I have an idea.
Instead of CPM M4, this:
UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA Data Sheet
Link
Third Generation powder metal tool steel with excellent toughness. Harden and temper to 64-65 HRC for better edge retention, but still retaining a toughness level that exceeds powder metal M4. Best for high impact use.
It's Bohler's M4 class steel. 3rd gen. powder technology, and it's available in sheet form from Bohler specifically for knife making. It will offer improved toughness and edge retention over Crucible's M4, and will give us the quality that Bohler is known for. Better yet, it's rare as can be, but not super expensive compared to the 9% Vanadium steels.
I think my vote will fall here. Anyone know of any knives that use this? I can't think of any really. This steel is a bit different from standard M4 in that it is optimized for cold work jobs instead of high speed. This means in layman terms that it is better for knives since they rarely deal with the extreme heat that high speed steels are used in.
This stuff run at 64-65 Hrc will still be much tougher than D2, and have much greater wear resistance. I am sure if it's run that hard, we would be looking at more than M390 wear resistance, and a steel that is much tougher than XHP or ELMAX (more wear resistant than these also).
Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge can jump in and confirm what I am saying, but this looks to be one heck of a steel with the price range right where it needs to be. Ithink this would be a steel worthy of an HTM Gunhammer, and a better choice than CPM M4.
For me this pushes all the right buttons: rare(by name and by chem. properties), extremely tough, extremely wear resistant, Bohler quality, optimized for cold work like knives and specifically available for knife making stocked in warehouse in Washington.
I think this is the ticket. It also isn't going to be an extremely high dollar steel like S90V or 20CP
I think. Plus it will be easier to work than those.