What steel should my griptilian have?

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Salata

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Hey guys, I'm ordering a custom griptilian and am wondering what steel to use. I can't decide between 20cv s30v and 154cm. Benchmade says their s30v is better all around then 154cm, but I don't know if that's true. And they say their 20cv holds a better edge but isn't as tough as s30v.

My question is what do you guys think? Would toughness be an issue? I work in retail and the most abrasive thing I cut is cardboard, would that cause 20cv to chip? I know sudden impact can chip a knife, but can abrasive cutting also cause a knife to chip?
 
154cm is a good all around steel, easy to maintain. Not that much wrong with either one but will you really know the difference between the three steels .Bragging rights and a few more dollars for BM.
 
20cv will be more than fine for cardboard, and remain sharp for the longest amount of time. The downside is when you do have to sharpen it, you should use a DMT (diamond) or similarly high end material, or be prepared to have lots of patience ; )
 
I carried a Benchmade 550 in 154CM for close to 3 years everyday. It handled everything I asked it to both at home and on the jobsite. Never chipped it and only dulled it badly a few times. I cut alot of lumber banding, boxes and other construction related tasks. It never liked insulation and dulled quickly but I've never had a knife that did. I think 154CM is s a good balance of edge retention while still being fairly easy to resharpen.

For a working knife I'd much rather have a middle of the road steel that's easily resharpen than a super steel that takes lots of time and special tools.
 
While I'd definitely go with CPM20CV over S30V, I would also (generally) choose 154CM over S30V - despite the potentially increased edge retention - as a matter of personal preference. On a Griptilian, with the choice between the three, my inclination would be toward 20CV...unless it broke the budget for that particular knife, in which case I'd choose 154CM.
 
My two Griptilians and my mini grip all have 154cm and I've been happy with it. I like it because it's not so hard it makes me mad sharpening it but that's just my opinion. I'm more used to the popular steels of decades ago too like 440c, 420HC (Buck's version), AUS8, VG10 et cetera. I'd reckon if you're a casual knife user like me the 154CM would be good for you.
 
Salata said:
Hey guys, I'm ordering a custom griptilian and am wondering what steel to use. I can't decide between 20cv s30v and 154cm. Benchmade says their s30v is better all around then 154cm, but I don't know if that's true. And they say their 20cv holds a better edge but isn't as tough as s30v.

My question is what do you guys think? Would toughness be an issue? I work in retail and the most abrasive thing I cut is cardboard, would that cause 20cv to chip? I know sudden impact can chip a knife, but can abrasive cutting also cause a knife to chip?
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154cm or s30v will be better for cutting cardboard iirc.

There have been tests showing its better in this task than the other options.

You would assume 20cv would be better, but it's not.

Tests done here and here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76o8bpHyEpBaysM9Pr83Og

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_ZXbN06A7W937hKKnUfqQ

Just know you'll have to sharpen it a few times regardless to get past the burnt edges from the factory grinds.
 
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Honestly I really like BMs 154, It's really easy to maintain and is a great all around steel. My 707 Sequel was a great edc for several years.
 
Mo2 said:
154cm or s30v will be better for cutting cardboard iirc.

There have been tests showing its better in this task than the other options.

You would assume 20cv would be better, but it's not.

Tests done here and here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76o8bpHyEpBaysM9Pr83Og

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_ZXbN06A7W937hKKnUfqQ
Click to expand...

This is correct. If we could get some 20CV at 61+ though, that'd be a different story :rolleyes: I know BM says there's is 59-61.

Edit to add: My Anthem only did 212 feet of cardboard cutting. That was less than my Sage 2 in S30V by a large margin, and less than my small sebenza in S35VN by a smaller margin.
 
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Also I forgot that 154cm was removed from the custom Griptilian page.

Does more toughness mean more hard-use cutting tasks? Or would it just be more resistance to sudden impact/load.
 
Of the options you mentioned I would go with 20cv, I have a griptilian and a mini griptilian in 20cv and they've more than met my expectations.

However when I pulled the trigger on a custom grip I went with M4 so...
 
J.Mattson said:
Of the options you mentioned I would go with 20cv, I have a griptilian and a mini griptilian in 20cv and they've more than met my expectations.

However when I pulled the trigger on a custom grip I went with M4 so...
Click to expand...

What have you cut with it? cardboard? other hard use abrasive cuts? If you have has it ever chipped/rolled.
 
If i were to buy a knife to cut myself cause its my kink, what would you recommend??? 20cv?
 
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Salata said:
What have you cut with it? cardboard? other hard use abrasive cuts? If you have has it ever chipped/rolled.
Click to expand...

Normal edc tasks, cardboard, food, rope. I wouldn't call any of it "hard use".

The number one thing I value in a steel choice is how easy it is for me personally to put a nice fine edge on it. And will typically strop/touch up after each day so I can't really comment on edge retention other that to say that they always make it through the day.
 
J.Mattson said:
Normal edc tasks, cardboard, food, rope. I wouldn't call any of it "hard use".

The number one thing I value in a steel choice is how easy it is for me personally to put a nice fine edge on it. And will typically strop/touch up after each day so I can't really comment on edge retention other that to say that they always make it through the day.
Click to expand...

So you don't think cardboard would chip/roll 20cv?
 
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