp minutes earlier but my stainless sharpening habits kept me grinding. Also, there was no burr compared to stainless steels. It was so easy to sharpen!!!

I write this because I was hesitant to pick up some m4. Can't vouch for corrosion other than a few really hot and damp days in my pocket with no issues. Wish it wasn't a coated blade but eh, nothing is perfect. So, even if issues come up later it won't matter much because m4 easily takes and holds a great keen edge. If numbers make something right, then let me stand as another who sings the praises of m4.
 
I agree completely! I have two knives in m4, and find the steel very easy to sharpen and it takes AND HOLDS a wicked sharp edge! Great steel IMO:thumbup:
 
I have found the corrosion concerns for M4 to be WAY overstated on forums.

Yes you can get it to stain and rust, but it is VERY easy to take care of a knife and avoid any serious issues.

I wore an M4 blade into the ocean once without issue. I dried it off, then once back to the hotel, I rinsed it in fresh water and dried it. To this day no issues.

Another example I can share is a producttion knife that I tried (successfully) to stain when I took it camping and used it for everything from fire building/starting to food prep and stiring my coffee in the mornings. I made a point to wipe off solids but never dry or rinse the blade. This succeeded in staining the blade with an interesting (not attractive) patina, but there is NO rust.

It is a fantastic blade steel for those with the sense to care properly for a blade and not be concerned with some meaningless blemishes if they do not properly care for it;)
 
Honed_Edge said:
I have been sharpening for a few years. Coming into knives recently, I knew little of carbon steels. My quest began with lower end and then higher end stainless. 154cm, s30v, s90v, 8cr, m390, vg10... These are great steels! I can make any, proud of the s90v, whittle hair and shave. This takes effort though with just DMT's and a strop.

Introduce the cpm-m4! Picked up a 810 Contego and after using the good enough Benchmade edge, I put my edge on it. It took very little time. Used a DMT Course to get rid of the grind lines and then white followed by green compound. It went from dull factory edge to easily whittling hair on both sides in 5 minutes. It may have been sharp minutes earlier but my stainless sharpening habits kept me grinding. Also, there was no burr compared to stainless steels. It was so easy to sharpen!!!

I write this because I was hesitant to pick up some m4. Can't vouch for corrosion other than a few really hot and damp days in my pocket with no issues. Wish it wasn't a coated blade but eh, nothing is perfect. So, even if issues come up later it won't matter much because m4 easily takes and holds a great keen edge. If numbers make something right, then let me stand as another who sings the praises of m4.
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You'll like it even more after using it for a while. One of my favorite steels, with great edge holding.
 
I've got a Big Chris kitchen knife in M4, absolutely love it. No issues with rust, it is washed and dried after use. As mentioned it does stain, but that only makes it better.
 
Thanks for the replies! In just a few days of use the steel, and knife after some serious sanding, have become favorites. Thanks to all those who posted before me and helped get a new steel in my collection. I'm a huge daily reader but don't post much. Just wanted to say thanks Bladeforums! You taught me all I know about knives!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
For sure, m4 is my favorite. It's super easy to sharpen, isn't a rust monster, takes a patina and loves a strop.

There's nothing to dislike about it.
 
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