What Kinds of Knives Is CPM154 used for?

[jstn]

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.

I would be happy to see many production models that use mostly S30V to integrate some CPM154 in, if nothing else for variety.

 

[Razor]

I like it alot better than S30V. It does all I need it to do.

 

[linuxology]

I like it alot better than S30V. It does all I need it to do.

I'm a fan of both and depends on the H/T. I am quite a fan of CPM 154 and have had great experiences with it. I had stumbled upon it and fell in love with 154. It's a great steel no doubt.

 

[redsquid2]

grateful to be getting all this feedback.

Here are some projects and ideas I have got. For scale the little hunters at the top are about 3" blade length.

The wharncliffe and kiridashi are .140" thick, and I think the hunters are .102"

 

[halden.doerge]

I would be happy to see many production models that use mostly S30V to integrate some CPM154 in, if nothing else for variety.

I wouldn't mind seeing this either. Especially given how much some people wail and complain about S30 on these forums.

 

[Kentucky]

Great steel. I think it's often ran too soft on production blades but that's just my opinion. Takes a very fine edge, makes a great hunter. Holds an edge through multiple animals and is easy to touch up

 

[redsquid2]

It sure does polish up well. My favorite Buck knife (154 CM over an S90V core):

Nice polish indeed, and that knife is a treasure.

 

[Mo2]

It sure does polish up well. My favorite Buck knife (154 CM over an S90V core):

Looks amazing but cpm154 is not the same as 154cm. I mean it sorta is. But it's the powdered steel version of it. It's properties get better. Man that thing looks amazing

 

[dkb45]

I wouldn't mind seeing this either. Especially given how much some people wail and complain about S30 on these forums.

You're talking about me, aren't you? I detest S30V and constantly praise CPM154.

Honestly CPM154 usurped 154cm as my favorite steel. Great edge retention, incredibly easy to sharpen, tough enough, and perfectly stainless to need little maintenance. CTS-XHP is a very strong contender, though. Both steels are absolutely phenomenal, and should be used a lot more widely than they are. Aside from the little less edge rentention, they are every bit as good as S30V, but I believe cheaper to machine (and polish up really well).

 

[John_0917]

It’s important to note that CPM154 and 154CM are chemically identical but CPM is a vastly superior performer. For reasons beyond my knowledge, the formula really benefits tremendously from the PM process, much more than other steels. Somewhat similar to how 40cp is vastly better than 440C.

 

[halden.doerge]

You're talking about me, aren't you? I detest S30V and constantly praise CPM154.

Honestly CPM154 usurped 154cm as my favorite steel. Great edge retention, incredibly easy to sharpen, tough enough, and perfectly stainless to need little maintenance. CTS-XHP is a very strong contender, though. Both steels are absolutely phenomenal, and should be used a lot more widely than they are. Aside from the little less edge rentention, they are every bit as good as S30V, but I believe cheaper to machine (and polish up really well).

I actually didn't have anyone specific in mind, just remembering the threads. And I agree about CPM154 and XHP. I'm not sure the edge retention is really worse than S30 or S35 in most cases, depending on heat treat. But I definintely think that CPM154 and XHP can more easily be maintained at very keen levels of sharpness over the course of use.

This is all making me want to find some more stuff in CPM 154. I had a Strider SnG once in CPM154. That was some really well done steel.

 

[halden.doerge]

It’s important to note that CPM154 and 154CM are chemically identical but CPM is a vastly superior performer. For reasons beyond my knowledge, the formula really benefits tremendously from the PM process, much more than other steels. Somewhat similar to how 40cp is vastly better than 440C.

This is exactly right, on both counts. A while back there were a number of 40CP discussions where too many uninformed people kept shouting that it was "just powdered 440C". Made me want to gouge eyes out, lol.

 

[John_0917]

This is exactly right, on both counts. A while back there were a number of 40CP discussions where too many uninformed people kept shouting that it was "just powdered 440C". Made me want to gouge eyes out, lol.

In actual semi scientific cut tests it has performed 2-3 times better by cuts as 440C.

If anyone tells you that PM steels are overrated or not worth it or whatever, they are wrong

 

[halden.doerge]

In actual semi scientific cut tests it has performed 2-3 times better by cuts as 440C.

If anyone tells you that PM steels are overrated or not worth it or whatever, they are wrong

You got it. In particular it seems to me that PM versions of low allow steels like 40CP, CPM154, and XHP really shine. The fine powdered grain structure makes a massive difference on these steels vs their non-PM counterparts, which often goes ignored by some folks.

 

[Mo2]

In actual semi scientific cut tests it has performed 2-3 times better by cuts as 440C.

If anyone tells you that PM steels are overrated or not worth it or whatever, they are wrong

I'd say that it's at least 3x if not more. Then again depending on the heat treatment of the 440c you are comparing. It would be like 20x better than say ganzos super soft 440c. 3-4x better than say Bos heat treatment. These aren't exacts obviously.

Oh yeah I forgot Cedric Ada G&O did a test on 40cp... A strider iirc uses Bos ht on 40cp

 

[Velitrius]

CPM 154, 154CM, ATS-34.... they're super steels to me.

Super affordable. Super easy to maintain, as in easy to keep sharp and keep from getting rusty.

Super tough in my book. I can't break the stuff. Super versatile if the manufacturer gets it right.

I can't go all scientific on you to substantiate any of my observations. I just calls 'em like I sees 'em.

 

[dkb45]

I actually didn't have anyone specific in mind, just remembering the threads. And I agree about CPM154 and XHP. I'm not sure the edge retention is really worse than S30 or S35 in most cases, depending on heat treat. But I definintely think that CPM154 and XHP can more easily be maintained at very keen levels of sharpness over the course of use.

This is all making me want to find some more stuff in CPM 154. I had a Strider SnG once in CPM154. That was some really well done steel.

I'm talking fully sharpened to fully dull, S30V will hold the edge longer, but you sneeze at it and it loses the razor edge, but in my super unscientific testing I've found that XHP and CPM154 hold a razor edge way longer, like literally 20x longer (likely exaggerating a little). CPM154 and CTS-XHP dull in a more linear scale, and sharpen back to the razor edge more easily.

 

[115Italian]

If you have expierience with 13c26, going from there, its a step up in edge retention and toughness. Cpm 154 is a steel you want to use when you need a stainless steel knife with good edge retention but also require a blade thats less likely to chip in hard use tasks.

 

[bearfacedkiller]

CPM154 is a modern powdered version of 154CM. 154CM is an American produced version of ATS34.

At one point ATS34 was very popular but being a Japanese steel it wasn't easily accessible so 154CM was created. It was a favorite of Bob Loveless and I believe he had a lot to do with its popularity. RWL34 is also a powdered version of ATS34. The RWL stands for Robert W Loveless.

One source of confusion between 154CM and CPM154 is that quite a few makers have identified their steel as CPM154CM which does not exist. I do not know where that started but it seems to have caused some confusion.

 

[ATJ999]

CPM 154 should be a great steel for small to medium sized fixed blades. It is quite tough, if HT'd properly, for harder use in mind. Great folder steel as well.