Which leatherman steel should I choose?

J

Juan08

Joined
Jan 10, 2008
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2
Hi people!

leatherman is offering 2 types of steel on their knifes: 420HC and 154CM. The 2nd one has a higher price and according to my reading is harder but less resistant to corrosion. Then what is the advantage of 154CM to be expensive?

Cheers!

Juan
 
A lot of retailers are deeply discounting Leatherman knives right now-----don't pay full price.

I bought a k500x(154cm) for $29.99 from an original price of $59.99----3 weeks later I saw the same knife at Sportman's Warehouse for $17.99----too bad we don't have one here in town--SW that is.

As to the steel---I'd definitely get the 154cm.
 
154cm is so expensive comparatively because it can hold a better edge for a longer time than 420HC can. i think the way to look at it is that if you carry another folding knife for most of your cutting chores, then 420HC is perfectly fine. Even if you are using the blade as your only knife, 420HC will hold up fine, but require more frequent resharpenings than 154cm would. Honestly, i would go for the 420HC, because it is a fine steel, will hold a decent edge, is very rust resistant, and it is easier to sharpen chips and dings out of it. For me, a multitool knife blade sees a lot of awful abuse, stuff i wouldnt subject a "real" knife too, so i like having an easily sharpenable steel.

welcome to the forums by the way :)
 
I have a few of those leatherman k500x and k502x with 154cm. They are EXCELLENT knives and the steel is great. I have other knives in 420 and they do not compare. The 154cm is a premium steel and is great for working knives.
 
The 154CM has a lot of hard carbide particles in the alloy that make it wear resistant. If you try and sharpen it at a very low angle those particles will break out and you won't get an extremely fine edge. The 420HC is the opposite, it has a minimum of hard carbides so it is easy to sharpen, takes a very fine edge, but will dull quicker than 154CM. Given my style of sharpening I avoid 154CM.

I wish they had something like VG10, or AUS10 for the blades. Those have more carbides than 420HC, but smaller carbides than 154CM.
 
What are you going to use the knife for, and where are you going to take it. I spend the same time sharpening 154 as I do 420HC. I just have to sharpen the 154 less often. It is however less corrosion resistent. This means nothing to alot of folks, and I have only had to polish one corrosion spot off the edge of my Benchmade, but for some folks they will throw a fit over it. I like both steels alot and I would be hard pressed to recommend one to you without knowing how you are going to use it. If you are going to be in and around salt water alot, go with the 420. I would say all other tasks the 154cm excels.
 
65hoss said:
I have a few of those leatherman k500x and k502x with 154cm. They are EXCELLENT knives and the steel is great. I have other knives in 420 and they do not compare. The 154cm is a premium steel and is great for working knives.
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By stating that 420 steel does not compare to 154 cm, do you mean in cutting ability, edge holding, rust resistance, chipping, or what? Also, how far off are they; for example, does 420 have to be resharpened more often enough to be an issue? Leatherman claims their 154 cm stays sharp 45% longer than 420 blades, but provides no other comparison. Frankly, if that were the only difference, I could live with it. But, I don't cut stuff all day every day, so my needs may be different from those who do.

I would like to know what forms the opinions of those who actually use these blades, including how they use them.
 
The reason I quit carrying and buying anything with 420 is that it dulls to fast for me. For heavy duty work folders it doesn't hold an edge nearly as long. 420 does get super sharp though. I've never had any chipping or rust on my 154cm's. I do have some 420's that the tips broke with light use. They broke before I ever got them into heavy working. 154cm is a premium steel that in my opinion is far ahead of 420. Some probably will not agree, but after using all types in heavy working environments, 420 just doesn't compare.
 
Ok here it is. 420HC will get the job done 9 times out of 10. It is a good basic knife steel, that is easy to sharpen, takes a good edge, and has a good corrosion resistance. It is used in Hundreds of knives of all kinds. It is the go to steel for companies like Leatherman, Buck, Kershaw, and a host of others. It has been around a long time. 154cm is what is called a premium steel. It has better edge retention than the 420HC, but it gives up some corrosion resistance. It is supposedly harder to sharpen, but I don't think most people will notice, especially if you are using a modern system like a Spyderco Sharpmaker to do the sharpening. I have never seen a 420HC rust, but like I said, I have had to polish one rust spot off my BM mini-griptilian. I had it at the beach all weekend and I am sure it got wet at some point. It was a very small spot, and 5 strokes on the white stones of the sharpmaker and it was all set. I don't think anyone NEEDS 154cm, but its nice to know that it will retain its edge with hard use all day. If you aren't going to use the knife hard, or you tend to touch your knife up often, I don't think the 420HC is a bad choice. What it comes down to is that the two steels are intended for slightly different tasks.
 
The only reason companies use 420HC is because it's cheap to buy, and easy to machine. Of all the steels you see used and discussed, 420HC is the absolute worst one out there. For many people, who don't expect or demand much from their knives, or don't use them very hard, it doesn't make a difference. If you're actually planning on using the blade, and you expect it to hold its edge, you need something better than 420HC. 154CM is a great choice.
 
medusaoblongata said:
The only reason companies use 420HC is because it's cheap to buy, and easy to machine. Of all the steels you see used and discussed, 420HC is the absolute worst one out there. For many people, who don't expect or demand much from their knives, or don't use them very hard, it doesn't make a difference. If you're actually planning on using the blade, and you expect it to hold its edge, you need something better than 420HC. 154CM is a great choice.
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I depends on who does the 420HC. Buck has the best 420HC in my opinion and it has served me quite well.
 
Ok, then I will choose 154CM. Thanks all for the opinions.

I have to say then that I have always admire the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Steel, even though I have no clue what type it is.

Cheers!
 
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