Thoughts on 154CM

Maybe it's because I got into knives when 440C was considered one of the better stainless steels, but I really like 154CM, and CPM-154 even more. I have 2 knives by Tom Krein (Ultimate Caper & Bird & Trout) in CPM-154 and they are outstanding. I actually prefer CPM-154 to S30V. Sure S30V will hold an edge longer, but I can get a sharp edge on CPM-154 faster and it holds an edge long enough for my needs.
 
I have had many “favorite steels” over the years. S90V, 10V, 3V…. Now my favorite steels are 1095 and 154cm. 154 is easy to sharpen, takes a toothy edge and holds it for a good period of time. I will take it over S30V everyday of the week.
 
I like 154cm, I wasn't sure when I first got it, but it's convinced me several times in the 7 years since I bought that knife. I've honestly never tried the powdered version, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy either version if I liked the knife. This is coming from a former Gung ho carbon steel lover.
 
I think the only knives I have with 154CM are ProTech's, they are easy to bring back to sharp with minimal effort. I think it has been considered a good "field steel" for that reason, it doesn't take much for upkeep and you don't need diamonds/etc to maintain.
 
Zulus said:
OR
supersteels are a progressive hoax only
:^D

There is supersteel sucker born every minute ...
Click to expand...
I don’t think supersteels are a hoax. I do think that most of the stainless super steels are extremely close in properties to each other… so there’s not really much between s30v, s35vn, s45vn, Elmax etc… but “supersteels” like vanax, nitrobe77 and magnacut all have their own niches where they are really worth the cost. That said, creating a bushcraft knife in vanax seems like a waste of its properties.
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
Yes I have heard people comment that they actually like CPM 154CM better than CPM S30V. Supposedly that limited Buck 110 in CPM 154CM years back was a badass blade.
Click to expand...
I have a BassPro 110 in CPM-154, and the blade has some kind of very hard, smooth gray coating -- can't remember what it is exactly although Chuck Buck told me when he showed me the knife at the BassPro opening at Cross Iron Mills north of Calgary in 2009. It takes a very fine edge with little effort and holds it significantly longer than my knives in CM-154. Badass, indeed!
 
Zulus said:
OR
supersteels are a progressive hoax only
:^D

There is supersteel sucker born every minute ...
Click to expand...
Personal opinion S35vn is overhyped. Probably heat treatment but it didn’t make it through a 300 pound boar before shaving edge was gone.
Others such S30V (high end steel) I like as at least it’s still shaving sharp after skinning, and processing 500lb critter or hog.
Next step up such as M390 (premium steel) edge retention has shown to be even better. My old BM made Nimravus in 154CM seems to dull sitting on shelf in the sheath.
 
DaveHb said:
Personal opinion S35vn is overhyped. Probably heat treatment but it didn’t make it through a 300 pound boar before shaving edge was gone.
Others such S30V (high end steel) I like as at least it’s still shaving sharp after skinning, and processing 500lb critter or hog.
Next step up such as M390 (premium steel) edge retention has shown to be even better. My old BM made Nimravus in 154CM seems to dull sitting on shelf in the sheath.
Click to expand...
I guess that's why the older steels like 440C and 420HC (especially Buck's Bos heat treat) and 154CM I am fine with. I just don't see the need to pay $300 or more on a folder because it has some super duper steel. Isn't it all about edge geometry as well? Those Buck 110's are such nice slicers because of their hollow grinds and you can literally bring them back to very sharp with some strokes on a pocket ceramic sharpener. Have you skinned a big critter with a 110 before and if so how did it perform?
 
nattynarwhal said:
I don’t think supersteels are a hoax. I do think that most of the stainless super steels are extremely close in properties to each other… so there’s not really much between s30v, s35vn, s45vn, Elmax etc… but “supersteels” like vanax, nitrobe77 and magnacut all have their own niches where they are really worth the cost. That said, creating a bushcraft knife in vanax seems like a waste of its properties.
Click to expand...
Of course it's waste
They are COLLECTORS steels only :^D
Photo OP and back to safe
 
Zulus said:
OR
supersteels are a progressive hoax only
:^D

There is supersteel sucker born every minute ...
Click to expand...
Isn't it really about edge geometry and not necessarily the steel. I mean if a blade had some cheap Chinese steel but the edge geometry was great like a hollow grind, wouldn't it cut just as good as some $300 folder? I guess there are more variables in the equation.
 
