What Kinds of Knives Is CPM154 used for?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Rockabilly Interim Pardon Viscount
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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The reason I ask is that I recently read that CPM154 does not have great edge holding compared to other steels.

I have not used it much. I mostly have used O1, A2, and 13C26.

Thank you for your responses.

Andy
 
It's inexpensive, easy to finish, polishes well, takes a keen edge, is stainless and holds an edge better than any budget steel. I'd agree with GermanyChris GermanyChris in saying that it's probably best suited for folders and small fixed blades.
 
I see it in a lot of custom fixed blades here. Lots of makers seem to have an affinity for it, probably because it's a good all-rounder steel that is easy to get and relatively inexpensive.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
It's inexpensive, easy to finish, polishes well, takes a keen edge, is stainless and holds an edge better than any budget steel. I'd agree with GermanyChris GermanyChris in saying that it's probably best suited for folders and small fixed blades.
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It sure does polish up well. My favorite Buck knife (154 CM over an S90V core):

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3mfOFvE.jpg
 
DeadboxHero said:
Works best for knife knives haha. It's all a trade off bro.
You can't enhance one attribute without drawing from another. CPM 154s main attribute is balance.
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Agreed. It's very flexible in its applications in knives because of its balance of characteristics. In folding knives I think it does better at a higher RC hardness as you get more wear resistance that way. But it does fine for a stainless steel in fixed blades as well due to decent toughness.
 
Don't care for it, in my Emerson or Grippie. Tough enough, but desn't hold an edge particularly well compared to S30V/S35Vn, CTS-XHP or D2.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Don't care for it, in my Emerson or Grippie. Tough enough, but desn't hold an edge particularly well compared to S30V/S35Vn, CTS-XHP or D2.
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Emerson in particular is known for deliberately targeting a lower RC hardness for their knives, and also, both Emerson and the Benchmade Griptilian are in 154CM, not CPM154.
 
CPM154 is quite a bit better than 154cm in my experience. I've had it in a few folders and I have it in one custom fixed blade and in my experience it has been very comparable to CTS-XHP, both of which are excellent, well balanced steels.
 
jstn said:
CPM154 is quite a bit better than 154cm in my experience. I've had it in a few folders and I have it in one custom fixed blade and in my experience it has been very comparable to CTS-XHP, both of which are excellent, well balanced steels.
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I've found the same to be true in my usage. For some reason too many folks still don't actually know or don't try to figure out that CPM154 and 154CM are very different beasts. And yeah, in use I find it very similar to XHP.
 
Well that was enlightening.
I just rediscovered, yet again, what a nube I am.
I don't own a single knife with 154cm or CPM154.

However if CPM154 is about like CTS-XHP that's all I need to know; certainly great for how I use a work knife.
To elaborate : anything from cutting up old dirty rubber coated cloth every day to carving burs and flashing off aluminum and steel parts. No chipping, the edge lasts well and is easy to sharpen and results in edges that I "like". Yeah . . . that's good steel.

Question : What does 154cm compare to as far as steel alloys. Just curious.
 
Wowbagger said:
Well that was enlightening.
I just rediscovered, yet again, what a nube I am.
I don't own a single knife with 154cm or CPM154.

However if CPM154 is about like CTS-XHP that's all I need to know; certainly great for how I use a work knife.
To elaborate : anything from cutting up old dirty rubber coated cloth every day to carving burs and flashing off aluminum and steel parts. No chipping, the edge lasts well and is easy to sharpen and results in edges that I "like". Yeah . . . that's good steel.

Question : What does 154cm compare to as far as steel alloys. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Again a lot will depend on the heat treat, but here's what CPM154 and XHP composition looks like side by side. Pretty good comparison, I'd say. Never looked it up before:

pRztlfV.png
 
Wowbagger said:
Well that was enlightening.
I just rediscovered, yet again, what a nube I am.
I don't own a single knife with 154cm or CPM154.

However if CPM154 is about like CTS-XHP that's all I need to know; certainly great for how I use a work knife.
To elaborate : anything from cutting up old dirty rubber coated cloth every day to carving burs and flashing off aluminum and steel parts. No chipping, the edge lasts well and is easy to sharpen and results in edges that I "like". Yeah . . . that's good steel.

Question : What does 154cm compare to as far as steel alloys. Just curious.
Click to expand...

ATS-34 if I recall correctly. Back in the day off 2004-ish, it was the standard steel for high-end production knives and S30V was the usurping hotness.
 
CPM154 is a great all around steel. It is one of my favorite steels and it does not get enough love. Let's just say it flies under the radar and is an outstanding choice for an all a rounder.
 
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