SS 440c s30v 154 cm cpm154cm

SENGVIN

SENGVIN

Joined
Oct 18, 2011
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Which one is the best and why ? I would like to hear your opinions. The knife would be 9"blade oa 14" survival knife ready for anything and everything + stain resistant:)
A would appreciate any input.
 
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9" blade or 9" overall?

None of those would be my first choice for a big ol' knife with a 9" blade. But I'm sure they would suffice... I'll let the experts chime in here...
 
Has to be stain resistant? Then 440C. They already make some fixed blades out of it, it's softer so it'll take impact better. The only downside is that it will need more sharpening than the favored carbon steels.

I've heard great things about Entrek and their stuff is all 440c.
 
I believe Randall even made some larger fixed blades in 440c (possibly 440b? read a few different things)

So, if that's not a good enough name on your steel resume I don't know what is.
 
Yeah seriously. The funny thing is, stainless steels seemed to be softer than carbon when I was a kid. Now they're all crazy hard and take a great edge, but most aren't that great for impact with hard materials. People fall back on carbon because it's tough but can take an impact, and can really take an edge.

Honestly, I'd suggest getting a coated blade like the Junglas, the Becker BK9, the SYKO 911, Rodent 9 etc. Personally I fell in love with my Condor Hudson Bay chopper. All are coated and will be that way for a long time. Besides, using a carbon knife often will give it a nice patina and rust won't be much of an issue.
 
Regarding two of the OP's aforementioned steels, please refresh my memory -- what is the difference between the cpm154 and the 154 cm?
 
Cpm 154 is a powdered steel. Therefor all the particles that make up the steel are more evenly spread throughout the steel. I believe that is the gist of it anyway.
 
I've never had any thing in CMP-154....but out of the other 3 I would probably pick 154-CM it's relatively soft takes a sharp edge and in my experiace dosn't chip easily....can't really say anything about stain resistance (bolth my blades are DLC coated)

Post some pics when your done!

Cheer!

-niner

P.S
There's no such thing as CPM-154CM it's just CPM-154.
 
Out of those steels I would take CPM-154. Its basicly 440C on steriods and its the powered version of 154CM which will make it an overall better performer.
 
Of your choices, and as a general rule, S30V and CPM 154 would be the toughest. 154 CM and 440C would be next.

For the ability to hold an edge, S30V would be best, followed by CPM 154 and 154 CM. 440C would be last.

But your requirements -- be ready for anything and everything -- is a little vague. And your question cannot really be answered unless you also specify the blade geometry and heat treat/hardness. Asking which steel is best without knowing anything about the knife other than length is like asking which car is better, one 15 feet long or one 17 feet long. Could be either. Likewise, any of those steels could be best, depending on other factors.


If you need the maximum toughness, you'd be better off with non-stainless. 3V comes to mind.

You might also want to consider Elmax, which is a really good stainless steel.

But I think you ought to first look at blade geometry and knife design. Narrow down what you really need from the knife. And then go shopping for steel.
 
The type of steel doesn't matter as much as the heat treat and quality control in production do.

I am carrying a VG10 knife right now, chosen over folders in "supersteel" S35VN and S30V and others. The VG10 knife holds an edge enough for me to not be able to tell a difference, and the VG10 folder has better fit and finish and design than the other knives made from 'better' materials.

I would buy a Randall in 440C over a BackyardBob'sSurvivalKnifes' supersteel of choice.
 
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