Nothing wrong with 154cm. I have two knives with this steel. I will venture a guess that CPM 154 is even a tad better.

My most carried knives are VG10 Endura, D2 Rat 1, and XHP CS Ultimate Hunter.
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
I guess that's why the older steels like 440C and 420HC (especially Buck's Bos heat treat) and 154CM I am fine with. I just don't see the need to pay $300 or more on a folder because it has some super duper steel. Isn't it all about edge geometry as well? Those Buck 110's are such nice slicers because of their hollow grinds and you can literally bring them back to very sharp with some strokes on a pocket ceramic sharpener. Have you skinned a big critter with a 110 before and if so how did it perform?
Click to expand...
I’m not gonna pay $300 for a folder either.
My experience is mostly from shorter fixed blades of a few different manufacturers under $180.
White rivers discontinued s30v beats the newer S35vn hands down.
Haven’t had one in 110.
M390 was low as I was willing to go on toughness. Went with Bradford for m390 and cpm m4 blades.
I’ve been impressed so far.
 
gazz98 said:
Nothing wrong with 154cm. I have two knives with this steel. I will venture a guess that CPM 154 is even a tad better.

My most carried knives are VG10 Endura, D2 Rat 1, and XHP CS Ultimate Hunter.
Click to expand...
Yeah I've been going old school and rocking a 3 dot Buck 110 1980-81 with BOS 440C in a sheath for a couple years now. I actually like the sheath because it frees up pocket space and pocket edges don't get destroyed by pocket clips. Occasionally I'll throw in a Gerber 06 Manual S30V. Not a Gerber fan but it's a tank with a hell of a striker pommel. When these Applies Weapons Tech scales get here, I'll mix in the Giptilian 551. But 90% of the time, old school squared bolstered Buck 110.
 
wroughndt said:
I have had many “favorite steels” over the years. S90V, 10V, 3V…. Now my favorite steels are 1095 and 154cm. 154 is easy to sharpen, takes a toothy edge and holds it for a good period of time. I will take it over S30V everyday of the week.
Click to expand...
That's what I've done. After being convinced that all the newest super steels were the best thing since sliced bread, I've regressed to 1095, 5160, 440C (Buck's Bos heat treat) and 154CM. Not that I wouldn't use one of my super steel knives, but I now grab the old school steels for hiking/camping/backpacking/work.
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
Isn't it really about edge geometry and not necessarily the steel. I mean if a blade had some cheap Chinese steel but the edge geometry was great like a hollow grind, wouldn't it cut just as good as some $300 folder? I guess there are more variables in the equation.
Click to expand...
Yup geometry cuts. The heat treat helps the geometry hold it’s own shape and the composition and heat treat decide how long it cuts for. I’d much rather take quality 1095 than cheap Chinese D2 with shoddy heat treat.
 
Zulus said:
Of course it's waste
They are COLLECTORS steels only :^D
Photo OP and back to safe
Click to expand...
Nah they all have their own niches, but the thing is it takes a custom heat treat protocol to bring out the best in each one of those steels.

Magnacut and nitrobe have extreme edge stability at higher hardness, translating into a knife with more extreme edge geometry that cuts better. If you prefer ease of sharpening pick nitrobe and if not pick magnacut.

Vanax is for saltwater applications where even the most stainless steel would rust or pit. Makes a fantastic kayak knife or saltwater fillet knife.
 
nattynarwhal said:
Nah they all have their own niches, but the thing is it takes a custom heat treat protocol to bring out the best in each one of those steels.

Magnacut and nitrobe have extreme edge stability at higher hardness, translating into a knife with more extreme edge geometry that cuts better. If you prefer ease of sharpening pick nitrobe and if not pick magnacut.

Vanax is for saltwater applications where even the most stainless steel would rust or pit. Makes a fantastic kayak knife or saltwater fillet knife.
Click to expand...
I know,
World started to exist just yesterday ...
 
My Gerber Gator 650 is 15 years old and still looks nice. It is 154CM. It cuts well and sharpens up pretty easily. You can see the corrosion resistance in the photo. But I have always taken good care of it and kept it clean and oiled.

GG-1a.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top