Tool steels... a fun new thing for me

FourD

FourD

Joined
Nov 30, 2017
Messages
104
I recently was able to get a Native 5 Blade HQ exclusive. I got it mostly for the natural G10 scales (I love that stuff!!!) but was also curious about CPM M4 and tool steels in general. I've always owned stainless folders (S30v, S35VN, CPM 154, BG-42, etc.) and, while I never really loved the performance of any of them, I was too afraid of the non-stainless steels to give them a fair shake.

With the M4 blade I will say I am super-pleased with the performance. This is pretty much what I have been looking for all along. Pretty easy to touch up and an amazing cutter. And, while I was worried about the rust potential, after a bunch of reading on the subject, I am now hopeful that I will get a nice natural patina over time (it's already starting to form around the opening hole). At worst I'll force something with lemon juice or vinegar. Time will tell, I guess.

So thank you, Spyderco, for giving me the opportunity to try out some of these steels that other companies shy away from!
 
Tool steel Spydercos are my favorite. Don’t worry too much about rust, put some oil on it if it starts getting too bad. I’ve had one for several years and it’s still going strong.
 
I believe all of the steels you list are tool steels, so assume you mean carbon steel as opposed to stainless steel. There are stainless steels that perform very well from a cutting and edge wear standpoint, even better than M4, but they won't sharpen as easily. Even though I have S110V knives that I carry, I like M4 best. M4 will rust, and will rust easily, if you carry it while working and sweating a lot. Otherwise take care of it and it will be fine. I was carrying one of my M4 blades one morning while working in the yard and later in the day noticed quite a bit of rust on the part of the blade that sticks out of the handle. It cleaned off very easily and did not leave any permanent damage but you do need to watch for it.
 
Ease of sharpening is a big advantage in my book. It seems like M4 is a nice balance of edge retention (or wear resistance, I guess... I never really understood the distinction between the two to be honest) and ease of sharpening. It's refreshing after years of stainless steels which sometimes didn't keep a great edge for very long or were tough to sharpen. I do like M390... a LOT. But it isn't always easy to find knives that I like and can import into Canada that have M390.
I'll certainly keep an eye out for rust formation with the M4 blade. I figure a light oiling from time to time should do it. Not something I'm opposed to doing. I'm sure I'll see some rust from time to time but hopefully nothing terrible. :)
 
My EDC is in M4, I get spots from sweat occasionally, finally stopped worrying, it won’t spread like the plague or anything. I’ll occasionally throw I small touch of toothpaste on the areas and scratch them with the side of a penny. It hasn’t hurt the finish, and it’ll get rid of the spots pretty well. Enjoy!
 
Give V-Toku 2 a try...it’s fairly reasonably priced and has been an excelllent performer for me. Mine is forming a patina nicely and hasn’t rusted yet. I know it’s not technically a “tool steel” per se, but it’s a non stainless knife blade steel so it’s relevant.
 
I EDC a Spydie Gayle B. version 1 which has the M4 high-speed tool steel. I have had no issues after several years of carry. I clean and lube the knife with Breakfree CLP, same stuff I used on an M16 back in the day, and it hasn't displayed any corrosion issues so far. Like any tool, you have to keep up with the maintenance and cleaning on a knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top