Which Dorado, Basspro 154cpm or the 154cm?

R

rsolo

Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
13
Hi guys,
I want a dorado to carry while hunting (pigs and deer). I've poked around the forum and found some posts of people asking similar questions, but mostly comparing the S30v 110 and the 154cpm 110.

Has anyone used the 154cm and basspro 154cpm Dorado for dressing and skinning game? The 154cm can be had for less than $60 and the basspro is $100. I'm happy to spend the money, but i want know i'm not paying for paper performance.

I love my 408 in S30V, i wonder if an s30v dorado is on the way.

Thanks for your help
 
I don't know much about either of the knives, but the difference in price could be that CPM 154 is a bit more expensive than CM 154. The makeup is the same but the method used to create CPM 154 creates a more uniform, less stressed steal as I understand. I don't personally think that it would necessarily cut so much better than just regular CM 154 so you just have to decide whether it's worth the extra $40 for you! That being said most of the knives I make are from CPM 154 because people tend to like it a little bit better. It can take and hold a razor sharp edge, but will probably not be up to par with S30V if that's what you are comparing it to.
 
Also the Bass Pro CPM154 is coated with some sort of titanium nitride? finish for extra durablility and corrosion resistance. Not that this is a problem with the 154CM but it is a selling point for Bass Pro ;)

With that said, my Dorado is 154Cm and works beautifully!
 
154 CPM is the better steel. Because it starts as a powder the elemental mix within the steel is more even...that means you will not get hard and soft spots after heat treating that create fracture opportunities. This even mix also makes sure you get the most benefit from the elements as well...as in making sure the carbon in the steel is not "lumped" together etc...and nothing is harder to resharpen then a lump of carbon...

When you look under a microscope and see the microstructure...all the molecules lined up and in order...that is what gives a hardened knife the ductility to not be brittle. You get a blade that is hard enough to hold an edge without fracturing or chipping along that edge.

Sorry if I rambled too long but I think the cpm material from Crucible is a great improvement over the standard stuff.
 
CJ Buck said:
154 CPM is the better steel. Because it starts as a powder the elemental mix within the steel is more even...that means you will not get hard and soft spots after heat treating that create fracture opportunities. This even mix also makes sure you get the most benefit from the elements as well...as in making sure the carbon in the steel is not "lumped" together etc...and nothing is harder to resharpen then a lump of carbon...

When you look under a microscope and see the microstructure...all the molecules lined up and in order...that is what gives a hardened knife the ductility to not be brittle. You get a blade that is hard enough to hold an edge without fracturing or chipping along that edge.

Sorry if I rambled too long but I think the cpm material from Crucible is a great improvement over the standard stuff.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree w/ everything CJ said. However, I'd add (as I'm sure he's aware)that sound heat treating must prevail inorder to fully realize this steels potential. DM
 
I have one, but have not put it to a good test. It is my understanding that it is pretty tough.

Tom
 
rsolo said:
How durable is the coating on the basspro? Is it prone to scratching or wear?
Click to expand...

Sir, The coating is very tough when using the knife on game or cardboard but can easily be sharpened off with a diamond stone. DM
 
It is more than just a coating. The surface of the steel has been bombarded with atoms released from a target. That target can be titanium, aluminum, zirconium (at least these are what we have used). This process is called Vapor Deposition and involves attacking the "target" within a nitrogen gas filled chamber. You hang the blade within that chamber and the atoms released from the target smash into the blade slowly building up. They hit with such force that they penetrate within the steel so it is more than just a coating on top of the steel. It is incredibly hard. The coating is corrossion proof but it does not create a perfect seal over the steel so moisture can still get to the steel beneath and rust. So it increases rust resistance but does not make the knife rust proof. Because of the hardness of the coating it provides a great bearing surface. It makes galling virtually impossible and you will get better action.

Titanium leaves a gold finish. Titanium with Aluminum leaves a gray finish and the Zirconium left a light gold...we called it Champagne...finish. The coating magnifies imperfections in the finish so we have to make sure the blades are perfect before coating.
 
CJ, Thank you for the explaination. I've also noticed during my cutting test w/ these blades that the coating greatly enhances their cutting abilities. Analogous to mirror polishing a blade such as when the drag coefficient is reduced the blade glides thru a medium quicker thus cutting easier. Another plus for these blades! DM
 
Thanks for all the great responses guys. You've all been extremely helpful.

I've got an itchy ordering finger, basspro 154cpm dorado on the way. I'll post a report once I get a chance to put it to work.
 
You won't be disappointed, Rsolo, as the BP Dorado is among the best knives that I own.
 
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